Redesigned for 2007, Nissan's midsize Altima adds a new coupe body style for 2008. The coupe's powertrain offerings are similar to the sedan's, but the coupe receives unique styling elements. For the sedan, antilock brakes are now standard. Competitors include the Ford Fusion, Honda Accord and Toyota Camry. Four-cylinder Altima sedans come in 2.5 or 2.5 S trim levels, while the 3.5 SE and 3.5 SL have V-6 power. Coupes are available in 2.5 S and 3.5 SE guise. A gasoline/electric Altima Hybrid sedan is also offered. Measuring 189.8 inches long, the Altima sedan is 2.5 inches shorter than the previous generation. It's 57.9 inches high and 70.7 inches wide. The grille includes a subtle notch in the center that Nissan calls its "T" shape, and the Altima's flared fenders and sculpted headlights resemble Nissan's 350Z sports car. The rear of the sedan features jeweled taillights. Compared to the sedan, the Altima coupe is shorter in length and height, and it also has its own grille, headlights and taillights. Standard wheels measure 16 inches in diameter. The 3.5 SE has 17-inch wheels. Xenon high-intensity-discharge headlights are optional on V-6 models. Both the coupe and sedan have seating for five people. Cloth seating surfaces are standard, but leather upholstery is optional. The rear seatback is split and can be folded down when long items need to be carried inside the car. Options include Bluetooth-based cell phone connectivity, a navigation system and nine-speaker Bose audio. The sedan's trunk volume measures 15.3 cubic feet, which beats the Camry (15.0) but falls short of the Ford Fusion (15.8). The coupe's cargo area measures 7.4 cubic feet. The standard engine is Nissan's 2.5-liter four-cylinder, which produces 175 horsepower (170 hp in California). The 3.5-liter V-6 makes 270 hp and 258 pounds-feet of torque. A six-speed manual or CVT automatic transmission is available with either engine. Side-impact and side curtain airbags are standard, as are all-disc antilock brakes. An electronic stability system is optional.
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