The Altima runs on a 2.5L 4-cylinder engines that delivers 182 hp and 178 lb-ft of torque working with a, gulp, CVT, although here that transmission does as good work as I’ve seen it do anywhere else in the Nissan lineup. So often have Nissan’s CVTs dragged down the performances of very capable engines that it’s quite something to find that here, it’s no hindrance at all, in fact shifts happen quickly and unobtrusively and I can’t say I ever really heard the engine start to scream when I pushed the gas pedal at all hard. Ok, maybe when I really got aggressive, but still. A pleasant surprise.
There is a Sport mode you can activate (via a hard-to-spot button on the back of the shift lever), and it does actually tighten things up enough to make it worth it. Shift points are stretched, steering gets a little heavier and overall you get a more dynamic feel from the car. Nothing dramatic though, so don’t get any outsized expectations.
Otherwise, the Altima benefits from a stiff chassis, which, helped by the independent front suspension and multi-link independent rear suspension makes the car very, very drivable on winding roads with no traffic in front of you.
As for that AWD system, Nissan calls it Intelligent, and not without reason. Working in conjunction with something called Intelligent Trace Control, which is part of the stability control system, it sticks to powering the front wheels in normal driving to help reduce fuel consumption, but brings the rear wheels into it when you’re cornering or accelerating sharply. Up to 50 percent of power goes to those rear wheels when needed, and it really helps reduce understeer. Vice versa is also true, so that it will cut more of the supply going to the back axle in situations of oversteer to make it easier for the front wheels to get you straight.
One of the nicest benefits of this system is that it gives you pretty much all the advantages of AWD when you need them, but won’t cost you much in terms of added fuel use unless you drive like a maniac. Ratings for the Altima for 2022 are 9.1L/100 km city and a very appealing-sounding 6.7L/100 km.
Overall, the combination of the Intelligent AWD and its complementary systems, the car’s stiff chassis and the blessedly do-no-harm quality of the CVT make for a very positive driving experience in this family car. The 2022 Altima Midnight Edition looks cool, but it drives cool too.
We like
Wonderful handling
Surprisingly able CVT
Very comfortable front seating
Roomy cabin
We like less
Multimedia screen looks a bit smaller every year
Opening between folded down seats and trunk is pretty small
Some signs of aging un the multimedia system, interface
The competition
Honda Accord
Hyundai Sonata
Kia K5
Subaru Legacy
Toyota Camry
Specifications sheet of 2022 Nissan Altima 2.5 SR Midnight Edition
