Completely redesigned inside and out just two years ago, its premium style and "class above" appeal continues in 2015 with its wide, aggressive stance and dramatic front end styling. Its wide front and rear track and deeply sculpted fenders – which utilize deep-draw stamping techniques that allow for complex surfacing – combine with a crisp grille design, seamless bumper and projector-type headlights to create a bold, sophisticated appearance.
Altima headlights feature a two-stage automatic-on function. In lower light situations during the day, the headlights illuminate automatically – but the gauges remain in daylight mode. In late evening/night conditions, the headlights remain illuminated and the gauges revert to nighttime lighting. Fog lights are standard on SV and SL trim levels.
In addition, many states now require the headlights to be illuminated in rainy conditions. In the Altima, after four passes of the windshield wipers, the headlights turn on automatically. If the vehicle is turned off with the wipers in motion, instead of stopping mid-motion, they automatically complete a full cycle – so they don't get frozen to the windshield in icy or snowy conditions.
The Altima "premium proportions" continue with the angled A-pillar, high waistline, long sloping rear roofline and raised, deep-stamped trunk that combine to create a more fluid silhouette. The body design is capped by large taillights that flow from the rear into the bodysides. LED taillights are standard on SL models. Attention to aerodynamic fine-tuning gives the Altima a low coefficient of drag of 0.29.
The 2015 Altima is available in a palette of eight rich exterior colors: Java Metallic, Brilliant Silver, Saharan Stone, Gun Metallic, Super Black, Cayenne Red, Pearl White and Storm Blue
The interior defies mid-size sedan convention, rivaling upscale luxury sedans in ambience and sophistication. Like the exterior, there is a premium look and feel – from the driver's side cockpit to the front passenger and rear seating areas – with extensive use of upscale, soft touch materials and craftsman-like attention to detail.
The advanced Zero Gravity front seats, which are standard on all 2015 Altima trim levels, are designed to help reduce the fatigue experienced during long commutes or extended road trips. The seats were developed using seating and posture research from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). According to NASA, the least fatiguing seats are those that come closest to a "neutral posture" – a relaxed position that the human body takes in a weightless environment. The Zero Gravity seats utilize an articulated seat shape with continuous support from the pelvis to the chest and distribution of localized deformation characteristics.
Altima offers standard cloth seating with a 6-way adjustable driver's seat and a 4-way adjustable front passenger seat, 60/40 split folding rear bench seat with armrest, and black interior trim with chrome finish accents. Also available, depending on model, are leather-appointed seats and trim, 6-way or 8-way power-adjustable driver's seat with power lumbar support and a 4-way power front passenger seat. Seat surface perforations provide increased ventilation, breathability and comfort. Heated front seats are also available, along with metallic texture (Charcoal interior) or wood tone (Beige interior) interior trim finishers.
The 2015 Altima also offers premium quietness, the result of efforts to reduce cabin noise coming from the powertrain, climate system and the body versus the previous generation Altima design. Noise absorption materials with a 30 percent increase in absorption capability (versus previous Altima) are used throughout the cabin, including areas such as the roof trim, instrument panel and floor mats.
Available audio systems include an AM/FM/CD design with RDS, MP3, aux-in and six speakers, along with an available Bose® Premium Audio System with nine speakers (including woofers), designed in conjunction with Bose® engineers during vehicle development to deliver rich sound and acoustics.
SiriusXM™ Satellite Radio (SiriusXM™ subscription required, sold separately) is standard on Altima 2.5 SV, 2.5 SL, 3.5 S, 3.5 SV, 3.5 SL and optional on 2.5 S.
With the available Hands-Free Text Messaging Assistant (part of NissanConnect℠), drivers can manage incoming text messages via voice control without taking their hands from the wheel or eyes off the road. Drivers are alerted to an incoming text and, after initiating the system, can hear the text read out loud and respond via voice recognition, or via the steering wheel switches using pre-set answers such as "driving, can't text," "on my way," "running late," "okay" or a custom message.
The Advanced Drive-Assist™ Display comes standard on every model and is customizable, easy-to-use and integrates key information right in front of the driver. Located in the center of the instrument display between the tachometer and speedometer, it features a 4.0-inch color display, more than 400 percent larger than the previous generation Altima's vehicle information display and utilizing more natural 3D-effect graphics.
