The Altima is available in four models--XE, GXE, SE and GLE--in ascending
order. All share the same 150-horsepower four-cylinder engine and all but
the GLE have a five-speed manual transmission as standard equipment. A
four-speed automatic is an $800 option in the XE, GXE and SE, standard
in the GLE.
Every Altima comes with standard dual air bags, side door beams and
automatic seatbelt pre-tensioners. The only safety item missing from the
standard equipment list is antilock braking, which is a $499 option across
the board.
The basic Altima XE starts at $16,219, which includes basics like tilt
steering column, rear-window defroster, intermittent wipers and cupholders,
plus power windows. From there, you can add an XE Option Package which
includes air conditioning, AM/FM/cassette audio and cruise control for
$1899. If you are looking for more, we suggest you check out the GXE, SE
or GLE, all of which come very well equipped with the option to upgrade
even further.
Our test car was the top-level Altima GLE, which carried a base sticker
price of $21,319 with freight. It comes very well-equipped with the automatic
transmission plus leather seating surfaces, alloy wheels, air conditioning,
security system, premium AM/FM/cassette sound system, power windows, mirrors
and antenna, steering-wheel mounted cruise control, remote keyless entry
and several other niceties like woodgrain trim and lighted vanity mirrors.
The only two options are a two-way power moonroof ($849) and ABS ($499),
which boosted the total to $22,667 including destination charges.
Although the GLE's standard leather upholstery sweetens that deal, it's
clear that you can enjoy the Altima's solid virtues for less with judicious
additions to the XE or GXE models. Or, for a sportier flavor, the SE.
The Altima looks good on paper and good in person--this is because the
Altima bears more than a passing resemblance to Infiniti's handsome J30.
In a class that boasts precious few lookers, the Altima sports smooth and
wind-sculpted lines that appear every bit as contemporary as they did when
the Altima first arrived.
Except for chromed, flush-mounted door handles and window trim, and
its polished aluminum alloy 5-spoke wheels, the GLE's exterior is monochromatic.
The result is a smart looking sedan with an upscale aura.
Underneath the sloping rear deck lid lies a spacious trunk that boasts
14.0 cubic feet storage space. While it lacks a fold down seat, the Altima
does have a rear seat pass-through that can accommodate long objects such
as skis. We also managed to fit a six-foot Christmas tree in the trunk--with
the lid completely closed. Try that with a Ford Contour.
Other features of note include a power antenna mounted on the rear deck
and body-colored, power mirrors that can be folded back, a feature that's
quietly disappearing from other cars in this class.
Inside, the Altima GLE scores high marks with room and comfort. Every
Altima benefits from an open and airy cabin with excellent all-around visibility.
The dash and the windscreen are positioned low and forward respectively,
giving the front passengers ample personal room coupled with an excellent
view over the hood. The cockpit is sufficiently spacious, but it could
benefit from a wee bit more elbow room. Regardless, the interior has a
warm, luxurious feeling, thanks to its woodgrain and leather.
Up front, the leather buckets provide a great driving position and adequate
lateral support, a particulalry effective blend for highway cruising. Rear
seat leg and head room rates as average for cars in this size class. The
Altima is rated for five passengers, but like so many smaller mid-size
sedans is really better suited to two in the rear. A rear seat plus is
the handy flip-down console/armrest with integrated cup holders.
In general, all interior controls are logically laid out and easy to
locate and use. Climate controls are located high in the middle of the
dash, easily accessible by the driver and passenger alike. The fan knob
could be larger, but the controls are otherwise well-designed. However,
we'd prefer to see the audio controls, which are adjusted more frequently,
at the top of the stack.
Unlike some mid-size cars, the Altima's radio controls are large enough
to operate with gloves on. The standard 50-watt AM/FM/cassette system has
plenty of power, but if plenty isn't enough, Nissan offers a 160-watt upgrade
that includes a CD player.
Our sole complaint with the Altima's otherwise excellent control layout
lies with the steering wheel position, which feels slightly left of center.
But this is one of those small design idiosyncrasies that quickly becomes
transparent after a few miles on the road.
The Altima suspension provides a balanced ride that's tuned more for
smooth ride than attacking twisty back roads, but manages to deliver a
sporty feel even so. Front and rear MacPherson struts mounted on a sub-frame
cushion jolts to the cabin, while front and rear stabilizer bars reduce
body roll in cornering maneuvers. If you want a little more authority in
handling responses, we recommend that you check out the SE model, which
firms up the suspension with firmer shocks and a larger rear stabilizer
bar.
Like most front-wheel drive vehicles, pushing the Altima to its handling
limit will yield understeer--the tendency for the front end to go straight
when pushed too hard in a corner. That said, the Altima confidently handles
its 3020-pound curb weight without drama and reacts predictably in emergency
maneuvers.
Our test car's braking performance was very good, thanks to the four-wheel
discs that go with the optional ABS.
All Altimas are powered by Nissan's 150-horsepower 2.4-liter four-cylinder
engine. Unlike most of the Altima's competitors, there's no V6 option.
However, the Altima four is more powerful than virtually all its competitor's
four-cylinders and provides more than adequate power for stoplight getaways
and freeway merges.
As always with smaller cars, we prefer a manual transmission--better
fuel economy, better performance. But the performance of the Altima automatic
is above average for four-cylinder cars in this class, and fuel economy
ratings are respectable at 21/29 mpg city/highway.