Nissan Altima Reviews, news and updates

The 2010 Nissan Altima Hybrid receives freshened exterior styling, interior upgrades and new technology improvements to the navigation and entertainment systems.

The Nissan Altima Hybrid powertrain mates a specialized version of Nissan’s QR25 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine and standard electronically controlled CVT with an advanced electric drive motor/generator. Nissan Altima Hybrid is estimated to have a hybrid system net power rating of 198 horsepower (148 kW) while maintaining low tailpipe emissions, earning Nissan Altima Hybrid an Advanced Technology Partial Zero Emissions Vehicle (AT-PZEV) rating. EPA fuel economy is estimated at 35 mpg City and 33 mpg Highway. Combined with Nissan Altima’s standard 20-gallon fuel tank, the Nissan Altima Hybrid has a projected driving range of over 600 miles between fill-ups.

Among the many changes for all 2010 Altima are a restyled hood, grille and front bumper, new wheel designs, standard Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) on all models, revised interior fabric and finishers, new exterior colors and revised option package content. In addition, the previous Nissan Altima 3.5 SE designation has been renamed the 3.5 SR.

Along with the exhilaration provided by the driver-oriented cockpit and high levels of Nissan Altima performance, the “entertainment factor” of Altima’s interior has been upgraded with new available premium audio packages that include a Bose AM/FM audio system with nine speakers, 4.3-inch color display, USB port with iPod connectivity, Bluetooth Hands-free Phone System, MP3/WMA CD-ROM playback, XM Satellite Radio (XM® subscription required, sold separately) and RearView Monitor.

The 2010 Altima Coupe

2010 Nissan Altima Coupe

is a 2-door, 5-passenger family coupe, available in 4 trims, ranging from the 2.5 S 6M/T to the 3.5 SR 6M/T.

The coupe introduction, the 2.5 S 6M/T is equipped with a standard 2.5-liter, I4, 175-horsepower engine that achieves 23-mpg in the city and 31-mpg on the highway. The 3.5 SR 6M/T is equipped with a standard 3.5-liter, V6, 270-horsepower engine that achieves 18-mpg in the city and 27-mpg on the highway. A 6-speed manual transmission with overdrive is standard on both trims.

This Altima Coupe is freshened for 2010. The popular Nissan Altima, ranked number one in segment in the 2009 J.D. Power and Associates Initial Quality Study (IQS), enters the 2010 model year with fresh exterior styling, refined interior treatments and a host of technology enhancements to its navigation and entertainment systems.

Available in three distinct models – Nissan Altima Sedan, Altima Coupe and Altima Hybrid – the 2010 Altima will be available at Nissan dealers nationwide.

Now in its fourth generation, with nearly 3.2 million units sold worldwide, Nissan Altima provides a unique combination of exhilarating driving pleasure, distinctive and sporty design and exceptional quality and value in the mid-size sedan and coupe classes.

Altima Coupe, high performance and superlative safety features go hand in hand. The Nissan Safety Shield is Nissan’s comprehensive safety testing program, and the Altima has been put through up to 50 simulated crashes and jammed full of new features to make this one of the safest cars on the market. And parents take note: the Altima Coupe has child safety features designed to keep the most important in your life as safe.

As you would expect from a Nissan, the Altima Coupe’s navigation system makes it easier to get to the places you want to be. You can program the touch screen navigation system with up to 100 addresses or take of advantage of the 5 million points of interests ranging from ATMs to restaurants. And with The XM Nav Traffic® system, you can be sure that you’ll be one step ahead of the traffic jams. The system displays real-time traffic information and will even offer up alternative routes home when the congestion gets

Nissan has delivered a modest mid-cycle refresh for its popular Altima Coupe for the 2010 model year. A restyled front end, increased standard equipment levels and a renamed top-end model highlight changes to the coupe version of the company’s bread and butter sedan.

The Altima gains a front end inspired by the Maxima. A new hood, grille and front bumper are joined by a handful of new colors. Inside, the coupe gets new upholstery and some revised interior materials. A newly optional Bose audio system pairs nine premium speakers with a 4.3-inch color display, USB port and Bluetooth connectivity, as well as a rear view camera to aid backing up and parallel parking.

