2019 Nissan Altima Spied, Previews Big Overhaul

What It Is: The new generation of Nissan’s midsize family sedan. The Altima received a fairly major update as part of its mid-cycle refresh for the 2016 model year, but the 2019 version will represent a complete overhaul. The redesign incorporates many styling cues already seen in its swanky big brother, the Maxima, and the company’s midsize SUV, the Murano, but will take the aesthetic one step further. The Altima will be the one of first new designs since Nissan showed off its Vmotion 2.0 concept in January of this year, and will get exterior styling and an upgraded interior derived from that show car, which was a showcase of Nissan’s new V-motion design language (and a preview of this model).

Why It Matters: Before the Rogue went Super Saiyan on the sales charts thanks to the ever-increasing popularity of crossovers, the Altima was Nissan’s longtime best-selling vehicle, and it still racks up big numbers despite its age. But with the Honda Accord, the Toyota Camry, the Chevrolet Malibu, and the Hyundai Sonata all being recently redesigned, the Altima needs to stay current in terms of styling, technology, and refinement.

Peek through the heavily layered wavy-zebra camouflage on this test vehicle and you can make out the lines and creases of the new Altima’s sculpted body. Nissan is aiming to amplify the sedan’s visual sportiness in a major way with a lower, longer, and wider shape. Up front, a muscular hood flows into sleek LED headlights and an exaggerated V-shaped grille that dips way down the front end. There’s also a large black slab at the center of the main grille opening that indicates the presence of radar-based active-safety technology, which likely will be optional and hidden behind the Nissan logo.

Two main creases cut across the body side, with one following the line started by the headlights and running parallel to the beltline before terminating beneath the rear side window. The second crease starts behind the front door handles, curving over the rear handles and arcing into the taillights. The floating fastback roof, another trend of the times, looks nearly identical to the VMotion 2.0 concept’s.

The interior appears to get an even more comprehensive makeover, including, for the first time in a Nissan, a trendy tablet-style infotainment screen standing proud of the dash. Two physical knobs are present—likely for volume and tuning—with a simple row of buttons arranged directly below the screen and above the center vents. Below that are HVAC controls with dual-zone climate-control dials. Attractive metal trim, a new steering wheel similar to the Rogue’s, a pair of USB ports, push-button ignition, and stylish contrast stitching also are visible. The graphics on the screen look outdated, but the car may be running old infotainment software during testing and could adopt a flashier interface by the time it reaches dealerships.

Platform: The current Altima rides on the front-drive-based D platform that is shared with a wide variety of Renault, Infiniti, and Nissan vehicles—including the Maxima, Murano, and Pathfinder—and we expect an updated version of the same architecture to support the 2019 model. Look for a longer wheelbase to increase interior room, and there are rumblings that Nissan might add all-wheel drive as an option.

Powertrain: We haven’t heard much about the new Altima’s powertrains, and the current 2.5-liter inline-four and 3.5-liter V-6 could carry over with bumps in power and efficiency. Nissan also could look to match the turbocharged four-cylinders of many competitors with either a new engine or the 188-hp, 1.6-liter unit it currently offers in other models, while a hybrid option could reappear—the last Altima hybrid was discontinued in 2011. Whatever engines end up under the hood, they’ll work through a continuously variable automatic transmission.

Competition:Chevrolet Malibu, Honda Accord, Kia Optima, Mazda 6, Toyota Camry.

Estimated Arrival and Price: The 2019 Altima is expected to debut early next year, perhaps at January’s Detroit show as a follow-up to the concept, before hitting dealers by summer. The current model starts at $23,385; figure a slight bump for the new one.