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" The Specs The 2010 Nissan Altima sedan is available in three trim levels: 2.5 ($19,900), 2.5 S ($21,840), and the re-named 3.5 SR (which makes the sedan&amp;#039;s nomenclature consistent with the rest of the Nissan lineup), starting at $24,520. Hybrid and coupe variants are also available. Both 2.5 sedan models are powered by a 2.5-liter four-cylinder that produces 175 hp and 180 lb-ft of torque (the California versions have five less of each figure). The 3.5 SR gets Nissan&amp;#039;s VQ35DE powerplant, which yields 270 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque--a notable gain in punch over the four-cylinder. With the exception of one Versa model, the entire Nissan sedan lineup utilizes CVT transmissions, and their continuously variable ratios can produce seamless power or be overridden to shift &amp;quot;manually,&amp;quot; in a mode which simulates a traditional six-speed transmission&amp;#039;s gear ratios. The four-cylinder Altimas achieve 23 mpg city, 32 mpg highway, while the 3.5 SR gets 20 mpg in the city and 27 mpg on the highway (5 gallons per 100 miles and 3.7 gallons per 100 miles, respectively). A lengthy list of option packages are available on the 2.5 S, which add everything from greater seat adjustability and aluminum-alloy wheels to a power-sliding moonroof, a premium audio package with a 4.3-inch color display and Bluetooth, heated front seats and a navigation system. Available bundles on the 3.5 SR include the Sport package, which adds items like leather seats, a nine-speaker Bose system and dual-zone climate control with rear-passenger vents. Changes to the Altima&amp;#039;s interior design include new fabric, revised fabric stitching and white gauge illumination.  Revised elements for 2010 include a more aggressively styled grille and front bumper, a new &amp;quot;power dome&amp;quot; hood, standard VDC (stability control) across all models, and new 16- and 17-inch alloy wheels. The 2010 models also receive revised fabrics, redesigned gauges, an improved navigation system utilizing a 6.5-inch monitor with backup camera, Zagat Survey, XM NavWeather, Bluetooth and streaming audio.  The Drive Changes to the Altima&amp;#039;s interior are subtle for 2010. The cabin feels more somber since Nissan has removed the aluminum-like trim on the steering wheel, which now blends into the predominantly dark surfaces that surround it. Slip behind the wheel, and you&amp;#039;ll find that the 4.3-inch color display with the Premium Audio package doesn&amp;#039;t offer the color intensity of some systems. However the 6.5-inch VGA screen offers one of the better interfaces we&amp;#039;ve experienced, with intuitive switching between navigation, satellite radio, and Bluetooth functions. Nissan&amp;#039;s midsize sedans don&amp;#039;t often follow convention. And the Altima will not be mistaken for any other pedestrian midsize sedan. Off the line, the CVT doesn&amp;#039;t feel like a big departure from torque-converter-equipped gearboxes, but pin the gas and the sensations start to differ. Near-full-throttle launches produce the impression that gear ratios are unusually tall, with rpm creeping slowly toward redline as acceleration builds. Pedal-to-the-floor stomps produce more urgent, seamless forward movement as engine rpm lingers just short of redline. The four-cylinder models aren&amp;#039;t particularly quick when pushed hard, but the V6 pulls strongly, with a broad power curve that makes it easy to breeze past slower-moving traffic. Tuned with a center-seeking steering tendency, the Altima is athletic when driven well below its performance limits, with feedback that suggests a strong inclination to be tossed into turns. But maneuvered more aggressively, the handling balance reveals a bias toward understeer, like many front-drive sedans, that makes the Altima more likely to plow forward rather than rotate and slide the rear wheels. Of course, the built-in understeer keeps the car out of trouble during most day-to-day driving conditions. Hardcore enthusiasts likely lament that a manual gearbox is no longer available in the sedan. But the CVT &amp;quot;shifts&amp;quot; quickly enough in six-speed-simulated manual mode, though paddle shifters (as found in the Maxima) would certainly be a nice addition to the Altima. Incidentally, back-seat passengers won&amp;#039;t mind the ride when the Altima is pitched into corners, thanks to its generous rear legroom and headroom. The Bottom Line Nissan estimates that 65 percent of Altima buyers are male (as opposed to roughly the same proportion of female buyers for the Toyota Camry), and its bolder styling and more subdued interior reflects an adherence to its somewhat masculine personality. Its improvements for 2010 keep it competitive in the face of its rather stiff opponents, and a $300 price bump in the 2.5 S and 3.5 SR models still make it a strong value in the segment. Given their burgeoning reputation and recent initial quality accolades, buyers still have plenty of reasons to maintain Altima&amp;#039;s status as Nissan&amp;#039;s top-selling car. "^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
<http://www.popularmechanics.com/cars/reviews/a6396/2010-nissan-altima-test-drive-4333894/>