The Bold Appeal of the 2023 Black Nissan Altima: A Review
The 2023 Nissan Altima has long been one of Nissan's most popular mid-sized sedans, known for its blend of affordability, comfort, and technology. The 2023 edition—especially in the sleek black exterior—stands out in a crowded sedan market. With its subtle yet sporty design, updated tech features, and impressive fuel efficiency, this car is poised to be a top choice for anyone looking for a dependable and stylish vehicle.
However, no car is without its drawbacks. In this review, I’ll break down everything you need to know about the 2023 black Nissan Altima, from its design and interior to performance and safety features. We’ll highlight what it does right—and where it might fall short. Let's dive into the details of this model and see if it’s the right fit for your driving needs.
A Striking Exterior Design That Turns Heads
The 2023 Nissan Altima comes with a refreshed exterior design that gives it a sharper more aggressive look than its predecessors. The bold V-motion grille has been slightly enlarged giving it a more pronounced front end while the LED headlights and DRLs (daytime running lights) add a modern touch to the front fascia. The black paint really brings out the contours of the body making it stand out whether you're cruising through city streets or parked in a driveway.
The rear of the car maintains a clean appearance with sharp LED taillights and dual exhausts that subtly emphasize its sporty appeal. The car sits on 16-inch steel wheels by default but can be upgraded to 19-inch alloy wheels if you're looking for a bit more flair.
The potential drawbacks of the exterior
While the black exterior is certainly eye-catching, it does have some practical concerns. Black cars are notoriously difficult to keep clean. Dirt dust and even minor scratches are far more visible on black paint than on lighter colors. You might find yourself spending more time at the car wash to keep that glossy finish looking pristine.
Additionally, the Altima's low ground clearance of 5.3 inches can be a problem for drivers who frequent uneven roads or areas with potholes. You’ll want to be cautious about scraping the undercarriage on steep driveways or speed bumps.
The Cabin: Comfortable but Not Perfect
Interior Overview
Step inside the 2023 Nissan Altima, and you’ll find a cabin that is well-thought-out with a focus on comfort and practicality. The interior is spacious with plenty of legroom and headroom for both front and rear passengers. Nissan's Zero Gravity seats provide excellent support on long drives helping reduce fatigue and discomfort. The black Altima offers cloth upholstery as standard, but higher trims feature leather options with contrast stitching for a more upscale feel.
The dashboard layout is simple and user-friendly with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system standard on most trims. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto come standard too so you're always connected on the go. There's also a generous amount of cargo space—15.4 cubic feet in the trunk—making it easy to fit suitcases, groceries, or gear for a weekend trip.
Some downsides of the cabin
While the 2023 Altima's interior is comfortable there are a few areas where it could improve. The base trim’s cloth upholstery feels a little too basic for a car in this price range. If you opt for the more premium leather-trimmed seats, you’ll get more luxury but that comes at a significant price increase.
Some drivers might also find that the cabin materials feel a bit too plasticky compared to competitors in the same segment, like the Toyota Camry or Honda Accord. This is especially noticeable on the door panels and lower parts of the dashboard. Another small gripe is the lack of rear climate controls—while the front seats get the benefit of dual-zone climate control, rear passengers are stuck relying on the front settings.
Tech and Infotainment: Where the Altima Shines
Advanced Tech Features
Nissan has equipped the 2023 Altima with an impressive suite of tech features making it an attractive option for tech-savvy drivers. The 8-inch touchscreen is intuitive and responsive though it might not be as flashy as the larger screens found in higher-end models like the Tesla Model 3 or Kia K5. However, it does the job well and integrates seamlessly with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto so you can easily access your apps music and navigation on the go.
If you opt for the higher SR or SL trims, you get a 9-speaker Bose premium sound system that delivers excellent audio quality. This is a great upgrade if you love your music or podcasts crisp and clear while driving.
Potential drawbacks in the tech department
One area where the Altima might fall short is in the availability of cutting-edge features. While it does offer adaptive cruise control lane-keeping assist and automatic emergency braking, the lack of advanced semi-autonomous driving systems could disappoint drivers who are looking for more futuristic tech in their vehicles.
