Specifications
prices Modifications and Image 2011 Nissan Altima
"Fun
for the whole family!" is usually something promised by amusement parks
and buffet restaurants. With few exceptions, that advertising come-on doesn't
usually apply to family cars. Well, the 2011 Nissan Altima is one of those
exceptions. Depending on which version they select, mom and dad will get some
enjoyable driving dynamics from an Altima, all without subjecting the kids to a
harsh ride or a cramped rear seat.
The
Altima's fun factor depends largely on which engine you choose. The V6 version
-- known as the 3.5 SR -- comes standard with a sport-tuned suspension that
trades some ride comfort for sharper handling, making this Altima feel more
like a sport sedan than a family sedan. The four-cylinder-powered Altimas are
understandably less thrilling, though they are still more involving to drive
than many rivals, thanks to the Nissan's communicative steering and composed
chassis. As a bonus, the Altima is also available as a coupe for those who
might want sleeker styling in exchange for some practicality.
Another
perk of the 2011 Nissan Altima is the availability of plenty of high-tech
luxury features, such as a hard-drive-based navigation system with music
storage, a rearview camera, Bluetooth streaming audio and xenon headlights.
Unfortunately, those features often come bundled in expensive packages, which
in some cases must be paired with other packages. This often makes it virtually
impossible to pick only the options you want and skip those you deem frivolous.
Another potential downside are the Altima's backseats, which aren't quite as
roomy as those found in the larger cars in this class. That said, most will
likely find the Altima's "just right" size to be a major contributor
to its relatively nimble feel.
In
the final analysis, we consider the 2011 Nissan Altima to be a good choice in
this very competitive segment. That said, there are many rivals worth checking
out, including the well-rounded Ford Fusion, the ever popular Honda Accord, the
enjoyable Mazda 6, the stylish Hyundai Sonata (and related Kia Optima) and the
unknown but impressive Suzuki Kizashi. But should you ultimately choose the
Nissan Altima, you'll be pleased, especially if fun in a family sedan is a
requirement.
All
Altima sedans come with a CVT that acts like an automatic transmission but
delivers power like a rheostat instead of via pre-set gear ratios. Their
efforts more precisely match engine speed to power needs for greater gas mileage.
2011 Altima coupes are available with a choice of the CVT or a six-speed manual
transmission, regardless of engine size.
Though
some praise the Altima’s sport-tuned suspension for being firm, other think it
can be a little stiff. The Altima is a nimble ride overall, agile and quick.
It’s sporty but family-friendly. It’s great fun to drive, so a parent doesn’t
have to sacrifice performance for comfort. The V-6 hops from zero to 60 mph in
just 6.6 seconds, which is very snappy for a family sedan.
Since
there is less distance between the front and rear axles, the coupe is slightly
easier to handle than the sedan, but the price is a stiffer ride. The base
Altima with the 2.5-liter four-cylinder is as good as ever, but recent
competitors have sportier models in the same price range, if not cheaper.
The
Nissan Altima's length has been shortened by 2 inches from the last model, resulting
in less legroom. The sedan can still hold four full-sized adults comfortably,
but legroom and headroom will be at a premium. Altima uses the best materials
for its class and the design is second to none. It has a unique, aggressive
personality.
2011 Nissan Altima Engine
The
Altima comes with two engine choices for both coupe and sedan: a
175-horsepower, 2.5-liter four-cylinder with 180 pounds-feet of torque, and a
larger 270-horsepower, 3.5-liter V6 with 258 pounds-feet of torque. The four-cylinder is more than enough for
most daily driving applications, but if you’re looking to throw a little spice
into your daily driving, the powerful V6 is more than up to the task. Transmission choices include a six-speed
manual or a continuously variable transmission, which increases fuel
efficiency.
On
the road, the Altima receives ratings of 18-23 mpg in the city and 27-32 mpg on
the highway, depending on your choice of engine/transmission. For those who desire even more efficiency,
there is the Altima Hybrid which is covered separately on this website. These numbers allow the Altima to compete
with other midsize cars like the Toyota Camry, Honda Accord, and Hyundai
Sonata.
Safety
Every
Altima comes standard with antilock brakes, stability and traction control,
front side airbags and side curtain airbags. In Edmunds brake testing, the
Altima 3.5 with 17-inch wheels (regardless of body style) came to a stop from
60 mph in about 130 feet, a performance deemed average by our testing team.
The
Nissan Altima has not been rated using the government's new, more strenuous
2011 crash testing procedures. The sedan's 2010 ratings (which aren't
comparable to the new methodology) were a top five stars for protection in both
head-on and side-impact collisions. The Altima coupe earned four stars for
frontal impacts and five stars for side impacts. In the Institute for Highway
Safety's frontal-offset and side crash tests, the Altima sedan received the
best possible rating of "Good."
Driving
Impressions
The
2011 Nissan Altima 2.5 should be just fine for most folks. The four-cylinder is
peppy both off the line and when passing power is needed. Our opinions are
mixed on the CVT. Some of our editors like its smooth and responsive nature but
others take issue with the way it makes the engine seem overly noisy and
labored under hard acceleration. Four-cylinder cars also lack the sport-tuned
suspension of the V6 model. A less engaging driving experience is the result,
though you do get a more comfortable ride quality out of the deal, and the
chassis is still sportier than the norm for this segment.
The
V6 is a different matter. The CVT is well suited to the more powerful V6, and
the sport-tuned suspension paired with precise steering makes the Altima a
credible sport sedan. The coupe is available with a manual transmission, but
despite this model's intended sportiness, we'd stick with the CVT, as the
manual gearbox has a sudden clutch engagement and a sloppy gearshift.
reference:www.edmunds.com
