CD Article: 2009 Nissan Altima 2.5 SL

[CD_Editor]

Test Drive:


In the competitive mid-size sedan market, the Altima's trump card might still be its continuously variable transmission, says Conributing Editor, Chris Chase.  "Not even the smoothest conventional automatic...can match the seamless performance of Nissan's CVTs," he says.  
 
More:
Read the article | View the photos | All the Test Drives

[PMREdmonton]

No ESC on the 4-cylinder, just like Sonata (although it is standard on US Sonata).

They are getting behind in safety as it is standard for Accord and optional for Malibu, Mazda6 and Camry.

I hope carmakers start taking safety more seriously for regular folks - 80% of mid-size sedans are sold as i4s.

[initial_D]

Heard it on TV that Altima's are cheap, but $1300 for the CVT option is not exactly cheap.

[Honda Owner]

$30k is a little high for this car in my opinion, especially since the cheapo leather on the test car is not exactly known for its durability.

I drove a 2007 SL at length last year. The CVT was so good I didn't realise it was CVT until I was leafing through the owner's manual. The four clyinder was more than adequate for my driving and that included the Dreaded Coquihalla Highway, aka the Destroyer.

Downsides: too much torque steer. Made me think the powerful V-6 might be a Frankenstein kind of experience. The interior was a bit plasticy and it was a bit buzzy in general. The car didn't seem like it would last forever like the feeling I get from a Camry or an Accord.

A loaded V-6 is $35k. You are getting very close to Lexus ES350 territory here and in my opinion it is worth the extra money. Similarly, a loaded 4 cyl Accord is only $1500 more. Nissan is going to have to discount these cars to move them me thinks.

[Juke1]

$30k is a little high for this car in my opinion, especially since the cheapo leather on the test car is not exactly known for its durability.

I drove a 2007 SL at length last year. The CVT was so good I didn't realise it was CVT until I was leafing through the owner's manual. The four clyinder was more than adequate for my driving and that included the Dreaded Coquihalla Highway, aka the Destroyer.

Downsides: too much torque steer. Made me think the powerful V-6 might be a Frankenstein kind of experience. The interior was a bit plasticy and it was a bit buzzy in general. The car didn't seem like it would last forever like the feeling I get from a Camry or an Accord.

A loaded V-6 is $35k. You are getting very close to Lexus ES350 territory here and in my opinion it is worth the extra money. Similarly, a loaded 4 cyl Accord is only $1500 more. Nissan is going to have to discount these cars to move them me thinks.

Pfff.....a comment written in typical Honda snobish fashion....there is no torque steer, hello!  You call soft touch surfaces everywhere plasticy, look again, and the panel is not busy if you compare to the nightmare that Honda has designed on the Accord.

cheapo leather on the test car is not exactly known for its durability

Anything to back this up?

Let's hope that Honda has done a better job with the new Accord that the last one
http://www.canadiandriver.com/articles/cc/03-07accord.htm

But hey...I would still pick the Accord or the stylishly redone Sonata over the (-----) if my Altima ever gives me the problems of the last gen Accord;)

[Thinking Out Loud]

Chris - did you mean for the Pontiac G6 as a competitor (you've mentioned the G5 'Pursuit').

On the price, it 'seems' expensive - but we are talking MSRP's here - and ultimately the consumer will drive the pricing in the real world (along with lease and finance rates).

Would be interesting if there was a website dedicated to posting (local) advertised pricing of vehicles and rates for a one stop shopping experience.

I'd still look at the Camry and the Mazda 6 over the Altima.  I am one of the few that prefer the Aura over the Malibu - at least in terms of looks.  The Sonata will be the biggest bear it'll wrestle pricing wise with it's V6 in this range IMHO.............

[Jaeger]

A pretty fair review.

I purchased a 2007 3.4 SE 6MT shortly after its introduction.

The Altima's seats are too flat - at least on the 3.5 SE, more sporting seats with greater lateral support should be an option.  That said - they are very comfortable and supportive.  I've got a touchy back, and this Altima is one of the very few vehicles that I have been able to sit in for multiple hours without any discomfort.

