The 2014 Nissan Altima is in that mid-size middle ground. Not as powerful as a full-size, and not as nimble as a compact. But if you go with the V6, you may find that there’s a surprising bit of strength under the hood of this unassuming sedan.
Key Points
- 2014 Nissan Altimas are offered with one of two engines, a 2.5L inline-four, and a 3.5L V6. Engines are locked to trim level, with 2.5s carrying the 2.5L, and 3.5s carrying the 3.5L.
- The 2.5L inline-four delivers 182 horsepower and 180 lb.-ft. of torque, which would probably be more than enough in a coupe, but can feel a bit light in a sedan.
- All trim levels come equipped with front-wheel drive and one-speed Xtronic CVT transmission.
- The 3.5L V6 delivers 270 horsepower and 251 lb.-ft. of torque, making it the clear winner if you’re looking for something that will let you merge and pass with confidence.
- The V6 has been recalled for a potential fuel leak, so be sure to run the VIN when buying a used Altima.
2.5L Engine is Efficient, but Lacking Oomph, at 182 Horsepower in a 1.5 Ton Sedan
The 2014 Nissan Altima starts out with a 182 horsepower, 180 lb.-ft. 2.5L inline-four as the entry-level engine. That might sound sort of modest for a mid-size sedan, and truth be told, with a curb weight of just over 3,000 pounds, reviewers have reported that it’s not the zippiest engine when it comes to merging, passing, and accelerating up hills.
Not exactly “underpowered,” but perhaps lacking the “oomph” you want for confident highway driving. If the Altima were still offered in a Coupe, it might be a different story. But the 2014 dropped this body type from the lineup, leaving us with a sedan that feels just a touch too big for a modest four-cylinder engine.
In all trim levels, the engine is matched with front-wheel drive, and a one-speed Xtronic CVT. Some CVT cars offer a conventional automatic transmission as an option, but not this one.
While not everyone is a fan of CVT, we do have Xtronic to thank for the car’s remarkable fuel economy. You can expect to get around 27/38 miles to the gallon, city/highway, so you’ll be surprised at just how far you can go with a single fill-up for the 18-gallon tank.
The 2014 Altima’s trim levels are conveniently named after what’s under the hood. So the 2.5L inline-four can be found in the 2.5, 2.5 S, 2.5 SV, and the 2.5 SL.
3.5L Engine Offers a Noticeable 270 HP Power Upgrade at a Modest Price Bump
The 3.5L V6 can be found packed into the 3.5, 3.5 SV, and 3.5 SL. Again, the trim levels are named after the engine, so you know exactly what you’re shopping for without having to call the seller and ask for specs.
In the 3.5 trims, you’re getting 270 horsepower and 251 lb.-ft. of torque, which ensures a much more aggressive feel in highway scenarios, and an easier time on hills and inclines.
And while the Altima isn’t often described as “sporty,” a stock V6 boasts a zero to sixty time clocked at under seven seconds. Maybe that won’t outrun a Dodge Demon, but it’ll raise some eyebrows when people see your family sedan coming out of stop signs like a Civic Si.
The tradeoff is slightly weaker fuel economy, but the V6 still delivers an impressive 22/31 miles to the gallon, city/highway, so it’s not exactly a gas guzzler, and what you’re getting out of the deal is a mid-size with the get-up-and-go of a compact. A fair trade, especially considering that the entry-level V6 trim starts at less than two grand over the entry-level inline-four.
Your V6 Engine has Probably been Recalled
If you’re driving a V6, your car is probably affected by an August 2015 recall for a potential fuel leak in the car’s fuel sending unit. This recall covered 46,856 2013-2015 V6 Altimas.
Long story short: an o-ring was installed incorrectly, which could lead to a fuel leak, which could lead to engine fires and worse.
For those shopping for a used V6, chances are the recall has already been taken care of. But, better safe than sorry. So, make sure to run your VIN and be certain that you’ve had the o-ring fixed.
2.5L is Decent, but the 3.5L V6 is Hard to Resist
Our take: you’re going to be a lot happier behind the wheel of a 3.5 Altima than a 2.5. The additional costs are marginal, starting at a difference of less than two grand in the Blue Book, with both engines delivering excellent fuel economy.
On the other hand, if you’re trying to keep it light, if you like the feel of a zippy inline-four and you want to save some money on gas, you might want to skip the Altima entirely and go for a compact, like a 2014 Nissan Sentra, which starts at a few grand less than the cheapest 2014 Altima, and delivers 30/39 miles to the gallon.
Photos: Nissan
