2008 Nissan Altima Coupe Review

PROS  Sporty but comfortable ride, Energetic and smooth powertrain, Refined interior

CONS  Scant headroom with sunroof, Too much road noise, Poor rear visibility

Nissan got serious about competing with Toyota and Honda in the midsize-car market with the 2002 Altima. That year Altima was completely redesigned and restyled, significantly larger than the model it replaced, and, for the first time, it sported an optional V6 engine. That Altima helped Nissan rebound from sales doldrums and re-establish itself as a big-time automaker in the U.S.

For 2007, Nissan's flagship Altima is restyled yet again. Though the shape is similar to the previous generation, the 2007 Altima is actually a completely new car that's one inch shorter overall and two inches shorter in wheelbase than the model it replaces. Nissan also gave Altima a number of new features and began selling a hybrid model in California and certain east-coast states.

Nissan wasn't done. In 2008 they introduced the Altima coupe. Designed to compete with two-doors like Honda Accord coupe, Pontiac G6 coupe, and Toyota Camry Solara, the Altima coupe rode on a wheelbase that was four inches shorter than the sedan and was nearly seven inches shorter overall.

The front-drive-only Altima comes in Base, S, SE, SL, and Hybrid trim. Sedan models are offered in all five trim levels while coupes come only in S and SE trim. A 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine that makes 175 horsepower is standard on Base, S, and 2.5SL. SE and 3.5SL come with a 3.5-liter V6 that has 270-horsepower. A 6-speed manual transmission is standard on all models except the 3.5SL. Standard on the 3.5SL and optional on S, 2.5SL, and SE is a continuously variable automatic transmission.

The Hybrid model comes with a 2.5-liter, four-cylinder engine, two electric motors, battery pack, and a continuously variable transmission. Combined power output totals about 200 horsepower. The hybrid system is licensed from Toyota. It can operate in electric-only mode at slow speeds and the battery pack is charged when slowing down or cruising.

Standard safety equipment on all Altima models includes antilock brakes and dual front, front-side, and curtain-side airbags. Stability control is optional on models with the V6 engine.

List prices start at $18,620 for the base model and climb to $28,670 for the SL. All models carry a $660 destination charge. Available features include leather upholstery, sunroof, keyless access and starting, Bose audio system with 6-disc CD changer, satellite radio, Bluetooth cell-phone link, and HID headlamps. A navigation system with real-time traffic information and a rear-view camera is optional on the Hybrid.

The Altima is built in Nissan's Smyrna, Tennessee factory.

Get up and Go  Since the introduction of the V6 in the 2002 model, Altima has been one of the quickest accelerating midsize cars. That doesn't change for 2008 as the 3.5-liter V6/manual transmission combo will pull the Altima from 0 to 60 mph in less than 7.0 seconds. Altima is one of those cars that's always going faster than you think.

More impressive than the engine's power is the overall powertrain smoothness. There's ample grunt off the line and impressive passing power. The engine willingly revs up to redline and is sewing-machine smooth at idle. Truth be told, the 2.5-liter four is more than adequate for just about any need, yet the smooth and intoxicating power of the V6 is do addictive, once you drive it, you won't want to give it up.

The manual transmission has short throws and a solid feel. The clutch, on the other hand, feels dead and doesn't have a clearly defined pickup point. In addition, there's a modest squeak during the top inch of travel that grows annoying in stop-and-go traffic.

Unlike the previous-generation Altima, the 2008 model does not suffer from undue torque steer when accelerating out of corners. There's still a bit of wheel spin on slippery surfaces, but the traction control that is standard on V6 models does a good job of keeping it to a minimum.

EPA estimates for the V6 Altima coupe with manual transmission are 19 mpg city and 27 mpg highway. That is slightly better than both the Honda Accord V6 and Toyota Camry Solara V6. Nissan recommends premium-grade fuel for best performance and economy.

