In 2002, the Altima underwent a massive redesign that received rave reviews. As a result, Nissan chose to only add a few mild improvements for the 2003 model. These upgrades included an upholstered center armrest, bright titanium accents inside the cabin and a number of new standard features across the lineup. Under the hood of the 2003 Altima was a standard 2.5-liter four-pot or an optional 3.5-liter V-6. The 2.5-liter engine was relatively peppy at 175 horsepower, but the V-6 was the engine of choice for buyers who craved better performance.
Both engines in the 2003 Nissan Altima use timing chains instead of belts. As with most cars with timing chains, Nissan does not recommend any routine maintenance on it.
