Responsive and smooth handling is the most impressive feature of the 2013 Nissan Altima. Although the inline-four engine often gets louder than it should, it does the job pretty well. However, the 2013 Altima lacks a bit behind its competitors in terms of reliability.
Key Points
- Nissan has divided the 2013 Altima’s seven trims into two engine variants: a 2.5L inline-four and a 3.5L V6.
- The inline-four trims get their name from their engine capacity: 2.5, 2.5 S, 2.5 SV, and 2.5 SL.
- Similar to the mentioned trims, the three remaining ones are coded after the V6 engine’s capacity: 3.5 S, 3.5 SV, and 3.5 SL.
- While the 2.5 S offers an additional two-door coupe body style, other trim levels are available only as four-door sedans.
- The SL trims offer better value and stretch your dollar the furthest. Still, other cars within the same price range offer better reliability.
2013 Nissan Altima’s Inline-four-equipped 2.5 Trim Comes with the Basics, Including CD Player and Remote Entry
The base model 2013 Nissan Altima, dubbed the Altima 2.5, offers nothing fancy. It comes with a CD player, remote keyless entry, a mediocre four-speaker sound system, and Bluetooth connectivity. The four-inch infotainment screen inside the Altima 2.5 doesn’t support touch inputs.
Almost any other car in the 2013 Altima’s league can offer one or two features more than the Altima’s base model.
Things get a little better with the 2.5 S model. Six-way power seats, audio controls mounted on the steering wheel, cruise control, and automatic headlights result in a better driving experience than the base model. What’s more, two additional speakers help ignore the Altima’s unnecessarily loud four-cylinder better.
The two-door coupe Altima is available only with the 2.5 S trim. It offers identical features to the Altima 2.5 S Sedan and a similar driving experience. However, since its fuel consumption rate is significantly lower than the sedan model, the coupe body style is harder to recommend.
Besides engine configurations, the main difference between the 2.5 S and the 3.5 S narrows down to the wheels. The 2.5 S features 16-inch wheels, whereas the V6 3.5 S comes with 18-inch wheels as standard.
The base 2.5 and the 2.5 S do the job, but they do it in the most uneventful manner possible. Many features that you would expect to come as standard are missing in these two trims of the 2013 Altima.
2013 Altima’s SV and SL Trims Offer Better Value for the Price and Feature a Leather Steering Wheel and Remote Engine Start
The 2.5 SV and the 3.5 SV trims offer similar features. A five-inch infotainment touchscreen featuring Nissan’s multimedia system, dual-zone automatic climate controls, backup camera, and satellite radio make the SV trims far superior to lower Altima trims.
A fancier, leathered steering wheel and remote engine start are standard in the SV trims, turning the Altima into a more enjoyable daily driver.
The upgraded alloy wheels for the SV trims give a more appealing look to the Altima. The wheels on the 2.5 SV are an inch bigger than those on the 2.5 S (17 inches). The 3.5 SV, on the other hand, shares the same wheel size as the 3.5 S (18 inches).
The SL trims feature leather seats and a powered moonroof for a more luxurious experience. Heated front seats and steering wheel, and an eight-way power seat ensure a more comfortable ride.
In terms of tech features, the SL models offer an auto-dimming rearview mirror, a HomeLink garage door opener, and a high-quality nine-speaker Bose stereo system that makes daily driving a 2013 Altima as enjoyable as possible.
An optional technology package for the SL trims includes a seven-inch navigation touchscreen, lane departure, blind-spot warning systems, and a moving object detection system.
2013 Nissan Altima Offers Decent Performance Options and Impressive Safety Ratings
The 2.5L inline-four engine in the 2013 Altima base model outputs 182 horsepower and 180 lb.-ft. of torque, which is just enough for a grocery-getter car. However, if you’d feel more secure with more ponies under your gas pedal, the 3.5L V6 in higher 2013 Altima trims will not let you down. Capable of boasting 270 horsepower and 251 lb.-ft. of torque, the V6 models are as potent as they’re smooth in handling.
Both engines are paired with a continuously variable transmission system (CVT) that sends power to the front wheels. According to consumer reports, the CVT in the 2013 Nissan Altima does seem burdensome for some consumers.
The 2013 Nissan Altima gets an impressive five-star overall safety rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). However, according to J.D. Power, the 2013 Altima scores 76 out of 100 in terms of quality and reliability, lower than most of the competitors. For comparison, the 2013 Honda Accord scores 82 in the same category.
In terms of fuel consumption, the four-cylinder trims come with an EPA-estimated rate of 31 mpg combined (27 city/ 38 highway), and the V6 variants rate at 25 mpg combined (22/30).
2.5 SL and the 3.5 SL Offer the Best Value Among 2013 Altima Trims, but there are Still Better Options Out There
The 2013 Nissan Altima’s responsive handling makes it one of the smoothest rides in its league. However, since the only transmission option is a CVT, driving a base 2.5 model would probably bore you in a short time.
Based on different configurations, Kelley Blue Book prices for a used 2013 Altima range from around $10,000 to almost $13,500. Although the base model’s affordable price tag might attract attention, tech and driver-assist features available in higher trims justify the price tag much better.
Due to below-average reliability ratings from 2013 Altima owners, going for a 2013 Kia Optima might be a safer bet. If you’re willing to spend a thousand dollars or two more, a used 2013 Honda Accord can meet your needs much better than an Altima.
Photos: Nissan
