2023 Nissan Altima: Fresh Face, Wireless Tech, More Standard Safety

The Nissan Altima — one of the few remaining mid-size sedans with available all-wheel drive — is getting a refresh for 2023. Exterior tweaks include a new front end, restyled wheels and two new exterior colors, but these updates take a backseat to the changes inside. The Altima’s tech is upgraded with an available 12.3-inch touchscreen, enhanced connectivity and more active safety features for the base model. What doesn’t change is the sedan’s engine choices: a standard 2.5-liter four-cylinder or an optional turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder.

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

New Face, Colors and Wheels

The 2023 Altima’s new front end sets it apart most from the 2022 model. All trims get a new grille design and wear Nissan’s updated badge; the SR model gets a distinct black chrome grille. LED headlights with integrated turn signals are now standard.

In addition to the facelift, the 2023 Altima sees new paint colors and wheel choices. The new paint colors are Gray Sky Pearl and Garnett Pearl Metallic, and the sedan’s available 17- and 19-inch aluminum wheels have new designs.

Powertrains Carry On

The 2023 Altima’s base engine remains a 188-horsepower, 2.5-liter four-cylinder that pairs with a continuously variable automatic transmission. Front-wheel drive is standard, and choosing the available AWD system reduces engine output to 182 hp.

The available turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder makes 248 hp on premium gas (236 hp on regular) for a more engaging driving experience. This engine is only offered in the front-drive SR trim. The base engine with FWD gets the best EPA-estimated gas mileage — up to 32 mpg combined — while the turbo 2.0-liter is rated 29 mpg combined.

Wireless Connectivity, Safety Added

Apart from updated upholstery for the SR trim, the most notable changes inside the 2023 Altima are its tech and safety upgrades. A new 12.3-inch dashboard touchscreen is optional, taking the place of the 8-inch touchscreen as the car’s largest display. Wireless Apple CarPlay and wireless device charging are also newly available. Wired Android Auto availability continues for 2023.

The Altima’s safety and driver-assist features carry over mostly unchanged, but the base model gets some attention in this department. Nissan’s Safety Shield 360 is now standard, including on the base S, and includes features like blind spot warning, rear cross-traffic alert and rear automatic emergency braking — all features that were previously optional on the base Altima. The SL and SR VC-Turbo trims also gain a 360-degree camera system for 2023.

Nissan’s ProPilot Assist system, a hands-on driving system that includes full-speed adaptive cruise control and lane-centering steering assist, is included on SL and SR VC-Turbo trims and is optional for the SV; other trims miss out on the tech.

Trims, Pricing and Release Date

The 2023 Nissan Altima will be offered in five variants: S, SV, SR, SL and SR VC-Turbo (the range-topping Platinum model is no longer available).

Pricing for the 2023 Altima will be announced closer to its expected arrival in the fall. The 2022 Altima starts at $25,925 for the base 2.5 S while the 2.5 Platinum costs $35,625 (all prices include destination); the turbo 2.0 SR starts at $32,275.

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