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Driving Impressions
The Nissan Altima is one of the quickest, most powerful cars in its class. Both the four-cylinder engine and V6 deliver strong power, but it's the V6 that turns the Altima into a sports sedan, especially when paired with the five-speed manual transmission. Nissan's V6 is one of the best available. Slam the throttle down, either from a stop or at 40 mph, and the Altima will take off like a rocket. There's so much power that you'll notice some torque steer, even with the automatic, though it's not an issue. (Torque steer is a phenomenon common to powerful front-wheel-drive cars that causes a tug at the steering wheel under hard acceleration.)When equipped with the V6, the Altima is arguably the best performer among mid-sized sedans, and among the most fun to drive. Nissan's 3.5-liter V6 features the latest in high-output, variable-valve technology, producing 250 horsepower at 5800 rpm and 249 pound-feet of torque at 4400 rpm. Though certainly not raucous, Nissan's V6 isn't quite as smooth as those from Honda and Toyota, but you may have so much fun driving the Altima that you'll neither notice nor care. The 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine is strong, too. It's more powerful than the four-cylinder engines used in the Accord and Camry, and it works well with the four-speed automatic transmission. With the automatic, the four-cylinder Altima still pulls strongly from a standing start, and the transmission shifts promptly between 40 and 60 mph for quick passing maneuvers. Four-cylinder engines of this heft tend to run on the rough side, and Nissan has addressed this inherent vibration with a compact balance system and silent-chain cam drive that smoothes operation nicely. However, the big four-cylinder engine is still a bit louder, more raucous, than those from Honda and Toyota. Nissan's 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine is sophisticated, with 16 valves, dual overhead camshafts and fully variable valve timing. It produces 175 horsepower at 6000 rpm, and 180 pound-feet of torque at 4000 rpm. The PZEV version of this engine used in California and several Northeast states is rated at 170 horsepower and 175 pound-feet of torque. The V6 is EPA-rated 21/27 with the five-speed manual, 20/30 mpg with the five-speed automatic. The 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine is more economical than the 3.5-liter V6. The four-cylinder rates 24/31 mpg City/Highway with the manual transmission, 23/29 with the automatic. The 20-gallon fuel tank, considerably larger than most in this class, means Altima can travel a long way between fill-ups. This is a stable car at speed, and the suspension and brakes are tuned appropriately for the job. The Altima felt secure at 80 mph in a torrential rain storm. The Altima feels larger than the Honda Accord and other mid-size sedans. The four-wheel disc brakes are easy to modulate for smooth handling and deliver plenty of stopping power. Overall handling is exemplary. The rack-and-pinion steering gives precise directional control, with good feedback. The multi-link rear suspension, a sophisticated design that uses aluminum components to reduce weight, enhances the stability of the rear end, even on bumpy roads. When it comes to chassis dynamics, the Altima is a class-leading performer. Enthusiasist drivers will love it, but it may not be for everyone. While it rides well in most circumstances, the Altima feels stiffer than some of its competitors, particularly when it's crossing a rhythmic series of bumps or pavement joints. It's not as smooth as the Camry or Accord, especially the former, and the driver and passengers will feel a bit more vibration through the pedals, steering wheel or armrests. Overall NVH (noise, vibration and harshness control) isn't the best in the class, a trait at least partly to the Altima's emphasis on handling and performance. With every car, designers have to make choices. Nissan emphasized performance and handling over smoothness and ride quality. Most fun is the SE-R. We enjoyed the responsiveness of the performance suspension tuning, and didn't note any ride quality issues.
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