2010 Nissan Altima Coupe 2.5 S

Sporty sibling to Nissan’s best selling sedan

By Nina Russin

2010 Nissan Altima Coupe

The mid-sized Altima is Nissan’s best-selling passenger car. Filling the space between the upscale Maxima and value-packed Sentra, the five-passenger Altima offers buyers versatility and style in an affordable package.

Three years ago, Nissan pumped up the Altima’s sex appeal with a sleek new coupe. The coupe’s profile is similar to the iconic 370Z. Designers shortened the car’s wheelbase four inches compared to the sedan, and concealed the B pillar behind glass, emphasizing the coupe’s bullet shape.

The Altima sedan and coupe share very little sheetmetal. Both have the same hood, but the coupe’s grille, headlamps, tail lamps and all other major body panels are unique. The coupe is about two inches lower than the sedan, giving it a sportier appearance, and enhancing high-speed handling.

Buyers can choose from two engines: a 2.5-liter inline four-cylinder block, or a 3.5-liter V6. Both come with a choice of six-speed manual transmission or continuously variable automatic.

This week, I got some seat time in the 2.5 S, equipped with the 175-horsepower four-cylinder engine and six-speed manual gearbox. Base price is $22,440, not including the $720 destination charge. An option package adds leather trim, an eight-way power driver’s seat, automatic headlamps, and steering wheel mounted audio controls ($1070). Floor and trunk mats cost $175. Read the rest of this entry »