1993-1997 Nissan Altima Full Review - Consumer Guide Automotive

Our in-depth review covers everything you need to know about this generation Nissan Altima. Get the latest news, find a local dealer, and get a free price quote for this generation Nissan Altima.

1993-1997 Nissan Altima Review

For 1993, Nissan replaced the Stanza with the Altima. The major improvement over the Stanza was an extra inch of rear leg room and head room. The compact Altima was offered in four versions: base, step-up GXE, sporty SE, and deluxe GLE. The only available engine was a revamped version of the Stanza's 2.4-liter twin-cam 4-cylinder. When installed in the Altima, it provided 150 horsepower. A 5-speed manual was standard on all models except the flagship GLE version, which came standard with the 4-speed automatic that was optional on the three lower trim levels. A driver-side airbag came standard and when optional antilock brakes were ordered, rear disc brakes replaced the standard rear drums.

Year to Year Changes

1994 Nissan Altima: A passenger-side airbag and 3-point manual front seatbelts are the major new features this year for Altima.

1995 Nissan Altima: The grille insert switches from a honeycomb pattern to horizontal bars; taillamps receive a subtle update and the wheel covers have been redesigned.

1996 Nissan Altima: Nissan's popular Altima returns nearly unchanged for 1996.

1997 Nissan Altima: No significant changes were made to the 1997 Altima, which was released in June instead of September 1996. Early production cars did not include the side-impact door beams federally mandated for 1997, so Nissan began offering a 1997 1/2 model in the fall that included the extra crash protection. Altima would be all new for '98.

1993-1997 Nissan Altima Road Test

Pros	Cons

Antilock brakes (optional)	Engine noise

Steering/handling	Road noise

Instruments/controls	Wind noise

Fuel economy	Automatic-transmission performance

Consumer Guide® Road-Test Evaluation

Performance and fuel economy from the standard 150-horsepower 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine are more than adequate. Even with the automatic transmission, passing response is fine. But when called upon to pass quickly or make a merging maneuver, aggressive use of the accelerator is required to coax the automatic to make its one- or two-gear downshift. Benefiting from its wide standard tires (205/60R-15s), the Altima is more athletic and nimble than all but the Accord. Ride quality is comfortable, if firm, and braking is strong and progressive. Also contributing to the car's handling prowess is its crisp steering response. The only potential drawback is a cabin that could use a bit more sound insulation. The interior provides adequate head room for all passengers and enough space for two adults in the rear seat. The trunk has a wide, flat floor, giving the Altima good cargo room for its size.

Value for the Money
Overall, we rate Nissan's compact sedan highly and encourage buyers to give it a close look before buying anything in its league.

Consumer Guide® Road Test Ratings

Nissan Altima GXE	Rating

Performance	4

Fuel Economy	6

Ride Quality	5

Steering/Handling/Braking	5

Quietness	4

Controls/Materials	5

Interior Room	5

Room/Comfort (rear)	4

Cargo Capacity	4

Value within Class	6

Total:	48

Each vehicle report contains one rating chart for representative model. Consumer Guide® rates in ten key areas: Performance, Fuel Economy, Ride Comfort, Steering and Handling, Interior Noise, Controls and Materials, Driver Room, Passenger Room, Cargo Capacity, and Insurance Costs. These ratings compare the particular vehicle rated to ALL other vehicles, not a vehicle's standing in a particular class. In the ratings table, "1" is the lowest rating and "10" is the highest rating.

1993-1997 Nissan Altima Reliability

Trouble Spots

Consumer Guide's® Auto Editors have scoured repair bulletins and questioned mechanics to search for commonly occurring problems for a particular vehicle. In some cases we also give possible manufacturer-suggested solutions. In many instances these trouble spots are Technical Service Bulletins posted by the manufacturer, however, we have our own expert looking at additional vehicle problems.

Air conditioner: Poor air-conditioner performance may be caused by a refrigerant leak at the compressor-joint connector and is fixed by replacing the O-ring. (1993-95)

Air conditioner: Weak or failed A/C may be due to internal problem with evaporator or to debris in the expansion valve. (1993-97)

Automatic transmission: If the gauges quit working, the check-engine light comes on, or the transmission shifts harshly, then a wiring harness may be chafing on the top of the transmission under the battery tray or the instrument-wiring harness is chafing on the airbag-harness support bracket. (1995)

Automatic transmission: Burnt transmission fluid or no reverse gear signal a defective rear control valve and low/reverse brake. (1993-94)

Automatic transmission: If the transmission does not shift properly until warmed up, make sure it is filled only with Nissanmatic "C" transmission fluid. (All)

Brakes: Inspect the right-rear brake hose for chafing on the rear suspension, which could lead to a leak and brake failure. (1995)

Engine noise: Noisy timing chain might be due to broken lower-chain guide. (1993-97)

Oil leak: Oil leaking from the front of the engine could be caused by a bad O-ring between the timing cover and the engine block. (1993-95)

Rough idle: If the spark plug vent holes get clogged, the engine may run rough and/or the check engine light might illuminate. (1995-97)

Consumer Guide® Estimated Repair Costs

This table lists costs of likely repairs for comparison with other vehicles. The dollar amount includes the cost of the part(s) and labor (based on $50 per hour) for the typical repair without extras or add-ons. Like the pricing information, replacement costs can vary widely depending on region. Expect charges at a new-car dealership to be slightly higher.


