X

Nissan's new Altima pushes boundaries of its class (pictures)

The 2013 Altima exhibits a number of unexpected features, such as being longer than the current Maxima and getting paddle shifters that an F1 driver would find familiar.

Wayne Cunningham
Wayne Cunningham reviews cars and writes about automotive technology for CNET's Roadshow. Prior to the automotive beat, he covered spyware, Web building technologies, and computer hardware. He began covering technology and the Web in 1994 as an editor of The Net magazine.
Wayne Cunningham
35524770-5.jpg
1 of 19 Josh Miller/CNET
For 2013, Nissan gives its bread-and-butter midsize sedan, the Altima, a major update. Among the changes, the Altima gets a new body and suspension, plus new cabin electronics.
35524770-6.jpg
2 of 19 Josh Miller/CNET
Current Nissan models do not show a cohesive design language, but similarity is emerging between the new Altima and Sentra models, which could mean styling cues that will spread across other models.
35524770_SS01.jpg
3 of 19 Josh Miller/CNET
This high-trim Altima SL also came with the top engine, a 3.5-liter V-6 making 270 horsepower. The other engine available is a 2.5-liter four-cylinder.
35524770-7.jpg
4 of 19 Josh Miller/CNET
Nissan expanded the size of the Altima, making it a full inch longer than the current Maxima. As a result, the cabin is very roomy.
35524770_SS02.jpg
5 of 19 Josh Miller/CNET
Nissan did some very interesting suspension engineering, giving the Altima a very supple and solid ride.
35524770_SS04.jpg
6 of 19 Josh Miller/CNET
Like the cabin, the trunk of the Altima is huge.
35524770_SS05.jpg
7 of 19 Josh Miller/CNET
In this high-trim model, the driver's seat is power-adjustable, but the passenger seat has manual controls.
35524770_SS06.jpg
8 of 19 Josh Miller/CNET
This big rear bench seat can easily hold three, and probably four in a pinch.
35524770-8.jpg
9 of 19 Josh Miller/CNET
Nissan makes a reasonably priced tech package available for the Altima that includes navigation and some driver assistance features, but this car did not come with it.
35524770_SS07.jpg
10 of 19 Josh Miller/CNET
The power-steering system delivers very good road feel, using an electric motor to generate hydraulic boost.
35524770_SS09.jpg
11 of 19 Josh Miller/CNET
The steering-wheel spokes host well-integrated controls for the cabin electronics. Behind the wheel are big paddle shifters.
35524770_SS10.jpg
12 of 19 Josh Miller/CNET
The instrument cluster includes an LCD with driver-selectable information, such as trip data or the current music selection.
35524770_SS11.jpg
13 of 19 Josh Miller/CNET
The Altima only comes with this continuously variable transmission, which constantly adjusts ratios to maximize fuel efficiency.
35524770_SS16.jpg
14 of 19 Josh Miller/CNET
If lacking the navigation option, the Altima comes with this 5-inch LCD on the dashboard, which shows audio and some phone information.
35524770_SS18.jpg
15 of 19 Josh Miller/CNET
The LCD shows the music library of a connected iPod, with music arranged by artist, album, track, and playlist.
35524770_SS17.jpg
16 of 19 Josh Miller/CNET
The music display for connected iPods includes album art, adding a nice visual element.
35524770_SS20.jpg
17 of 19 Josh Miller/CNET
The standard Bose audio system in the SL trim delivers very strong sound.
35524770_SS22.jpg
18 of 19 Josh Miller
The hands-free phone system can only be operated through voice command, although this screen shows what you can say.
35524770_SS23.jpg
19 of 19 Josh Miller
The only driver assistance feature without the navigation option is a rearview camera.

More Galleries

My Favorite Shots From the Galaxy S24 Ultra's Camera
A houseplant

My Favorite Shots From the Galaxy S24 Ultra's Camera

20 Photos
Honor's Magic V2 Foldable Is Lighter Than Samsung's Galaxy S24 Ultra
magic-v2-2024-foldable-1383

Honor's Magic V2 Foldable Is Lighter Than Samsung's Galaxy S24 Ultra

10 Photos
The Samsung Galaxy S24 and S24 Plus Looks Sweet in Aluminum
Samsung Galaxy S24

The Samsung Galaxy S24 and S24 Plus Looks Sweet in Aluminum

23 Photos
Samsung's Galaxy S24 Ultra Now Has a Titanium Design
The Galaxy S24 Ultra in multiple colors

Samsung's Galaxy S24 Ultra Now Has a Titanium Design

23 Photos
I Took 600+ Photos With the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max. Look at My Favorites
img-0368.jpg

I Took 600+ Photos With the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max. Look at My Favorites

34 Photos
17 Hidden iOS 17 Features You Should Definitely Know About
Invitation for the Apple September iPhone 15 event

17 Hidden iOS 17 Features You Should Definitely Know About

18 Photos
AI or Not AI: Can You Spot the Real Photos?
img-1599-2.jpg

AI or Not AI: Can You Spot the Real Photos?

17 Photos