Generation history
The Nissan Altima has been through 5 generations, starting in 1992, 1997, 2001, 2006 and 2012. The gaps were 5, 4, 5, 6 years, an average of 5.0. Redesigns come quickly on this model. The current generation began in 2012. On that cadence the next full redesign points to 2016 through 2018, centered on 2017. This is a projection. It comes from the model's own past redesign years, not from the manufacturer. A mid-cycle refresh usually lands in between. Public records describe the current generation this way: A redesigned Altima debuted at the 2012 New York International Auto Show for the 2013 model year and went on sale in the summer of 2012. Specifications, trims and the NHTSA safety record are on the Nissan Altima model page.
Every generation
| Generation | Code | Years | What changed |
|---|---|---|---|
| First generation | U13 | 1992–1997 | Like the Stanza before it, the original Altima was the export version of the Nissan Bluebird SSS (chassis model U13), though its original styling hailed from Nissan's California design group (Blue Studio under Allan Flowers) in 1989. |
| Second generation | L30 | 1997–2001 | The second generation (chassis model L30) was an American/Canadian market-only version, again styled by Nissan's California design center under Doug Wilson through 1994 (design freeze in 1995). |
| Third generation | L31 | 2001–2006 | The third-generation Altima (chassis model L31) debuted in 2001 for the 2002 model year. |
| Fourth generation | L32 | 2006–2012 | The fourth generation Nissan Altima (chassis model L32A) was announced at the 2006 New York International Auto Show on April 12, 2006. |
| Fifth generation | L33 | 2012–present | A redesigned Altima debuted at the 2012 New York International Auto Show for the 2013 model year and went on sale in the summer of 2012. |
The Nissan Altima spent 5.0 years per generation on average. The current one is 14 years old. Treat 2016 to 2018 as a range, not a date.
Source: Nissan Altima (Wikipedia). The estimate is our arithmetic on those start years.
Open the Nissan Altima model page for specifications, trims, safety record and answers.
In more detail
Like the Stanza before it, the original Altima was the export version of the Nissan Bluebird SSS (chassis model U13), though its original styling hailed from Nissan's California design group (Blue Studio under Allan Flowers) in 1989. Initially, the car's official name was "Stanza Altima", which appears on the early owner's manuals. 1993 models can be seen with a sticker reading "Stanza" in small lettering to the right of the ALTIMA emblem on the trunk lid.
The second generation (chassis model L30) was an American/Canadian market-only version, again styled by Nissan's California design center under Doug Wilson through 1994 (design freeze in 1995). A new interior (by Diane Allen) brought a revised glove box and cup holders, a folding back seat (except on XE), and depowered airbags. The Japanese domestic market Bluebird U14 has different front and rear ends, and slightly narrower width dimensions to comply with the Japanese government dimension regulations.
The third-generation Altima (chassis model L31) debuted in 2001 for the 2002 model year. It was the first mass-market product built on Nissan's new FF-L platform, which was unique to North America and had no equivalent model in Japan. The Asian Nissan Teana is similar but not quite identical, designed for Asian market requirements; all three model lines shared the same platform. The Altima grew significantly for this generation, as interior volume expanded to 118.8 cubic feet (3.36 m3).
The fourth generation Nissan Altima (chassis model L32A) was announced at the 2006 New York International Auto Show on April 12, 2006. It was the first Nissan sold in America to use the smaller Nissan D platform, with a new front and upgraded rear suspension. The wheelbase is 1-inch (25 mm) shorter than the third-generation Altima, but interior space was mostly unchanged. The Maxima and Murano also used this new platform starting with the 2009 models.
A redesigned Altima debuted at the 2012 New York International Auto Show for the 2013 model year and went on sale in the summer of 2012. The exterior design took cues from the Ellure Concept previewed in 2010. It continued to offer a base 4-cylinder engine with a 3.5-liter V6 as the range-topper. Specifications for the QR25DE 2.5-liter 16-valve DOHC inline-four engine are 182 hp (136 kW) and 180 lb⋅ft, while the VQ35DE 3.5-liter 24-valve DOHC V6 remains 270 hp (201 kW) and 258 lb⋅ft.
Generation notes adapted from Nissan Altima (Wikipedia).
Today's Nissan Altima
NHTSA rated the 2025 Nissan Altima overall 5 of 5 stars, front crash 4 of 5 stars, side crash 5 of 5 stars, rollover 5 of 5 stars.
Owners filed 7 complaints with NHTSA for the 2025 Nissan Altima, most often about service brakes (2), hydraulic (1), air (1).