2013 Nissan Altima Review

[SwampSurvivor]

Originally Posted By: Char Baby
Originally Posted By: Miller88
I noticed the groaning when riding with a coworker who test drove a few Sentras.

The CVT has a bad habit of holding the engine at the EXACT rpm needed to create a resonance throughout the whole car.


Yeah, that's something that Nissan needs to work on. Seems that Honda did a nice job with this in the new Accord CVT.


I have been in a few Nissans with CVTs ... they seem to be getting closer but not quite there yet.

The versa I drove did EXCELLENT for mileage around the city; it was smooth taking off (even hard) and still managed to get 34MPG in stoplight to stoplight. And I was beating on it pretty hard to see how log I could get the gas mileage.

However, when driving on the highway, on the flat, it would randomly rev up to 5000RPM while cruising at 55MPH. Wasn't quite sure of the logic.

It seems that there is some sort of torque converter clutch taht locks up when you take off. The engine is being lugged - that in combination with the torque converter clutch being locked doesn't feel right.

I think they're asking too much out of the 4 cyl at too low of RPMs and there isn't enough balancing in the engine to acellerate at that low speed.

It's the same thing if I shift the focus too early and stomp the gas going 10MPH in 3rd gear.

 

[Quattro Pete]

I had the new Altima sedan 2.5 as a rental over the weekend. If that's how these things ride, I truly feel sorry for all the owners, unless there was something wrong with mine. It looked new, but it had 15K miles on the clock already.

#1 gripe: steering feel. It felt completely disconnected from the road, very unresponsive to steering inputs, very rubbery. Turning radius was pathetic as well. Felt like driving a truck.

#2 gripe: CVT. It was running at very low RPMs most of the time off hwy (for MPG reasons, I guess), and I had to really hit that gas pedal to get it to rev up and go. Otherwise, it would stay at less than 1.5K rpm or so and sound like it was lugging while it was trying to accelerate. Some resonance was also felt in the cabin at those low rpms. And if I did hit the gas pedal harder, the engine sounded very unrefined. And if I switched overdive off, then it held the RPMs above 3K. It was responsive then, but it just sounded like a POS. I would shoot myself if I had to live with it. I guess the "S" mode was there to help it rev up more freely, but still, I just did not like the way the engine sounded at higher rpms.


Likes:
- good mpg
- decent fit and finish, considering the price

 

[SwampSurvivor]

I don't understand why Nissan keeps going with CVTs in everything. People don't like CVTs ...

 

[SLCraig]

Originally Posted By: Miller88
I don't understand why Nissan keeps going with CVTs in everything. People don't like CVTs ...


It's sad. Nissan of yesteryear was my favorite company because you could get a Maxima with a 6 speed manual and LSD, and now you can't get a manual on anything that is any fun save the 370Z.

It's a real shame. If I had to buy a midsize now, it would have to be an Accord, (available in 6MT)

 

[javacontour]

The 2.5L in oilBabe's 2010 Altima sounds like a tractor engine. That adds to my dislike of the car.

It's essentially a largely inoffensive car in a class where that is a key feature.

 

[SLCraig]

Originally Posted By: javacontour
The 2.5L in oilBabe's 2010 Altima sounds like a tractor engine. That adds to my dislike of the car.

It's essentially a largely inoffensive car in a class where that is a key feature.


My friends 2009 sounds the same way. I have never been a fan of the 2.5 though, I have owned an Altima myself. 3.5 all the way

 

[SwampSurvivor]

Originally Posted By: SLCraig
Originally Posted By: Miller88
I don't understand why Nissan keeps going with CVTs in everything. People don't like CVTs ...


It's sad. Nissan of yesteryear was my favorite company because you could get a Maxima with a 6 speed manual and LSD, and now you can't get a manual on anything that is any fun save the 370Z.

It's a real shame. If I had to buy a midsize now, it would have to be an Accord, (available in 6MT)



I can understand why they are putting CVTs in everything - but if people don't like it, they won't buy your stuff. I like the idea of a CVT but they do not work well.

I liked the pathfinder. Thought it was great that someone still built a small full frame SUV. Not any more, it's just a front wheel drive car (with CVT!).

However, I really do like the Versa. I think it's one of the best value cars on the American market. I'd have to get the base 5MT model though.

 

[hypervish]

I rented three different rental Altima's this weekend, and personally only drove two of them. One was a 2013, the other was a 2010.

The CVT had a weird groaning sound to it, while taking off on both of the Altima's. The 2010 was a bit strange in the way it drove, it occasionally felt like it was "slipping" when accelerating. Kind of strange.

I didn't pay attention to the mpg, so can't comment on that. The 2010 had rattles, which was disappointing, but it was a rental so who knows what abuse it had been through. Lot's of road noise though on both Altima's, I know the 2010 had worn tires. But the 2013 had what looked a decent set of rubber.

 

[mechanicx]

Originally Posted By: SLCraig
Originally Posted By: Miller88
I don't understand why Nissan keeps going with CVTs in everything. People don't like CVTs ...


