Model Lineup Update and New Special Package
Nissan has introduced the updated Altima sedan for the 2026 model year. The car has received a number of changes, including new equipment and a special Midnight Edition version. The model’s starting price is now $27,580, which is $580 higher than the previous year.
The new Midnight Edition package is available for the top SR trim for an additional $2,000. It fully follows the trend for darkened elements. The package includes a black grille, a black roof (which can contrast with Tactical Green Metallic, Pearl White TriCoat, or Gray Sky Pearl body colors), as well as gloss-black 19-inch wheels, dark window trim, and unique badges. Furthermore, cars with this package receive a panoramic sunroof and dual-zone automatic climate control.
Changes in Trims and Technical Updates
Nissan has significantly reduced the Altima trim lineup, discontinuing the base S and top SL versions. This has led to an overall price increase. However, when comparing the like-for-like SV trims between 2025 and 2026, the price increase was only $150.
The SR trim, in addition to access to the Midnight package, received additional standard equipment. This includes wireless smartphone charging and a 12.3-inch multimedia system, which replaced the previous 8-inch one. The price for the SR starts at $29,080, which is only $250 higher than the previous year.
Technical Specifications and Price Structure
All versions of the 2026 Nissan Altima are equipped with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 188 horsepower and 180 lb-ft of torque. The engine is paired with an Xtronic continuously variable transmission, and all-wheel drive is available for an additional $1,400. In the all-wheel-drive variant, power is reduced to 182 hp and torque to 178 lb-ft.
The official price structure for the model lineup is as follows:
The stated prices do not include the destination charge, which is $1,245.
The Altima updates come against the backdrop of a general market trend where manufacturers often rationalize lineups by discontinuing the most budget-friendly and least popular options, while simultaneously raising the standard equipment in the remaining versions. This helps maintain the profitability of a model that, like many other sedans, is facing declining demand in favor of crossovers. The introduction of special editions, such as the Midnight Edition, is a typical marketing move to maintain buyer interest in a mature model without significant investment in a full redesign.