Alex Collantes, a tech enthusiast who test-drove the 2023 Altima said, "The tech is solid for what you pay but if you're expecting a more high-tech experience you might be better off looking at something like a Hyundai Sonata. I also wish they offered a bigger screen for better usability."
Performance: A Balance of Power and Efficiency
Engine Options and Driving Experience
The 2023 black Nissan Altima comes with two engine options. The standard powertrain is a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine that produces 188 horsepower and 180 lb-ft of torque. It’s paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) which provides smooth and efficient power delivery.
For those looking for more punch the SR trim comes with an optional 2.0-liter turbocharged engine offering 248 horsepower and 273 lb-ft of torque. This engine significantly boosts performance making the Altima more competitive with sportier sedans.
Both engines are well-suited for daily commuting and long highway drives. The fuel efficiency is another strong point of the Altima with the base engine delivering up to 32 mpg combined and the turbocharged option slightly lower at 29 mpg combined.
Downsides in performance
While the base engine offers decent performance it might feel a bit underpowered especially when compared to the turbocharged options available on some competitors. The CVT transmission—while efficient—can feel uninspiring especially if you're used to a more responsive automatic transmission. It has a tendency to drone at higher speeds which could detract from the overall driving experience.
Additionally, the turbocharged engine while more powerful comes with a higher price tag and noticeably lower fuel economy. If you're a performance enthusiast you'll have to weigh the benefits of the turbo against the hit to your fuel budget.
Safety: Top Marks but Missing Some Extras
Impressive Safety Features
Nissan has loaded the 2023 Altima with an array of safety features under its Nissan Safety Shield 360 system. This includes automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection lane departure warning blind-spot monitoring rear cross-traffic alert and rear automatic braking. These systems work together to provide a robust safety net for drivers and passengers alike.
The Altima has received high marks in crash tests earning a 5-star rating from the NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration). In addition its ProPILOT Assist system available on higher trims offers semi-autonomous driving support on highways helping reduce driver fatigue on long trips.
Potential drawbacks in safety features
One area where the Altima falls behind is in the absence of some of the most advanced driver-assistance features. While ProPILOT Assist is helpful it’s not as advanced as systems like Tesla's Autopilot or Cadillac's Super Cruise. You won't get hands-free driving on the Altima which might be a deal-breaker for some tech enthusiasts.
Also the lower trims don’t come with as many safety features by default meaning you'll have to upgrade to the more expensive versions to get the full benefit of the Nissan Safety Shield 360.
Final Thoughts: Is the 2023 Black Nissan Altima the Right Car for You?
The 2023 black Nissan Altima presents itself as a solid all-rounder in the midsize sedan segment. It offers a stylish design, comfortable interior, decent performance, and a wealth of safety and tech features at a reasonable price point. The black paint gives it a premium look that can easily compete with more expensive rivals while its fuel efficiency and reliability make it a smart choice for commuters.
However, if you're seeking cutting-edge technology or exhilarating performance you may want to look elsewhere. The Altima excels in the areas of comfort practicality and everyday usability but it's not the sportiest or most high-tech sedan out there.
As Alex Collantes put it after his test drive, "The Altima is dependable and well-rounded. It’s the kind of car that will get you where you need to go comfortably and efficiently but it's not going to blow your mind in any one category. That’s okay though because not everyone is looking for that."
Pros of the 2023 Black Nissan Altima:
- Stylish black exterior with a sporty appeal
- Excellent fuel economy
- Spacious and comfortable interior with lots of legroom
- User-friendly infotainment system with standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
- Strong array of safety features
Cons of the 2023 Black Nissan Altima:
- Base engine can feel underpowered for some drivers
- The CVT transmission can be less engaging
- Lack of more advanced driver-assistance technologies
- Black paint requires more frequent cleaning to maintain its appearance
- Interior materials could be more premium in lower trims
In conclusion, the 2023 black Nissan Altima is an ideal choice for drivers looking for a dependable and stylish midsize sedan. It may not excel in every category, but its strengths in comfort, efficiency, and safety make it a car that meets the needs of most drivers—especially those who want a reliable daily driver with a bit of flair.
If you're looking for something that can turn heads while still delivering dependable performance and a tech-friendly cabin, the 2023 Altima is definitely worth considering.