--- title: "The Nissan Altima, Once Inescapable, Is Finally Dead" date: "2026-07-15" modified: "2026-07-15" authors: - name: "Adam Ismail" job_title: "Senior Editor" link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/adam-ismail" url: "https://www.thedrive.com/news/the-nissan-altima-once-inescapable-is-finally-dead" categories: - "News" - "News by Brand" - "Nissan News" tags: - "Altima" - "Nissan" - "sedan" --- # The Nissan Altima, Once Inescapable, Is Finally Dead ![Nissan Altima SR in white, rear three-quarter view]() *\Nissan\* It took a bit more time than many anticipated, but the day has finally arrived: The [Nissan Altima]() is dead. The news was confirmed by the company's Senior VP and Chief Product & Planning Officer for the Americas, Ponz Pandikuthira, who added that the [Rogue Plug-In Hybrid](), a badge-engineered Mitsubishi Outlander that was always intended to be a stop-gap product, is also departing after just a single model year. We first heard whispers of [the Altima's demise in 2024](), when reports gave the midsize sedan a two-year prognosis. Well, it's been two years, and here we are. The Altima always had a reputation for being a chaotic force on American roads, but it's easy to gloss over the fact that it used to be ubiquitous, especially through the '90s and early aughts, when [Nissan]() was undergoing something of a design renaissance. But the Altima couldn't keep up with the rest of the family sedan pack. It's been eight years since its last redesign. For 2025, it lost its variable-compression turbocharged powertrain, and now, we're losing it altogether. Pandikuthira told *[Wards Auto]()* that the company wants to focus on the new Sentra, which he describes as more "grown up." Through 2026 to date, Altima sales are [down]() 32%, from 62,107 units to 42,288, while the Sentra has seen a lesser dive of almost 12%, from 85,523 to 75,549. ![]() *We'll never forget you, Nissan Altima SE-R. *Nissan** This news shouldn't be taken as meaning that Nissan echoes [Detroit's total disinterest in sedans](), as it turns out the company did aim to replace the Altima and the [Maxima]() (which left us in 2023) with electric cars. Unsurprisingly, stagnation in the market has pushed off those plans for the moment. "We had planned two EV sedans for the space occupied by Altima and Maxima, but EV volume hasn't taken off yet," Pandikuthira told *Wards*. "It may be closer to 2029 or 2030 before we see a resurgence in that segment." As for the Rogue PHEV, Nissan was very clear at the outset that that vehicle was always intended to live a short life, to buy it some time to get [its first homegrown hybrid, the Rogue E-Power](), into showrooms. "If people shopping online see that Rogue does not offer a hybrid, they will not go to the dealer," Pandikuthira said. Mitsubishi came in for the assist, and with the plug-in SUV having served its duty, it's now being phased out. *Got a tip? Reach out to tips@thedrive.com* ## Author Adam is a Senior Editor at The Drive, concentrating on curating and developing the site's slate of daily journalism, from initial pitch to final copy edit. When he's not at his desk researching leads and working with writers, he's testing vehicles or reviewing racing games, new and old. He joined The Drive in 2023, following seven years of covering consumer technology and cars. A car lover and gamer since his earliest memories, Adam came to know the automotive world through video games. First it was Daytona USA, Sega Rally, and Ridge Racer; then came Need For Speed, which inspired an encyclopedic knowledge of '90s supercars, and, of course, Gran Turismo. If not for them, he'd assuredly be doing something else right now. Adam is based in the suburbs outside Philly, where there are ample roads for his hot hatch to stretch its legs. In his car, he's probably listening to indie rock, drum and bass, or Yankees baseball. ### Author social links [Bluesky]() [Instagram]() [LinkedIn]()