Introduction
Sooner or later, most everyone reaches that point in life the place they feel compelled to trade their fashionable, fun-to-drive set of wheels in for something extra sensible. What many do not notice, nonetheless, is that vehicles like the 2012 Nissan Altima do not drive you to choose between these two extremes.
Whereas both the midsize Altima sedan and Altima coupe are handsome automobiles, that is solely a part of their appeal. Choose the V6-powered 3.5 SR model, for example, and you'll get each a sturdy 270-horsepower V6 engine and a firmer suspension that makes this Altima feel more like an expensive sport sedan. Even without these upgrades, the entry-stage 2.5 and midrange 2.5 S fashions provide a decidedly more engaging driving expertise than you'd anticipate from such practically oriented automobiles.
Inside, the Altima sports activities a gorgeous and comfy cabin. The interior can also be fitted out with upscale choices like a tough-drive-primarily based navigation system with music storage, Bluetooth streaming audio and a rearview camera. These and many other excessive-end goodies are bundled collectively in a variety of completely different packages, which means some consumers will be compelled to shell out cash for features they don't really want as a way to get those they do. Another draw back to the Altima is that rear seat headroom is a bit tight in both coupe and sedan physique styles.
These points apart, the Altima remains to be one of many higher choices within the crowded midsize class, regardless that many opponents are newer designs. For those fascinated with trying out a couple of worthwhile alternatives, we would advocate taking a look on the properly-rounded Ford Fusion, the roomier Honda Accord and the equally sporty Mazda 6. Other high selections include the very spectacular Hyundai Sonata (and associated Kia Optima) and the European-influenced Volkswagen Passat. While it's impossible to go improper with any of the above, few supply the combination of driving enjoyment and everyday practicality provided by the 2012 Nissan Altima.
Body Types, Trim Ranges, and Choices
The 2012 Nissan Altima is obtainable in coupe and sedan body styles. There are three trim ranges: 2.5, 2.5 S and 3.5 SR.
The 2.5 base model's (sedan only) listing of ordinary equipment includes sixteen-inch steel wheels, keyless entry, air-conditioning, cruise management, full power equipment, a tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel and a trip computer. There are no options supplied right here, not even a stereo, although the inside is pre-wired with four speakers. The 2.5 S trim, which could be had on each physique kinds, provides 17-inch alloy wheels (coupe solely), keyless ignition/entry and a six-speaker sound system with a CD player and an auxiliary audio jack.
Obtainable choices embrace a brand new Worth package that comes with automatic headlights, Bluetooth, an auto-dimming rearview mirror and a leather-based-wrapped steering wheel with audio controls. The Particular Version package deal provides alloy wheels, computerized headlights, foglights, a rear spoiler and a leather-based-wrapped steering wheel with audio controls.
Most of the following non-compulsory packages serve as necessities for costlier packages, making getting what you desire a bit tricky. The Convenience package deal (sedan solely) consists of a lot of the equipment from the Value bundle but also good points a power driver seat. The Comfort Plus bundle (sedan solely) adds mirror-mounted flip-sign repeaters, a sunroof and dual-zone automated local weather control. The Premium Audio package (sedan only) adds a rearview camera and a nine-speaker Bose stereo with satellite radio and an iPod interface. The Premium bundle (coupe only) combines all of the choices above.
The 2.5 SL package for the sedan adds leather upholstery, heated entrance seats, an auto-dimming rearview mirror and rear A/C vents. On the coupe, the SL package is essentially called the Leather package deal; it lacks rear A/C vents however beneficial properties xenon headlights.
Commonplace tools on the top-of-the-line 3.5 SR model features a V6 engine, 17-inch alloy wheels (18-inch on the coupe), a sport-tuned suspension, heated aspect mirrors and the contents of the 2.5 S Comfort package. The 3.5 SR Sport package deal (sedan solely) adds xenon headlights, foglights, a sunroof and dual-zone climate control. The 3.5 SR Premium package (supplied on both coupe and sedan) combines all of the items in the 2.5 S coupe's Premium package deal, SL package and Premium Audio package.
The Expertise bundle could be added to all 2.5 S and 3.5 SR models and features a arduous-drive navigation system with real-time visitors and weather updates, digital music storage and Bluetooth streaming audio capability.
Powertrains and Performance
Underneath the hood, the entrance-wheel-drive 2012 Nissan Altima may be had with one in every of two engines. All 2.5 fashions get a 2.5-liter four-cylinder that generates a hundred seventy five hp and a hundred and eighty pound-toes of torque. A continuously variable computerized transmission (CVT) is customary on all sedans, but it surely's non-obligatory on the coupe, which has a six-speed handbook standard. In Edmunds efficiency testing, a 2.5 S sedan sprinted from zero to 60 mph in a respectable 8.5 seconds. EPA-estimated gasoline economy for the 2.5-liter engine is 23 mpg city/32 mpg freeway and 27 mpg mixed with the CVT, and 23/31/26 mpg with the manual.
The sportier 3.5 SR is powered by a 3.5-liter V6 that produces 270 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque. The transmission selections are the same. In our exams, a 3.5 sedan went from zero to 60 mph in 7 seconds, while the 3.5 coupe did the identical dash in 6.7 seconds with the CVT and 6.5 seconds with the manual. EPA numbers for the 3.5-liter V6 are 20/27/23 mpg for the CVT and 18/27/21 mpg for the manual.
Safety
Every 2012 Nissan Altima comes normal with antilock brakes, stability and traction control, front seat aspect-impression airbags and aspect curtain airbags that cover both rows. In Edmunds brake testing, most Altimas no matter physique type came to a cease from 60 mph in about a hundred thirty feet, a number that's a bit longer than average for the category.
In authorities crash exams, the Altima sedan acquired an general security score of 4 stars (out of a attainable 5), with a 4-star ranking for frontal impacts and five stars for side impacts. In the Institute for Freeway Safety's frontal-offset and facet crash checks, the Altima sedan acquired the absolute best rating of "Good."
Inside Design and Particular Features
Inside, the 2012 Nissan Altima's passenger cabin presents prime-high quality supplies and enticing, if a bit plain, styling. Up entrance, Altima coupes characteristic properly bolstered sport seats in place of the sedan's flatter front buckets. Each the Altima coupe and sedan offer a bit much less rear-seat head- and legroom than a few of their opponents, although it is really solely a problem in the coupe and even then there's sufficient area to squeeze in a few adults for a short trip.
Gauges and controls are easy and uncomplicated, even in relation to the accessible navigation system. Most other high family sedans have caught as much as the Altima in regards to technology options, though the Altima nonetheless has a formidable assortment, together with its hard-drive-based navigation system and Bluetooth streaming audio.
Sedan fashions have a very good-measurement trunk with 15.3 cubic ft of cargo room. Altima coupes patrons should make do with a considerably smaller 8.2-cubic-foot cargo hold.
Driving Impressions
Which 2012 Nissan Altima mannequin is right for you relies upon a lot on your expectations. The four-cylinder engine under the hood of 2.5 fashions feels vigorous enough that it must be more than adequate for a majority of buyers. The CVT pleased several of our editors with its easy and responsive performance, whereas others felt it made the engine seem noisier underneath exhausting acceleration. The suspension here is biased toward ride consolation, though dealing with does not endure all that much for it. On the freeway, the Altima's experience quality by no means feels harsh or busy, and wind and road noise are muted.
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