The flashy Altima midsize sedan has led Nissan's US sales revival. The Altima rides on Nissan's D-platform chassis. The interior is sporty with upgraded plastics and metal trim. Powerplant choices include the 2.5L I-4 (>165-bhp) and 3.5L V-6 (>265-bhp). The Xtronic CVT is standard on all models. A hybrid model (HEV) should provide a competitive alternative to the Camry hybrid.

The 2010 Nissan Altima wears revised styling. Changes to the exterior include a revised hood, grille, front bumper, headlamps and revised wheel designs. Minor changes on the inside include a switch to white illumination on the gauges and a new premium audio system. Standard features and option packages are tweaked and the SE model has now become the SR model. The six-speed manual transmission has been dropped from sedan models.