“Nissan Altima is a very comfortable vehicle with attractive exterior and interior design, great legroom and decent features. Just apt for a normal daily commute with family.”
2017 Nissan Altima: What's New, Specs & Features
Last updated August 4, 2026
The 2017 Nissan Altima is mostly a carryover from the heavily updated 2016 model. Its biggest change came in later 2017.5 production, when some upper trims gained standard forward-collision warning and automatic emergency braking.
About the 2017 Nissan Altima
5th generation Altima sedan (2013-2018), second year after the 2016 refresh.
Nissan positioned the Altima as a roomy, fuel-efficient midsize sedan built around everyday comfort and easy commuting. The brochure leans on strong highway mpg, supportive front seats, remote-start comfort on higher trims, and a straightforward cabin with familiar controls. In this lineup, SR trims add a sportier look and feel, while SL trims add a more upscale cabin. The core appeal is simple: good highway efficiency, a spacious back seat, and an easy-to-live-with daily-driver character.
The 2017 lineup ranges from the straightforward four-cylinder 2.5 and mainstream 2.5 S to the sport-tuned SR trims and comfort-focused SL models. The 2.5 SV adds blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and remote start, while the V6-powered 3.5 SL pairs stronger acceleration with leather seats, navigation, Bose audio, and LED headlights.
What changed, by category
Safety
Some upper trims built later in the model year for 2017.5 gained standard forward-collision warning and automatic emergency braking.
Styling
LED headlights changed from optional to standard on the V6-powered 3.5 SR and 3.5 SL.
2017 Nissan Altima specs and features by trim
| Feature | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 4-Cyl, 2.5 Liter | 4-Cyl, 2.5 Liter | 4-Cyl, 2.5 Liter | 4-Cyl, 2.5 Liter | 4-Cyl, 2.5 Liter | V6, 3.5 Liter | V6, 3.5 Liter |
| Transmission | Automatic, Xtronic CVT | Automatic, Xtronic CVT | Automatic, Xtronic CVT | Automatic, Xtronic CVT | Automatic, Xtronic CVT | Automatic, Xtronic CVT | Automatic, Xtronic CVT |
| Drivetrain | FWD | FWD | FWD | FWD | FWD | FWD | FWD |
| Fuel Type | Gas | Gas | Gas | Gas | Gas | Gas | Gas |
| MPG City | 27 mpg | 27 mpg | 27 mpg | 27 mpg | 27 mpg | 22 mpg | 22 mpg |
| MPG Highway | 39 mpg | 39 mpg | 39 mpg | 39 mpg | 39 mpg | 32 mpg | 32 mpg |
| Horsepower | 179 hp | 179 hp | 179 hp | 179 hp | 179 hp | 270 hp | 270 hp |
| Torque | 177 lb-ft | 177 lb-ft | 177 lb-ft | 177 lb-ft | 177 lb-ft | 251 lb-ft | 251 lb-ft |
| Max Towing | 1400 lb | 1400 lb | 1400 lb | 1400 lb | 1400 lb | 1400 lb | 1400 lb |
| Trunk/Cargo | 15.4 cu-ft | 15.4 cu-ft | 15.4 cu-ft | 15.4 cu-ft | 15.4 cu-ft | 15.4 cu-ft | 15.4 cu-ft |
| Rear Legroom | 36.1 in | 36.1 in | 36.1 in | 36.1 in | 36.1 in | 36.1 in | 36.1 in |
| Seats | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Doors | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Alarm System | |||||||
| Blindspot Sensors | |||||||
| Cruise Control | |||||||
| Front & Rear Parking Sensors | |||||||
| Rear View Camera | |||||||
| Alloy Wheels | |||||||
| Fog Lights | |||||||
| Heated Mirrors | |||||||
| LED Headlights | |||||||
| Power Moonroof | |||||||
| Rear Spoiler | |||||||
| Bluetooth | |||||||
| Navigation System | |||||||
| Premium Audio | |||||||
| Satellite Radio | |||||||
| Smartphone Interface | |||||||
| Subwoofer | |||||||
| USB Ports | |||||||
| Auto-Dimming Interior Mirror | |||||||
| Dual Power Front Seats | |||||||
| Dual-Zone Climate Control | |||||||
| Rear Air Conditioning | |||||||
| Heated Front Seats | |||||||
| Heated Steering Wheel | |||||||
| Integrated Garage Door Opener | |||||||
| Leather Seats | |||||||
| Leather-Wrapped Steering Wheel | |||||||
| Power Driver Seat | |||||||
| Proximity Keyless Entry | |||||||
| Push-Button Engine Start | |||||||
| Remote Start | |||||||
Frequently asked questions
What changed on the 2017 Nissan Altima compared with the 2016 model?
The 2017 Altima received only light equipment changes. Later 2017.5 examples of some upper trims gained standard forward-collision warning and automatic emergency braking, while LED headlights became standard on both V6 trims.
Does the build timing matter on a 2017 Nissan Altima?
Yes. Some upper trims from later 2017.5 production have standard forward-collision warning and automatic emergency braking, so two cars from the same model year may have different safety equipment.
Did the 2017 Nissan Altima get different engines?
No. The 2017 Altima kept the 179-horsepower 2.5-liter four-cylinder and 270-horsepower 3.5-liter V6, both paired with a continuously variable automatic transmission.
Which 2017 Nissan Altima trims have standard LED headlights?
The 3.5 SR and 3.5 SL have standard LED headlights for 2017. Both trims use the 3.5-liter V6.
Is the 2017 Nissan Altima a major update over the 2016 model?
No. The 2017 Altima carries over the 2016 model's engines, transmission, body design, and core cabin technology, with only limited trim-level equipment changes.
2017 Nissan Altima Reviews
What owners are saying about the 2017 Nissan Altima.
4.2
2017 Nissan Altima
(1,859 reviews)
“Overall the Nissan Altima is a very good, reliable car to own... if you maintain it properly! Had to immediately get a new wheel bearing ($170) & new brakes (~$200-$300), no issues with the engine...so far.”
“It's a nice car that's very comfortable with nice options, however the tech in the infotainment is a little dated and could be updated”