Sound system controls and display are in an ovoid raised panel in the center of the dash. Climate control knobs are directly below the radio and are well located with a nice feel to them. The vents are flush mounted on the dash rather than being located in protruding pods as in many cars. Even the seams for the passenger-side airbag are totally invisible, despite being located in a large expanse of unembellished dashboard surface. All in all the whole design gives the car a feeling of spaciousness.

It's not an illusion. Front legroom in the Altima is more generous than all but the largest vehicles on the road. It's certainly a class leader in this area, and Nissan claims the Altima is roomier than the Honda Accord or Toyota Camry. Decent sized seats in front complement the legroom. In the rear, there's good head and legroom as well. There's enough room for a 6-foot, 4-inch back-seat passenger to sit behind a 6-foot, 4-inch driver. The center passenger in the rear gets a full seat belt with shoulder harness.

Nissan has provided places to put stuff. Two big cup holders are located in the center console and there's an adjustable elbow rest and a small storage bin. The parking brake, a proper handbrake, is located on the center console. There's even a small cubbyhole at the front of the console under the climate controls complete with a cover. However, when five people are in the car, there are no cup holders in the rear as they are located in the fold down center arm rest.

Getting into and out of the Altima is easy thanks to a slightly higher front seating position than normal. A large door that does not have any rear wheel intrusion, thanks to the long wheelbase, aids getting into and out of the rear seats.

Altima boasts a bigger trunk than Camry and Accord, according to Nissan.