Keep in mind that I changed my Altima CVT fluid at 50K.
But yes, once the CVT fluid is in the drain pan, it looked like dirty engine oil to me...IMO, just like when I check my engine oil.
On the dipstick the engine oil or CVT fluid looks OK, even smeared between my fingers. But, once in the drain pan(my drain pan is white), the oil definitely looks dark brown-ish.
However, NISSAN recommends(not requires) a 60,000 CVT fluid change whereas HONDA(for example) recommends a 30,000 mile CVT fluid change.
I changed the CVT fluid in the Honda Civic in my signature on time at 30,000 miles but did the Altima in my signature early at 50,000 miles. I may keep both of these car at the 30K mile CVT fluid change interval.
CVTs require a bit more service than regular shiftable automatic trannys, as do DSG/DCT(automated manuals). I mean, how much can we get away with is how much of a risk do we want to take.
Trannys have become the weak link in the drivetrain and the problematic item in new vehicles today(along w/electronics). Even though all vehicles are overall actually more reliable than in the past. We now have different issues according the Consumer Reports
For example, even though manufactures like e.g., HONDA or NISSAN who have fallen in the reliability ratings, they're still more reliable vehicles than the days that we considered near the top, like Toyota. It's just that other manufactures have leap frogged them.
As Consumer Reports said in a recent episode of Talking Cars. There are the less reliable brands and the reliable brands..................And then, there is TOYOTA.