Specifications Comparison: 2003 Nissan Altima vs 2012 Nissan Altima

Researched By The AutoPadre Staff

Engine Horsepower & Torque

2003 Nissan Altima

Engine Horsepower & Torque

Trim	Eng.	Drive train	HP	Torque (ft-lbs)
(5 Spd)	2.5L I4	FWD	175	180
S	2.5L I4	FWD	175	180
SL	2.5L I4	FWD	175	180
SE	3.5L V6	FWD	245	246

2012 Nissan Altima

Engine Horsepower & Torque

Trim	Eng.	Drive train	HP	Torque (ft-lbs)
S	2.5L I4	FWD	175	180
	2.5L I4	FWD	175	180
S	2.5L I4	FWD	175	180
SL	2.5L I4	FWD	175	180
SR	3.5L V6	FWD	270	258
SR	3.5L V6	FWD	270	258

Engine Horsepower Per Unit Of Displacement

2003 Nissan Altima

Horsepower Per Liter & Inch³

Trim	Eng.	Drive train	HP Per Liter	HP Per Inch³
(5 Spd)	2.5L I4	FWD	70	1.14
S	2.5L I4	FWD	70	1.14
SL	2.5L I4	FWD	70	1.14
SE	3.5L V6	FWD	70	1.14

2012 Nissan Altima

Horsepower Per Liter & Inch³

Trim	Eng.	Drive train	HP Per Liter	HP Per Inch³
S	2.5L I4	FWD	70	1.14
	2.5L I4	FWD	70	1.14
S	2.5L I4	FWD	70	1.14
SL	2.5L I4	FWD	70	1.14
SR	3.5L V6	FWD	77	1.26
SR	3.5L V6	FWD	77	1.26

Gas Mileage

2003 Nissan Altima

Fuel Mileage (Imp.)

Trim	Eng.	Drive train	MPG City	MPG Hwy	MPG Combined
(5 Spd)	2.5L I4	FWD	23	29	26
S	2.5L I4	FWD	23	29	26
SL	2.5L I4	FWD	23	29	26
SE	3.5L V6	FWD	21	26	23.5

2012 Nissan Altima

Fuel Mileage (Imp.)

Trim	Eng.	Drive train	MPG City	MPG Hwy	MPG Combined
S	2.5L I4	FWD	23	31	27
	2.5L I4	FWD	23	32	27.5
S	2.5L I4	FWD	23	32	27.5
SL	2.5L I4	FWD	23	32	27.5
SR	3.5L V6	FWD	20	27	23.5
SR	3.5L V6	FWD	20	27	23.5

2003 Nissan Altima

Fuel Mileage (Metric)

Trim	Eng.	Drive train	L/100km City	L/100km Hwy	L/100km Combined
(5 Spd)	2.5L I4	FWD	10.0	8.0	9.0
S	2.5L I4	FWD	10.0	8.0	9.0
SL	2.5L I4	FWD	10.0	8.0	9.0
SE	3.5L V6	FWD	11.0	9.0	10.0

2012 Nissan Altima

Fuel Mileage (Metric)

Trim	Eng.	Drive train	L/100km City	L/100km Hwy	L/100km Combined
S	2.5L I4	FWD	10.0	8.0	9.0
	2.5L I4	FWD	10.0	7.0	9.0
S	2.5L I4	FWD	10.0	7.0	9.0
SL	2.5L I4	FWD	10.0	7.0	9.0
SR	3.5L V6	FWD	12.0	9.0	10.0
SR	3.5L V6	FWD	12.0	9.0	10.0

Gas Tank Size

2003 Nissan Altima

Fuel Tank Size

Trim	Eng.	Drive train	Fuel Tank Size (Gal)	Fuel Tank Size (L)
(5 Spd)	2.5L I4	FWD	20.0	75.7
S	2.5L I4	FWD	20.0	75.7
SL	2.5L I4	FWD	20.0	75.7
SE	3.5L V6	FWD	20.0	75.7

2012 Nissan Altima

Fuel Tank Size

Trim	Eng.	Drive train	Fuel Tank Size (Gal)	Fuel Tank Size (L)
S	2.5L I4	FWD	20.0	75.7
	2.5L I4	FWD	20.0	75.7
S	2.5L I4	FWD	20.0	75.7
SL	2.5L I4	FWD	20.0	75.7
SR	3.5L V6	FWD	20.0	75.7
SR	3.5L V6	FWD	20.0	75.7

Gas Tank Range

2003 Nissan Altima

Fuel Tank Range (Imp.)

