Road Test: Nissan Altima Coupe
Review and images by Russell Purcell
Coupes are back in a big way, as both younger consumers and empty-nesters are attracted to the sporty image they convey upon their drivers, as well as the alluring combination of invigorating performance and, typically, the big curb appeal they deliver. Nissan launched its Altima Coupe as a 2008 model, and for 2010 it rolls into showrooms with minor improvements.
Most of the people I surveyed during my week with this car admitted that they found the car’s styling to be attractive, but almost too “safe.” Women seemed to really like its shape and curves, but most of the men I questioned said it didn’t look aggressive enough to put them behind the wheel. This won’t make members of the design team too pleased as they redesigned the hood, bumper, and grille area to give the car a more masculine appearance. Other design tweaks include larger wheels and the addition of projector beam headlamp units.
The Altima Coupe’s overall design shows hints of its big brother, the G37 Coupe, especially when viewed from the side profile with its tall, wide tail, small rear side windows, and sculpted hood and fenders.
While not as dynamic looking as rivals like Honda’s Accord Coupe or the Hyundai Genesis Coupe, the Altima’s exterior will not offend. For some reason, the car’s wrapper seems past its due date even though it is a recent design, especially when compared to its own stable-mates (370Z and Maxima) which feature aggressive lines and striking shapes. Three passersby thought the car was a Pontiac G6 at first glance, and that car (and brand) is now extinct!
While not a true sports car, the Altima Coupe does have sporty aspirations, as its 3.5-litre V6 delivers 270 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque. The driver benefits from perfectly placed gauges and switchgear and an adjustable steering column. Visibility is excellent and the three-spoke steering wheel (complete with onboard controls for audio, communications and navigation functions) proved easy to grip and manipulate.
During enthusiastic driving, the car’s multi-link independent suspension did an excellent job of smoothing out bumps in the road while remaining communicative with the driver. The speed-sensitive power rack-and-pinion steering system leaves the driver feeling in control and the car tracks straight and true, with just a hint of understeer in tight-radius corners.
There is some nose plowing due to the front-wheel drive layout and weight bias (63/37), but engineers have fitted V6-powered cars with larger stabilizer bars front and rear to help counteract chassis flex, body roll, and the annoying wheel shudder that often comes with adding extra power. Acceleration is brisk (when you choose the shift points – more on this later) as the car has a very wide power band and torque steer has been virtually eliminated. A lot of engineering expertise went into designing the suspension on this car to help cancel out some of the handling foibles common to front-wheel drive setups, especially with regards to shocks and springs. All in all, the Altima Coupe offers a driving experience that most drivers will find very satisfying.
The large disc brakes (11.7-inch front / 11.5-inch rear) proved strong and consistent, and provide drama-free stopping power. They come backed by an advanced, four-channel, four-sensor Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) with Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD) as standard kit. Traction and stability control systems also come as standard equipment.
As long as I executed my own gear selections (via the manual-mode side gate) I found the Altima a delight to drive, but when I left the transmission to operate on its own (even in Sport mode), much of the fun factor was drained from the experience. The six-speed Xtronic CVT transmission is no doubt an engineering marvel as Nissan, and its parent company Renault, have embraced the continuously variable transmission concept like no other. Unfortunately, CVTs tend to generate intrusive noise pollution (in the form of engine noise) during hard acceleration as the revs climb while the gearbox searches for its most efficient settings. There is no respite from the buzz of the screaming engine until you lift off the gas pedal as, unlike traditional automatic or manual gearboxes, there are no pauses between gear changes with a CVT. The remedy, of course, is to shift through the “gears” manually, using the smooth-operating and well-placed shift lever on the centre console. Paddle shift levers such as those offered on the 370Z and Maxima would benefit this car and make it more exciting to drive.
For a coupe design, the Altima offers a substantial amount of cargo room (210L), as both rear seats fold flat (via nifty strap pulls in the trunk) and the wide-mouthed trunk reveals a flat-floored well easily accessed by a low lift in height. Both doors feature map bins, and both seat backs have pockets. A large traditional glove box is joined by a big, covered bin at the foot of the centre stack, and a two-tier storage cubby sits where your shoulder rests on the centre console. This latter bin has an upper compartment for wallets and cell phones, while the lower bin hides auxiliary and USB inputs for electronic devices.
The same cannot be said of the car’s interior design, which is current, comfortable, and very attractive. Very supportive front seats for the two front passengers (power operated, albeit the passenger unit offers manual slide) proved comfortable for my large frame over the course of the week, but I wasn’t keen on the idea of sliding into the rear compartment due to my size. As is the case with most coupes, this seating area is best reserved for two smaller occupants.
The Altima Coupe is available fitted with an economical 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine (175 hp / 180 lb-ft) in base (S) trim, or with a peppy 3.5-litre V6 under the hood. No hybrid option exists for the Coupe. Coupe buyers can choose to order the optional Xtronic CVT (with manual mode) with either engine, but a six-speed manual gearbox is standard (sedan buyers cannot order the V6 car fitted with the manual transmission, which is unfortunate).
My test vehicle was a loaded 3.5 SR Coupe which came equipped with luxury items such as 18-inch alloy wheels, dual-zone climate control, Xenon headlamps, integrated fog lights, push button start, heated mirrors and front seats, and an extra-large sunroof. Firm, but supple, leather seating surfaces and textured metal trim pieces highlight the roomy passenger compartment. Bluetooth connectivity and a premium Bose-engineered CD/MP3 stereo (complete with USB connector and XM Satellite Radio capabilities) are on board to keep you entertained and in-the-loop.
The optional Technology Package ($3,150) adds an advanced navigation system connected to a wide (6.5-inch), touch-screen colour monitor (which also plays DVDs and doubles as a rear view monitor when the car is in reverse), voice recognition operation, a 9.3 GB Music Box hard drive for digital files, streaming audio via Bluetooth wireless technology, and audio/video input jacks.
This car is in a tough segment with cars like the Accord and Genesis, but Nissan has priced its car well and has made huge advancements in the reliability department. I must admit, however, that I would order mine with a manual transmission so that I could make the most of this car’s performance potential, while at the same time, carving $1,300 dollars off the purchase price.
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