Nissan’s Altima Coupe is a measurably different car from the sedan whose name it shares.
Introduced as a 2008 model, the coupe was the first two-door Nissan to bear the Altima name. Though derived from the “D-platform” with the sedan, the coupe’s 105.3-inch wheelbase is 4 inches shorter than the sedan’s, with a 7.1-inch shorter overall length and a 2.5-inch lower height.
» TYPE: Front-drive, five-passenger, midsize coupe
» PRICE: $26,890 base, $30,090 as tested
» POWER: 3.5-liter, 24-valve, dual overhead camshaft, 270-horsepower V6; continuously variable automatic transmission
» FUEL ECONOMY: 19 city, 26 highway mpg (premium unleaded)
» STANDARD: Halogen headlamps; fog lamps; front bucket seats; eight-way power-adjustable driver’s seat; four-way manually adjustable passenger seat; 60/40 split/folding rear seats; AM/FM/CD stereo with six speakers; power windows with auto up-down; remote keyless entry; power locks; center console with armrest, phone and CD storage; four cup holders; two in-door bottle holders; power moon roof; front/side/head-curtain air bags.
» OPTIONS: Premium package includes leather-wrapped shifter, leather upholstery, xenon headlamps, heated front seats, Bose nine-speaker audio system with MP3/WMA compatibility, XM Satellite Radio, speed-sensitive volume, dual-zone auto climate control, auto-dimming rearview mirror, HomeLink, compass, premium wood or metallic trim, Bluetooth hands-free phone system, illuminated console ($3,200).
The shorter dimensions provide a somewhat more athletic performance, which is the coupe’s chief raison d’etre.
What you lose with two doors, you expect to gain in style, and the Altima Coupe makes the sacrifice worthwhile. Since its introduction in 1992, Altima has consistently earned high marks for its classy design, and the fourth generation enhances that reputation with the coupe.
As the best-selling Nissan, Altima competes with the Toyota Camry and Honda Accord but lags both in sales. But Toyota left coupe country to its rivals this year by retiring the Solara, a two-door version of the Camry.
Available in two trim levels — S or SE — with either an I4 or V6 engine, Altima Coupe commands a price range of $21,750 to $26,690.
The 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine has 16 valves activated by double overhead cams to produce 175 horses. The 3.5-liter V6 breathes through 24 valves to crank a potent 270 horsepower. Either engine can be equipped with a six-speed stick or a continuously variable automatic transmission.
The review car was a 3.5 SE with a CVT. The automatic transmission is “continuously variable” because it does not have set shift points, making it seamless. Some people like transmissions that shift the old fashioned way, apparently because they like the sound of the engine revving, then dropping down at the shift points. If you must shift manually, you can do so with the automatic.
One of CVT’s benefits is its enhancement to the fuel economy. If anyone cares about such things anymore, the Altima 3.5 SE covers 19 city and 26 highway miles per gallon.
The V6-powered coupes ride on big, 18-inch alloy wheels and come with power disc brakes and the electronic safety measures of anti-lock system, traction control and vehicle dynamic control to keep you headed in your intended direction. The power rack-and-pinion steering is speed sensitive.
To minimize torque steer on the front-drive coupe, Nissan engineers adjusted the suspension geometry, lowered the engine in the subframe and shifted the half-shafts to a position more parallel to the ground.
The suspension is fully independent, which means that each tire can step over its own bump without upsetting the others. Stabilizer bars in the front and rear counteract jolts, and the coil springs and damping are tuned for a more athletic ride than you might experience in the sedan.
Generally speaking, the coupe feels light on its feet and quite responsive. It passed the nine-story parking garage test with aplomb. Who needs Nurburgring?
As in the beginning, Altima offers a much more luxurious interior than you would expect in a car in this price range. Truth be told, the original Altima was nearly an Infiniti but got slotted into the position of the former Stanza upon further reflection.
Special coupe characteristics include sport-style front seats with more side support. The instrument panel features a Fine Vision gauge display for readability. The center console includes a double front cup holder, and the doors provide bottle holders.
Among the standard features are keyless entry, power accessories and air conditioning.
Popular options include “Intelligent Key” with push-button ignition, Bose audio system with nine speakers, Bluetooth hands-free phone system, XM Satellite Radio, RearView Monitor and dual-zone automatic temperature control.
Standard safety features include dual-stage supplemental front air bags with seat belt and occupant classification sensors, front seat-mounted side impact supplemental air bags and roof-mounted curtain side impact bags.
The $3,200 premium package on the 3.5 SE includes leather upholstery, heated front seats, xenon headlamps and other features that complete the luxury motif.
Altima should appeal to anyone who cares about how cars look and perform but who doesn’t want the additional expense of, say, a BMW 3-Series.