In reality, the Altima is very fuel efficient given the car's acceleration potential. Expect to average about 20 mpg in routine city driving. If your commute includes lots of highway driving, a 26 mpg average isn't out of the question. In addition to exceptional fuel economy for a powerful V6, the Altima boasts a class-leading 20-gallon fuel tank. That extends driving range well beyond 400 miles and means fewer trips to the gas station.

On the Road  Altima is a model of composure over most surfaces. The suspension does an excellent job of absorbing bumps rather than amplifying them. Four-cylinder and 3.5SL models offer the smoothest ride. SE rides more firmly and will occasionally pound over bumps and expansion joints.

Obviously, the SE is the athlete of the bunch. Regardless of trim, Altima offers a sporty ride that remains unruffled in quick lane changes or fast turns. Undue body motions are kept to a minimum and lean in turns is negligible. With a shorter wheelbase and lower curb weight, the coupe feels more nimble than the sedan.

When driving Altima swiftly, you get a sense that the front tires are pulling you around a corner, rather than the car tracking through the corner. Perhaps it is by design, but this inspires confidence in the average driver. Occasionally the rear end will step out in the middle of a turn if you hit a large pot hole, but otherwise Altima is unflappable.

Brakes are strong, and pedal modulation is quite good. Steering has a natural feel unless you're really pushing. Then it feels somewhat over boosted and can leave drivers sawing at the wheel while trying to maintain a smooth arc in sweeping turns.

Inside, Altima coupe is not as quiet as Camry Solara. Noise levels are reduced compared to the previous generation, perhaps on par with Accord coupe. The four-cylinder engine is noisier than the silky V6 and the V-rated tires on the SE V6 noisy enough on rough concrete surfaces to disrupt quiet conversation.

Behind the Wheel  At first blush the new Altima looks expensive. The interior is awash in class-leading materials and sports surprisingly good assembly quality. There's even a bit of bright work in the brushed aluminum center console trim. In addition, the switchgear moves with precision befitting a much more expensive car. Sadly, rear-seat passengers in the coupe have to endure side panels that are molded from inexpensive-looking hard plastic. They seem out of place in a car costing $30,000.

The dashboard layout is simple and straightforward, but still retains a sporty character. Gauges are placed directly in front of the driver and are easy to read. Audio and climate controls are large and clearly-marked. Buttons and knobs for the windows and power mirrors are conveniently placed.

The front seats are firm yet comfortable. They offer adequate support in turns without being overly confining. Head and leg room are acceptable, though taller drivers may want to stay away from the optional sunroof, which lowers the headliner a bit. Thanks to tilt-telescope steering wheel, driving position is good. The coupe's thick rear pillars restrict visibility to the rear three quarters.

Rear-seat riders won't be too happy in the coupe. Leg room is marginal with the front seats half-way back and non-existent if they are pushed all the way back. Head room is also tight thanks to the sloping roofline. The front-passenger seat tilts and slides at the flip of a lever, however, that lever is located on the inboard side of the seatback, requiring the driver to operate it rather than the person entering the vehicle.

The coupe's trunk is merely adequate for a week's worth of groceries or three large suitcases. Split-rear seatbacks fold to increase cargo space. Interior storage is highlighted by an extra-large glove box and a deep center bin below the climate controls.

Bottom Line  The Nissan Altima is a great car. It belongs at the top of the list for midsize shoppers along with Accord, Camry, and Chevrolet Malibu. The differences between Altima sedan and coupe are more striking than you'd expect. Obviously the coupe makes more sense as a two seater and the sedan is the choice for families. Yet there's more to the Altima coupe than just a sexy body shell. The shorter wheelbase makes for more alert handling and the lowered roofline creates an air of athleticism.

The coupe competition is tough and the market is narrow. Those factors have forced Nissan to keep prices respectable. A loaded 3.5SE tops off just north of $30,000, which is roughly where top-line Accord coupe and Camry Solaras sit. So, shoppers really do have a lot of options when looking for a large coupe.