The Nissan Altima offers an interesting alternative to those looking for a compact sedan. It's just slightly off the mainstream in several areas - styling, ride and handling, interior layout - and these traits give it an appealing character that makes it stand out from the crowd.
The Altima was introduced in 1993, and because it has been setting a strong sales record all along, a natural conclusion is that Nissan must be doing something right. We think what appeals to buyers is the well-appointed interior, distinctive styling and exceptional roadability, all available at a reasonably affordable price and with commendably good fuel economy.
The Altima is available in four trim levels: XE, GXE, sportier SE and top-of-the-line GLE. The price differential from the base XE to a fully equipped GLE will be more than $5000, so there's a lot of room in the Altima line to suit a wide range of budgets. Final assembly of all Altimas takes place at Nissan Motor Manufacturing Corporation in Smyrna, Tennessee.
The Altima has a striking exterior, with some of the heavily rounded-off look and detailing of the Infiniti J30 (Infiniti is Nissan's luxury line, and the Altima and J30 were both styled at Nissan Design International in California). This drop-shouldered look, the unified and rounded shape of the side window openings, and details such as the elliptical door handles (all signatures borrowed from Infiniti) give the Altima a certain elegance and distinction that sets it apart from the majority of compact sedans.
Depending on your viewpoint, under the hood is one of the Altima's best or worst features: a 2.4-liter, 16-valve
4-cylinder engine. It's rated at 150 hp, offers good low-speed torque for respectably responsive acceleration and scores well on the fuel economy scale. But it lacks the smoothness, verve and performance of a V6 and detracts from the Altima's luxury feel.
With the XE, GXE and SE models, a 5-speed manual transmission is standard. A 4-speed electronically controlled automatic is optional on those three models and standard on the GLE. Brakes are discs in front and drums in the rear, but
4-wheel discs with anti-lock braking (ABS) are available as an option. If you must consider only one option, we heartily endorse ABS as one of the most worthwhile of safety features.
Standard safety features include dual airbags, 3-point belts at all outboard seating positions, and childproof rear door locks. Other standard items include power steering, halogen headlamps, tinted glass with a dark upper windshield band, and dual power mirrors.
Changes for 1995 are minor. Outside are a new grille, taillamps, badging and five new exterior colors. Inside are new seat and door-trim cloth on the SE and GLE, a new center console armrest and the inclusion of a leather-wrapped steering wheel with the GLE leather package.
The Altima's interior has the same sort of distinction as the exterior, with a look of elegance and luxury. The instrument panel has a graceful, sweeping curvature. On all but the XE there's wood-pattern trim, and if you opt for the leather in the SE or GLE, you'll find it's tastefully crafted in that expensive-looking wrinkled style that's become so popular these days on luxury cars.
Ergonomics are also about as good as they get - everything you need to operate is both easy to see and easy to use.
Standard interior features on all trim levels include a tilt steering wheel, rear defroster, cupholders, lockable glove box, dual visor vanity mirrors, cut-pile carpeting, adjustable headrests, and remote releases for the trunk, hood and fuel filler door.
On the GXE, SE and GLE, the standard equipment list includes power windows and door locks, center console and rear-seat center armrest with trunk pass-through.
There is also a variety of sound systems, including an AM/FM stereo with cassette and CD players and Dolby sound. Automatic temperature-control air conditioning is an option on the high-line GLE only.
