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Independent review & score by Carivo
| Engine | 3.5L 6-Cylinder |
|---|---|
| Transmission | Automatic (AV-S7) |
| Drivetrain | Front-Wheel Drive |
| Fuel Type | Regular |
| City / Hwy MPG | 22 / 31 MPG |
| Combined MPG | 26 MPG |
| Est. Annual Fuel Cost | $2,600 |
| CO₂ Emissions | 352 g/mi |
| Seating Capacity | 5 passengers |
| Body Style | Sedan |
| Base Price | $20,761–$24,671 |
Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov & manufacturer data. Figures reflect base trim; actual specs vary by trim level.
With an overall Carivo score of 6.8/10, the 2015 Nissan Altima earns a Good rating among the sedans we've scored. Its strongest dimension is Safety at 7.6/10, while Performance at 6.4/10 is where it trails the competition most noticeably. It's a capable but unexceptional sedan — stronger alternatives exist if you're willing to shop the segment carefully.
Reliability and safety are the two dimensions that matter most for long-term ownership costs. We rate reliability at 6.5/10 — below the segment average in our scoring. Budget for potentially higher maintenance costs and check the recall record below before buying. On safety it earns 7.6/10: respectable, if not class-leading — several competitors bundle more driver-assist tech as standard. Check your trim's official ratings at nhtsa.gov.
Performance at 6.4/10 is a genuine liability and a score that should factor heavily into any buying decision. The powertrain and chassis dynamics trail class rivals by a meaningful margin — don't overlook it. Technology scores 6.5/10 — the infotainment and driver-assist features feel dated against current-generation rivals. This is worth weighing if you prioritize connected features or modern safety tech.
Priced from $20,761–$24,671, 23 MPG, seating 5, the Nissan Altima sits in the budget-friendly tier of the sedan market. The value score of 6.9/10 is a red flag — comparable alternatives offer meaningfully more for the same outlay. Shop the segment before deciding. At 11 years old, resale value, parts availability, and whether a successor model has improved on its weak points are all worth investigating before committing.
Bottom line: There's a case for the 2015 Nissan Altima, but it needs the right buyer. Its value and reliability and technology and performance scores trail the class, and several higher-rated rivals sell for similar money — comparison-shop before committing.
Carivo scores are our own editorial assessment, informed by NHTSA safety and recall records, EPA fuel-economy figures, and manufacturer-published specifications. Scores are reviewed periodically and updated when new data becomes available. See our full methodology →
The 2015 Nissan Altima ranks #1169 of 1310 sedans in the Carivo database — better than 11% of the segment. Its 6.8/10 overall score is 0.7 points below the segment average of 7.5/10. Its $20,761 starting price undercuts the segment's median of $27,664 by about 25%.
Rankings are recalculated as new vehicles and scores are added. See the full Sedan ranking →
Across the Altima model years we've scored, the 2015 holds its position — we didn't find an older year that delivers similar scores for meaningfully less money.
| Year | Score | Starting price (MSRP when new) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 7.4/10 | $29,293 | Read review → |
| 2025 | 7.4/10 | $29,293 | Read review → |
| 2024 | 7.3/10 | $28,440 | Read review → |
| 2023 | 7.3/10 | $27,586 | Read review → |
| 2022 | 7.3/10 | $26,733 | Read review → |
| 2021 | 7.1/10 | $25,880 | Read review → |
| 2020 | 7.1/10 | $25,027 | Read review → |
| 2019 | 7.0/10 | $24,174 | Read review → |
| 2018 | 7.0/10 | $23,320 | Read review → |
| 2017 | 6.9/10 | $22,467 | Read review → |
| 2016 | 7.0/10 | $21,614 | Read review → |
| 2015 (this review) | 6.8/10 | $20,761 |
The following recall campaigns have been filed with NHTSA for this model and year. Recall repairs are performed free of charge by franchised dealers; check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
| Structure / Emergency / Escape/egress/exit 19/12/2018 · 18V915000 | Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2015-2017 Altima vehicles, previously remedied under recall number 17V-040. The door latch-lock cable may not have been routed properly in the rear door when the remedy was applied. As a result,… |
|---|---|
| Latches/locks/linkages / Doors / Latch 18/01/2017 · 17V040000 | Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2015-2017 Altima vehicles. The rear door latch/lock cable on the vehicles may have been improperly routed. As a result, lowering a rear window may inadvertently cause that door to unlatch and open. |
| Air bags / Sensor / Occupant classification 19/12/2016 · 16V911000 | Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2013-2015 Altima vehicles manufactured January 3, 2013, to July 29, 2013, 2015-2016 Rogue vehicles manufactured October 14, 2014, to August 12, 2016, and 2016 Maxima vehicles manufactured… |
| Service brakes, hydraulic / Foundation components / Disc / Caliper 05/11/2015 · 15V733000 | Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2015 Altima and 2016 Maxima vehicles manufactured October 6, 2015, to October 7, 2015. The affected vehicles have front brake calipers whose mounting bolts may not be properly tightened. |
| Air bags / Sensor / Occupant classification 26/04/2016 · 16V244000 | Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Nissan Maxima, 2013-2016 Nissan Altima, NV200, LEAF, Sentra, and Pathfinder, 2014-2016 Nissan NV200 Taxi, Infiniti QX60, QX60 Hybrid, and Q50 Hybrid, 2014-2017 Nissan Rogue and… |
Showing 5 of 10 campaigns — see the full list on NHTSA's site.
Explore the full lineup of Nissan models scored by Carivo — ranked by overall score across reliability, safety, value, performance, and technology.