Trim	Eng.	Drive train	City (Miles)	Highway (Miles)	Combined (Miles)
(5 Spd)	2.5L I4	FWD	460	580	520
S	2.5L I4	FWD	460	580	520
SL	2.5L I4	FWD	460	580	520
SE	3.5L V6	FWD	420	520	470

2012 Nissan Altima

Fuel Tank Range (Imp.)

Trim	Eng.	Drive train	City (Miles)	Highway (Miles)	Combined (Miles)
S	2.5L I4	FWD	460	620	540
	2.5L I4	FWD	460	640	550
S	2.5L I4	FWD	460	640	550
SL	2.5L I4	FWD	460	640	550
SR	3.5L V6	FWD	400	540	470
SR	3.5L V6	FWD	400	540	470

2003 Nissan Altima

Fuel Tank Range (Metric)

Trim	Eng.	Drive train	City (KM)	Highway (KM)	Combined (KM)
(5 Spd)	2.5L I4	FWD	740	933	837
S	2.5L I4	FWD	740	933	837
SL	2.5L I4	FWD	740	933	837
SE	3.5L V6	FWD	676	837	756

2012 Nissan Altima

Fuel Tank Range (Metric)

Trim	Eng.	Drive train	City (KM)	Highway (KM)	Combined (KM)
S	2.5L I4	FWD	740	998	869
	2.5L I4	FWD	740	1030	885
S	2.5L I4	FWD	740	1030	885
SL	2.5L I4	FWD	740	1030	885
SR	3.5L V6	FWD	644	869	756
SR	3.5L V6	FWD	644	869	756

Legroom

2003 Nissan Altima

Legroom (Imp.)

Trim	Eng.	Drive train	1st Row Legroom (in)	2nd Row Legroom (in)	3rd Row Legroom (in)	4th Row Legroom (in)	5th Row Legroom (in)
(5 Spd)	2.5L I4	FWD	43.9	36.4
S	2.5L I4	FWD	43.9	36.4
SL	2.5L I4	FWD	43.9	36.4
SE	3.5L V6	FWD	43.9	36.4

2012 Nissan Altima

Legroom (Imp.)

Trim	Eng.	Drive train	1st Row Legroom (in)	2nd Row Legroom (in)	3rd Row Legroom (in)	4th Row Legroom (in)	5th Row Legroom (in)
S	2.5L I4	FWD	42.5	34.4
	2.5L I4	FWD	44.1	35.8
S	2.5L I4	FWD	44.1	35.8
SL	2.5L I4	FWD	44.1	35.8
SR	3.5L V6	FWD	42.5	34.4
SR	3.5L V6	FWD	44.1	35.8

2003 Nissan Altima

Legroom (Metric)

Trim	Eng.	Drive train	1st Row Legroom (cm)	2nd Row Legroom (cm)	3rd Row Legroom (cm)	4th Row Legroom (cm)	5th Row Legroom (cm)
(5 Spd)	2.5L I4	FWD	111.5	92.5
S	2.5L I4	FWD	111.5	92.5
SL	2.5L I4	FWD	111.5	92.5
SE	3.5L V6	FWD	111.5	92.5

2012 Nissan Altima

Legroom (Metric)

Trim	Eng.	Drive train	1st Row Legroom (cm)	2nd Row Legroom (cm)	3rd Row Legroom (cm)	4th Row Legroom (cm)	5th Row Legroom (cm)
S	2.5L I4	FWD	108	87.4
	2.5L I4	FWD	112	90.9
S	2.5L I4	FWD	112	90.9
SL	2.5L I4	FWD	112	90.9
SR	3.5L V6	FWD	108	87.4
SR	3.5L V6	FWD	112	90.9

Headroom

2003 Nissan Altima

Headroom (Imp.)

Trim	Eng.	Drive train	1st Row Headroom (in)	2nd Row Headroom (in)	3rd Row Headroom (in)	4th Row Headroom (in)	5th Row Headroom (in)
(5 Spd)	2.5L I4	FWD	40.8	37.6
S	2.5L I4	FWD	40.8	37.6
SL	2.5L I4	FWD	40.8	37.6
SE	3.5L V6	FWD	40.8	37.6

2012 Nissan Altima

Headroom (Imp.)

