Frank Myers Auto Maxx, a used car dealer in Winston-Salem, presents a review of the 2010 Nissan Altima.
USA Today, one of the most read newspapers in the United States, just published their review of the 2010 Nissan Altima. The glowing results are a positive sign for things to come with Nissan.
James Healey, author of the review, noted that the new Nissan Altima had a “different hood, grille and wheels and tweaked interior. “
He also noted that the V-6 test car seemed as different from the four-cylinder tester as” fish from fowl.”
While the four-cylinder Altima finished sixth among eight midsize rivals in a recent USA TODAY/Cars.com/MotorWeek contest, it should be noted that the vehicle still gets strong marks for drivability and a ride/handling blend that’s hard to achieve. In that sense, the four-cylinder and the V-6 are alike — a sweet mix of cornering confidence and ride comfort.
But while USA Today said that the four-cylinder is “just OK”, the Nissan V-6 engine is among the most satisfying and pleasant powertrains ever put under the hood of a production car. And the CVT (continuously variable automatic transmission) is tuned differently in the V-6, making it far more pleasant to drive. Nissan is among the best at executing CVTs. Theirs generally escape, or minimize, the slipping-clutch personality many CVTs have when you jump the gas pedal.
It should also be noted that, even thought the new Altima gets mostly high marks, there are a few things that need improvement. The cloth trim and upholstery in both interiors looked and felt cheap. The admirable attempt to make the dark dashboard treatment seem a deliberate, classy monochrome merely looked dreary. For some reason, the gauges’ characteristically Nissan orange illumination looked different and seemed a lot less unpleasant on the V-6 car.
The seats in both cars were lumpy and uncomfy. They were a deal-breaker in the four, which lacks excitement to outweigh the aggravation, but downgraded to an annoyance in the V-6 because of its oh-boy-this-is-fun persona.
Cubbies, nooks, knobs, controls — all the details that can make or break the daily drive — were handled smartly, pleasingly. And the parking brake was the step-on, step-off type that’s easier to use than the sort that force you to yank a lever under the dash to release the parking-brake.
If you don’t need the all-wheel drive that some midsize sedans offer (such as Subaru Legacy, Suzuki Kizashi, Volkswagen Passat and Ford Fusion) the updated Altima — at least the V-6 version — seems a commendable, even embraceable, way to have your family accommodations and your driving satisfaction, too.
So…how much for a car this nice? The four-cylinder starts at $20,620 including $720 shipping. V-6 starts at $25,240. V-6 test car was $27,785; four-cylinder tester, $24,985.
How potent? 2.5-liter four-cylinder is rated 175 horsepower at 5,600 rpm, 180 pounds-feet of torque at 3,900 rpm. 3.5-liter V-6 rated 270 hp at 6,000 rpm, 258 lbs.-ft. at 4,400.
How big? Approximately the same size as the Accord and Camry. Altima’s 190.7 inches long, 70.7 in. wide, 58 in. tall on a 109.3-in. wheelbase. Weighs 3,180 to 3,357 lbs.
How thirsty? The four-cylinder is rated 23 miles per gallon in town, 32 highway, 27 combined. The V-6 test car trip computer showed 18.1 mpg.
“I’m pleased that Nissan has stepped up to the pump and made a good car great,” said Tracy Myers, owner of Winston-Salem used car dealership in North Carolina (Frank Myers Auto Maxx). “The 2009 Altima is a great vehicle that our customer’s seem to enjoy very much and we’re excited about being able to offer the 2010 model very soon.”
For updates on the arrival of a pre-owned 2010 Altima at Frank Myers Auto Maxx, visit https://www.frankmyersauto.com
