2024 Nissan Altima S AWD The 2024 model year represents a highly polished, mechanically mature sweet spot for the sixth-generation Nissan Altima. Built upon a rigid high-strength steel platform architecture, this sleek midsize sedan focuses on low-slung, aerodynamically efficient road manners.By utilizing an independent front MacPherson strut layout conjoined with a sophisticated independent multi-link rear suspension matrix featuring standard ZF Sachs monotube rear dampers, Nissan completely dials out the floaty, uncommunicative ride of older sedans. The result is a quiet, exceptionally well-planted passenger cell engineered to glide over frost-cracked municipal side lanes and wet provincial asphalt with complete, executive-class stability.In Canada’s competitive value-driven sedan marketplace, selecting the entry-level S trim with standard Intelligent All-Wheel Drive (AWD) is a highly calculated, smart-money blueprint for commuters. Unlike the US market where the base "S" model is stripped down to front-wheel drive, the Canadian-market Altima arrives from the factory one way: strictly as an AWD machine.Riding on standard 16-inch steel wheels with full covers, the Canadian S trim punches well above typical baseline expectations. It standardizes key creature comforts—such as factory heated front seats, a remote engine starter, and a modern 8-inch touchscreen infotainment hub with full smartphone projection—to master harsh northern elements without forcing you into expensive top-tier luxury pricing brackets.Quick SpecificationsAttributeSpecificationEnginePR25DD 2.5L Direct-Injection Gas (DIG™) DOHC 16-Valve Inline 4-CylinderOutput182 hp @ 6,000 RPM / 178 lb-ft of torque @ 3,600 RPMTransmissionXtronic CVT® (Continuously Variable Transmission)DrivetrainIntelligent All-Wheel Drive (AWD)Fuel Economy9.1 L/100 km City / 6.5 L/100 km Highway / 7.9 L/100 km CombinedGround Clearance137 mm (5.4 inches)Cargo Capacity437 Litres (Trunk Hold Area) / 60/40 Split-Folding Rear BenchKey Feature Breakdowns1. Direct-Injected 2.5L Motor & Intelligent AWD MechanicsThe mechanical heart of the 2024 Altima S AWD prioritizes seamless efficiency, minimal maintenance overhead, and active winter tracking:Naturally Aspirated 2.5L Engine: The direct-injected 2.5-litre 4-cylinder engine pushes out a capable 182 horsepower. Completely avoiding the extreme operating temperatures, complex plumbing, and fragile electronic sensors common to small-displacement turbochargers, it ensures fast winter cabin heater warming cycles and long-term mechanical longevity.Xtronic CVT® with D-Step Logic: Power moves through Nissan's highly refined Xtronic transmission. Bypassing the constant high-RPM rubbery slipping sensation common to early eco-cars, this CVT features D-step tuning that actively replicates the crisp, natural shifting sensations of a conventional automatic under acceleration, securing a stellar 6.5 L/100 km highway rating.Intelligent All-Wheel Drive: Operating as a proactive traction shield, this full-time system continuously checks wheel speeds and driver inputs. The moment slick black ice, spring slush, or heavy rain is identified, it seamlessly transfers up to 50% of available engine torque to the rear axle before tire spin occurs, automatically dropping back to pure front-wheel drive during steady highway cruising to preserve fuel.2. Tailored Canadian Winter Comfort SuiteExplicitly tailored to turn freezing northern sub-zero transits into a highly efficient, comfortable routine, the insulated Altima S cabin standardizes vital factory cold-weather amenities directly from the assembly line:Rapid Heated Front Seats: Standard multi-stage heated front comfort seats rapidly distribute uniform core warmth to your back and seat cushions well before the engine block reaches full operating temperature.Remote Engine Start System: Includes a factory-installed remote starter integrated directly onto the key fob, allowing you to securely fire up the vehicle from indoors to pre-warm the cabin and clear thick window frost before step-in.All-Weather Vision Elements: Deep black, power-adjustable heated side-view mirrors clear away frozen sleet and morning frost instantly, supported by high-efficiency automatic LED projector headlights and speed-sensitive variable intermittent front wipers to keep lines of sight completely unobstructed.3. Deep Cabin Ergonomics & Connected Tech LoungeStep past the heavy-duty structural door seals to experience an exceptionally clean, wide-open passenger lounge highlighting premium cloth upholstery, an incredibly accommodating seating layout, and sharp digital screens:Zero Gravity Front Seating: Features Nissan's world-class Zero Gravity bucket seats engineered with unique, fatigue-reducing structural pressure points to eliminate lower back strain during long-distance provincial travel. The driver's side is heavily upgraded with standard 8-way power adjustments and 2-way power lumbar support.8.0-inch Smartphone Touchscreen: A prominent, fast-processing 8-inch center dashboard touchscreen display audio hub anchors media streams, working alongside an analog cluster featuring a centralized 7-inch Advanced Drive-Assist® Display screen.Connected Smartphone Freedom: Standard Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™ smartphone projection allow you to mirror your favorite navigation maps, communication streams, and music playlists onto the dashboard, working alongside high-speed Type-A and Type-C front and rear USB ports.4. Vigilant Active Safety Shield InfrastructureDrive with the unwavering peace of mind that comes from a high-strength structural safety cage, deep front and rear energy-absorbing crumple fields, and a comprehensive 10-airbag defensive capsule (including standard dual front knee protection airbags and rear seat-mounted side safety cushions). The 2024 S trim standardizes crucial active handling nets:Automatic Emergency Braking with Pedestrian Detection: Tracks the forward path using a high-resolution camera and front radar tracking net, providing visible alerts and executing autonomous emergency braking force to actively prevent front-end impacts.Lane Departure Warning (LDW): Monitors visible road markings via a high-resolution camera to sound immediate visual and audible alerts if the chassis begins to drift out of its lane unintentionally.Dynamic Driving Assist Technologies: Outfitted standard with Intelligent Trace Control (which applies subtle, individual wheel braking to safely pull the car through tight curves), Active Ride Control (which applies minor engine torque adjustments to smooth out bumpy pavement), and Hill Start Assist.The Bottom Line: The 2024 Nissan Altima 2.5 S AWD represents the ultimate long-term automotive investment on the midsize sedan market for buyers who demand the sleek, fuel-efficient comfort of a traditional car combined with ironclad winter traction. Fully outfitted with a smooth Xtronic CVT, standard Intelligent AWD, an 8-inch smartphone multimedia display hub, 8-way power Zero Gravity driver seating, factory remote start, standard heated front comfort seats, and a highly spacious 437-litre trunk hold, it stands completely alone as a highly dependable, remarkably affordable partner engineered to handle your daily workflows and our unique provincial landscape with total authority. Why settle for a plain, low-feature front-wheel-drive commuter or a bulky, high-overhead utility crossover when you can command the perfected, technology-first benchmark of premium all-weather utility? Secure your 2024 Nissan Altima S AWD experience and get yours today!