Nissan Altima priced from $29,990

Nissan has confirmed pricing ahead of the Mazda 6 and Toyota Camry rival's local launch, also revealing there will be four trim grades as part of some early information.

There are sizeable jumps between grades, with the base Nissan Altima ST followed by the $35,890 ST-L, $40,190 Ti and $45,390 Ti-S (main picture). Respective estimated driveway prices are $33,513 (ST), $39,667 (ST-L), $44,025 (Ti) and $50,784 (Ti-S).

The Altima is priced well below the Maxima that starts at $34,190 and will be phased out within months. The Altima is fractionally bigger than the Maxima despite the latter competing officially in the large car category.

The entry-level model undercuts the cheapest Camry by $500 and the most affordable Mazda 6 by $3470.

None is powered by a V8 engine despite the link with Australia's touring car series. The main engine is a 2.5-litre four-cylinder with 127kW of power and 230Nm of torque, linked with an X-tronic continuously variable transmission (CVT) auto.

The range-topping Nissan Altima Ti-S is powered by the same 3.5-litre V6 with 185kW and 326Nm as found in the Maxima 350 models.

Nissan Australia will release more details closer to the launch for the Altima that is larger than the average mid-size sedan. At 4.9 metres in length, it's more than 70mm longer than a Camry.

Ti and Ti-S models, though, are confirmed to get lane departure and blind spot warning systems, and a bird's-eye-view car display.

All Nissan Altima models will feature NissanConnect that can link built-in apps with mobile phones, and allow Facebook status updates to be read or heard.

Read our review of the US-spec Nissan Altima here.