Nissan’s Vehicle Dynamic Control, a stability control system  is newly standard across the line for 2010. Previously, it was a $600 stand alone option on certain high trim level models. The top-end 3.5 SE model has been given a new 3.5 SR moniker, although there are no notable mechanical revisions for the new model year.

Four cylinder models are powered by Nissan’s 175-horsepower, 2.5-liter engine, while six-cylinder models get the 3.5-liter, 270-horsepower V6. A six-speed manual is standard regardless of powertrain, while a CVT is on the options list.

The Altima Coupe will continue to be offered in base 2.5 S trim, starting at $22,440 with a six-speed manual transmission. Add another $500 for the optional CVT. 3.5 SR variants start at $27,270 for the CVT and climb to $29,600 for the six-speed manual model, which also adds larger diameter wheels and tires.

The Nissan Altima is also available as a sporty-looking coupe in the affordable midsize car class.

Nissan Altima Sedan

The all new 2010 Nissan Altima ranks 10 out of 21 Affordable Midsize Cars. This ranking is based on a analysis of 81 published reviews and test drives of the Nissan Altima, and the analysis of reliability and safety data. The Nissan Altima is as practical and functional as the top midsize family sedans, but adds a dose of fun most of them lack. Keeping in line with the modest mid-cycle refresh of the Altima Coupe, Nissan has unveiled an updated version of the Altima Sedan. The 2010 Altima Sedan update includes some styling tweaks – both inside and outside and as well as an electronics upgrade too. Up front, the Altima Sedan sports a new front fascia, complete with a revised hood, a new grille and updated bumper. As with the Altima Coupe, new wheel designs and a revised exterior color pallet are part of the 2010 refresh. Inside, the Altima Sedan has been given a modest redo, but the changes include better interior fabrics and better quality material pieces. The Altima Sedan’s navigation system sees the biggest upgrade for 2010, moving from a 4.3 inch display to a 6.5 inch touch-screen unit. Nissan’s Hard Drive Navigation System now includes advanced map data including speed limit advisories, Zagat restaurant guide, XM NavTraffic and XM NavWeather, Bluetooth Streaming Audio, DVD player and an RCA input for auxiliary audio/video connectivity. A 9.3 GB Music Box is also included in Nissan’s navigation system. A new Bose audio system is also available on the 2010 Altima Sedan, featuring a 4.3 inch color display, 9-speakers, USB port and iPod connectivity, Bluetooth hands-free calling and Nissan’s RearView Monitor system. Pricing for the 2010 Nissan Altima Sedan starts at $19,900 for the 2.5 S model, equipped with a 2.5L four-cylinder and Nissan’s CVT transmission. The up-level 3.5 SR model – taking the place of the previous SE model – starts at $24,520, packing a 3.5L V6 mated to a CVT.

The sporty looking coupe, The 2010 Nissan Altima Coupe 2.5 S proves reasonably fun to drive, while offering a smattering of good cabin technology for entertainment and navigation. The main thing in the 2010 Nissan Altima Coupe 2.5 S include easy to use iPod integration, hard-drive-based navigation system with traffic, and a continuously variable transmission that wrings power and fuel economy from the engine.

Nissan squeezes adequate power from the engine, but the real magic comes from the continuously variable transmission (CVT). This CVT does an excellent job of imitating a fixed-gear transmission, and at the same time it gives a very good fuel economy. Although not many people would shop for a car based on its CVT, this one is the best car in the market today.

Nissan also doesn’t limit the cabin tech available in the Altima Coupe, making available its full hard-drive-based system with traffic reporting and onboard music storage. But our test car didn’t come with that $1,780 option. Instead, the premium stereo system optioned up in our car brought in a new 4.3-inch color display, useful for showing iPod libraries, and the backup camera view.

The 2010 Altima Coupe 2.5 S we tested was far from the fastest or sportiest of the line. For that, we would want the Altima Coupe 3.5 SR equipped with the six-speed manual transmission option and, you guessed it, a 3.5-liter V-6. Our 2.5 S model would have even been more fun with the six-speed manual option, but it was still a satisfying driver. In a bit of typical configuration quirkiness, choosing the manual transmission with the 2.5-liter engine eliminates just about all of the options, including navigation, iPod integration, and even fog lights. Fortunately, test drivers have also had a chance to drive this great new car, and are saying wonderful things about it.