That seems like a lot of engineering and mechanical complexity for a subtle effect.
I have zero experience with recent Nissans so I am willing to admit I could be wrong.
The 2020 Nissan Altima remains relatively unchanged from the 2019 model year. However, unlike the SV trim we previously reviewed, this top-trim Platinum model comes equipped with Nissan's new variable compression, turbocharged inline-four engine.
Without getting too into the weeds about it, the VC Turbo engine can quite literally change compression on the fly—while altering displacement from about 1970cc to about 1997cc, according to Nissan.
The VC-Turbo engine offers any compression ratio between 8:1 (for high performance, left in red) and 14:1 (for high efficiency, right in blue). As a result, the engine capacity varies between 1,997 cc and 1,970 cc. Cinemagraph Courtesy Nissan.
What does all this tech mean? Supposedly, fuel efficiency when you need it, and power when you want it.
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My brother had one of those jellybean-shaped Altimas back in the ’90s, and his had a stick shift because he was (and still is) just that cool. The latest one, like so many other Nissan products, has a CVT.
Hopefully you’re still here reading.
As CVTs go, it’s better than past ones but still not perfect. On the open road, the Altima drives fine. It’s par for the course when it comes to mid-sized people movers.
But around down, the box felt laggy and disconnected. Like, better options exist.
That’s likely a deal-killer for most of our crew, but a few other impressions. The new exterior looks good–edgy and falling into line with the rest of the Nissan lineup. Congrats, Nissan, on updating your lineup with something that should look timeless.
Much like the Sentra that we just drove, the Altima’s interior definitely feels a step up from past Nissans. And, likewise, the bottom seat cushion felt a little flat.
The controls are intuitive. Nissan has managed to integrate a touchscreen along with actual knobs and buttons without creating a mess. (Lexus, you should take some notes.) Love having real gauges.
My big question: In today’s world, does Nissan need a sedan that slots between the recently upsized Sentra and the ever-faithful Maxima? Before options, our Platinum model stickered a few bucks above the starting MSRP for a Maxima.
Guess we’ll see how the market responds.
Wow, this Altima is a good-looking car.
On first impressions, this car seems like it should be a good competitor to others in its class, but I couldn’t help but think why is Nissan still making it? In a world where sedans are going away, Nissan has 3 in their lineup and the Altima floats in the middle ground where it’s not a small economical car or a big luxury sedan.
With the turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder making 248 horsepower in the Platinum trim we drove, the Altima was a quick car. It has plenty of low-end torque and it had no trouble getting up and going, but, other than that, the driving experience felt numb. Initial throttle response was almost nonexistent, and the steering did not inspire confidence as it is slow to react at times.
The Altima was a nice place to be while driving, though. The ride was quiet and comfortable, and the technology was on par with other cars in its class sporting Apple Car Play and Android Auto.
However, with so many other options available in its class, the Altima just doesn’t seem to stand out as anything special.
That seems like a lot of engineering and mechanical complexity for a subtle effect.
I have zero experience with recent Nissans so I am willing to admit I could be wrong.
I have an engineering textbook from the late '90s that had a drawing of a similar idea - looks like it took a long time to translate this into something that would work in a production engine. I have to wonder if the efficiency gains are worth the extra weight and complexity.
I had one of these as a rental recently with 2k miles on it, with the base 2.5 power train.
Nissan should be embarrassed to sell this completely sub par car. Driving it back to back with a 2014 Accord it was clear that the Accord was superior in everything but infotainment, as would be expected in 6 years (but even that was not easy to use and froze). The power train calibration was so tragic, the gas pedal had very questionable and non linear response, the transmission was never in the right ratio and would see-saw RPM at steady throttle. The steering was just as bad, it couldn't stay straight on a new level highway without constant corrections, and the amount of steering effort and feel was completely non linear, it would load up as you started a corner, then completely go away, almost like it was binding (on a 2k mile car).
The car was so bad it made me angry every time I drove it. I've never had a worse rental.
The only good things I can say is that it was quiet and got good mileage.
Sonic said:Nissan should be embarrassed to sell this completely sub par car.
Doesn't that pretty much sum up Nissan as a company at this point?
And again: I have zero experience with recent Nissans so I am willing to admit I could be wrong.
It's sad that the new Camry looks about a hundred times cooler than any regular car that Nissan makes now. Nissan used to be the company that made cool cars that were never quite as good as and accord or Camry, but were always more fun, more powerful and better handling. now they are the company that makes stupid looking cars with CVTs and lousy overall performance. I don't understand how anybody could buy a Nissan these days and I used to be a big fan....
Also the hoopla about 248 horsepower is pretty amusing considering you could get an Altima 3.5 with the mighty VQ35 and more power 15 years ago.....
I've been noticing a lot of automotive publications getting sent hordes of Nissan demo vehicles lately, even ones that have little interest in stuff like Sentras Altimas (like Bangshift got a Sentra demo lately). Nissan's really feeling the heat and must be trying to get any publicity they can get.
I mean the last exciting car Nissan debuted was the GTR and that was in what? 08-09? The 370Z and GTR are going to beat the C3 and C4 Vettes for longest production car generation (at least in sports car terms).
Is this the new 510?
The CVT in my GF's 2015 Sentra just crapped the bed at 65K miles and locally, there is a new class action lawsuit that's just been opened about the +2011 Nissan CVT's.
Sooooo:
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