the Nissan Altima is unchanged for 2011

Nissan Altima Reviews

Nissan's midsize Altima is available in both coupe and sedan body styles. A gasoline/electric Altima Hybrid sedan is also offered. The coupe's main competitor — the Accord coupe — is larger overall. Exterior features include:
Other than a slight shuffling of option packages, the Nissan Altima is unchanged for 2011.

Well, the 2011 Nissan Altima is one of those exceptions. The Altima's fun factor depends largely on which engine you choose.
The 2011 Nissan Altima is available in sedan and coupe body styles. The hybrid-powered Altima sedan is reviewed separately. The 2.5 S trim is available on both the sedan and coupe. The 2.5 S coupe adds 17-inch alloy wheels.
The Special Edition package includes alloy wheels, foglights, a rear spoiler, auto on/off headlights and a leather-wrapped steering wheel (with audio controls). On the coupe, the SL package is essentially called the Leather package; it lacks rear A/C vents but gains xenon headlights.

The 3.5 SR adds a V6 engine, 17-inch alloy wheels (18s for the coupe), a sport-tuned suspension, heated side mirrors and the contents of the 2.5 S Convenience package. The 3.5 SR Sport package available on the sedan adds a sunroof, xenon headlights, foglights and dual-zone climate control. The 3.5 SR Premium package (available on the coupe and sedan) essentially includes all the 2.5 S coupe Premium package, SL package and Premium Audio package items.

The Technology package is available on the coupe and sedan versions of both the 2.5 S and 3.5 SR trims. The 2011 Nissan Altima features two engine choices. A continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) is mandatory on the sedan. EPA estimated fuel economy is 23 mpg city/32 mpg highway and 27 mpg combined with the CVT and 23/31/26 mpg with the manual.

Every Altima comes standard with antilock brakes, stability and traction control, front side airbags and side curtain airbags. The Altima coupe earned four stars for frontal impacts and five stars for side impacts. All coupes come with sportier seats that feature more side bolstering than the sedan's relatively flat chairs. The sedan offers a decent 15.3-cubic-foot trunk, while the coupe is significantly smaller at 8.2 cubic feet.

The 2011 Nissan Altima 2.5 should be just fine for most folks. The CVT is well suited to the more powerful V6, and the sport-tuned suspension paired with precise steering makes the Altima a credible sport sedan.

The 2011 Nissan Altima adds Special Edition and Alloy Wheel trim packages for the 2.5 S sedan and gains three new exterior colors (Metallic Slate, Saharan Stone, and Brilliant Silver). Otherwise, the 2011 Altima is unaltered from the 2010 Nissan Altima. The 2011 Altima returns in four-door sedan and two-door-coupe form. Should you buy a 2011 Nissan Altima or wait for the 2012 Nissan Altima? Buy a 2011 Altima. Aside from some fresh shades of grey, silver and tan, the 2011 Nissan Altima sedan and coupe models are visual duplicates of their 2010 counterparts. Altima’s clientele values expressive styling. The 2011 Altima sedan and coupe again share mechanical components, and the sedan continues to lend much of its underskin engineering to the upscale Nissan Maxima. The 2011 Altima sedan’s dimensions are average for a midsize four-door. Among Altima rivals, only Accord offers a coupe in addition to a sedan, though sedans in this class sell in greater numbers by far.

The 2011 Altima sedan returns three models: the 2.5, 2.5 S, and 3.5 SR. Mechanical: Nissan doesn’t tinker with a 2011 Altima foundation built on two gas engines and a gas-electric hybrid. Most Altima buyers opt for the four-cylinder engine and the 2011 Altima’s 2.5 sedan and 2.5 S sedan and coupe have had good success with their 175-horsepower 2.5-liter four. Features: The 2011 Nissan Altima’s two new trim packages are exclusive to the most popular model in the lineup, the 2.5 S sedan equipped with the CVT. The new Alloy Package fits the 2011 Altima 2.5 S sedan with the 17-inch aluminum wheels from the 3.5 SR models.

The 2011 Nissan Altima’s list of standard features includes four-wheel disc brakes with antilock technology to maximize control in emergency stops and traction control to limit wheel slip on takeoffs. The 2011 Altima’s starting prices range from $20,650-$30,850. Unlike most model lines that include a hybrid, the 2011 Altima Hybrid isn’t the most expensive car in the line – that distinction goes to the 2011 Altima 3.5 SR coupe.