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Posted August, 2007

Road Test: 2007 Nissan Altima

By Kevin S. Lowery

The Nissan Altima has been around for what seems like forever. That’s a good thing since it’s Nissan’s bread-and-butter car. The sporty design of the 2007 Altima should please the boy-racer inside all of us responsible adults. (Don’t try to deny it!) You’ll look at it and think that it’s a sports car but when you get inside there is the tops-turvy moment. You think you’re in a luxury sedan. Therein lies the oxymoron that is the Altima.

I drove the Altima 3.5 SL with the a 3.5-liter DOHC 16-valve four-cylinder engine producing 270 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque. It’s a larger engine that last year’s model and correspondingly produces more horsepower and torque. It is designed with a smaller footprint in mind while also dampening vibrations and giving a smoother driving experience. It features continuously variable valve intake (VVI).

A five-speed manual transmission is available (not available on 2.5 SL four-cylinder models). You have a choice of either a four-speed electronically controlled automatic (four-cylinder models) or a five-speed electronically controlled automatic with manual shift mode (standard on 3.5 SL, optional on 3.5 SE).

With all of these specs, you can imagine the performance of the car is extremely satisfying. You would be right. It was a joy to fling around corners and a lot of other maneuvers that I shouldn’t reveal here lest I get myself into a lot of trouble. Suffice it to say, it was tight. Suspension is similar to the system made specifically for the Infiniti.

The features on the Altima are varied, including sixteen-inch wheels, four-wheel disc brakes with an optional four-wheel, four-channel, four-sensor Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) with Electronic Brake force Distribution (EBD) and Brake Assist (BA), tilt and telescoping steering wheel, regrouped HVAC and audio center controls in one simple unit, a roof-mounted map light and sunglass holder, windows that can be opened remotely via the key fob for cabin venting, a six-speaker AM/FM/CD with Bose nine-speaker AM/FM/in-dash six-disc CD changer and volume and audio steering wheel controls. The 2007 Altima is available with factory installed XM satellite radio.

The 3.5 SL comes with sixteen-inch wheels, four-wheel four-channel four-sensor Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS) with Electronic Brake force Distribution (EBD) and Traction Control System (TCS),  large diameter chrome dual exhaust finishers, black leather-appointed seats, eight-way power driver’s seat w/ Power Lumbar Support, headlight bezel covering, fog lights, spoiler, smoked taillights, side sill spoilers and 3.5 SL badging. Options for are splash guards, floor mats, rear spoiler, Vehicle dynamic control and full-size spare tire and a technology package including a Nav System w/ RearView Monitor and XM Satellite radio (free activation and 3-months of service included).

My Altima 3.5 SL was the top-of-the-line with all the available features. Mileage is EPA rated at 22 city/28 highway. The total price was $29,400 ($400 difference between this and the previous year’s model). Total price with options and destination charges toting up to $32,575. The exterior styling is subjective and, yes, it is sporty but we will hold off any more judgment until the 2008 model arrives. Then it’s fair game. But if you have agreed with me over it in the past, then take note that all of our staff thought it was too aggressive.

The gas mileage was passable—barely—but I was fair and took into consideration that I was driving a 3.5 SL with a V6 and a large displacement. The biggest drawback that I could find was the wood trim. It has the distinction of being the worst fake wood I have ever seen on a car.

If you’ve never driven an Altima before, it is a fun mid-size car and how many of those can you actually say that about? I’m sure your dealer will be glad to hear that you agree. It’s definitely worth taking for a spin! R&D