2016 Nissan Altima : The All-star Sedan

Nissan's popular mid-size sedan announces a revamp with better body styling and some tweaks on the inside

Last week, it was the very commodious and very German Passat we reviewed from the ultra-competitive mid-size segment. This week, we look at yet another from the class - the newly revamped 2016 Nissan Altima.
 Nissan's current range has a dual personality: models like the GT-R and Z series showcase great sporting tradition, while the Tiida, Maxima, X-trail etc, showcase vehicular practicality. Today, we check out the Altima SL3.5, which inherently should exhibit both personalities in equal measure thanks to its 4-door family car proportions and potent V6 engine. Let's have a closer look, shall we?

DESIGN & AESTHETICS
Some three years since the launch of the fifth and current generation, Nissan has revitalised its already swoopy-looking Altima, by resonating with the "Energetic Flow" design seen on the Resonance Concept and Sports Sedan Concept.
The new Altima retains the 4-door family sedan format. It measures 4,879mm in length, 1,830mm in width and 1,471mm in height. These proportions leave us a bit confused about how Nissan manages to market the Altima over the Maxima and vice versa, since they are pretty much of the same size. In any case, both sell.
The new Altima is sportier and edgier looking than its predecessor and rivals. All panels and pieces forward of the A-pillars are new - fascia, bumper, fenders, hood and lights. The pointier nose comes by adding two converging chrome strips in the 3-slot grille, that Nissan calls V-Motion grille, and by making the lower air intake more trapezoidal and less longitudinal. The lights, of course, evidently have had the biggest change, both in profile and detail. You still have xenon headlamps that spread brilliant bluish-white light out, augmented by the boomerang-shaped LED strips that stay 'on' during the day for increased visibility.
Not much has changed in profile, except for the addition of the new and nicer-looking 17-inch alloys available on all trims bar the base 2.5 S model. It's a 10-spoke variety with an intricate two-tone detailing that merges well with theme and is of a good diameter, striking a balance between ride and handling.
Along with the aesthetic changes comes a few aerodynamic changes that improve coefficient of drag to 0.26 Cd from the previous 0.29 Cd, courtesy of an active grille shutter, underbody aero enhancements and the new front and rear fascia and windshield designs.
Ultimately, the Altima isn't just a commuter anymore; with its new design it's almost like getting a bargain Infiniti. And since we have approved the looks, you can save yourself the time by choosing the paint schemes. Nissan offers plenty, including the popular red, grey and that deep blue pearl which happens to be the exact same shade available on the GT-R supercar as well.
As we move on to the "Gliding Wing" interior (in Nissan's words), let me say that there aren't too many changes on the inside. But don't be disheartened, it was a good cabin in any case. The choice of colours for the interior plastics and upholstery is between charcoal black and traditional beige. Both are accented by plenty of satin aluminium accents on the wheel, the centre console, the lower console and doors. On close inspection, we did notice this isn't a true luxury vehicle, some plastics are soft and others aren't.
The most appealing fixture, however, is the leather-wrapped 3-spoke steering wheel which has a beautiful and balanced design. I love the converging satin trims on the spoke and the lettering on the multi-function buttons. The upholstery choices are simple - you can either have leather or fabric. Leather keeps it less dusty, makes it easy to clean but will burn up under the sun. The reshaped seats are what Nissan call zero gravity seats; it means they have designed them in such a manner that no one body part takes on the weight. Thankfully, you don't have to be in space to feel the comfort!  

POWERTRAIN & PERFORMANCE
For the test drive, we had the top spec SL model with the 3.5-litre V6 motor, which is good for 266bhp at 6,400rpm and makes a prodigious 350Nm of twisting force at 4,400rpm. There is also a more affordable and economical 2.5-litre, 4-cylinder model available. We climbed aboard and pressed on the push button starter to get the engine running. Interestingly enough, the Altima was amongst the first cars to have this feature as standard and continues to do so.
As soon as the engine settles into an idle, you'd notice that the cabin is reasonably quiet. From the stillness of the traffic light to a speeding lane, you can feel that the engine is extremely responsive and there is a good degree of control from the accelerator pedal. The hydraulic pump-electric power steering is reasonably light, making it easy to maneuver around traffic, but the wheel doesn't roll back into centre position as much as we expected.
When we got back onto the highway to get across town, we floored the throttle and thanks to the 266 horses on tap, there is a strong acceleration. The 3.5 V6 is a disguised hot-rod and this kind of power is more than you need in any family sedan, but the 2.5 is up to snuff too. Both the engines are mated to an X-tronic CVT and that CVT's infamous for engine drone associated with holding engine rpms. But Nissan boffins have fiddled the shift points so the revs are allowed to climb the tachometer somehow, giving it the feel of a conventional transmission.
Independent strut and multi-link rear keep most of the body roll in check whilst providing optimal traction, expected of a family sedan. End of the day, this isn't a sports sedan but it's fun to drive and that's what matters. We expect fuel economy to average around 13 L/100km and that is a decent figure for a powerful V6. However, by driving carefully you can extend the range of the 68-litre tank. In our 4-day test, we didn't have to refuel once and we presume you won't have to either.

FEATURES & FUNCTIONALITY
With the current temperature, you need a reliable air-conditioner and the unit in the Altima does its bit to negate the heat gain from the sun (as well as a Toyota, at least). On the keyfob is an extra button, a remote starter, that allows the cabin to cool before you climb in. This feature should be made standard across all models of all manufactures, we think. Also, the hard HVAC controls on the centre console make it easier to operate.
There are plenty of safety features to reduce health risks while on the move - like VDC and TCS, that control vehicle dynamics and make sure optimum power goes to the right wheels; then, you have the traditional ABS that adjusts braking force to keep you in the intended line of motion. You also get blind sport warning and rear cross traffic alert that protects you by keeping you away from less visible traffic. And finally, systems like forward emergency braking and predictive forward collision warning help mitigate accidents or their impacts.
The 436-litre capacity is plenty for weekend grocery shopping and more. The rear seats do drop down for added space, but not quite flat. As for entertainment, there is a Bose-sourced audio system that plays AM FM frequencies, mp3 CDs and music through auxiliary input. There are also a couple of USBs. It's a good system and Bose is a good brand to see in this segment.
At the Telematics Detroit, the world's largest forum dedicated to the future of connected auto mobility, the NissanConnect with Mobile Apps was awarded the Industry Newcomer Award, so that must say something. It features Bluetooth, a messaging assistant, voice recognition etc. The 7-inch display also allows for a user-friendly navigation system.

VERDICT
The 2016 Altima has a sportier exterior that is sure to excite potential buyers. And, as before, it still offers sufficient space, features and the V6 gives it great drivability. But do keep in mind that the resale value is average and the longevity is not comparable to some other Japanese rivals.

• On The Road