2016 Nissan Altima Gets Sleeker Design, New SR Grade

Nissan has kept its word and has applied some significant changes on the facelifted 2016 Altima sedan.
Nissan’s best-selling vehicle in the United States gets the brand’s latest styling language and the changes are obviously positive. The most dramatic updates have been applied to the front end, with the 2016 Altima gaining a new fascia, bumper, fenders, hood and more expressive lights.
The front bumper is more sculpted and placed lower than on the 2015 Altima, also integrating fog lights on SR, SV and SL models. The redesigned V-Motion grille and boomerang-shape headlights remind of the Murano SUV and Maxima sedan.
The reshaped headlights feature halogen high beam and projector low beam lights as standard, with LED projector low beam lights and LED signature DRLs offered as standard on Altima 3.5 SR and 3.5 SL grades (available on 2.5 SR and 2.5 SL). The newly-introduced Altima SR adds smoked headlight bezels.
At the rear, the 2016 Altima gets a new sculpted bumper with a dark lower accent, a new trunk lid (with integrated rear spoiler on Altima SR models) and lower, wider boomerang-shaped taillights. New colors as well as 17-inch and 18-inch machine-finish alloy wheels complete the exterior changes.
Nissan says the new Altima is 10 percent more aerodynamic, with the coefficient of drag reduced from 0.29 Cd to 0.26 Cd. The changes are due to the addition of an active grille shutter, underfloor aero cover additions and the new front and rear fascia and windshield designs.
The interior features a revised center stack with available 5-inch and 7-inch displays for the NissanConnectSM with Mobile Apps and available NissanConnect Navigation with Mobile Apps. In addition, the standard Zero Gravity front seats have been reshaped and the woven cloth seating and door panel materials feature a more open weave pattern.
The steering wheel has also been refreshed for 2016, while the twin cup holders on the center console can now accommodate mug handles. Finally, the new Altima SR grade adds blue sport interior accents on the steering wheel, door panels and seats, in contrast with the Charcoal interior color. The SR also features a leather-wrapped steering wheel, paddle shifters, and leather-wrapped gear shifter.
With the addition of the new SR model, the 2016 Altima is available in a choice of seven models – 2.5, 2.5 S, 2.5 SR, 2.5 SV, 2.5 SL, 3.5 SR and 3.5 SL. The 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine continues to deliver 182 horsepower, while the 3.5-liter V6 produces 270 horsepower. Nissan says highway fuel economy has increased to 39 mpg (6 l/100 km) for Altima 2.5-liter models (except 2.5 SR).

The 2016 Altima will go on sale in November, with prices to be announced closer to the launch date.

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