It's sad. Nissan of yesteryear was my favorite company because you could get a Maxima with a 6 speed manual and LSD, and now you can't get a manual on anything that is any fun save the 370Z.

It's a real shame.


I agree. Nissan was my favorite Japanese make too. They did have most of the more desirable cars.

I think CVTs are a Japanese makes thing. I think in Japan CVTs are very common.

Domestic makes have shunned CVTs for the most part. They tried them, customers didn't like them, so they dropped them. It seems people are more tolerant of quirkiness in import cars than they are with domestic.

 

[javacontour]

Theoretically, the CVT should be a great transmission. It can select the best ratio for the conditions and should be much simpler than a traditional automatic.

I don't mind the CVT in my MIL's Maxima, but it's absolutely no fun in the 2.5L Altima.

On the plus side, the fuel economy is very good for a vehicle that size. I get better fuel economy in the Altima than in my much smaller Protege5.

Part of that is the P5 is just so much more fun to toss into corners and run up to near the redline rowing through the gears compared to the Altima.

 

[bchannell]

just goes to show you can get all kinds of opinions on anything. I have a 2013 Altima 2.5 and love it. It runs like a striped a**ed ape and can keep pace with anything on the road, with the exception of muscle cars. Noise is no major problem, it is quiet and mannerly on the road, in slow or fast paced driving.
I only have one single compaint, the head rests are too far forward, and I hit the back of my head on them when in a normal upright position driving. They're not what I would call annoying, just slightly objectionable, and certainly nothing to have kept me from buying this fine car.

 

[WhyMe]

i rented one last week in Vegas. it had 7k miles on it. Came from TN. i had it for a week so got a good test. its a bit larger than a Fushion or Sonata inside. being so new, there were no problems with rattling or such. interior was ok. typical Japanese styling.

one thing i like wsa the no key starting and door opening. Car ws kinda gutless with the A/C going full blast and 5 people in the car. I'm not sure if it had a CVT in it.

 

[Cujet]

Just rented a base model, 2013 Altima 4 cyl CVT for a recent highway trip.

I like the MPG's! This car achieves excellent highway mileage. I found the engine capable of sufficient acceleration and power, especially when not floored. In fact, it felt faster at 3/4 throttle, than at full rpm. Throttle response was perfectly tailored to the CVT.

The transmission made a gentle whine while sitting at traffic lights, but not noticeable unless the windows were open. Otherwise, I found the CVT to be very agreeable, doing exactly what I would have wanted it to do.

The suspension is sporty enough and the car drives well. However, the base model seats and I don't get along. Even with the electric "lift" feature, that won't let you tilt the seat. My rear was killing me after a few hours. It's the same seat as before and I hate it. The interior styling has been improved, but my rental was quite scratched up inside. Possibly the interior is not tough enough. Or, more likely, it's been abused.

Otherwise, a very nice and reasonably priced car and a bit more fun than a Camry or Fusion. But, not as comfortable as either.

 

[Clevy]

Originally Posted By: Cujet
Just rented a base model, 2013 Altima 4 cyl CVT for a recent highway trip.

I like the MPG's! This car achieves excellent highway mileage. I found the engine capable of sufficient acceleration and power, especially when not floored. In fact, it felt faster at 3/4 throttle, than at full rpm. Throttle response was perfectly tailored to the CVT.

The transmission made a gentle whine while sitting at traffic lights, but not noticeable unless the windows were open. Otherwise, I found the CVT to be very agreeable, doing exactly what I would have wanted it to do.

The suspension is sporty enough and the car drives well. However, the base model seats and I don't get along. Even with the electric "lift" feature, that won't let you tilt the seat. My rear was killing me after a few hours. It's the same seat as before and I hate it. The interior styling has been improved, but my rental was quite scratched up inside. Possibly the interior is not tough enough. Or, more likely, it's been abused.

Otherwise, a very nice and reasonably priced car and a bit more fun than a Camry or Fusion. But, not as comfortable as either.



Interesting you mention that acceleration felt stronger at 3/4 pedal than floored. I noticed the same thing in my mother's caliber which also has a cvt. I wonder why that is.
At first I thought it was the ecu pulling timing to limit power transfer to the transmission until the rpm are high enough to allow full power to be transferred and possibly causing transmission damage because there is too much resistance due to lack of momentum.
I know I'm not explaining my thought properly so hopefully a member here will see this and explain it in a manner that folks can understand,and not my rambling/haphazard drawing,talking method.

 

[charbaby]

My SIL/BIL went to CA to visit their daughter & family. They rented a 2013 Altima with only several K miles and must have gotten a bad one. They though it was the BIGGEST POS they've driven in a long time. They've owned Nissan's in the past.

They have drivn my '04 Altima 2.5S on many occassions including recently and, just love mine(pretty basic "S" model)

This is my 1st Nissan and, I haven't driven a new Altima but, would like to! Based on my personal experience with my '04('02-'06 Gen), I'll try Nissan again(as long as their reputation holds up).