Nissan Altima Dealership

Did you know that the Nissan Altima is one of the safest sedans on the road? As your Nissan Altima dealership, models like the Altima excite us because they prove Nissan’s commitment to delivering outstanding vehicles year after year. The Altima, which made its debut in the early 1990s, is the epitome of Nissan’s evolution in the American automotive industry and proves that a midsize sedan can be capable and powerful as well as efficient and luxurious.

These traits aren’t mutually exclusive, and the Altima is proof. As your Nissan authority, we’re here to show you what makes the Altima truly special, from its first-generation model to its turning point when it was named the North American Car of the Year. Here’s a closer look at that history as well as everything the Altima has to offer and why you can trust us to handle all your automotive needs.

Altima Overview: Generations & History

Months before the Altima made its debut, the Altima name already had a place in the lineup as a trim option for the Laurel, which was popular in Central America in the early 1990s. Nissan borrowed the name in 1993 with the debut of the Stanza Altima, which was somewhat confusing since Nissan replaced the Stanza with the Altima. Eventually, the Stanza name was dropped from the midsize sedan but not before the Altima made a lasting impression on the segment as it proved to be a fierce competitor for top-sellers like the Toyota Camry and Honda Accord.

First Generation (1993-1997)

The first-generation Altima rolled off the assembly line at Nissan’s newly opened plant in Tennessee in 1993. Its four trims cater to every budget and need, from the entry-level XE and the mid-tier GXE to the sporty SE and the luxurious GLE. These trims offer a wide range of features from cloth seating and manual windows to leather upholstery, automatic climate control, keyless entry, and a premium audio system. By the end of the generation, Nissan adds a Limited Edition package with exclusive badging and alloy wheels to give drivers an even sleeker sedan.

Second Generation (1998-2001)

The Altima’s growing popularity leads to a redesign in 1998 that marks the beginning of the second generation. Nissan equips the Altima with a more powerful engine that makes the sedan more responsive and nimble on the road. The model also sees several improvements to its interior, with Nissan focusing on comfort, quality, and safety with the addition of side airbags and by redesigning the interior to make it feel more spacious. Trims like the GLE also come standard with leather seats.

Third Generation (2002-2006)

Nissan unleashes every trick in its wheelhouse for the third-generation Altima that finally puts the sedan on the map in America. Larger than previous models, the newly redesigned Altima comes with a more powerful engine, is easier to handle, and boasts a more aggressive style that ushers it into the new millennium and distinguishes it from its biggest competitors. Nissan’s efforts don’t go unnoticed, with the Altima named the North American Car of the Year in 2002.

Fourth Generation (2007-2012)

Success continues for the Altima throughout its fourth generation that sees improvements to the suspension as well as the addition of the Altima coupe and the Altima Sedan Hybrid. With Altima sales continuing to skyrocket, Nissan focuses its efforts on smaller details with the generation seeing new standard features like push-button start, Bluetooth capability, and a parking camera. At the time, these cutting-edge tools set the standard for luxury and give drivers even more confidence behind the wheel.

Fifth Generation (2013-2018)

Innovative is the theme for the fifth-generation Altima that boasts a new suite of technology and design details that deliver outstanding performance and comfort. This starts with a redesigned engine and Nissan’s exclusive Xtronic transmission and extends to the all-new Zero-Gravity front seats that put the driver in the perfect seating position for optimal comfort and control. The fifth-generation Altima also sees the addition of the Midnight Edition package, standard technology like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and advanced driver-assist and safety tools.

Sixth Generation (2019-Present)

Just when you thought the Altima couldn’t get any better, Nissan proves the best is yet to come with the sixth-generation Altima. Debuting in 2019, the redesigned Altima is better than ever thanks to two new powertrain options as well as an expressive design that gives it a wider and more athletic stance to showcase its prowess on the road. Working behind the scenes is Nissan’s Intelligent Mobility technology as well as the all-new intelligent all-wheel drive system that boosts the sedan’s capability on slippery terrain.

The Perfect Car for Champaign Living

As you shop for your next vehicle, we suggest considering your lifestyle and what you need from your ride—not just for today but in the years ahead. The Nissan Altima is one of our favorite vehicles for getting around Champaign because its design is perfect for city living and driving. This is a midsize sedan, which means it is a bit larger than something like the Nissan Versa, but it is not as large as a big SUV or a truck. You can easily navigate city streets and head downtown on a Saturday night in the Altima and find plenty of parking spots that you can fit into while other drivers are circling the block looking for a larger spot.

The midsize design of the Altima means it is not only small enough to accommodate most lifestyles, but it still gives you plenty of room inside to enjoy. Whether you tend to drive by yourself, carpool with your coworkers, or need something for a new family, the Altima can easily fit the bill. This kind of flexibility is not something you find with every vehicle, and it is one of the reasons we feel the Altima is perfect for our friends and neighbors around Champaign. It also means this car works great for a household where you need a single vehicle that can meet the needs of multiple drivers, creating more opportunities for everyone to have a good time behind the wheel.

Finally, the advanced safety features that you find in the Nissan Altima are among the best in the industry, ensuring you and your passengers stay safe. This is important for any vehicle driven anywhere, but when you are dealing with lots of traffic and pedestrians in a city like Champaign, you need every advantage to help protect yourself and others on the road. With the Nissan Safety Shield suite of driver assistance tech features standard on every new Altima model, you get a fantastic vehicle that has been designed to keep you and your loved ones safe. That is something you cannot beat and just one more reason we suggest this vehicle to so many of our customers.