Trim	Eng.	Drive train	1st Row Headroom (in)	2nd Row Headroom (in)	3rd Row Headroom (in)	4th Row Headroom (in)	5th Row Headroom (in)
S	2.5L I4	FWD	39.7	35.6
	2.5L I4	FWD	40.6	36.8
S	2.5L I4	FWD	40.6	36.8
SL	2.5L I4	FWD	40.6	36.8
SR	3.5L V6	FWD	37.2	35.6
SR	3.5L V6	FWD	40.6	36.8

2003 Nissan Altima

Headroom (Metric)

Trim	Eng.	Drive train	1st Row Headroom (cm)	2nd Row Headroom (cm)	3rd Row Headroom (cm)	4th Row Headroom (cm)	5th Row Headroom (cm)
(5 Spd)	2.5L I4	FWD	103.6	95.5
S	2.5L I4	FWD	103.6	95.5
SL	2.5L I4	FWD	103.6	95.5
SE	3.5L V6	FWD	103.6	95.5

2003 Nissan Altima

Headroom (Metric)

Trim	Eng.	Drive train	1st Row Headroom (cm)	2nd Row Headroom (cm)	3rd Row Headroom (cm)	4th Row Headroom (cm)	5th Row Headroom (cm)
S	2.5L I4	FWD	100.8	90.4
	2.5L I4	FWD	103.1	93.5
S	2.5L I4	FWD	103.1	93.5
SL	2.5L I4	FWD	103.1	93.5
SR	3.5L V6	FWD	94.5	90.4
SR	3.5L V6	FWD	103.1	93.5

Ground Clearance

No Data Available: 2003 Nissan Altima Ground Clearance (inches)

2012 Nissan Altima

Ground Clearance (inches)

Trim	Eng.	Drive train	Ground Clearance Front (in)	Ground Clearance Rear (in)	Ground Clearance Min (in)	Ground Clearance Max (in)
S	2.5L I4	FWD			5.3
	2.5L I4	FWD			5.4
S	2.5L I4	FWD			5.4
SL	2.5L I4	FWD			5.4
SR	3.5L V6	FWD			5.3
SR	3.5L V6	FWD			5.4

No Data Available: 2003 Nissan Altima Ground Clearance (cm)

2012 Nissan Altima

Ground Clearance (Metric)

Trim	Eng.	Drive train	Ground Clearance Front (cm)	Ground Clearance Rear (cm)	Ground Clearance Min (cm)	Ground Clearance Max (cm)
S	2.5L I4	FWD			13.5
	2.5L I4	FWD			13.7
S	2.5L I4	FWD			13.7
SL	2.5L I4	FWD			13.7
SR	3.5L V6	FWD			13.5
SR	3.5L V6	FWD			13.7

Height

2003 Nissan Altima

Height

Trim	Eng.	Drive train	Height (in)	Height (ft)	Height (cm)	Height (m)
(5 Spd)	2.5L I4	FWD	57.9	4.83	147.1	1.47
S	2.5L I4	FWD	57.9	4.83	147.1	1.47
SL	2.5L I4	FWD	57.9	4.83	147.1	1.47
SE	3.5L V6	FWD	57.9	4.83	147.1	1.47

2012 Nissan Altima

Height

Trim	Eng.	Drive train	Height (in)	Height (ft)	Height (cm)	Height (m)
S	2.5L I4	FWD	55.9	4.66	142	1.42
	2.5L I4	FWD	58	4.83	147.3	1.47
S	2.5L I4	FWD	58	4.83	147.3	1.47
SL	2.5L I4	FWD	58	4.83	147.3	1.47
SR	3.5L V6	FWD	55.9	4.66	142	1.42
SR	3.5L V6	FWD	57.9	4.83	147.1	1.47

Length

2003 Nissan Altima

Length

Trim	Eng.	Drive train	Length (in)	Length (ft)	Length (cm)	Length (m)
(5 Spd)	2.5L I4	FWD	191.5	15.96	486.4	4.86
S	2.5L I4	FWD	191.5	15.96	486.4	4.86
SL	2.5L I4	FWD	191.5	15.96	486.4	4.86
SE	3.5L V6	FWD	191.5	15.96	486.4	4.86

2012 Nissan Altima

Length

Trim	Eng.	Drive train	Length (in)	Length (ft)	Length (cm)	Length (m)
S	2.5L I4	FWD	180.9	15.08	459.5	4.59
	2.5L I4	FWD	190.7	15.89	484.4	4.84
S	2.5L I4	FWD	190.7	15.89	484.4	4.84
SL	2.5L I4	FWD	190.7	15.89	484.4	4.84
SR	3.5L V6	FWD	180.9	15.08	459.5	4.59
SR	3.5L V6	FWD	190.7	15.89	484.4	4.84

Width Without Mirrors

2003 Nissan Altima

Width W/O Mirrors

Trim	Eng.	Drive train	Width W/O Mirrors (in)	Width W/O Mirrors (ft)	Width W/O Mirrors (cm)	Width W/O Mirrors (m)
(5 Spd)	2.5L I4	FWD	70.4	5.87	178.8	1.79
S	2.5L I4	FWD	70.4	5.87	178.8	1.79
SL	2.5L I4	FWD	70.4	5.87	178.8	1.79
SE	3.5L V6	FWD	70.4	5.87	178.8	1.79

