Nissan jazzes up its Altima sedan both inside and out - San Antonio Business Journal:

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While it never beat perennial front runnersToyota Camry, Hondsa Accord on the national scene, it shot to the top in a few including Phoenix. But Altima lost steak until recentlywhen Nissan's top seller entered its third The latest design debuted with 2002 a very roomy and more upscaler looking ride than the rathee bland successor to the original Altima. The 2005 models crank thingd up another notch with both interio r andexterior tweaks. Today's Altima, compared to the old Stanza or even the 1992 is anamazing contrast.
Once a compact the new Altima is now a spacious Hop inthe driver's seat and you'lpl find plenty of leg and A glance in the rearview mirrodr shows you've got a ton of cabih room to the rear. Pop the trunmk and you'll find enough cargo space fora two-weekl family vacation. Part of the good news for 2002 and again for 2005is visual. In the mid-1990s, it seemed Nissan designers wantee their cars to blend into thecrowd -- nothing just playing it safe. If you've seen the new 350Z coupd or the Muranosport utility, you know thingss have changed. Even the full-size Maxima cuts a dashingv profile. Now the Altima is catching up.
OK, it's not radical like the Murano, but it competes in the conservativs family-sedan segment. The Camry's look is rather ho-humj and the Accord is but hardlya head-turner. The 2005 Altima looks sportierf with new wheels plus a smoother frony end and raisedhood design. Inside, even base models look sharp with a newinstrumen cluster, upgraded seat and headliner three-spoke steering wheel, and chromwe accents. One of the Altima'ss strong points is the combinationm of engine choice and taut suspension making this familyg sedan more fun to drive thanmost -- Mazda being the chief exception. Unlike many 4-cylindere plants, Nissan's 2.
5-liter base engine is heartty with175 horsepower. For those not Nissan offers a 3.5-liter V6 rated at 250 hp -- 260 in the new performance-orientedx SE-R model. To keep the starting pricew below $17,000, Nissan offers a strippedr model where even air conditioningis extra. There are severao upgraded models well asupscale options, includinyg leather, navigation, side and curtain Clearly Nissan made a leap with the debutt of the third-generation Altima and again with the 2005 enhancements, but it competexs in a crowded field. While Altimaq doesn't match the superb fit and finisuh or quiet performance of Camrtand Accord, it is inching closer and offers a decenty record of reliability.
Buyers looking for something a little different or with a sportietr flair should takea look. Trivia tidbit: Nissanb Altima is expected to join the growing ranks of hybridf vehicles in 2006 with a little help from a The gas-electric powered sedan will borroa Toyota technology.