2005 Nissan Altima Review (continued)
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Walkaround

The Nissan Altima is a big car by mid-size standards, bigger than the Toyota Camry and Honda Accord. Its wheels are pushed to the far corners of the car, giving it a long wheelbase and wide track for stability at high speeds. The long wheelbase leaves plenty of room for large doors and passengers as well.

Styling revisions, though subtle, give the 2005 Altima a more aggressive look. Cast more in the style of European sedans, the Altima looks more like something from Volkswagen or Audi than Honda or Toyota. The hood has been redesigned, giving the 2005 Altima a more athletic look, by suggesting it's packing a powerful engine. A new front fascia and smoked headlamps adds to the bold impression and a new grille looks more in keeping with the rest of the newest Nissan lineup. The taillamps have been smoked slightly.

The grille and front bumper are set off nicely by aggressive-looking multi-parabola projector-type headlights with four bulbs set behind large covers. Altima's grille is large by contemporary standards, but not the least bit awkward. Newly styled 16- and 17-inch wheels give the 2005 Altima a sportier look.

Its sloping roofline is reminiscent of a coupe. The high trunk lid is set off by bold round taillights, turn signals and backup lights set in a triangular-shaped cover.

The trunk has a large opening and low lift-over height. Offering 15.6 cubic feet, the Altima near the top of the mid-size class in trunk space. Flexibility is increased by the standard split-folding rear seat (with a lock on all but the base car). The trunk lid lifts on its own when popped with the remote key fob, and the gooseneck hinges that allow this action intrude minimally into the usable trunk space.

Altima is assembled with a one-piece bodyside structure for more consistent build quality. Altima has gained on Camry and Accord in exterior build quality and Nissan claims panel-fit accuracy within 1.0 mm. The Altima also has more exterior design detail than the Toyota and Honda, with creased mirrors, integrated foglamps and other subtle cues.

Interior Features

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.