“If you like a quiet, comfortable, reliable, and fuel efficient vehicle the Nissan Altima is an excellent choice. If you like all the bells and whistles then get the SL model. We love our Altima, especially on long trips when we get up to 42 miles per gallon. That's a lot of driving in between fill ups. And 30 mpg around Green Bay isn't too bad either. The Altima gives us the best of both worlds.”
2018 Nissan Altima: What's New, Specs & Features
Last updated August 4, 2026
The biggest change for the 2018 Nissan Altima is that forward collision warning and automatic emergency braking are standard on every trim. Otherwise, this final year of the fifth-generation Altima is a light update with a simplified trim range.
About the 2018 Nissan Altima
5th gen (2013-2018), final year of the post-2016 refresh before the all-new 2019 redesign
The 2018 Altima is Nissan’s roomy, comfort-first midsize sedan for commuting, family use, and long highway drives. Nissan markets it with a bold look, available V6 power, and a more upscale cabin feel, but its core appeal is simpler: supportive front seats, generous passenger space, straightforward controls, and strong fuel economy from the four-cylinder models. Compared with rivals, this generation leans more toward relaxed comfort and easy daily use than sharp handling or class-leading tech.
The 2018 Altima lineup runs from the straightforward 2.5 S to the comfort-focused 2.5 SL, while the 2.5 SR adds sportier suspension tuning, paddle shifters, and distinct styling. The 3.5 SL is the only V6 version, pairing 270 horsepower with leather seating, adaptive cruise control, a moonroof, and built-in navigation.
What changed, by category
Powertrain
The 3.5 SR is dropped, leaving the 3.5 SL as the only V6 Altima. Nissan also drops the base 2.5 trim, making the four-cylinder 2.5 S the new entry point.
Styling
The 2.5 SR receives smoked taillight housings for a darker appearance.
Safety
Forward collision warning and automatic emergency braking become standard on every trim. The 3.5 SL also gains standard adaptive cruise control.
Tech
The 3.5 SL gains a standard 7-inch touchscreen with built-in navigation and NissanConnect Services.
2018 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 | V6, 3.5 Liter |
| Transmission | Automatic, Xtronic CVT | Automatic, Xtronic CVT | Automatic, Xtronic CVT | Automatic, Xtronic CVT | Automatic, Xtronic CVT |
| Drivetrain | FWD | FWD | FWD | FWD | FWD |
| Fuel Type | Gas | Gas | Gas | Gas | Gas |
| MPG City | 27 mpg | 27 mpg | 26 mpg | 27 mpg | 22 mpg |
| MPG Highway | 38 mpg | 38 mpg | 37 mpg | 38 mpg | 32 mpg |
| Horsepower | 179 hp | 179 hp | 179 hp | 179 hp | 270 hp |
| Torque | 177 lb-ft | 177 lb-ft | 177 lb-ft | 177 lb-ft | 251 lb-ft |
| Max Towing | 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 |
| Rear Legroom | 36.1 in | 36.1 in | 36.1 in | 36.1 in | 36.1 in |
| Seats | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Doors | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Alarm System | |||||
| Automatic Emergency Braking | |||||
| Blindspot Sensors | |||||
| Front & Rear Parking Sensors | |||||
| Rear View Camera | |||||
| Alloy Wheels | |||||
| Fog Lights | |||||
| Heated Mirrors | |||||
| LED Headlights | |||||
| Power Moonroof | |||||
| Rear Spoiler | |||||
| Navigation System | |||||
| Premium Audio | |||||
| Satellite Radio | |||||
| Smartphone Interface | |||||
| Subwoofer | |||||
| 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 is the biggest change to the 2018 Nissan Altima?
The biggest change is standard forward collision warning and automatic emergency braking on every 2018 Altima trim. The lineup is also smaller because the base 2.5 and the V6-powered 3.5 SR are dropped.
Does every 2018 Nissan Altima have automatic emergency braking?
Yes. Automatic emergency braking and forward collision warning are standard across the entire 2018 Altima lineup, including the entry-level 2.5 S.
Which 2018 Nissan Altima has the V6 engine?
The 3.5 SL is the only 2018 Altima with the 270-horsepower V6. The previously offered 3.5 SR is no longer part of the lineup.
Is the 2018 Nissan Altima the last model before the redesign?
Yes. The 2018 Altima is the final year of the fifth generation, and Nissan introduced a fully redesigned Altima for 2019. It is also the last Altima model year offered with a V6.
Is the 2018 Nissan Altima a major update over the 2017 model?
No. The 2018 Altima is a light update rather than a redesign. Its main advantages over the 2017 model are standard front crash-prevention features across the lineup and added standard equipment on the 3.5 SL.
2018 Nissan Altima Reviews
What owners are saying about the 2018 Nissan Altima.
4.1
2018 Nissan Altima
(426 reviews)
“This is a great vehicle. From the appearance of it to the safety features. Drives so smooth and love how much room it has. Has a lot of great features.”
“Inspect the brakes before driving away. Mine failed and almost resulted in serious injury.”