The Nissan Altima is a mid-size sedan and coupe put on the market in 1993 as a replacement for the Stanza. The first one rolled off the assembly line in mid-June 1992 (for the 1993 model year). Altimas are currently built in plants located in Smyrna, Tennessee or Canton, Mississippi.

The first generation of the Altima in 1993 was outfitted with an airbag on the driver's side only and dash trim in a rosewood tone. The following model year, a passenger airbag was added to the design, along with darker interior trim. For 1995, the interior door handles were changed from chrome to plastic. The 1997 edition saw the introduction of a Limited Edition trim package that included a keyless entry system, an alarm, floor mats, and alloy wheels.

The second version (L30) of the Altima was made available to buyers in North America only. The interior was updated to give consumers an improved design for cupholders and the vehicle's glovebox. The back seat could be folded down. The car was no bigger, but the improved interior design gave the impression of a larger passenger space. This generation was criticized for being too plain in design and for having a cheap-looking interior, however.

The 1999 Altimas were given an upgraded cassette/CD stereo system. The GXE and SE trim models had variable intermittent wipers and the GLE package included standard alloy wheels. More changes were made for the 2000 model year. A more powerful engine was introduced, along with thicker stabilizer bars, and a deeper front grille. The front seats were updated to include a height adjuster on the driver's side. Rear seat cupholders were added as well.

The third generation Altima was introduced in 2002. Built on the FF-L platform, it was unique to the North American market. The interior grew significantly in this generation of vehicles to just over 118 cubic feet, making the Altima the largest Japanese mid-size sedan in volume. The fuel tank for this generation had a 20-gallon capacity, which was also the largest one in its class.

2006 was the year the fourth generation Nissan Altima was announced. It made its debut at the New York Auto Show held in April of that year. A smaller Nissan D platform was used, along with a new front suspension. The rear suspension was upgraded. This generation also features a 3.5L V6 engine and a six-speed manual transmission for a total of 270 hp. The Altima gets 23 mpg in the city and 31 mpg for highway driving. It's a sign of the times that the 2008 Nissan Altima is the Hybrid HEV, which brags improved mileage of 35 mpg city and 33 on the highways, a 2.5L, and 158 hp for a starting price of $25,480.