2010 Nissan Altima SR: A Well-Equipped, Smooth-Riding Family Sedan

What’s New:

Although the Altima sedan was last reworked in 2007, Nissan’s best-selling vehicle gets a mild makeover for 2010, with a restyled hood, grille, front-bumper and new 16-inch and 17-inch aluminum-alloy wheel designs to further differentiate it from the Altima coupe. Also for the 2010 model year, Nissan drops the top of the line SE model in the Altima, replacing it with the SR model, which we reviewed. 

Must Have Goodies:

If you’re in the market for this midsize family sedan, it’s available in three trim levels: the 2.5-liter base, the 2.5-liter SE and the all-new 3.5-liter SR model.

Depending on how one decides to accessorize their Altima, as long as its not the base 2.5-liter, the sedan can be equipped with Nissan’s optional Convenience Package (or the Convenience Package Plus), which could include an 8-way power driver's seat, automatic headlights, leather-wrapped steering wheel, steering wheel-mounted audio controls, power sliding glass moonroof, XM Satellite Radio, heated front driver and passenger seats, dual-zone automatic temperature control outside mirrors with integrated turning lights and rear-passenger air conditioning vents.

For the techies, a Technology Package is offered with the 2.5 S and 3.5 SR models. This high-tech package includes a hard drive navigation system with a 6.5-inch color monitor and a 9.3GB Music Box hard drive, which provides audio/video input jacks, DVD playback capability, a streaming audio and a restaurant guide. The package also included the latest traffic and weather updates, too. 

And, for those opting for the zippier model, the 3.5-liter SR model is available; the midsize sedan can be outfitted with Nissan’s optional, Premium Package and/or Sport Package.

With the Premium Package, the upgraded Altima will include leather-appointed seats, a leather-wrapped gearshift knob, power driver lumbar support, heated front seats, a Bose AM/FM audio system with 9 speakers, 4.3-inch color display, a Back-up Monitor, Bluetooth Hands-free Phone System, a USB port with iPod connectivity, XM Satellite Radio, MP3/WMA CD-ROM playback compatibility, and a Radio Data System. (By the way, the 2.5 S model is also available with the Bose 9-speaker high-end audio system, too.)
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Moreover, opting for the Sport Package on the 3.5 SR adds dual-zone a/c, power sliding moonroof, High Intensity Discharge (HID) xenon headlights and a sporty rear spoiler.

What Rocked: 

The driver-oriented, roomy, five-passenger SR model we reviewed was equipped with Altima’s Tech Package, Premium Package and Sports Package - making this one sweet ride to cruise around town. Not only was the driver’s seat comfortable, but supportive, too. Since we consider ourselves to be music aficionados, the high-end Bose radio system, with the easy-to-use steering wheel mounted controls, was one of the best we’ve heard for a non-premium vehicle.

Oh yes, and we can’t forget about a simple feature that always wins us over, especially when traveling with Georgia’s bright sunlight beaming down, sun visor extensions. This is one of the few vehicles on the market today equipped with the feature to help block the sunlight.

What We Disliked:

There’s really not much too really dislike about Nissan’s best-selling vehicle. Besides the misplaced gigantic, sterile-looking covered storage compartment located in the center of what should be a sporty-designed instrument panel, everything else seemed to be in its appropriate place. We would expect to find a covered storage compartment in an old Buick or discontinued Oldsmobile, not an Altima.  

Furthermore, Nissan no longer offers a fuel-efficient manual-transmission as an option like some of its competitors. And, it wouldn’t hurt if the Altima added such high-tech features as electronic blind spot mirrors to keep the driver’s from pulling into the lane of other vehicles and rear back-up sensors like some of the competitors in this segment. 

Any Juice:

For Altima drivers yearning for a little more juice than the standard 2.5-liter, 4-cylinder engine, which produces 175 horses, a powerful, smooth-shifting 3.5-liter, 6-cylinder engine spewing out 270 horses from underneath the hood is available in the SR model.  

The Verdict:

Since the current-generation Altima hit the scene in 2004, it continues to win over the hearts of many midsize buyers. As of the first seven months of 2010, the Altima accounts for 28 percent of the Japanese-based automaker total new-vehicle sales. Over the years Nissan has worked aggressively to keep the design fresh, building a reliable vehicle equipped with the latest technology all while maintaining a competitive price point.

Pricing for the base Altima starts at approximately $20,650 and can easily rise to a little over $30,000. With incentives, the base four-door sedan can be purchased for under $20,000. However, once you step into the midgrade 2.5 S, 175-horsepower Altima with all the bells and whistles, pricing can match the peppier 270-horspower SR model, if one’s not careful. 

The SR model we reviewed listed for approximately $30,000, which didn’t seem like a bad deal in light of most new-vehicles prices these days. Also Nissan dealers should be willing to negotiate, since there is so much competition in the midsize segment. 

In addition to the non hybrid sedan, the Altima is available as a hybrid sedan and a non-hybrid coupe, too. The only models missing from the Altima line up are a station wagon or a crossover spin-off. 

Competition: Chevy Malibu, Ford Fusion, Honda Accord, Hyundai Sonata, Kia Optima, Mazda6, Mercury Milan, Subaru Legacy and Toyota Camry