Nissan offers an attractive mid-sized sedan. Not sporty - but it is stylish and affordable.
Nissan Altima 2.5S
2.5liter in-line four-cylinder 175hp
CVT transmission
$21,540
The first generation Nissan Altima appeared in 1993. It was stylish, roomy and affordable. Even today the formula hasn't changed much with the 2008 model year. The look is still familiar and the feel of the car is still the same like all Nissans. At glance you can see that the Altima is styled to stand out from it's competitors like the Dodge Avenger and the Ford Fusion. Both are stylish, but not as stylish as the Altima. It has this sort of charm that you can't quite put your finger on.
Performance: Our tester car came equipped with a 2.5liter four-cylinder with 175hp. Although we'd perfer the 3.5liter six-cylinder with 270hp. But the four-cylinder was very peppy and provided excellent fuel economy. Although the transmission is rather buzzy at times. ***
Ride and Handling: Ride comfort is very posh. Feeling like an upscale car. Although the ride can be rather floaty at times. Handling is sound and secure, but this isn't a sports car. Unless you option for the sportier version with a firmer suspension and quicker engine. It will set you back $4,000 but if you desire more sporty driving experience. We'd recommend you paying the extra cash. The steering is numb and makes you feel disconnected from the driving experience. **
Refinement: For a mid-sized sedan that starts below $23,000, it feels like a Lexus in the inside. The engine doesn't intrude the cabin. Neither does road or wind noise. However the buzzy transmission can be a tad annoying at times. ***
Behind the wheel you'll find that all the controls are logically placed. Everything seems easy to use. Nothing was difficult to understand. In every day driving, the Altima transmission is rather buzzy sounding at city speeds. But on the highway the engine does feel much more brisk. The suspension often gets a little floaty and the steering is numb. Not much of a driver's car. But it does what it's supposed to do. **
Equipment: Keyless entry with push button ignition comes standard. As well as power windows, air-conditioning, keyless trunk entry, and MP3 compatible sound system. With a special slot to plug your iPod in. Unlike other cars, the keyless start/stop seems rather gimmicky. But who needs a gimmick when you have a nice pratical sedan that does what it's supposed to do. ****
Likes: Stylish, roomy upscale interior, keyless entry and ignition, soaks up bumps very nicely.
Dislikes: Numb steering, ride can often feel floaty, buzzy CVT transmission, steel capped wheels at $21,000.
Overall: Nissan builds a great, soild sedan that does what a mid-sized sedan is supposed to. Not a sports car, but it gets around pretty nicely.
