2003 Nissan Altima Review (continued)
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Driving Impressions

The Nissan Altima comes packed with power. The SE's 245-horsepower V6 is impressive, provides strong acceleration performance. Slam the throttle down at 40 mph and the Altima takes off like a rocket. The V6 turns the Altima into a sports sedan, especially when paired with the five-speed manual transmission. Springs, shocks, anti-roll bars, and speed-rated tires are designed for sharper handling response. It's great fun to drive.

The standard four-cylinder engine puts out 175 horsepower and 181 pounds-feet of torque, considerably more than what's offered by the Honda and Toyota four-cylinder engines. Torque is that force that propels the car away from intersections. The Altima's 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine works well with the four-speed automatic transmission, although the standard five-speed manual gearbox offers quicker acceleration and better fuel economy. With the automatic, the Altima pulls strongly from a standing start, and the transmission shifts promptly between 40 and 60 mph for quick passing maneuvers.

The 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine is more economical than the 3.5-liter V6, of course. The federal government estimates 23/29 mpg city/highway for the four-cylinder versus 21/26 for the V6 (both with manual transmissions). A 20-gallon fuel tank, considerably larger than most, means the Altima can go a long way between fill-ups.

The Altima rides nice and felt secure at 80 mph in a torrent of rain. It feels distinctly larger than the Honda Accord and other mid-size sedans. Power rack-and-pinion steering gives precise control of the Altima with good feedback. Handling is exemplary, thanks party to a newly designed multi-link rear suspension, which uses aluminum components to reduce weight eight percent relative to steel. The Altima rides well, though not as smoothly as the new Accord, Camry, or Passat, and road vibration can be felt through the steering wheel. Altima's four-wheel disc brakes are easy to modulate and offer good stopping power.