The new Mazda 6 is probably the only new vehicle introduced into this segment that would, for me, give the Altima a close run for my purchase dollars were I making the same decision today.  Just one note on size - while the Mazda does offer incrementaly more interior space in most measured dimensions, keep in mind that it is also a noticeably larger car - about 4 1/2" longer and 2" wider than the Altima.  I, for one, applaud Nissan's restraint in not super-sizing their sedan offerings (Altima and Maxima are actually downsized).  A good part of the Altima's sporting feel comes from the fact that you don't feel like you're driving around a small limo.

Interior trim - I dont think the dash needs any more silver - there is enough between the arm rest switch surrounds, the center console, the steering wheel, the shift knob and the shift boot surround.  This is far from a coal bin.



Of course, the one thing that the Mazda 6 can't offer me no matter how far up the option list I go is a 6 speed manual transmission mated to a powerful V6.  Now that's entertainment.  For the enthusiast driver, that is probably more of a trump card than the CVT.  If I decided that I could live without a stickshift, then the new Maxima SV would probably be my choice among current offerings.  I really like the Mazda, though, and hope they will produce a Mazdaspeed version of it down the road.  That would get my attention in a big way.

Torque steer?  Dude, please.  There is precious little with the VQ and none with the 4 cylinder.  No noticeable wear on my leather seats, but then I do take care of them properly. (Lexol)

Jaeger

[carcrazy]

One thing you can't complain about Altima is the interior materials quality - very good IMO.

[Snowman]

$30k is a little high for this car in my opinion, especially since the cheapo leather on the test car is not exactly known for its durability.

I drove a 2007 SL at length last year. The CVT was so good I didn't realise it was CVT until I was leafing through the owner's manual. The four clyinder was more than adequate for my driving and that included the Dreaded Coquihalla Highway, aka the Destroyer.

Downsides: too much torque steer. Made me think the powerful V-6 might be a Frankenstein kind of experience. The interior was a bit plasticy and it was a bit buzzy in general. The car didn't seem like it would last forever like the feeling I get from a Camry or an Accord.

A loaded V-6 is $35k. You are getting very close to Lexus ES350 territory here and in my opinion it is worth the extra money. Similarly, a loaded 4 cyl Accord is only $1500 more. Nissan is going to have to discount these cars to move them me thinks.

Pfff.....a comment written in typical Honda snobish fashion....there is no torque steer, hello!  You call soft touch surfaces everywhere plasticy, look again, and the panel is not busy if you compare to the nightmare that Honda has designed on the Accord.

cheapo leather on the test car is not exactly known for its durability

Anything to back this up?

Let's hope that Honda has done a better job with the new Accord that the last one
http://www.canadiandriver.com/articles/cc/03-07accord.htm

But hey...I would still pick the Accord or the stylishly redone Sonata over the (-----) if my Altima ever gives me the problems of the last gen Accord;)

http://www.wheels.ca/reviews/article/418744

[Schmengie]

^^^^ What's your point, Snowy? This is just another relatively minor recall, something that ALL manufacturers have to deal with from time to time. The problem was discovered during internal testing and Nissan immediately recalled the affected vehicles - kudos to them, at least they reacted quickly.

 While I waited at Vernon Nissan a while ago to have my Versa serviced, I had a look at an Altima in the showroom. It was a very attractive dark blue 2.5S with alloy wheels and the CVT. I was impressed by the interior, very sporty-looking and the materials seemed top-notch for the price, which as I recall was around $27K. I liked the layout of the dash, very clean and uncluttered, without the vast expanse of buttons that plague the Accord for example. The round vents on top of the center-stack remind me of the three gauge pods in the original 240Z - a neat touch. The lack of a proper handbrake is a puzzler, though. 

 I really like the Altima. If I were in the market for a sporty 4-door sedan, it would definitely be on my short list along with the Mazda6 and the Chevy Malibu.

 On a side note, I'd like to say that so far I'm very happy with the service I'm getting from Vernon Nissan. The Versa's been perfect after a year and 15K kms, a very impressive and solid car. Two thumbs up. I'll post an update soon.

[Snowman]

^^^^ What's your point, Snowy? This is just another relatively minor recall, something that ALL manufacturers have to deal with from time to time. The problem was discovered during internal testing and Nissan immediately recalled the affected vehicles - kudos to them, at least they reacted quickly.

