2011 Nissan Altima

If you're expecting the Altima Hybrid to look significantly different, you're destined for disappointment; the Hybrid looks almost indistinguishable from the sedan, aside from low-key badging. But the Coupe is very distinctive; it's several inches shorter, with a much more tapered roofline and sculpted rear flanks, plus an altogether different treatment in back.

The same holds true inside; the Altima's instrument panel is straightforward and simple, yet sophisticated and a little sporty. The overall look can be drab in some colors, but bright trim and bezels spice it up somewhat.

The driving experience in the 2011 Nissan Altima sedan and Altima Coupe can be quite different, depending on the engine, but all Altimas handle just a little more enthusiastically than other mid-size sedans.

The Altima sedan and Coupe are offered in four-cylinder and V-6 versions. The base 2.5-liter four makes 175 horsepower and does just fine either with the six-speed manual (coupes only) or the Xtronic CVT automatic (both models). Under the hood of SR models is a 270-horsepower version of Nissan's well-regarded 3.5-liter DOHC V-6.

While the four-cylinder engine works better with a CVT than most, and it has no problem moving the Altima rapidly, the smaller engine doesn't so much match this sedan's somewhat sportier character and more able handling. With the V-6, the Altima feels refined and strong in either body style—although there's a little too much torque at times for the Altima to deliver smoothly through the front wheels. Some testers have been able to dash to 60 mph in less than six seconds with the V-6.

Nissan has decided to discontinue the slow-selling Altima Hybrid, but there still might be a few out there. With an advanced full-hybrid system with the 2.5-liter engine, it makes 198 hp altogether. That power reaches the road through a continuously variable transmission, also via the front wheels.

Coupes give up several inches of useful cabin space and are quite a bit tighter in back, with headroom scarce. Trunk space is plentiful, too, with fold-forward seats (on all but the Hybrid model) to accommodate larger items (though they don't fold flat), and the glovebox is huge. The instrument panel in either model has the intimate look and feel of a sports coupe without seeming tight, and controls are close at hand.

Our only lingering complaint is that the tactility of the controls leaves something to be desired, as does the plethora of hard, drab plastics. Ride quality tends to be good, though a bit on the firm side, in any of the sedan models; the Coupe's shorter wheelbase can make the ride slightly more pitchy, however. Road noise is a little more noticeable in Coupes and V-6 models, both of which have lower-profile tires.

The Altima sedan and Coupe models get top 'good' scores from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) in frontal and side impact tests, but earn only 'acceptable' for rear impact and roof strength. And in the new, revised NCAP testing from the federal government and introduced for 2011, the Altima sedan earns four stars overall, including four stars in frontal impact and five stars for side protection.

Front, side, and curtain airbags, along with electronic stability control and anti-lock brakes, are now all standard across the line, along with active head restraints that should help reduce the chance of whiplash.

Altima S models include Nissan's Intelligent Key system, six-speaker sound, air conditioning, rear seat heaters, a trip computer, dual power remote-controlled side-view mirrors, and speed-sensitive variable intermittent windshield wipers. Nissan's push-button ignition system is included on all Altimas, whether you like it or not.

Top SR models get a power driver's seat, wood interior trim, and a few other extras, while options include a Sport Package with High Intensity Discharge (HID) headlights, fog lights, a moonroof, and a rear spoiler, or a Technology Package with a nav system, Music Box hard drive music system, Bluetooth streaming audio, and XM NavTraffic and NavWeather. A Premium Package wraps those audio upgrades with leather seats (heated in front), plus mood lighting, rear A/C vents, and a HomeLink garage-door opener. When fully loaded, an 2011 Nissan Altima SR sedan can top $32k.

All four-cylinder Altima sedan models (and four-cylinder Altima Coupes with the CVT) come with fuel economy ratings of 23 mpg city, 32 highway. That's very respectable for the class, but not quite on par with a number of mid-size models—such as the Hyundai Sonata and Kia Optima, which both get 35 mpg highway. As for V-6 models they're about what you'd expect for the class, at 20 mpg city, 27 highway.

The 2011 Nissan Altima Hybrid is another story altogether; thanks to its sophisticated hybrid system, it achieves 33 mpg both in the city and on the highway. That places it among the lowest vehicles its size for carbon footprint.

All four-cylinder Altima sedan models (and four-cylinder Altima Coupes with the CVT) come with fuel economy ratings of 23 mpg city, 32 highway. That's very respectable for the class, but not quite on par with a number of mid-size models—such as the Hyundai Sonata and Kia Optima, which both get 35 mpg highway. As for V-6 models they're about what you'd expect for the class, at 20 mpg city, 27 highway.

The 2011 Nissan Altima Hybrid is another story altogether; thanks to its sophisticated hybrid system, it achieves 33 mpg both in the city and on the highway. That places it among the lowest vehicles its size for carbon footprint.