2020 Nissan Altima All-Wheel Drive: Your Guide to Snow and Rain Handling

As the first major snowstorm of the year hit Toronto, a reviewer found themselves with the keys to a 2020 Nissan Altima Platinum AWD—a fortunate coincidence that would put the sedan’s foul-weather capabilities to the ultimate real-world test.

In the family sedan market, all-wheel drive was a rare feature for the 2020 model year. While the Honda Accord and Toyota Camry soldiered on with front-wheel drive, Nissan made a strategic move by offering an AWD system across much of the Altima lineup. This guide breaks down how this system works in snow, rain, and ice, using hands-on driving impressions, safety data, and practical advice to show you where this sedan shines and where it needs a helping hand.

Put to the Test: AWD Performance in Snow, Ice, and Rain

Nissan’s “intelligent” all-wheel-drive system in the Altima is an on-demand system, meaning it primarily sends power to the front wheels for efficiency. The moment the onboard computers detect wheel slippage—whether from a snowy start, a wet corner, or a rainy highway merge—it can redirect up to 50% of the engine’s torque to the rear axle.

Snow and Ice Capability

The most telling review came from a Canadian auto journalist during a significant Toronto snowstorm. With 15 centimetres of snow on the roads, the Altima AWD got the driver home “without a hiccup” when it came to acceleration and navigating through the mess. The system operates seamlessly, without drama or noticeable clunks, providing the extra traction exactly when needed.

However, the same review delivered a crucial warning: the factory-equipped all-season tires were a major limiting factor. While launching was fine, “quick braking from higher speeds did not offer much confidence,” with the anti-lock brakes (ABS) working overtime. The reviewer concluded that with a dedicated set of winter tires, the Altima AWD would be a “formidable winter warrior,” but with all-seasons, they’d prefer a front-wheel-drive competitor with snow tires.

“Driving all four wheels can only do so much when none of them have the required grip in cold temperatures. Little do some know that all-season tires really mean, three-seasons. Winter not included.” – Calvin Chan, Canadian Auto Review

Wet Weather and Rain Performance

While specific hydroplaning tests aren’t in our search results, the principles of AWD apply directly to wet weather. The system’s primary benefit in rain is during accelerating on wet pavement—pulling out into traffic, merging onto a slick highway, or climbing a greasy hill. The power distribution helps prevent front-wheel spin and torque steer.

It’s vital to remember that AWD does not aid in braking or cornering on wet roads any more than a two-wheel-drive car. Here, tire quality and condition are king. Worn all-season tires will hydroplane just as easily on an AWD car as on any other. For the best wet-weather safety, prioritize tires with deep, functional tread and good water-channeling capabilities.

The Safety Net: Top Safety Pick and Driver-Assist Tech

Confidence in bad weather isn’t just about traction; it’s also about protection and prevention. The 2020 Altima scores highly here.

IIHS Top Safety Pick

The 2020 Nissan Altima earned the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s (IIHS) Top Safety Pick award when equipped with optional front crash prevention and specific headlights. This means it achieved top “Good” ratings in all five of the Institute’s demanding crashworthiness tests, including the challenging driver- and passenger-side small overlap front tests. This robust crash structure is your last line of defense if traction and technology can’t prevent a collision.

ProPILOT Assist and Safety Shield 360

The Altima offers advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) that prove particularly useful in foul weather. The available ProPILOT Assist system combines intelligent cruise control with lane-centering. In the snowy Toronto test, the reviewer noted that “even with the entire front end caked up with slush and dirty snow, the sensors and radars worked brilliantly” allowing them to use the system to reduce driver fatigue.

Many Altimas also came equipped with features from Safety Shield 360, which includes:

• Automatic Emergency Braking (with pedestrian detection for some trims)
• Blind Spot Warning
• Rear Cross Traffic Alert
• Lane Departure Warning and Lane Departure Prevention
• Rear Automatic Braking

These features provide an extra layer of awareness and intervention, which can be invaluable in low-visibility conditions like heavy rain or snow.

The Winter Equation: AWD vs. Winter Tires

This chart shows the relative impact of key components on winter driving safety and capability. Note that tires affect all aspects, while AWD primarily assists with acceleration.

Impact based on automotive engineering principles and test data.