2012 Nissan Altima

Width W/O Mirrors

Trim	Eng.	Drive train	Width W/O Mirrors (in)	Width W/O Mirrors (ft)	Width W/O Mirrors (cm)	Width W/O Mirrors (m)
S	2.5L I4	FWD	70.7	5.89	179.6	1.8
	2.5L I4	FWD	70.7	5.89	179.6	1.8
S	2.5L I4	FWD	70.7	5.89	179.6	1.8
SL	2.5L I4	FWD	70.7	5.89	179.6	1.8
SR	3.5L V6	FWD	70.7	5.89	179.6	1.8
SR	3.5L V6	FWD	70.7	5.89	179.6	1.8

Wheelbase

2003 Nissan Altima

Wheelbase

Trim	Eng.	Drive train	Wheelbase (in)	Wheelbase (ft)	Wheelbase (cm)	Wheelbase (m)
(5 Spd)	2.5L I4	FWD	110.2	9.18	279.9	2.8
S	2.5L I4	FWD	110.2	9.18	279.9	2.8
SL	2.5L I4	FWD	110.2	9.18	279.9	2.8
SE	3.5L V6	FWD	110.2	9.18	279.9	2.8

2012 Nissan Altima

Wheelbase

Trim	Eng.	Drive train	Wheelbase (in)	Wheelbase (ft)	Wheelbase (cm)	Wheelbase (m)
S	2.5L I4	FWD	105.3	8.78	267.5	2.67
	2.5L I4	FWD	109.3	9.11	277.6	2.78
S	2.5L I4	FWD	109.3	9.11	277.6	2.78
SL	2.5L I4	FWD	109.3	9.11	277.6	2.78
SR	3.5L V6	FWD	105.3	8.78	267.5	2.67
SR	3.5L V6	FWD	109.3	9.11	277.6	2.78

Curb Weight

2003 Nissan Altima

Curb Weight

Trim	Engine	Drive train	Curb Weight	Horsepower	Weight / Horsepower Ratio
(5 Spd)	2.5L I4	FWD	3,001 lbs.	175 hp	17.1 lbs/hp
S	2.5L I4	FWD	3,039 lbs.	175 hp	17.4 lbs/hp
SL	2.5L I4	FWD	3,106 lbs.	175 hp	17.7 lbs/hp
SE	3.5L V6	FWD	3,197 lbs.	245 hp	13.0 lbs/hp

2012 Nissan Altima

Curb Weight

Trim	Engine	Drive train	Curb Weight	Horsepower	Weight / Horsepower Ratio
S	2.5L I4	FWD	3,081 lbs.	175 hp	17.6 lbs/hp
	2.5L I4	FWD	3,180 lbs.	175 hp	18.2 lbs/hp
S	2.5L I4	FWD	3,193 lbs.	175 hp	18.2 lbs/hp
SR	3.5L V6	FWD	3,333 lbs.	270 hp	12.3 lbs/hp
SR	3.5L V6	FWD	3,357 lbs.	270 hp	12.4 lbs/hp

Oil Capacity

2003 Nissan Altima

Oil Capacity

Engine	Oil Capacity (Quarts)	Oil Capacity (Liters)	Viscosity
2.5L 4 Cyl. QR25DE	4.4 Qts.	4.2 L	5W-30
3.5L 6 Cyl. VQ35DE	4.4 Qts.	4.2 L	5W-30

2012 Nissan Altima

Oil Capacity

Engine	Oil Capacity (Quarts)	Oil Capacity (Liters)	Viscosity
2.5L 4 Cyl. QR25DE	4.9 Qts.	4.6 L	5W-30
3.5L 6 Cyl. VQ35DE	5.1 Qts.	4.8 L	5W-30

Battery Size

2003 Nissan Altima

Battery Size

Trim	Battery Code	Length x Width x Height
V6/3.5L	24F	10 3/4" x 6 13/16" x 9"

2012 Nissan Altima

Battery Size

Trim	Battery Code	Length x Width x Height
Standard Ex Hybrid	35	9 1/16" x 6 7/8" x 8 7/8"

