 2009 Nissan Altima 2.5 SL. Click image to enlarge |
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Review and photos by Chris Chase
The Nissan Altima‘s coming-of-age happened in 2002, with the arrival of the dramatically larger third-generation model, whose added size turned the car into a true mid-sized family sedan. In fact, that car offered more interior space than the pricier Maxima.
A fourth-generation Altima arrived for 2007, and was a brand new design in every respect, based on a new, smaller platform and riding on a one-inch-shorter wheelbase, a change that Nissan said didn’t have a noticeable effect on interior space.
The look was different, but the new Altima’s engines were carried over: a 2.5-litre four-cylinder (175 hp/180 lb.-ft. of torque) was standard, and the upgrade was a 3.5-litre V6 (270 hp/258 lb-ft). A hybrid model added partway through 2007 mated the 2.5-litre with Toyota-sourced electric components for power ratings of 198 hp and 199 lb.-ft. of torque.
 2009 Nissan Altima 2.5 SL. Click image to enlarge |
Either gasoline engine could be had with a six-speed manual, and a continuously variable transmission (CVT), which was optional in all but the 3.5 S model, where it was the only transmission available. The Altima Hybrid used a CVT as well.
Altima trim levels began with the 2.5 S, with 16-inch steel wheels, automatic headlights, heated mirrors, intelligent key and pushbutton start, air conditioning, power windows/locks/mirrors, cruise control, tilt-and-telescopic steering, speed-sensitive variable intermittent wipers, six-way manual driver’s seat, six-speaker CD stereo with auxiliary input, front-seat side airbags and curtain airbags for front and rear seats.
The 3.5S added stability/traction control, exterior mirrors with integrated turn signals, and heated seats.
  2012 Nissan Altima 3.5 SR sedan (top) and coupe; photos by Jil McIntosh. Click image to enlarge |
Finally, the 3.5 SE got 17-inch alloy wheels, fog lights, dual-zone automatic climate control, eight-way power driver’s seat, leather trimmed steering wheel, and woodgrain interior trim.
Options included Bluetooth, leather seats, navigation, back-up camera and satellite radio.
A good-looking Altima coupe was added in 2008, riding on a shortened version of the sedan’s platform. The basic version of this two-door was better-equipped than the sedan, with standard alloy wheels, heated seats, leather-trimmed steering wheel and an eight-way power driver’s seat. They Altima Hybrid was kitted out similarly to the 3.5 S sedan, but added automatic climate control, stability control, six-way power passenger seat and wood-tone interior trim.
For 2009, the 3.5 SE got a standard sunroof, there were new wheel covers for the 2.5 S and the 3.5 SE coupe got upgraded 18-inch alloy wheels. Nissan added an auto-lock feature to the power door locks.
Front-end styling was new for 2010, and stability/traction control was made standard across the line. Sadly for enthusiasts, the V6-powered sedan now came standard with the CVT, and the 3.5 SE was renamed 3.5 SR. Newly available were a 4.3-inch colour display screen, USB capability, hard drive-based navigation with Bluetooth streaming audio and DVD playback.
Revisions for 2011 were limited to the addition of a back-up camera to a number of four-cylinder and V6 option packages.
 2009 Nissan Altima 2.5 SL. Click image to enlarge |
In 2012, Bluetooth was added to the sedan’s optional luxury package, and the Altima Hybrid was discontinued.
Fuel consumption estimates, according to Natural Resources Canada, were 8.9/6.1 L/100 km (city/highway) for the four-cylinder/manual transmission Altima, and 8.9/6.3 with the CVT. With the V6, the CVT was the more efficient transmission, with ratings of 10.6/7.7, while the manual version of that car was estimated at 11.3/7.3. The Altima Hybrid’s numbers were 5.6/5.9. By 2012, fuel efficiency had improved slightly, to 8.7/6.0 L/100 km for a four-cylinder/CVT model (and 8.8/6.2 with the six-speed), and 10.4/7.3 for the V6/CVT model.
