Nissan Altima Interior Review
The interior of the Altima has been redone from top to bottom and addresses our biggest complaints with this sedan. The new interior is a vast improvement over that of last year's model.
Interior improvements for the 2005 model year include a new instrument panel, a new center stack and a new center console, all much nicer than the previous model's. Seat materials, trim finishes, headliner and new chrome accents are an improvement over last year's materials.
The three-spoke steering wheel tilts and telescopes. The dashboard is set relatively low, with a three-gauge binnacle directly in front of the driver containing speedometer, tachometer, and water temperature and fuel gauges. The instruments glow orange in the dark, offering less interference to night vision.
The available navigation display is located at the top of the center stack. Audio controls are mounted high on the center stack for easy access. At the top are two rows of buttons, used to control audio, trip computer, and navigation functions, with a small joy stick in the center. Heating/air conditioning control knobs lie directly below and are easy to locate with minimal distraction.
Air conditioning vents are flush-mounted on the dash. Seams for the passenger-side airbag are invisible, cleverly hidden in a large expanse of unembellished dashboard surface. The center console has cupholders large enough for one-liter bottles. A power port inside the center console storage area is useful for cell phones. There's an adjustable elbow rest. The parking brake is a proper handbrake, located front and center. The windows can be opened with the remote key fob, a nice feature in hot summer months.
Altima feels spacious inside and that's no illusion. Altima ranks near the top of the class in interior roominess. There's more front legroom here than in all but the largest vehicles on the road. The front seats are quite comfortable and large enough for larger bodies. Getting in and out of the Altima is easy, thanks to wide doors and a slightly higher-than-average front seating position.
The same applies in back. The rear seats are supportive and comfortable, with good legroom and sufficient headroom. A 6-foot, 4-inch passenger can sit comfortably behind a 6-foot, 4-inch driver. Rear center passengers have a three-point seat belt with shoulder harness; when the center spot is empty, an armrest drops and presents cupholders. Getting in and out of the rear seats is easier in the Altima than it is in many mid-size sedans. The long wheelbase and large doors make it less likely that a rear passenger will get dirty by dragging clothes across the fender well.
Nissan Altima Road Test
The Nissan Altima is one of the quickest, most powerful cars in its class. Both the four-cylinder engine and V6 deliver strong power, but it's the V6 that turns the Altima into a sports sedan.
It's the V6 that turns the Altima into a true sports sedan, especially when paired with the five-speed manual transmission. Nissan's V6 is one of the best available from anyone anywhere. Slam the throttle down, either from a stop or at 40 mph, and the Altima will take off like a rocket. There's so much power that you'll notice some torque steer, even with the automatic, though it's not an issue. (Torque steer is a phenomenon common to powerful front-wheel-drive cars that causes a tug at the steering wheel under hard acceleration.) When equipped with the V6, the Altima is arguably the best performer among mid-sized sedans, and among the most fun to drive. This is essentially the same 3.5-liter V6 used in the Nissan 350Z and Maxima. It features the latest in high-output, variable-valve technology, producing 250 horsepower at 5800 rpm and 249 pound-feet of torque at 4400 rpm, a slight increase (5 horsepower, 3 pound-feet) over last year's model. Though certainly not raucous, Nissan's V6 isn't quite as smooth as those from Honda and Toyota, but you may have so much fun driving the Altima that you'll neither notice nor care.
The 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine is strong, too. It's more powerful that the four-cylinder engines used in the Honda Accord and Toyota Camry, and it works well with the four-speed automatic transmission. With the automatic, the four-cylinder Altima still pulls strongly from a standing start, and the transmission shifts promptly between 40 and 60 mph for quick passing maneuvers. Four-cylinder engines of this heft tend to run on the rough side, and Nissan has addressed this inherent vibration with a compact balance system and silent-chain cam drive that smoothes operation nicely. The big four-cylinder engine is still a bit louder, more raucous, than those in Accord and Camry, however. Nissan's 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine is sophisticated, with 16 valves, dual overhead camshafts and fully variable valve timing. It produces 175 horsepower at 6000 rpm, and 180 pound-feet of torque at 4000 rpm (The engine used in California and several Northeast states is rated as a PZEV low-emissions vehicle and produces 170 horsepower and 175 pound-feet of torque.) The 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine is more economical than the 3.5-liter V6, particularly with the manual transmission. The four-cylinder rates 23/29 mpg City/Highway compared to 21/26 for the V6, according to the EPA. The 20-gallon fuel tank, considerably larger than most in this class, means Altima can travel a long way between fill-ups.
