The 2013 Altima is impressive. This completely redesigned midsize sedan is quicker, lighter, and serves up a more appealing interior than its predecessor. The speed attack is noticeably improved on the 2.5-liter 4-cylinder powertrain package. There’s also an 80-pound vehicle weight loss and a silky smooth 0.299 coefficient of drag versus the 0.31 Cd in 2012. (That ultra low air-drag around the body benefits from the addition of two underbody panels and six air deflectors.) The 5th-generation Altima’s new multi-link rear suspension gives the sedan even better response to steering inputs, which helped make a one-week test drive an absolute fun-fest. The car’s NASA- inspired front seats effectively reduce body fatigue by positioning the occupant’s spine in a position that’s similar to a gravity-free posture.

Front wheel drive Altima’s redesigned 2.5-liter 4-cylinder dropped 11 pounds, but gained horsepower (going from the 2012 model’s 175 to 182 with the 2013 model). The 180 pounds-feet torque 2.5-liter engine has variable valve timing on intake and exhaust camshafts. An available 3.5-liter V6 engine produces 270 horsepower at 6000 rpm and 251 pounds-feet of torque at 4400 rpm. Both engines mate to a new continuously variable transmission (CVT), which correlates to improved fuel economy versus the 2012 model. Altima’s Easy Fill Tire Alert is a neat feature. When a tire is filled with the right amount of air, the car’s horn beeps. The 2013 Nissan Altima SV with 4-cylinder engine collects estimated mpg of 27 city and 38 highway and carries a
MSRP of $24,100.