Mid-size sedans have lost their appeal as many of their traditional buyers switch to SUVs. Carmakers have responded with yet more SUVs to choose from in place of fewer sedans — but that may change in the wake of rising gas prices, which could tip the scales back in favor of more fuel-efficient sedans. Nissan is among the manufacturers still offering a sedan (unlike some competitors that have pulled the plug entirely), and while the Altima hasn’t had a complete redesign since the 2019 model year, timely updates have kept it competitive.

Related: The 2022 Nissan Altima Could Be Better; Here’s How

The 2022 Altima isn’t our top-rated entry in the class, but it remains a solid choice that trailed only the Honda Accord in our last Mid-Size Sedan Challenge. And it offers one notable advantage over the Accord: all-wheel-drive availability. Other virtues include an easy-to-use infotainment system, a generous list of standard features and an available turbocharged engine that delivers lively performance. The Altima also offers friendly pricing, with base models starting at least $1,000 less than that of either an Accord or Toyota Camry.

But not all is good with Nissan’s family sedan, including one flaw that makes it notably less appealing to those with families. For Jennifer Geiger’s comprehensive Cars.com review, check the link above; for a shortened version, read on. Here are three things we like about the Nissan Altima, and two things we don’t:

Things We Like

1. Powertrain Choices

The Altima gives buyers powertrain choices, including a turbo engine with lively performance and AWD for increased foul-weather traction. Unfortunately, however, you can’t have both: AWD is available only with the base powertrain, a not-very-lively 182-horsepower, 2.5-liter four-cylinder matched with a continuously variable automatic transmission. The turbo 2.0-liter four-cylinder cranks out 236 hp and offers more fun behind the wheel — at least until the weather goes bad. 

2. Agreeable Infotainment

With an intuitive menu structure and responsive touchscreen mounted high on the dash where it’s easy to see and use, the Altima’s standard infotainment system is refreshingly simple to live with. You also get conventional rotary knobs for volume and tuning and straightforward climate controls.

3. Friendly Pricing

A 2022 Altima in base S trim carries a starting price that’s about $1,000 less than a comparable Camry and roughly $1,700 below an Accord. That’s not an insignificant chunk of change in this class, particularly for families on a budget. And the Altima’s starting price includes a similar list of safety and convenience features as its main competitors, along with top-rated crash test scores from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.

More From Cars.com:

• Nissan Altima: Which Should I Buy, 2020 or 2021?
• Up Close With the 2023 Nissan Ariya: Airier Interior Shows Promise
• 2023 Nissan Leaf Gets Minor Updates, Simplified Lineup
• 2023 Nissan Z Review: Relatively Affordable, Lots of Fun
• Find Your Next Car

Things We Don’t Like

1. Child Seat Fitment

Many mid-size sedans are purchased for family use, making child seat fitment an important factor for some buyers. Here, the Altima falls short. Heavily bolstered rear-seat cushions and fixed head restraints make it difficult to get a good fit when installing booster seats and forward-facing convertible car seats. The sedan’s buckles tend to sink into the seat cushion, making them harder to access and use.

2. No Alternative Powertrain

Nissan was a relatively early adopter of hybrid technology, offering a gas-electric hybrid powertrain for the Altima starting in 2007. But that version disappeared after model-year 2011, and a conventional gasoline-powered Altima is your only choice today. The Accord, Camry and Hyundai Sonata all are available with a hybrid powertrain and offer considerably better fuel economy than the Altima.

Cars.com’s Editorial department is your source for automotive news and reviews. In line with Cars.com’s long-standing ethics policy, editors and reviewers don’t accept gifts or free trips from automakers. The Editorial department is independent of Cars.com’s advertising, sales and sponsored content departments.