Altima SR Review: Fast Looks, Daily Comfort

Photo Source/Copyright: Edmunds

Nissan trimmed the Altima lineup down to two versions, quietly rewriting the job description for the Altima SR. It isn’t the sporty middle child anymore; it’s the flagship. That’s a genuine promotion, and the car earns it with a tighter chassis, a massive center screen, and two packages pulling it in very different directions.

In This Guide

• Where the SR Sits Now
• Chassis, Engine, and Road Manners
• Inside the Cabin
• Two Ways to Build It
• SR vs. SV: Feature Comparison
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Test Drive the SR

Where the SR Sits Now

With the S and SL trims retired, buyers choose between the SV and the SR, cutting down showroom confusion. The SV covers comfortable daily commuting, while the SR absorbs the sporty bits plus gear previously reserved for pricier trims. 

Front-wheel drive (FWD) comes standard, but Intelligent All-Wheel Drive (AWD) remains available across both, so you never sacrifice bad-weather traction for the firmer suspension.

Chassis, Engine, and Road Manners

Every Altima runs the same 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine. No turbo upgrade exists to second-guess yourself over. Instead, the SR is worth it underneath with sport-tuned damping, Active Ride Control, and Intelligent Trace Control.

It tracks noticeably flatter through bends than the SV without rattling your teeth over broken pavement. The steering wheel paddles give the Xtronic Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) actual utility, dropping simulated ratios right as you charge an on-ramp.

• FWD Output: 188 horsepower, 180 pound-feet of torque
• AWD Output: 182 horsepower, 178 pound-feet of torque
• Transmission: Xtronic CVT with steering paddle shifters
• Hardware: 19-inch aluminum alloys, dual exhaust finishers

Inside the Cabin

The highlight is the standard 12.3-inch touchscreen, replacing the base 8-inch unit. It features wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, pairing instantly without cords cluttering the console.

• Wireless charging pad on the center console
• Multiple USB ports in both rows to keep everyone plugged in
• Sport cloth seating with contrasting stitching

Nissan skipped the moonroof and dual-zone climate on base builds to keep pricing lean, though both easily add back through packages.

Two Ways to Build It

Two option packages split the car’s personality:

• SR Premium Package: Bundles leather-appointed seating, a moonroof, heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, dual-zone climate, 9-speaker Bose audio, and ProPILOT Assist.
• SR Midnight Edition: Leans into dark styling cues with gloss-black 19-inch wheels, a black V-motion grille, black badges, a spoiler, a power moonroof, and dual-zone climate.

SR vs. SV: Feature Comparison

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can you get an Altima SR with all-wheel drive?

A: Yes. Nissan offers Intelligent AWD on the SR. Output drops slightly to 182 horsepower, but the small trade-off buys year-round grip.

Q: Is the Midnight Edition a separate trim?

A: No, it’s an appearance package added directly to the SR trim, sharing the exact same mechanical configuration.

Q: What does ProPILOT Assist do on the SR?

A: Bundled in the SR Premium Package, it combines adaptive cruise and lane-centering for highway steering, throttle, and braking support.

Test Drive the SR

Spec sheets only tell half the story. Stop by our showroom, grab the keys to an Altima SR, and feel that sport suspension yourself. Schedule your test drive today.