CompetingCars.com
2009 model year
What's new for 2009.
The 2009 Altima continues the fourth generation with minor refinements. The most notable functional update is the addition of standard automatic door locks across all trims. The base 2.5 model receives more standard features to improve its value proposition, including new 16-inch wheel covers and a trip computer. The 3.5 SE trim sees an expansion of standard equipment with the inclusion of Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC), High Intensity Discharge (HID) headlights, and a rear spoiler.
Safety
- Standard automatic power door locks added to all models.
- Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) becomes standard on the 3.5 SE trim.
Exterior
- New 16-inch wheel covers for the base 2.5 model.
- HID headlights and fog lamps become standard on 3.5 SE.
- Four new exterior color choices introduced.
Trims
Select a trim to see its specs and equipment.
2009 Nissan Altima
2.5
- Horsepower
- 175
- City MPG
- 23
- Highway MPG
- 32
- Engine
- 2.5-liter DOHC 16-valve 4-cylinder
- Horsepower
- 175 hp
- Torque
- 180 lb-ft
- Drivetrain
- Front-wheel drive
- Transmission
- –
- City / highway MPG
- 23 / 32
- Seating
- –
- Wheel size
- 16 in
- Ground clearance
- –
- Cargo, seats up
- –
- Towing capacity
- –
Standard equipment
- Nissan Intelligent Key with Push Button Ignition
- Dual exhaust with chrome exhaust-tip finishers
- Dual body-color power outside mirrors
- AM/FM/CD audio system with 6 speakers
- Auxiliary audio input jack
- Air conditioning with in-cabin microfilter
- Power windows and door locks
- Remote keyless entry with trunk release
- Cruise control with steering wheel-mounted controls
- Fine Vision electroluminescent gauges
- Multi-functional trip computer
- Tilt and telescoping steering column
- Vehicle-speed-sensitive variable intermittent wipers
2009 Nissan Altima
2.5 S
- Horsepower
- 175
- City MPG
- 23
- Highway MPG
- 32
- Engine
- 2.5-liter DOHC 16-valve 4-cylinder
- Horsepower
- 175 hp
- Torque
- 180 lb-ft
- Drivetrain
- Front-wheel drive
- Transmission
- Xtronic CVT
- City / highway MPG
- 23 / 32
- Seating
- –
- Wheel size
- 16 in
- Ground clearance
- –
- Cargo, seats up
- –
- Towing capacity
- –
Adds over Altima 2.5
- Velour cloth seat trim
- 6-way manual adjustable driver’s seat
- 60/40-split fold-down rear seatbacks with lock
- Nine cupholders
2009 Nissan Altima
3.5 SE
- Horsepower
- 270
- City MPG
- 23
- Highway MPG
- 32
- Engine
- 3.5-liter DOHC 24-valve V6
- Horsepower
- 270 hp
- Torque
- 258 lb-ft
- Drivetrain
- Front-wheel drive
- Transmission
- Xtronic CVT
- City / highway MPG
- 23 / 32
- Seating
- –
- Wheel size
- 17 in
- Ground clearance
- –
- Cargo, seats up
- –
- Towing capacity
- –
Adds over Altima 2.5 S
- Sport-tuned suspension
- 8-way power adjustable driver’s seat
- Automatic on/off headlights
- Fog lights
- Rear spoiler
- Leather-wrapped steering wheel
- Illuminated steering wheel-mounted audio controls
- Passenger-side front window one-touch auto-up/down
2009 Nissan Altima
3.5 SL
- Horsepower
- 270
- City MPG
- 23
- Highway MPG
- 32
- Engine
- 3.5-liter DOHC 24-valve V6
- Horsepower
- 270 hp
- Torque
- 258 lb-ft
- Drivetrain
- Front-wheel drive
- Transmission
- Xtronic CVT
- City / highway MPG
- 23 / 32
- Seating
- –
- Wheel size
- 16 in
- Ground clearance
- –
- Cargo, seats up
- –
- Towing capacity
- –
Adds over Altima 3.5 SE
- Leather-appointed seats and door trim
- Heated front seats
- Digital Bose audio system with 9 speakers
- Dual Zone Automatic Temperature Control (ATC)
- HomeLink Universal Transceiver
- Auto-dimming inside rearview mirror with compass
- Leather-wrapped shift knob
- High Intensity Discharge (HID) xenon headlights
2009 Nissan Altima
Hybrid
- Horsepower
- 158
- City MPG
- 23
- Highway MPG
- 32
- Engine
- QR25DE 2.5-liter DOHC 4-cylinder Hybrid System
- Horsepower