Your Altima Authority

When it comes to important decisions, don’t take them lightly. The same is true for buying a new car, and that’s why we hope you’ll rely on the team here at Illini Nissan. As your authority on the Altima and the Nissan lineup, we can help you find the perfect Nissan for your budget and driving needs.

Our unmatched inventory of new and used vehicles speaks volumes about what we have to offer. However, what truly sets us apart is our dedication to our customers. We’re not just here to sell you a car; we’re here to get to know you and what you need in a vehicle. From there, we’ll show you around our inventory, ride along for a test drive, and guide you through the car-buying process so that you can drive home happy in a vehicle you love.

Unlike many other dealerships, our relationship with you isn’t over when the deal is done. We’re here for all your vehicle needs, and we mean it. Our service department is one of the best in the area and can handle all your maintenance and repair needs, whether it’s a routine oil change and tire rotation or transmission repair. There’s nothing we can’t handle right here at Illini Nissan.

Fantastic New and Used Altima Models

Shopping for a vehicle can be tricky—it might seem strange to see that coming from a car dealership, but we understand the challenges our customers face. Looking for a perfect vehicle with everything you need can be a tremendous hassle, especially if you are trying to do it alone. This is why our fantastic team here at Illini Nissan is ready to help you with everything you need and work closely with you as you shop for your next ride. Helpful people are only part of the equation; the best folks in the industry do not matter if we cannot get you the vehicle you are looking for. That is why we maintain a terrific selection of new and used vehicles, including the Nissan Altima, for you to choose from.

With a new Altima, you get the confidence of knowing you are driving one of the finest vehicles on the road with terrific warranty coverage and protection. Nissan models are frequently named among the most reliable and dependable vehicles on the road—both when you buy them and in the long term—so you can drive a new Altima with tremendous peace of mind. You also get to enjoy the latest tech features and fresh options in a new Altima, getting the most from everything Nissan’s engineers and designers have been working on in recent years.

While we love new Nissan models, we also know they are not for everyone, so we offer a diverse inventory of used vehicles in excellent condition. With a used Nissan Altima, you can enjoy everything one of these fantastic cars has to offer while also fitting more easily into your budget. Even if the starting price isn’t your highest priority, we have many customers who prefer pre-owned models so they can skip a lot of initial depreciation or for the joy of keeping a great car on the road longer. Whatever the reason, we can help you consider a number of terrific pre-owned Altima models and make sure you drive away in a car you love.

Straightforward Financing that Works for You

Most of our customers look forward to exploring different options, checking out our incredible inventory of vehicles, and (especially) taking a prospective car out for a test drive. Very few of our customers, on the other hand, look forward to figuring out the right financing for their next vehicle. We understand this; test drives are fun, and checking out new features and options can be exciting. Still, getting the right financing for your vehicle is incredibly important not only for your current budget but also for what your expenses will look like for years to come.

That is why our financing experts are here to help you find the perfect financing solution to meet your needs, no matter what your financial situation looks like. For most people, an auto loan is the right choice for buying a car like the Nissan Altima, but that being said, there can be significant differences in the terms you find when looking at one loan compared to another. We will help you explore all of your auto loan options to make sure you get the best terms possible with payments that fit your budget. That way, you can drive away in a car you love without sleepless nights.

If you are looking for a car to use as part of your job, or you like the idea of enjoying a new Altima without making a long-term commitment, leasing your next Nissan could be the perfect way to go. With a lease, you can drive a new Nissan Altima for several years but without committing to buy it. At the end of the lease, you simply bring the Altima back to us without any further obligation. You can lease another new model at that time, choose a different option, or even buy the car you leased if you find that you have grown attached to it. When you visit us at Illini Nissan, we will help you explore all your financing options.

Let Us Keep Your Altima in Great Shape

Getting the most from your vehicle starts with a great shopping experience, moves on to finding the perfect ride with financing that meets your needs, and then continues throughout the years as you own it. To keep enjoying your car, it is crucial that you take proper care of it, which includes following its service schedule and staying on top of maintenance. At Illini Nissan, our certified service center is prepared to assist you with everything you need, keeping your Altima in the best shape possible. Our expert technicians can handle everything from oil changes and rotating your tires to replacing your brakes and working on your engine.

With our parts department, it is easy for us to keep a wide range of Nissan parts so we can get work done on your vehicle quickly. If we do not have the parts on hand, we can order them and have them here as soon as possible so we can get the work done on your vehicle and have you back on the road right away. That is a difference you enjoy when you choose a dealership that cares about you and puts you first. Let us take care of your vehicle and give you the peace of mind that you deserve with a dependable Nissan Altima.

Unlike many other dealerships, our relationship with you isn’t over when the deal is done. We’re here for all your vehicle needs, and we mean it. Our service department is one of the best in the area and can handle all your maintenance and repair needs, whether it’s a routine oil change and tire rotation or transmission repair. There’s nothing we can’t handle right here at our Champaign Nissan dealership.

Find Your Altima Today!

Are you ready to find your Altima? The Nissan Altima is one of the most popular sedans on the road, and it’s easy to see why. But there’s more to the Altima than its cutting-edge technology, premium luxury features, and safety tools. The Altima’s history showcases Nissan’s ability to evolve with the demands and needs of drivers. How so?

We see this evolution in Nissan’s continuous improvements to the Altima’s powertrain as well as components like the rear and front suspension that improve the Altima’s handling. It’s also apparent in the many upgrades to the standard safety tools that began with the addition of side airbags and extend to an array of advanced driver-assist features that work behind the scenes to minimize the potential for collision and enhance your visibility. It’s evolutions like these that make the Altima an exceptional sedan that can easily navigate the demands of your life and the road ahead, year after year and mile after mile, and there’s no better place to get an Altima from than Illini Nissan.