2013 Nissan Altima

The new Nissan Altima shows how cars are getting better in many ways, worse in others. This family sedan looks and feels more upscale, has advanced a new technology, and gets much better gas mileage than its predecessor, which is so popular that he was the second best selling car in America was last year. But the improvements have a balance: The new Nissan Altima has lost its sporty character. This is a trend spreading across the industry, which already has cars like the Honda Civic and Volkswagen Jetta taken. Both lost the spunkiness they were known for following the recent redesign. Now they feel less nimble-boring, too.

The change results from car manufacturers' efforts to enhance the comfort, improve adding features and improving fuel economy, without jacking up prices. The 2013 Nissan Altima delivers on all these fronts, but are a part of fun in return. But it remains an attractive choice. Many drivers are probably not very numb steering response and less lively handling compared to the previous Altima. Instead, they are to appreciate their good looks, luxury and high-tech features. But Nissan Altima, says all drivers, including a dynamic driving experience to so some might be disappointed.

Try a few different versions of the new Altima on winding country roads in the vicinity of the Nissan Nashville headquarters revealed that not bad in terms of driving dynamics. The car certainly feels feet, thanks to a thoroughly revised chassis and wider track. It also has a completely new rear suspension that will last for better stability when cornering. There is even something not currently in any other medium-sized family sedan in the price range of the Altima found: vehicle understeer control the type of function is usually only on high-end sports cars like the McLaren MP4-12C is shown. The automatic and almost imperceptibly applies light braking to the inside front wheel when cornering hard to keep pushing the car of course.

The only way to feel the system at work, is that they induce targeted by goosing the throttle understeer and shocks the wheel just before entering a sharp curve. It worked as intended every time and comes standard on all Altimas, which is good. But the car had somehow lacks the personality to have. The fact that the Altima is bigger, has had a quieter interior and a refined ride to do something. But the biggest culprit is the steering feel. The sensation to the driver through the steering wheel may have the greatest impact on the way a car "feel."

Many car manufacturers are trading traditional hydraulic steering systems for electric ones, to increase fuel economy, because the old hydraulic systems power the motor. The result is often something like a video game completely artificial feel like the Toyota Prius. Nissan took a different route and created an "electro-hydraulic system" that the hydraulic pump, but it retains powers an electric motor instead of the engine. This has a great influence on the improvement of fuel consumption, without induction of an artificial feel. And it really works. But ultimately, the new system still does not feel as good as the old one.

Again, many car buyers are not a bit. What they are likely to notice how elegant and stylish car that looks, with its curved and folded parts of the body and just the right amount of chrome. To increase or, as the "Zero Gravity" chairs, designed with proprietary data from NASA, to increase blood flow and muscle stress and fatigue, remain comfortable and supportive after hours of driving. Or, as the horn honks automatically when filling the tires to tell if the pressure is good. Or thicker padding in the headlining will ensure that the interior quieter than before. Or how the controls are well placed and easy to use.

Nissan offers a four-cylinder and six-cylinder engine in the new Altima. Most people will opt for the four-cylinder engine, Nissan says. It is an impressive 27 mpg city and 38 mpg highway, the Environmental Protection Agency estimates. The engine provides enough power, but does not feel very strong and sounds anemic when pushed hard. The six-cylinder engine is a different story. It completely changed the Altima, with great power and good sound. Nissan says that only about 10 percent for the V6, which gets 22 mpg city/31 mpg highway to go.

The V6 comes with paddle shifters on the handlebars. This is especially important for people to feel or traditional broadcasts as well as the shift for themselves probably because Nissan only offers a continuously variable one in the Altima. This type of transmission takes place via the pulley simulate gears and is generally more efficient than conventional automatic transmission. The CVT in the Altima 2013 is significantly updated and is a major contributor to the leading car fuel consumption. Some people do not like the lack of gear changes. In any case equipped V6 Altimas, there is the option to use the paddles on the steering wheel to simulate switch.

Nissan says it is always great value for money is a top priority for the Altima driver. So the new car packs a lot of features. The basic model with a four-cylinder engine called the Altima 2.5 starts at $ 21,500 and comes standard with luxury items such as keyless entry system, Bluetooth connectivity and unique Active Understeer Control. The configuration is a popular 2.5SV, says Nissan. It costs $ 24,100 and adds larger wheels, improved smart phone connectivity, dual-zone climate control and a rearview camera, among other things. This is a good deal compared to a similarly equipped Honda Accord.

A fully loaded 3.5SL model with leather, Bose audio system, navigation system, rearview camera, heated seats, dead zone and much more, you are a medium-sized family sedan with a roomy back seat, in looks and acts like a luxury car, for just around $ 32.000. There is no doubt the new Altima is a good value. And the company has managed to make it more upscale. I hope to figure out how the steering and suspension components other tweak in future versions to get back some of the former Verve Altima.

Posted in: Nissan