What Owners and Reviewers Say: The Real-World Verdict

The consensus from professional reviews is clear: the Altima’s AWD is a competent and welcome system that fills a specific need in the market.

Praise: Reviewers highlight its seamless operation, its effectiveness in providing forward traction in deep snow, and its value as a standard or available option on a well-priced sedan. The fact that Nissan invited media to test the system on snow and ice in Colorado demonstrates their confidence in its capability.

Cautions: The most repeated and critical advice is about tires. The AWD system can create a false sense of security. Drivers may feel confident accelerating, only to be shocked by the dramatically longer stopping distances and poor cornering grip provided by all-season tires on cold pavement. The car’s dynamic safety is ultimately determined by the four patches of rubber touching the road.

The Competition: At the time, the Altima’s main rivals—the Honda Accord and Toyota Camry—did not offer AWD (the Camry added it later). This gave the Altima a unique selling point for snow-belt buyers. The other key AWD sedan competitor was (and is) the Subaru Legacy, which comes standard with a sophisticated symmetrical AWD system.

Maximizing Your Altima AWD for Winter

To get the most from your vehicle, follow this essential advice:

1. Invest in Winter Tires: This is the single most important upgrade. A set of four winter tires on steel or alloy rims will transform the car’s winter handling, providing crucial grip for braking and turning. The Altima AWD with winter tires is an excellent combination.
2. Understand the System’s Limits: Remember that AWD helps you go, not stop. Always leave extra following distance in poor conditions and brake early and gently.
3. Keep Sensors Clean: For the ProPILOT Assist and emergency braking systems to work optimally, gently clear snow and ice from the grille, windshield, and rear bumper where the sensors and cameras are located.
4. Perform Seasonal Maintenance: Before winter, have your battery tested, ensure your windshield washer fluid is rated for freezing temperatures, and check that your cooling system and brakes are in good order.

Your Top Altima AWD Winter Questions

1. Is the Altima AWD good in deep snow? Yes, it is capable in deep snow. In a real-world test with 15 cm (about 6 inches) of snow, the AWD system provided confident acceleration and the car navigated the conditions without issue. Ground clearance, typical for a sedan, is the final limiting factor in very deep snow.

2. Do I really need winter tires if I have AWD? Absolutely. AWD does nothing to improve braking or cornering grip on snow and ice. The all-season tires the car comes with harden in cold temperatures and have tread patterns not designed for snow compaction. Winter tires are made from a special rubber compound that stays pliable in the cold and has aggressive tread blocks for biting into snow. For safety, they are essential.

3. How does the Altima AWD compare to a Subaru? Subaru’s symmetrical full-time AWD system is generally considered more robust and performance-oriented, sending power to the rear more proactively. Nissan’s system is an on-demand front-biased system focused on efficiency and traction when needed. Both are very effective for winter driving, especially when paired with winter tires.

4. Does AWD hurt fuel economy? There is a minor penalty. The AWD system adds weight (about 100-150 lbs) and mechanical drag. Expect fuel economy to be 1-2 MPG lower than an equivalent front-wheel-drive Altima. The trade-off is the traction benefit.

5. Can I use the Altima AWD for light off-roading or on the beach? It is not recommended. The AWD system is designed for paved or graded snowy/gravel roads. It does not have the high ground clearance, underbody protection, or specialized drive modes of a true off-road SUV.

6. Does ProPILOT Assist work in heavy snow or rain? According to one reviewer, it worked well even with slush caked on the front sensors. However, systems can be disabled or impaired by heavy precipitation that obscures lane markings or blocks sensors. The driver must always remain engaged and in control.

---

The 2020 Nissan Altima with all-wheel drive is a smart choice for buyers in snowy or rainy climates who prefer a sedan over an SUV. It delivers where it counts most: providing confident traction to get you moving in slippery conditions, all wrapped in a safe, comfortable, and award-winning package. Its most important lesson, however, is one of partnership—the AWD system’s strengths are fully realized only when paired with a dedicated set of winter tires. Together, they create a balanced and capable all-weather sedan that can confidently face the storm.

What’s your priority in a winter car: the acceleration confidence of AWD, or the all-around control of winter tires? Have you driven an Altima AWD in bad weather? Share your experiences and questions in the comments below!