 While I waited at Vernon Nissan a while ago to have my Versa serviced, I had a look at an Altima in the showroom. It was a very attractive dark blue 2.5S with alloy wheels and the CVT. I was impressed by the interior, very sporty-looking and the materials seemed top-notch for the price, which as I recall was around $27K. I liked the layout of the dash, very clean and uncluttered, without the vast expanse of buttons that plague the Accord for example. The round vents on top of the center-stack remind me of the three gauge pods in the original 240Z - a neat touch. The lack of a proper handbrake is a puzzler, though. 

 I really like the Altima. If I were in the market for a sporty 4-door sedan, it would definitely be on my short list along with the Mazda6 and the Chevy Malibu.

 On a side note, I'd like to say that so far I'm very happy with the service I'm getting from Vernon Nissan. The Versa's been perfect after a year and 15K kms, a very impressive and solid car. Two thumbs up. I'll post an update soon.

  A little touchy are we? Don’t shoot the messenger.

[Schmengie]

A little touchy are we? Don’t shoot the messenger.

Not at all. Recalls are a fact of life, and I don't think a minor one like this will affect anyone's buying decision. It might be an interesting topic for another thread, though.

[Snowman]

A little touchy are we? Don’t shoot the messenger.

Not at all. Recalls are a fact of life, and I don't think a minor one like this will affect anyone's buying decision. It might be an interesting topic for another thread, though.

  I would hardly call 200000 recalls on an important safety device minor.

[Juke1]

The latest gen of Legacy's than began in 05 was apparently affected by an airbag problem from the word go, Ogilvie motors would not let me test drive one.  I would guess that because they caught it early it is not a recall per se, but no one is imune. 

[Honda Owner]

Anything to back this up? Huh

Many, many years in the car business. In my opinion, unless you are really paying big dollars for the really good, thick leather that comes in premium brands, it is not worth the extra expense and upkeep. The thin stuff tends to crack with age and not that much. But that is my opinion. Anyone who wants to pay extra for anything is more then welcome to.

I guess the Altima ads are true. People really do love them.

[Schmengie]

A little touchy are we? Don’t shoot the messenger.

Not at all. Recalls are a fact of life, and I don't think a minor one like this will affect anyone's buying decision. It might be an interesting topic for another thread, though.

  I would hardly call 200000 recalls on an important safety device minor.

Well, relatively minor. Not a single incident's been reported and no one's been hurt because of the defect. Hopefully that continues to be the case until Nissan finishes the repairs. 

[Juke1]

Anything to back this up? Huh

Many, many years in the car business. In my opinion, unless you are really paying big dollars for the really good, thick leather that comes in premium brands, it is not worth the extra expense and upkeep. The thin stuff tends to crack with age and not that much. But that is my opinion. Anyone who wants to pay extra for anything is more then welcome to.

I guess the Altima ads are true. People really do love them.

I've spent many years in the auto business as well, it does not matter, BMW, Mercedes, Cadillac, Acura you name it leather will show normal leather wear in 5-6 years.  I guess it's called character

[Jaeger]

I had an '01 Maxima that I kept for 7 years.  It had the leather interior.  When I traded it in, one of the strong selling points was the great condition of the leather.  Did it look new?  No - but it hardly looked like 7 years of daily use.  No cracks, no scuffs, no worn-through patches.  Would it be mistaken for the leather in a Rolls Royce?  Of course not.  But it was far from cheap-looking and a lot easier to clean and maintain with kids and pets than cloth would have been. 

Lexol clean and condition twice a year.  It does wonders.  A lot of the people who complain about their leather interior not holdding up well are the same people who put zero effort into its maintenance.  Leather is a skin.  If you didn't bathe for several years.....

Jaeger

[Snowman]

The latest gen of Legacy's than began in 05 was apparently affected by an airbag problem from the word go, Ogilvie motors would not let me test drive one.  I would guess that because they caught it early it is not a recall per se, but no one is imune. 

That is why Subaru is usually at the top of their respective call in safety  Pass the industry standard and get 4 stars or step it up internally and get 5 stars. Subaru added one fold to the air bag to meet Subaru standards for deployment in the new Legacy.

[KD]

Get your free porn and awesome smut reviews here.