- 158 hp
- Torque
- 162 lb-ft
- Drivetrain
- Front-wheel drive
- Transmission
- Electronically controlled Continuously Variable Transmission (eCVT)
- City / highway MPG
- 23 / 32
- Seating
- –
- Wheel size
- 16 in
- Ground clearance
- –
- Cargo, seats up
- –
- Towing capacity
- –
Adds over Altima 2.5 S
- Dual Zone Automatic Temperature Control (ATC)
- Traction Control System (TCS)
- Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC)
2009 Nissan Altima
2.5 S Manual
- Horsepower
- 175
- City MPG
- 23
- Highway MPG
- 32
- Engine
- 2.5-liter DOHC 16-valve 4-cylinder
- Horsepower
- 175 hp
- Torque
- 180 lb-ft
- Drivetrain
- Front-wheel drive
- Transmission
- Manual 6-spd
- City / highway MPG
- 23 / 32
- Seating
- –
- Wheel size
- 16 in
- Ground clearance
- –
- Cargo, seats up
- –
- Towing capacity
- –
2009 Nissan Altima
3.5 SE Manual
- Horsepower
- 270
- City MPG
- 18
- Highway MPG
- 27
- Engine
- 3.5-liter DOHC 24-valve V6
- Horsepower
- 270 hp
- Torque
- 258 lb-ft
- Drivetrain
- Front-wheel drive
- Transmission
- Manual 6-spd
- City / highway MPG
- 18 / 27
- Seating
- –
- Wheel size
- 17 in
- Ground clearance
- –
- Cargo, seats up
- –
- Towing capacity
- –
The trims, side by side.
Scroll sideways to see every trim →
"Optional" means the feature needs an upgrade or package.
7 of 7 trims
| Trim | 2.5 | 2.5 S | 3.5 SE | 3.5 SL | Hybrid | 2.5 S Manual | 3.5 SE Manual |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| City / Hwy / Combined (MPG) | 23 / 32 / 26 | 23 / 32 / 26 | 23 / 32 / 26 | 23 / 32 / 26 | 23 / 32 / 26 | 23 / 32 / 26 | 18 / 27 / 21 |
| Horsepower | 175 hp | 175 hp | 270 hp | 270 hp | 158 hp | 175 hp | 270 hp |
| Seating capacity | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| 2.5 | 2.5 S | 3.5 SE | 3.5 SL | Hybrid | 2.5 S Manual | 3.5 SE Manual | |
| Drivetrain | Front-wheel drive | Front-wheel drive | Front-wheel drive | Front-wheel drive | Front-wheel drive | Front-wheel drive | Front-wheel drive |
| Transmission | – | Xtronic CVT | Xtronic CVT | Xtronic CVT | Electronically controlled Continuously Variable Transmission (eCVT) | Manual 6-spd | Manual 6-spd |
| Name | 2.5-liter DOHC 16-valve 4-cylinder | 2.5-liter DOHC 16-valve 4-cylinder | 3.5-liter DOHC 24-valve V6 | 3.5-liter DOHC 24-valve V6 | QR25DE 2.5-liter DOHC 4-cylinder Hybrid System | 2.5-liter DOHC 16-valve 4-cylinder | 3.5-liter DOHC 24-valve V6 |
| Type | Inline 4-cylinder | Inline 4-cylinder | V6 | V6 | Hybrid | Inline 4-cylinder | V6 |
| Displacement l | 2.5 | 2.5 | 3.5 | 3.5 | 2.5 | 2.5 | 3.5 |
| Horsepower | 175 | 175 | 270 | 270 | 158 | 175 | 270 |
| Horsepower RPM | 5600 | 5600 | 6000 | 6000 | 6000 | 5600 | 6000 |
| Torque lb ft | 180 | 180 | 258 | 258 | 162 | 180 | 258 |
| Torque RPM | 3900 | 3900 | 4400 | 4400 | 4800 | 3900 | 4400 |
| Net horsepower | – | – | – | – | 198 | – | – |
| Electric motor | – | – | – | – |
| – | – |
| Battery type | – | – | – | – | Sealed Nickel-Metal Hydride (Ni-MH) | – | – |
| 2.5 | 2.5 S | 3.5 SE | 3.5 SL | Hybrid | 2.5 S Manual | 3.5 SE Manual | |
| City MPG | 23 | 23 | 23 | 23 | 23 | 23 | 18 |
| Highway MPG | 32 | 32 | 32 | 32 | 32 | 32 | 27 |
| Combined MPG | 26 | 26 | 26 | 26 | 26 | 26 | 21 |
| 2.5 | 2.5 S | 3.5 SE | 3.5 SL | Hybrid | 2.5 S Manual | 3.5 SE Manual | |
| Wheel size (in) | 16 | 16 | 17 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 17 |
| Wheel material | steel | steel | aluminum-alloy | aluminum-alloy | aluminum-alloy | steel | aluminum-alloy |
| Wheel finish | bolt-on wheel covers | bolt-on wheel covers | 5-spoke | 6-spoke | 6-spoke | bolt-on wheel covers | 5-spoke |
| Tire spec | P215/60R16 | P215/60R16 | P215/55VR17 | P215/60R16 | P215/60R16 | P215/60R16 | P215/55VR17 |
| 2.5 | 2.5 S | 3.5 SE | 3.5 SL | Hybrid | 2.5 S Manual | 3.5 SE Manual | |
