Two months ago, we sampled the Nissan Altima Hybrid and found it eminently satisfactory, even if we did not quite achieve its EPA ratings of 42 miles per gallon in the city and 36 on the highway. We managed 34 miles per gallon, which is impressive when one considers the Altima’s size, comfort and general competence.
Now, we have had a chance to try out the non-hybrid version of the Altima, thanks to a loan from Nissan. This time, our Altima was equipped with the 2.5-liter inline four-cylinder engine and a six-speed manual transmission. A continuously variable automatic transmission is a surprisingly inexpensive $500 option on our “S” model.
The Nissan Altima is offered in four trim levels. The base version, which starts at $18,230, plus $625 in destination charges, is equipped with a six-speed manual transmission and all the expected safety features, including dual front and front side air bags, curtain side air bags and active head restrains for the front passengers. Standard convenience items include cruise control, power windows, remote controlled power locks and a split and folding rear seat. The base model also includes keyless entry and starting.
Absent from the list are air conditioning and the access to options.
Our 2.5 S model includes air conditioning, an AM/FM/CD audio system, tire pressure monitor and trip computer. It also wore a price that was $1,850 higher than the base model and allowed buyers to access numerous additional options. Unfortunately, one of them is not stability control, which is standard equipment for the hybrid and on the option list of the V-6 models.
As for the rest of the lineup, Nissan makes two 3.5-liter V-6 powered versions of the car, one the 3.5SE which is sportier and the 3.5SL which is biased toward luxury. There is also now an Altima coupe, which we have not had for review.
The unusual aspect of the drivertrain in our review car was its inclusion of the six-speed manual transmission. It worked quite nicely, with an easily modulated and linear clutch and linkage that was communicative if a just a trifle loose feeling. Still, for a front-wheel drive vehicle with a longer linkage, it was quite satisfactory.
That could also describe the performance, which was also quite satisfactory. The 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine is smooth and, if not quite in the front row of refinement, still more than acceptable following its improvements for 2008. Performance is more than adequate with our zero-to-60 run requiring 9.0 seconds.
The ride in the Altima is impressive for its suppleness and control. Our review car was comfortable over all sorts of surfaces to a degree that belied its relatively low asking price. Handling, too, was quite good. The Altima manages to mix its competence with just a touch of sportyness. This is no sports sedan, but it is still fun to drive. Perhaps the manual transmission helps here.
Nissan has upgraded the Altima’s interior quality for 2008 and nowhere was this more evident than in our test car. The upholstery was attractive to the eye and comforting to the touch. Front seating is supportive and the steering wheel tilts and telescopes, further enhancing driving comfort. In the rear, taller adults might feel a little cramped, but most people will find the area acceptable. Trunk space is also good. Note that when we had the hybrid, we noted that the electronics and the batteries swallowed enough trunk space to force some careful packing for a family of four about to go vacation. The Hybrid package also eliminated the split and folding rear seat. Our review car had none of these problems, though the split rear seat does not fold flat.
Just how effective is the Hybrid drivetrain in extending fuel economy? It makes a significant contribution, it turns out. I averaged 34 miles per gallon in the hybrid and 26 miles per gallon in the non-hybrid model. That is still a decent result, considering the Altima’s size and performance, but it is also eight miles per gallon shy of the Hybrid’s economy. Of course the Hybrid is $4,490 more costly, but this added money also delivers stability control, alloy wheels and automatic temperature control dual-zone air conditioning. Ignoring this and assuming that gasoline will cost $3.25 a gallon, the payback for going the hybrid route arrives in 155,000 miles. If we assume that the alloy wheels, stability control and automatic dual-zone climate control are worth $1,200 of that, the payback comes in 113,000 miles. Of course, if gasoline prices climb, the payback period falls.
Regardless of the approach you choose, the Altima is an excellent car that deserves careful consideration.
