Nissan Altima Ti 2013 Review - International

Nissan’s mid-size Altima sedan is but weeks away from Australian showrooms.

The Camry competitor is set to arrive locally with a choice of four- and six-cylinder petrol power driving its front wheels exclusively through a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT).

These facts are known, but what isn’t yet known is just how the model feels behind the wheel. To help with that, we jumped behind the wheel of a US-spec Altima at the Nissan 360 event in the US this week.

A quick run around Nissan’s ‘world circuit’ was all that was on offer to motoring.com.au, but this very quick trek around the disused runways of the former El Toro Marine Base was time enough to get an understanding of the car that is set to replace the slow-selling Maxima.

Sampling the 3.5-litre V6-powered Altima Ti (high grade), we find effortless power right from the get go with just a slight narrowing in power delivery as the engine climbs past 3000rpm.

Nissan’s VQ35DE engine, familiar to the previous 350Z and new Pathfinder, delivers 201kW at 6400rpm and 350Nm at 4400rpm. It’s a clean-revving unit with a level of flexibility that suits the XTRONIC auto in this application -- a transmission that is adept at keeping the engine in its sweet spot during heavier throttle applications for impressive acceleration.

Nissan is yet to advise a fuel consumption figure for the local market, but US-spec Altima models list a highway figure of 31MPG (around 7.15L/100km) and a city figure of 22MPG (or 10.6L/100km).

The body seems to present a little of that famed American ‘softness’ when pushed into corners, but in reality the ride/handling compromise is suitable for the vehicle’s intended purpose.

The steering is well assisted but not too light, and feels linear through rapid changes of direction. Pleasantly, it’s not completely devoid of feedback, either.

On the concrete surface of our test track the Altima’s low-profile 18-inch rubber did present a little tyre hum, but that’s to be expected. We didn’t really travel fast enough to comment on wind noise, but the cabin seemed free of rattles, which is impressive considering just how many hard plastic surfaces there are meeting one another.

The high-grade Altima Ti driven featured a hefty equipment list including Bluetooth telephony and music streaming functionality, tyre pressure monitoring, powered seats, cruise control, auto headlights and wipers, alloy wheels, remote engine start and a five-inch colour display screen boasting BOSE audio and satellite-navigation.

And what better place to enjoy all these goodies than in a plush cabin? The extensive use of plastics across the door cards, console and dashboard aside, the Altima’s seats are well upholstered in what we understand is psuedo-leather, enhanced by seat heaters up front [I really must thank the last guy for leaving those on in +33-degree heat].

There’s a decent level of accommodation too -- especially in the back -- which previous Maxima owners might find surprising. According to VFACTS, the Altima is a size smaller than the model it seeks to replace.

Just how well the US-built Altima sampled here will translate to the Australian market still anyone’s guess. Our Altima will be sourced from Thailand and fitted with ‘localised’ suspension tune and equipment grading.

Nissan prices its base spec Altima from $21,860 Stateside, though we anticipate a figure nearer to $30,000 for the entry-level model in Oz, in line with its competitors.

The Altima, which forms the basis of Nissan’s V8 Supercar assault Down Under will arrive in local showrooms from November.

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