Cargo Space: Trunk Volume

2003 Nissan Altima

Cargo Space

Trim	Trunk Volume ft³	Trunk Volume m³
4dr Sedan Manual Trunk Volume	15.6 ft³	0.44 m³
4dr Sedan Auto Trunk Volume	15.6 ft³	0.44 m³
4dr Sedan S Manual Trunk Volume	15.6 ft³	0.44 m³
4dr Sedan S Auto Trunk Volume	15.6 ft³	0.44 m³
4dr Sedan SL Auto Trunk Volume	15.6 ft³	0.44 m³
4dr Sedan SE Manual Trunk Volume	15.6 ft³	0.44 m³
4dr Sedan SE Auto Trunk Volume	15.6 ft³	0.44 m³

2012 Nissan Altima

Cargo Space

Trim	Trunk Volume ft³	Trunk Volume m³
2dr Coupe I4 Manual 2.5 S Trunk Volume	8.2 ft³	0.23 m³
2dr Coupe I4 CVT 2.5 S Trunk Volume	8.2 ft³	0.23 m³
2dr Coupe V6 Manual 3.5 SR Trunk Volume	8.2 ft³	0.23 m³
2dr Coupe V6 CVT 3.5 SR Trunk Volume	8.2 ft³	0.23 m³
4dr Sedan I4 CVT 2.5 Trunk Volume	15.3 ft³	0.43 m³
4dr Sedan I4 CVT 2.5 S Trunk Volume	15.3 ft³	0.43 m³
4dr Sedan I4 CVT 2.5 SL Trunk Volume	15.3 ft³	0.43 m³
4dr Sedan V6 CVT 3.5 SR Trunk Volume	15.3 ft³	0.43 m³

Timing Belt Or Chain

2003 Nissan Altima

Timing Belt Or Chain

Engine	Belt Or Chain	Interference or Non-Interference	Replacement interval (miles)
2.5L 4 Cyl. 182 hp (QR25DE)	Timing Chain	Interference	Lifetime
3.5L V6 245 hp (VQ35DE)	Timing Chain	Interference	Lifetime

2012 Nissan Altima

Timing Belt Or Chain

Engine	Belt Or Chain	Interference or Non-Interference	Replacement interval (miles)
2.5L 4 Cyl. 182 hp (QR25DE)	Timing Chain	Interference	Lifetime
3.5L V6 270 hp (VQ35DE)	Timing Chain	Interference	Lifetime

Exterior Colors

2003 Nissan Altima

Exterior Colors

Exterior Color Name	Exterior Color
Crystal Blue Metallic [Dk.Blue]
Sheer Silver Metallic [Silver]
Super Black Clearcoat [Black]

2012 Nissan Altima

Exterior Colors

Exterior Color Name	Exterior Color
Brilliant Silver Metallic [Silver]
Dark Slate Metallic [Gray]
Metallic Slate [Gray]
Super Black [Black]
Winter Frost Pearl [White]

Interior Colors

2003 Nissan Altima

Interior Colors

Interior Color Name	Interior Color
Frost w/Cloth Seat Trim [Silver]

2012 Nissan Altima

Interior Colors

Interior Color Name	Interior Color
Frost w/Velour Seat Trim [Silver]

Steering Wheel Size

2003 Nissan Altima

Steering Wheel Size

Steering Wheel Diameter (inches)	Steering Wheel Circumference (inches)	Steering Wheel Classification
15"	4"	C

2012 Nissan Altima

Steering Wheel Size

Steering Wheel Diameter (inches)	Steering Wheel Circumference (inches)	Steering Wheel Classification
15"	4"	C

Wiper Sizes

2003 Nissan Altima

Wiper Sizes

Driver's Side (inches)	Passenger's (inches)	Rear (inches)
26	17	None

2012 Nissan Altima

Wiper Sizes

Driver's Side (inches)	Passenger's (inches)	Rear (inches)
28	16	None

AutoPadre's Face

AutoPadre Comparison Tool

Vs.

Compare the Nissan Altima All Specifications Side-By-Side by Year

2018 vs. 2015

2016 vs. 2022

2007 vs. 2004

2006 vs. 2014

2021 vs. 2003

Popular All Specifications Model Comparisons

(Nissan Altima vs.)

2024 Hyundai Sonata

2024 Honda Accord

2024 Toyota Camry

2020 Kia Optima

2024 Subaru Legacy

car_battery_shutterstock_1100210408

Post Written By Jackson Briar

Which Side Of The Car Battery Is Positive? Decoding the Sides of Your Car Battery

93_octane_gas_pump_shutterstock_2073809651

Post Written By Jackson Briar

Unveiling Ethanol Levels: How Much Is In Your 93 Octane Gas?

a_loose_gas_cap_can_cause_check_engine_light_shutterstock_501641083

Post Written By Jackson Briar

Will Check Engine Light Go Off After Tightening Gas Cap? Check Engine Light Solutions