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First Drive: 2013 Nissan Altima
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Looks like a winner. The Camry better watch out.
First Drive: 2013 Nissan Altima
2013 Nissan Altima 2.5 SL - Instrumented TestBack-road prowess generally isn't a primary purchase consideration for mid-size sedans, but at least the Altima's chassis is capable of hustling when it has to. In fact, the only place it really disappoints is in its looks. Nissan's goal was to "advance the segment's styling," but the Altima does no such thing. The exterior is a collection of disparate design cues, none of which match the others or come across as particularly original. The radiator grille seems two sizes too large and is shaped like the upper two-thirds of Lexus' new signature grille -- and it's punctuated by a Nissan badge so large it would look at home on a building. The headlights and taillights come across as caricatures of the lights on the 370Z and the Maxima, and the side profile recalls Acura and Infiniti more than anything else.
Then again, each of those cars and brands is positioned above the Altima, so maybe that's what Nissan set out to do. But by following in the Camry's footsteps with generation after generation of boring styling, the Altima has missed an opportunity to truly gun for the number-one spot. If Nissan could figure out how to make its sedans beautiful -- even if that meant poaching the entire Kia design staff -- we'd be looking at a contender with a real chance at finally beating the Camry at its own game.
2013 Nissan Altima 2.5 SL First TestNow lighter and more efficient, the Altima is still (somewhat) sporty.
Highs:
Looks like an Infiniti, relatively sporty, nearly 40 mpg on the highway, spacious interior, comfy seats, lighter than its predecessor.
Lows:
Overboosted steering, longish braking distances, CVT only.
2013 Nissan Altima 3.5 SL - First DriveEyes on the Prize: Its Main Mission is to Catch Camry
Technology is an Altima strong point, with standard and optional features including Easy Fill Tire Alert, remote start, and a blind-spot and lane-departure warning system that doesn't need dedicated sensors and runs off the backup camera. Greater attention to detail also means the side mirror turn indicators are tilted on the housing so vehicles sitting in the blind spots will be able to see the blinking, while foglight-less models get specific cutout fillers so it's not as obvious you didn't spring for the foglights. For $24,880, the volume 2.5 SV model is expected to shoulder the lion's share of the sales. Our fully loaded 2.5 SL costs $30,645, with options constituting $1815 of the sum.
To say the Altima is ready for another comparison would be an understatement.
2013 Nissan Altima: Drive ReviewA smooth and powerful sedan with a surprising amount of luxury.
Power and Economy, an Ideal Combination
The Altima is once again available with two engine options: a redesigned 2.5-liter inline-4 and a 3.5-liter V-6, both mated to a smooth-operating CVT automatic transmission. Our test car was the V-6-powered version. While we here at R&T are generally not big fans of CVT gearboxes, this “next-generation” version is quite impressive. According to Nissan, 70 percent of the components have been redesigned from the previous Altima gearbox, resulting in an expanded ratio range, 40 percent less friction and improved control logic. At the test track, it effectively transferred the V-6’s 270 bhp effectively to the wheels: The car ran from zero to 60 mph in a scant 5.7 sec. and to the quarter-mile mark in 14.2. Fuel economy is estimated at 22/30 city/highway (the inline-4-powered Altima achieves a commendable 27/38 mpg).
The new Altima’s handling has also been noticeably improved. The steering feels quick and precise, while the suspension system—MacPherson struts up front and multilink at rear—keeps body roll minimal and ride quality remarkably smooth. There’s a new technological feature called “Active Understeer Control” that helps the driver keep the driving line through tight corners.
The new Altima will come with a price tag of $21,500 for the base 4-cylinder model, while the V-6-powered version will start at $25,360. It’s a lot of car for the money, and you can be sure with statistics like this, the new Altima will continue putting up big numbers.
First Drive > 2013 Nissan AltimaRedesign boosts sedan's comfort, road manners
Do I want one?
Nice as those convenience technologies are, the Altima's major attraction for us is its performance on the road. Both engines are strong and responsive, and the CVT has some brilliant features to help the driver. For one, it stays at the current ratio if you lift off the gas momentarily, such as when trying to merge. For another, it shifts to a lower ratio when you're braking, to be ready for a strong drive off the corner.
And when you do hammer off that corner, there's an active understeer control (which brakes the inside front wheel) to keep you on the right line. With features such as this, we can live with a bit of motor-boating from the drivetrain.
With the four-cylinder model priced from $21,500 and the V6 starting at $25,360, we find the Altima an attractive alternative to the other big players in the class.
2013 Nissan Altima 3.5 SL Full Test38 Special
Despite its status as an aging product, Nissan's old Altima quietly became America's second best-selling car behind Toyota's almighty Camry just last year. Unlike Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam, officials we spoke with are downplaying going after the sales crown, but with class-leading fuel economy, performance and massively improved accommodations, this Tennessee-built sedan clearly packs the ammunition to give Team Akio a serious run for its money. Who knows, the 2013 Altima might even snag more than its fair share of the family-minded enthusiast's dollar... CVT and all.
Review: 2013 Nissan AltimaThe Best Car That No One Ever Talks About
What Works (pros):
Class-leading acceleration and handling, top-grade interior, super-comfortable front seats, improved fuel economy.
What Needs Work (cons):
Tight rear headroom, balky audio controls, easily mistaken for Maxima.
Bottom Line:
Nissan's new Altima moves to the head of the midsize sedan class, with an improved ride, better fuel economy, upgraded interior and the same old rocket of a V6. The Toyota Camry now has a real challenger.
<iframe width="640" height="360" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/GBaAd9iioYA?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>The 2013 Nissan Altima isn’t cheap, and it doesn’t stand out from the crowd aside from offering the highest EPA numbers and (only on a fully loaded car) a multi-talented rearview camera. But even without these USPs and in its sixth year the current Altima has been outselling every other car except the recently redesigned Camry—and it hasn’t been far behind the Camry. If you were at Nissan, would you want to be the person whose “bold move” derailed the gravy train? If something has been working well, and especially if there’s no obvious reason why it has been working so well, you don’t futz with it. For the most part, Nissan hasn’t.
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Looks like a winner. The Camry better watch out.
