The Nissan Altima is one of the best sedans in recent memory for people who still want something affordable. People know the car for delivering solid performance and also being spacious. However, there are also a few less-than-stellar models from recent years. In particular, the 2016 Nissan Altima happens to be one that used car buyers should skip.

The 2016 Nissan Altima isn’t among the best sedans

The 2016 Nissan Altima isn’t the worst model from the lineup. However, it is the most recent to face such severe issues, which means many used buyers may be tempted to invest in this modern Altima. In particular, this model has notable problems with the transmission, which happens to be a CVT. Notably, it has problems engaging properly, which can cause acceleration issues.

In fact, there have been many owners who have reported that their used Nissan Altima from this year would fail to accelerate while in traffic. There are also reports of the transmission slipping, especially during turns. The 2016 Altima also has a history of the engine not starting at random times, which could leave drivers stranded.

According to Kelley Blue Book, a transmission replacement for a 2016 Nissan Altima could cost well over $4,000. However, it’s best to stay away from this model if you want a relatively pain-free ownership experience.

Other problematic used Nissan Altima model years that used car buyers should think twice about:

• 2013 Altima
• 2009 Altima
• 2005 Altima
• 2002 Altima

The 2020 Altima is much better

Used car buyers looking for a solid Nissan Altima model should consider the one from 2020. This model is considered to be one of the most reliable from recent editions and even competes with many of its more popular rivals. Regarding performance, the 2020 Altima comes standard with a 2.5-liter inline-four that makes 188 horsepower and has a torque of 180 lb-ft.

Used car buyers looking for more power can go for the turbocharged 2.0-liter with a maximum output of 248 horsepower and a torque of 280 lb-ft. The Altima comes standard as a front-wheel drive car but has all-wheel drive configurations. This model also doesn’t disappoint when it comes to speed, as the fastest version gets from 0 to 60 MPH in only 6.1 seconds.

This used Nissan Altima also has a solid interior. Not only is it spacious, but all trims except the base model come with an eight-inch infotainment screen that works with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Of course, used car buyers might find models that have features such as built-in navigation and a Wifi hotspot.

Overall, used car buyers can get much from a Nissan Altima as long as they avoid the 2016 model and some of the others. This is one of the best sedans because it delivers speed, has a modern look, and that has a long history on the market. Of course, Nissan-certified pre-owned models have a stellar limited warranty. It lasts for seven years or 100,000 miles.