subject: 2010 Nissan Altima Sedan Test Drive Assessment [print this page] 2010 Nissan Altima Sedan Test Drive Assessment
If you haven't paid attention to the Altima considering that Invoice Clinton was president, know it's grown from a compact economic climate auto into a impressive, assured-dealing with, midsize, entry-degree luxury sedan that maintains Nissan's sporty flavor and, specifically for 2010, delivers assertive styling.
The 4-door Altima Sedan arrives as the two.5 CVT, 2.5 S and 3.five SR CVT. Also, below the Altima umbrella is the Altima Coupe and Altima Hybrid sedan. (We'll leave the coupe and hybrid sedan for potential opinions.) Here's how to decode Nissan's model nomenclature. The "2.5" indicates the auto is fitted with a incredibly sturdy 175-horsepower, 2.five-liter, four-cylinder. The "3.5" implies it enjoys the great 270-horsepower three.five-liter V6 engine. All Altimas are fitted with a "CVT," which stands for "constantly variable transmission." Much more on CVTs later. Charges start off all around $20,000 and go to almost $30,000 for the gas-engine vehicles.
If you're hunting for an inexpensive, extremely roomy sedan, think about the 2.five CVT. If you're keen to spend a bit much more for Nissan's sporty really feel, the two.five S CVT is an outstanding option. Individuals who like to go BMW hunting in the stoplight Grand Prix or on a curvy again road will be really entertained by the 270-horsepower 3.five SR CVT.
Changes for 2010 function a more assertive hood, grille and front bumper cover. Within, the Altima acquired new materials. Digital balance handle, which Nissan calls VDC, now comes on all Altimas, but that's not too newsy as it will soon be government-necessary on all passenger autos. The three.5 SR CVT (formerly called the SE) now comes with large-intensity discharge headlights.
Rather than physically altering gears like a typical automatic, a CVT utilizes a belt and pulley technique. It's created to preserve the engine at its most-effective speed for the process needed, regardless of whether or not that's optimum fuel mileage all through highway cruising or highest acceleration for merging into visitors. Few drivers will discover a difference among a CVT and a normal automated, besides for improved fuel economic climate and strong acceleration. Gearheads: The Altima's CVT also employs a little gearset to boost its successful ratio vary. Don't take this too difficult, gearheads, but the CVT does a far far better task of maximizing the engine's efficiency than you could with a guide transmission.
The 4-cylinder delivers 23 miles per gallon in the government's metropolis driving test and a extremely extraordinary 32 mpg on the highway. The V6 is rated at 20 mpg in the city and 27 on the freeway. Altimas are made in Tennessee and Mississippi.
The 2010 Altima received "Good" crash security ratings by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) in each front offset and side effect tests. In the government's crash check research, the Altima Sedan scored higher marksfive starsin both driver and passenger frontal impacts, as properly as aspect driver impacts, and four out of five stars in the rollover class and aspect rear passenger influence test.
If you're thinking about ditching the SUV for a spacious and sporty sedan, feel about the 2010 Altima.test driving used cars