| Airbags | Nissan Advanced Air Bag System with dual-stage supplemental front air bags | Nissan Advanced Air Bag System with dual-stage supplemental front air bags | Nissan Advanced Air Bag System with dual-stage supplemental front air bags | Nissan Advanced Air Bag System with dual-stage supplemental front air bags | Nissan Advanced Air Bag System with dual-stage supplemental front air bags | Nissan Advanced Air Bag System with dual-stage supplemental front air bags | Nissan Advanced Air Bag System with dual-stage supplemental front air bags |
| Side impact airbags | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Curtain airbags | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Active head restraints | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Latch system | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Immobilizer | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Traction control | – | – | Yes | Yes | – | – | Yes |
| Vehicle dynamic control | – | – | Yes | Yes | – | – | Yes |
| 2.5 | 2.5 S | 3.5 SE | 3.5 SL | Hybrid | 2.5 S Manual | 3.5 SE Manual | |
| Nissan Intelligent Key with Push Button Ignition | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Dual exhaust with chrome exhaust-tip finishers | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Dual body-color power outside mirrors | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| AM/FM/CD audio system with 6 speakers | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Auxiliary audio input jack | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Air conditioning with in-cabin microfilter | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Power windows and door locks | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Remote keyless entry with trunk release | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Cruise control with steering wheel-mounted controls | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Fine Vision electroluminescent gauges | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Multi-functional trip computer | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Tilt and telescoping steering column | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Vehicle-speed-sensitive variable intermittent wipers | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Velour cloth seat trim | - | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| 6-way manual adjustable driver’s seat | - | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| 60/40-split fold-down rear seatbacks with lock | - | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Nine cupholders | - | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Sport-tuned suspension | - | - | Yes | Yes | - | - | Yes |
| 8-way power adjustable driver’s seat | - | - | Yes | Yes | - | - | Yes |
| Automatic on/off headlights | - | - | Yes | Yes | - | - | Yes |
| Fog lights | - | - | Yes | Yes | - | - | Yes |
| Rear spoiler | - | - | Yes | Yes | - | - | Yes |
| Leather-wrapped steering wheel | - | - | Yes | Yes | - | - | Yes |
| Illuminated steering wheel-mounted audio controls | - | - | Yes | Yes | - | - | Yes |
| Passenger-side front window one-touch auto-up/down | - | - | Yes | Yes | - | - | Yes |
| Leather-appointed seats and door trim | - | - | - | Yes | - | - | - |
| Heated front seats | - | - | - | Yes | - | - | - |
| Digital Bose audio system with 9 speakers | - | - | - | Yes | - | - | - |
| Dual Zone Automatic Temperature Control (ATC) | - | - | - | Yes | Yes | - | - |
| HomeLink Universal Transceiver | - | - | - | Yes | - | - | - |
| Auto-dimming inside rearview mirror with compass | - | - | - | Yes | - | - | - |
| Leather-wrapped shift knob | - | - | - | Yes | - | - | - |
| High Intensity Discharge (HID) xenon headlights | - | - | - | Yes | - | - | - |
| Traction Control System (TCS) | - | - | - | - | Yes | - | - |
| Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) | - | - | - | - | Yes | - | - |