All About the 2018 Nissan Altima SR Special Edition

The 2018 Nissan Altima SR Special Edition has an upgraded exterior and a more functional interior in one of the most reliable mid-size sedans.
Written by Andrea Barrett
Reviewed by Kathleen Flear
The 2018 Nissan Altima SR Special Edition took the comfortable, functional, and efficient Altima SR and gave it a serious interior facelift. The SR Special Edition package adds remote start, heated seats, and a 7.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system with navigation.
The Nissan Altima fits the bill if you’re in the market for a mid-size sedan that’s reliable, capable, and comfortable. It’s one of the top family sedans, from the base S model to the fully-loaded SL with all the bells and whistles. With stiff competition from the
Honda Accord
and the
Toyota Camry
, the Altima tends to trail behind in several areas—but the SR Special Edition just might make up for that.
When Nissan released the 2018 Nissan Altima SR Special Edition, it upgraded the interior towards a more luxurious feel but kept the vehicle at an affordable price. If you’re curious about what the Altima SR Special Edition offers,
Jerry
, the
car insurance
shopping app, has all the answers—we’ll look at the specs, pricing, and how it compares to the base Altima. We'll even show you the easiest way to lower your
Nissan Altima insurance cost.
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What is the Nissan Altima Special Edition? 

A Special Edition Altima is nothing new to Nissan—they’ve been available on several models throughout the Altima’s lifespan. The 2018 SR Special Edition was an upgraded package available on the 2.5 L Altima SR that transformed the vehicle's interior and upgraded the standard wheels to the unique gun metal-finished aluminum-alloy wheels with Dunlop 235/45R18 all-season tires. Plus, with the addition of NissanConnect with Navigation featuring Apple CarPlay™ and Android Auto™, a larger audio display, heated seats, and remote start, convenience and comfort became front and center.

2018 Nissan Altima overview

Before we get into the details of the Altima SR Special Edition, let’s take a look at some of the features of the Nissan Altima. 
Compared to its predecessors and its biggest competitors, the 2018 Nissan Altima was nothing spectacular. It was practical, efficient, and comfortable—but it failed to meet the standards of other mid-size sedans like the Honda Accord and Toyota Camry. It came in
four trim levels
ranging from $24,155 for the S model to $30,005 for the fully-loaded SL. 
It was offered in two engine options: a 179-hp 2.5 L four-cylinder or 270-hp 3.5 L V-6 engine, both paired with a continuous variable transmission (CVT) and front-wheel drive. Although a CVT offers greater fuel efficiency, it tends to be rough during heavy acceleration, especially with the four-cylinder engine. 
To help minimize interior noise, the Altima is engineered with acoustic (laminated) windshield glass, insulation, and sound barriers. But if there’s one area where the Altima excels, it’s with power and quickness, reaching 0 to 60 mph in about 8 seconds.
While it may not be the top choice for a mid-size sedan, the Altima does hold its own on the road. Here are some of the features of the 2018 Nissan Altima:
Key specs
  • $24,155 starting MSRP
  •  2.5-liter four-cylinder
  • 179-hp @ 6000 rpm
  • 177 lb-ft of torque @ 4000 rpm
  • IIHS Top Safety Pick
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What’s special about the Special Edition?

With four trim levels to choose from on the 2018 Nissan Altima, finding exactly what you want for a reasonable price can be challenging. But the SR Special Edition might just hit your radar if you're looking for top-of-the-line convenience features for a near-bargain price.
The Altima is known as a solid family sedan. It might not have much pizzazz, but it does offer ample seating room, cargo capacity, and fuel efficiency. However, if you want to up your road game without splurging for the Midnight Edition, the Special Edition package offers all the luxuries you could want for your interior without the ultra-high price tag.
The Altima 2.5 SR Special Edition comes equipped with NissanConnect with Navigation featuring Apple CarPlay™ and Android Auto™ and an enlarged 7.0-inch color audio display. And for extra comfort, they upgrade the cloth seats to Prima-Tex™-appointed seats with heated front seats, not to mention gun metal-finished aluminum-alloy wheels mounted in Dunlop all-season tires.
And your SR Special Edition package comes with a remote start system for those frigid mornings when you’re not keen on venturing through the snow to start your car. 

2018 Altima SR Special Edition vs. Altima S

The Altima SR Special Edition comes loaded with several desirable features that make driving your Altima more comfortable and convenient, but how much does it actually differ from the base model, the 2.5 Altima S? With a starting price of $24,155, the Altima S is powered by the same 2.5 L four-cylinder engine that powers the SR Special Edition. Here are some of the other specs on the Altima S: 
  • 2.5 L four-cylinder engine
  • 179-hp @ 6000 rpm
  • 177-hp @ 4000 rpm
  • 31/27/38 mpg combined/city/highway fuel 
  • 5.0-inch audio display
  • RearView Monitor
  • Auto on/off headlights
  • Steering wheel-mounted audio and cruise control
  • 16-inch steel wheels with all-season tires
  • Tire Pressure Monitoring System with individual tire pressure readouts
  • Siri Eyes Free™
The SR Special Edition package comes with many luxuries that can elevate your Altima driving experience to more than just a family sedan. Still, for most of the features, they’re a luxury—not a necessity. If you’re looking for value, the Altima S offers everything a driver could need for an affordable price. However, the SR Special Edition might be a solid upgrade if you’re looking for style, comfort, and convenience.
The bottom line: The Altima SR Special Edition is full of fun features, but if you prioritize style and efficiency over convenience, the Altima S will likely be sufficient to meet your needs. 

How to find the best Nissan Altima Special Edition insurance

The process of car shopping is tedious. You spend countless hours comparing brands, models, trims, and available packages. And by the time you find something, you still have to test drive it and commit to purchasing it. Penciling in a few days to buy a car doesn’t seem unreasonable, but one part of buying a vehicle is made simple with
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