Nissan decided to make radical changes to the 2026 Nissan Altima lineup, changes that may not please fans. Japanese sedan Famous, as the company canceled two basic categories and raised prices, in exchange for adding a new package with a dark, sporty character called Midnight Edition.
Goodbye to the S and SL classes in the 2026 Nissan Altima
With the entry of the 2026 model year, the basic S class – the standard Altima – has disappeared, as has the SL class – the Altima Full Option – the most equipped from the 2026 sedan lineup, which means that the lowest price of the car has automatically become higher than before.
The price of a new 2026 Altima Standard starts worldwide at $27,580, up from $27,000, an increase of $580 over the 2025 Standard Altima.
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The Midnight Edition package offers a sporty black finish
The new Midnight Edition package is available exclusively on the Altima SR for an additional US$2,000 (SAR 7,500) and offers a dark, sporty look that includes:
- Black front grille
- Black roof
- 19-inch glossy black wheels
- Special logos
- Black window tinting
This package is available with distinctive exterior colors such as metallic green, pearl white, gray, or complete black for “dark style” lovers.
Additional equipment for the SR class
The SR class of new Altima cars also received important upgrades, most notably:
- New 12.3-inch infotainment screen (instead of 8-inch)
- Wireless charger for smartphones
- Sunroof
- Dual-zone automatic air conditioning system
There are no significant mechanical changes
All 2026 Nissan Altima car categories are based on the same engine:
A 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine generates 188 horsepower and 255 Nm of torque, connected to an Xtronic CVT transmission, and operates with a front- or all-wheel drive system (AWD for an additional cost).
With all-wheel drive, power drops slightly to 182 hp.
Nissan Altima 2026 prices in the global market
- The price of a new front-wheel drive Altima SV starts at 27,580 US dollars, or the equivalent of 103,425 Saudi riyals.
- The price of a new Nissan Altima SV version with all-wheel drive starts from 28,980 US dollars, or the equivalent of 108,675 Saudi riyals.
- The price of a new Altima SR with front-wheel drive starts from 29,080 US dollars, or the equivalent of 109,050 Saudi riyals.
- The price of the Nissan Altima 2026 SR version with all-wheel drive starts from 30,480 US dollars, or the equivalent of 114,300 Saudi riyals.
Conclusion
Nissan chose to simplify the Altima lineup at the expense of cheaper categories, and gradually raised prices, focusing on the sporty appearance and technical equipment.
But the most important question is: Will this strategy succeed in the increasingly difficult sedan market? Due to the global demand for crossover SUVs of all sizes at the expense of sedans.
