New 2010 Nissan Altima is Sportier, More Fuel-Efficient Than Class Leaders
The new 2010 Nissan Altima is a mid-size car that puts the "fun" in functionality. The Altima has long been viewed as one of the sportiest affordable cars on the road - and this year is no different. Add in the fact that the Altima earns better gas mileage then most new cars (including the Honda Accord and Toyota Camry), and it's fair to say that the Nissan Altima deserves your attention. Review specs, features and mpgs of the new 2010 Nissan Altima to determine if this is the mid-size car for your needs.New 2010 Nissan Altima Styling
The Nissan Altima is available in both a sedan and coupe body style. While both models boast a handsome, sporty appearance, the coupe offers a more aggressive styling. Regardless of which body style you prefer, the Altima offers a sleek appearance that helps distinguish it from more staid models in its class.
The interior of the vehicle sees an improvement in materials quality for the 2010 year. Upgraded upholstery and other new touches help give the Altima an excellent fit and finish that is on par with class standards.
Front passenger seats afford a good amount of comfort - especially on coupe models (thanks to more supportive sport seats). Rear seat dimensions for the sedan are a bit on the small side for a mid-size car, but still manage to accommodate adults fairly well. The coupe, on the other hand, has a smaller rear seat that ultimately can't be recommended for long stints.
The Nissan Altima's available options packages are a bit confusing and overly complicated. However, base features include keyless entry, cruise control, air conditioning and full power accessories (note the lack of a stereo). Upper level trims add a power driver's seat, automatic headlights, sunroof, Bluetooth and two stereo options. Keep in mind that some options may only be available on sedan models.
New 2010 Nissan Altima Performance
It's under the hood where the 2010 Altima really rolls away from the pack. Though by no means a sports car, the Altima offers better acceleration and superior handling than almost every other affordable sedan available. The base engine is a 2.5-liter four-cylinder that outputs 175 horsepower. A thirstier 3.5-liter V6 engine is also available, and delivers 270 horsepower.
Just as impressive, are the Altima's fuel figures. Sedan models benefit from an efficient continuously variable transmission (CVT) that results in an estimated 23 mpg in the city and 32 mpg on the highway (27 mpg combined). Unless you're interested in a hybrid, you'll have a hard time beating those figures. Altima models with the V6 engine earn as much as 20 mpg in the city and 27 mpg on the highway (23 mpg combined).
New 2010 Nissan Altima Safety
The Nissan Altima comes standard with anti-lock brakes, six airbags, stability control and traction control. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) awarded the Altima a best-possible rating of "Good" in both front- and side-impact crash tests. Rear-impact and roof strength tests were not as impressive, with both earning a rating of "Acceptable."
New 2010 Nissan Altima Pricing
The Nissan Altima comes with a competitive base price of $19,900. Other sporty new cars that boast similar MSRPs include the 2010 Mazda MAZDA6 and the brand-new 2010 Suzuki Kizashi. For a more comfortable ride, look into the Ford Fusion or Honda Accord. The 2011 Hyundai Sonata is one of the few mid-size sedans to beat the new 2010 Nissan Altima in terms of fuel efficiency.