Nissan Altima Trims Compared
What is the difference between the Altima SR and SV?
The main difference comes down to styling and suspension. The Altima SV is tuned for maximum daily comfort, featuring 17-inch wheels and a softer suspension. The Altima SR is the sport-tuned model; it adds a stiffer sport suspension, larger 19-inch wheels, paddle shifters, a dark chrome grille, and sport-cloth seat trim with contrast stitching for a more aggressive feel.
At a Glance: The Altima Lineup
| Feature | S (Base) | SV (Comfort) | SR (Sport) | SL (Luxury) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wheels | 16″ Steel | 17″ Aluminum-alloy | 19″ Aluminum-alloy | 19″ Machine-finished |
| Touch-Screen | 7-inch display | 8-inch display | 8-inch display (12.3-inch avail.) | 12.3-inch color display |
| Intelligent AWD | Not Available | Available | Available | Available |
| Seating | Cloth | Premium Cloth (Power Driver) | Sport Cloth (Leather avail.) | Leather-appointed |
Altima S (The Value Leader)
The base trim provides everything you need and nothing you don’t. It features Nissan Safety Shield 360 standard, meaning you don’t have to pay extra for essential tech like Automatic Emergency Braking or Blind Spot Warning.
Best for: Fleets, first-time buyers, and strict budget shoppers.
Altima SV (The Sweet Spot)
This is our most popular trim. It upgrades to an 8-inch touch-screen with standard Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, an 8-way power driver’s seat, and 17-inch alloy wheels. Crucially, it unlocks the ability to add Intelligent All-Wheel Drive.
Best for: Most drivers. It balances cost with significant daily comfort upgrades.
Altima SR (The Sport Choice)
The SR transforms the Altima’s personality. It trades the softer ride of the SV for a sport-tuned suspension and larger 19-inch wheels for better cornering grip. It also features a dark chrome grille and sport interior trim. (Note: A separate “SR VC-Turbo” trim is also available, upgrading the engine to 248 horsepower).
Best for: Drivers who want aggressive styling and tighter handling.
Altima SL (The Premium Cruiser)
The SL is fully loaded. It includes standard leather-appointed seats, a gorgeous 12.3-inch HD color display, wireless Apple CarPlay, wireless phone charging, and a 9-speaker Bose Premium Audio System.
Best for: Buyers who want a luxury car experience without the luxury car price tag.
Avoid This Trim Mistake
Don’t buy the SR purely for its appearance if you drive on rough, pothole-heavy roads. The SR’s 19-inch wheels and sport suspension look fantastic but create a noticeably firmer ride than the SV. If comfort is your #1 priority, test drive the SV or SL first.
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Trim Comparison FAQs
Which Nissan Altima has leather seats?
Leather-appointed seats come standard on the Nissan Altima SL trim. They are also available on the SR trim if you opt for the SR Premium Package.
Which trims offer the 12.3-inch touch-screen?
The massive 12.3-inch HD color display with multi-touch control is standard on the SL and SR VC-Turbo models, and is available as an upgrade on the SR and SV models via optional packages.
Can I get All-Wheel Drive on any trim?
Intelligent All-Wheel Drive is available on the SV, SR, and SL trims. It is not available on the base S trim or the front-wheel-drive-exclusive SR VC-Turbo model.