This is a stable car at speed, and the suspension and brakes are tuned appropriately for the job. The Altima feels secure at 80 mph in a torrent of rain. It feels larger than the Honda Accord and other mid-size sedans. The four-wheel disc brakes are easy to modulate, even without the ABS, and deliver plenty of stopping power. Power rack-and-pinion steering gives precise directional control, with good feedback. Overall handling is exemplary, thanks party to its multi-link rear suspension, which uses aluminum components to reduce weight. This is a sophisticated design, and it enhances the stability of the rear end, even on bumpy roads. When it comes to chassis dynamics, the Altima is a class-leading performer. Enthusiasist drivers will love it, but it may not be for everyone.
While it rides well in most circumstances, the Altima feels stiffer than some of its competitors, particularly when it's crossing a rhythmic series of bumps or pavement joints. It's not quite as smooth as the Camry or Accord, and the driver and passengers might feel a bit more vibration through the pedals, steering wheel or armrests. Overall NVH (noise, vibration and harshness control) doesn't quite match the best in class, thanks partly to Altima's emphasis on exhilarating performance. With every car, designers (and buyers) have to make choices. Nissan emphasized performance and handling over smoothness and ride quality.
Nissan Altima Lineup
Nissan Altima is offered in 2.5, 2.5 S, 2.5 SL, 3.5 SE, and 3.5 SL trim levels. Two engines are available. Base, S, and SL models are powered by a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine. The 3.5 SE and 3.5 SL feature a powerful 3.5-liter V6, essentially the same engine used in the Nissan 350Z and Maxima.
The base 2.5 model ($17,200) comes standard with power windows, a green-tinted solar glass windshield, power steering, tilt and telescoping steering wheel, fold down center armrests front and rear, a 60/40 split folding rear seat and an in-glass antenna. Stereo and air conditioning are not part of the base package, however. The base model comes with a five-speed manual transmission; an automatic transmission is not available.
The 2.5 S ($19,050) adds air conditioning, power mirrors, remote keyless entry with remote trunk lock, an eight-way adjustable driver's seat, cruise control, a six-speaker audio system, seatback pockets and a lock for the split rear seat. The 2.5 S comes standard with a five-speed manual, but is available with a four-speed automatic ($19,550). This is the most popular Altima, and Nissan offers several option packages to further increase its appeal. The Convenience Package ($1,680) features alloy wheels, 8-way power driver's seat with lumbar support, leather-wrapped steering wheel, steering wheel-mounted audio controls, trip computer, dual illuminated vanity mirrors, speed-sensitive volume control, automatic headlights and a vehicle security system. The Convenience Plus Package ($2,500) adds a power glass sunroof with sunshade to the other goodies, while the Premium Convenience Package ($3,300) ups the ante with a Bose audio system that includes a six-disc in-dash CD changer.
The 2.5 SL ($23,400) is the luxury Altima. It comes standard with a four-speed automatic transmission, heated leather seats, a power driver's seat, simulated wood trim, and has most of the features offered in the Convenience Packages above. The only convenience option is the sunroof ($850). For those who want all the goodies without the big engine, this is the car.
The 3.5 SL ($26,900) has the V6 and comes standard with the five-speed automatic. A new model for 2005, this is a very nice car, loaded with luxury features, and represents the top of the line.
The 3.5 SE ($23,100) is the performance model, equipped with the V6, five-speed manual, 17-inch alloy wheels, wider, speed-rated tires, a performance-tuned suspension, fog lights, and dual chrome exhaust tips. The SE is available with the automatic ($23,750). A Leather Package ($3,000) includes the leather upholstery, Bose audio system, sunroof, heated front seats, and heated mirrors. The Sport Package Plus ($2,600) includes the sunroof, spoiler, Bose premium audio, and xenon headlights. The Leather Sport Package ($3,900) combines the Leather Package with the spoiler and xenon headlights.
Safety features include dual-stage frontal airbags. Side-impact airbags for the front passengers are optional, however. Roof-mounted curtain airbags designed to provide head protection for front and rear passengers are also optional, but we recommend them as most side-impact fatalities are caused by head injuries. Seat belts with pretensioners and load limiters are standard; we recommend always wearing seatbelts because they are your first line of defense in a crash. Also standard is the LATCH system of lower anchors and tethers for child safety seats. The 3.5 SE with automatic can be ordered with traction control, which is packaged with front side-impact and full-cabin head protection airbags, as well as ABS ($1,100). The S, SL and SE manuals offer the other safety gear ($800) without traction control. Unfortunately, the side airbags and ABS aren't available on the base Altima.