Nissan
2010 Nissan Altima Sedan 3.5SR
What it Is: A five-passenger four-door sedan.
Who it's For: Families who need no more than two LATCH points.
What's Hot: Low price for V-6 model, plenty of space.
What's Not: Continuously variable transmission is a little odd.
How It Got Its Score: The Altima's low price undercuts its Toyota and Honda competitors, but it also gets very slightly poorer fuel economy.
The Nissan Altima is one of the benchmarks of the midsize sedan class for many reasons. It's fuel economy and interior space are within a hair's breadth of other midsize sedans, and it undercuts its two biggest competitors -- the Toyota Camry LX V-6 and Honda Accord EX V6 -- by $600 and $1,300, respectively. Trunk space is especially generous, even compared to the full-size Accord. The only drawback to the Altima -- if you can even call it that -- is the continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). Reliability and fuel economy are not compromised, but the transmission's unconventional power delivery can take some getting used to. For example, while a standard automatic will noticeably shift gears under acceleration -- with a corresponding rise and fall in the engine speed -- a CVT stays at the same engine speed until you lift off the accelerator, a behavior that some drivers simply don't like. We think it's easy to overlook, however, and the Altima's other qualities mean it should definitely be on test drive lists.
Specifications
Price |
|
| MSRP |
$24,520 |
| Destination |
$720 |
| |
| |
| |
Mechanical
Engine Size |
3.5 liters |
|
Engine Type |
V-6 |
|
Horsepower |
270 hp |
|
Torque |
258 lb.-ft. |
|
Fuel |
Regular Unleaded |
|
Drivetrain |
Front Wheel Drive |
|
Transmission |
Continuously Variable |
Fuel Economy
EPA City |
20 mpg |
|
EPA Highway |
27 mpg |
|
EPA Combined |
23 mpg |
Utility
Vehicle Type |
Midsize Car |
|
Family Friendliness |
7.7 |
|
Doors |
Four |
|
Seat Rows |
Two |
|
Passengers |
Five |
|
LATCH Positions |
Two |
|
Cargo Space |
15.3 cu. ft. |
Safety
NHTSA Driver Front |
5 Stars |
|
NHTSA Passenger Front |
5 Stars |
|
NHTSA Driver Side |
5 Stars |
|
NHTSA Rear Passenger Side |
5 Stars |
|
NHTSA Rollover |
4 Stars |
|
IIHS Front |
Good |
|
IIHS Side |
Good |
|
IIHS Rear |
Acceptable |
|
Stability Control |
Standard |
|
Traction Control |
Standard |
|
Brake Assist |
Not Available |
|
Side Airbags |
Thorax and Curtain |
|
Collision Avoidance |
Not Available |
|
Active Cruise Control |
Not Available |
|
Photos
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