Item Name	Repair Cost

A/C Compressor	$510

Alternator	$275

Automatic Transmission or Transaxle	$900

Brakes	$200

Clutch, Pressure Plate, Bearing	$440

Constant Velocity Joints	$385

Exhaust System	$475

Radiator	$280

Shocks and/or Struts	$540

Timing Chain or Belt	$755

NHTSA Recall History

1993-94: Engine movement can cause throttle-cable housing to pull out of its guide; engine may then not return to idle when gas pedal is released.

1994-95: Air bags in certain vehicles are causing eye injuries. Dealer will replace all affected air bags.

1995 w/automatic: Shift-lever lock plate can be broken; movement of lever without driver's knowledge can result in unexpected vehicle movement.

1995: On a few cars, right-rear brake hose may contact suspension component, causing abrasion and eventual leakage.

1997: Seatbelts might not restrain occupant during a collision.

1993-1997 Nissan Altima Prices

Prices	Good	Average	Poor

1993
Altima	$1,200-1,600	$700-1,000	$100-200
Altima SE, GLE	$1,500-2,000	$1,000-1,300	$200-300

1994
Altima	$1,400-1,800	$900-1,200	$200
Altima SE, GLE	$1,700-2,200	$1,100-1,500	$300

1995
Altima	$1,700-2,100	$1,100-1,400	$300
Altima SE, GLE	$2,000-2,500	$1,400-1,800	$300-400

1996
Altima	$2,000-2,500	$1,400-1,800	$300-400
Altima SE, GLE	$2,400-3,000	$1,700-2,200	$500-600

1997
Altima	$2,400-3,000	$1,700-2,200	$500-600
Altima SE, GLE	$2,800-3,400	$2,100-2,600	$600-700

This chart details a range of prices in year-by-year listings for vehicles in three condition levels:

Good: a clean low-mileage, solid-running vehicle that needs little or no repair.

Average: a car with normal miles on the odometer, perhaps a few scrapes or dings; engine might need a minor repair or two, but runs acceptably well.

Poor: might have potentially dangerous problems with the engine and/or body, or abnormally high mileage; definitely in need of mechanical attention. Valuations reflect wholesale prices paid by dealers at auction, and retail prices on used-car lots. Each range covers all trim levels and engine types for a vehicle with a typical amount of equipment--usually an automatic transmission, air conditioning, stereo, etc. Fully loaded vehicles may cost more. Average mileage is 12,000 miles per year. Keep in mind that these are guidelines only. Actual selling prices vary- especially from region to region.

1993-1997 Nissan Altima Specs & Safety

Vehicle Dimensions

Specification	4-door sedan

Wheelbase, in.	103.1

Overall Length, in.	180.5

Overall Width, in.	67.1

Overall Height, in.	55.9

Curb Weight, lbs.	2853

Cargo Volume, cu. ft.	14.0

Standard Payload, lbs.	--

Fuel Capacity, gals.	15.9

Seating Capacity	5

Front Head Room, in.	39.3

Max. Front Leg Room, in.	42.6

Rear Head Room, in.	37.6

Max. Rear Leg Room, in.	34.7

Specifications Key: NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist.

Powertrain Options and Availability

All four Altima models (XE, GXE, SE, and GLE) have a 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine with dual overhead camshafts. It produces 150 horsepower at 5600 rpm and 154 pound-feet of torque at 4400 rpm. A 5-speed manual is standard on the base XE, GXE, and sporty SE, while the 4-speed automatic that comes optional on those three versions is standard on the luxury-oriented GLE. Acceleration is more than adequate, with 0-60 times of 9.4 seconds or so when equipped with the automatic.

Engines	Size liters / cu. in	Horse- power	Torque	Transmission: EPA city/hgwy	Consumer Guide Observed

dohc I4	2.4 / 146	150	154	5-speed manual: 24/30 4-speed automatic: 21/29	5-speed manual: -- 4-speed automatic: 20.2

Specifications Key: NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist.

NHTSA Crash-Test Results

Test	1997 Altima

Front Impact, Driver	4

Front Impact, Passenger	4

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) tests a vehicle's worthiness in front- and side-impact collisions and rates its resistance to rollovers. Front-impact crash-test numbers indicate the chance of serious injury: 5 = 10% or less; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-35%; 2 = 35-45%; 1 = More than 45%. Side-impact crash-test numbers indicate: 5 = 5% or less; 4 = 6-10%; 3 = 11-20%; 2 = 21-25%; 1 = More than 26%. Rollover resistance numbers indicate the chance for rollover when the vehicle leaves the roadway: 5 = Less than 10%; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-30%; 2 = 30-40%; 1 = More than 40%.

Built In: USA

Drive Wheels: transverse front-engine/front-wheel drive

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Also in the 1993-1997 Nissan Altima Review:

Nissan Altima

Nissan Altima Road Test

Nissan Altima Reliability

Nissan Altima Prices

Nissan Altima Specs & Safety

Nissan Altima Photos

Nissan Altima Full Review