2008 Nissan Altima

Nissan's Altima, a worthy alternative in a midsize car market led by Toyota's Camry, Honda's Accord as well as new domestics Chevrolet Malibu and Ford Fusion, is the number three Japanese automaker's best-selling vehicle in the United States. The sedan was redone for 2007, the Hybrid (which mates Toyota's Synergy drive system to Nissan's own four-cylinder engine) was launched (in California and other wannabe "green" states) in January 2007, and the strikingly styled coupe was added for 2008.


The sedan is a nice freshening of the already expressive previous model, but the new coupe is a whole different animal. "The Altima Coupe's unique exterior design," Nissan says, "is intended to stand out in a crowd of sedan-based two-door models with magnetic, perfectly proportioned styling with a shorter wheelbase, shorter overall length and lower height than the Altima Sedan." It rides on a 105.3-inch wheelbase, four inches shorter than the sedan's, its overall length is 182.5 inches, 7.1 inches less, and it has a 2.5-inch lower profile at 55.3 inches. It shares the sedan's rigid new platform, suspension, powertrain and features but just one body panel, its hood. All other panels and its grille, headlights and rear combination lights are unique.

Models and Features

Nissan's new fourth-generation Altima comes in a variety of models (designated primarily by their engine size), starting with a base 2.5 and ranging through a 2.5 S, a 2.5 S with SL Package, a 3.5 SE and a top-of-the-line 3.5 SL. Four coupes are offered: 2.5 S 6MT (six-speed manual transmission), 2.5 S CVT, 3.5 SE 6MT and 3.5 SE CVT. Four-cylinder models come with 16-inch wheels and tires, while most V-6 Altimas get 17-inch alloy wheels.


Though it shares most of its interior design and features with the sedan, the more driver-oriented coupe offers unique sport front seats with more side support and front "kangaroo" storage pouches. It also has a hand lever parking brake (instead of a foot release) and a 60/40 split fold-down rear seat. We especially like the Altima's very readable "Fine Vision" instruments and appreciate its many convenient cup/bottle holders and storage compartments, including a large double cupholder in the center console.

Interior

A so-called "Intelligent Key" with push-button ignition is standard, and such upscale features as dual-zone automatic temperature control, satellite radio, nine-speaker premium Bose audio and Bluetooth hands-free phone connectivity are available. Available high-tech options include GPS navigation with a 6.5-inch color monitor and a rear view camera that shows the area behind the car on the nav-system screen when its transmission is in reverse. Standard safety features include Zone Body construction with front and rear crumple zones, active head restraints and Nissan's Advanced Airbag System (AABS), which includes dual-stage front, front-seat side and roof-mounted side curtain airbags.