Nissan Altima reviews

1997 Nissan Altima Walkaround

The Altima is available in four models--XE, GXE, SE and GLE--in ascending order. All share the same 150-horsepower four-cylinder engine and all but the GLE have a five-speed manual transmission as standard equipment. A four-speed automatic is an $800 option in the XE, GXE and SE, standard in the GLE.

Every Altima comes with standard dual air bags, side door beams and automatic seatbelt pre-tensioners. The only safety item missing from the standard equipment list is antilock braking, which is a $499 option across the board.

The basic Altima XE starts at $16,219, which includes basics like tilt steering column, rear-window defroster, intermittent wipers and cupholders, plus power windows. From there, you can add an XE Option Package which includes air conditioning, AM/FM/cassette audio and cruise control for $1899. If you are looking for more, we suggest you check out the GXE, SE or GLE, all of which come very well equipped with the option to upgrade even further.

Our test car was the top-level Altima GLE, which carried a base sticker price of $21,319 with freight. It comes very well-equipped with the automatic transmission plus leather seating surfaces, alloy wheels, air conditioning, security system, premium AM/FM/cassette sound system, power windows, mirrors and antenna, steering-wheel mounted cruise control, remote keyless entry and several other niceties like woodgrain trim and lighted vanity mirrors. The only two options are a two-way power moonroof ($849) and ABS ($499), which boosted the total to $22,667 including destination charges.

Although the GLE's standard leather upholstery sweetens that deal, it's clear that you can enjoy the Altima's solid virtues for less with judicious additions to the XE or GXE models. Or, for a sportier flavor, the SE.

The Altima looks good on paper and good in person--this is because the Altima bears more than a passing resemblance to Infiniti's handsome J30. In a class that boasts precious few lookers, the Altima sports smooth and wind-sculpted lines that appear every bit as contemporary as they did when the Altima first arrived.

Except for chromed, flush-mounted door handles and window trim, and its polished aluminum alloy 5-spoke wheels, the GLE's exterior is monochromatic. The result is a smart looking sedan with an upscale aura.

Underneath the sloping rear deck lid lies a spacious trunk that boasts 14.0 cubic feet storage space. While it lacks a fold down seat, the Altima does have a rear seat pass-through that can accommodate long objects such as skis. We also managed to fit a six-foot Christmas tree in the trunk--with the lid completely closed. Try that with a Ford Contour.

Other features of note include a power antenna mounted on the rear deck and body-colored, power mirrors that can be folded back, a feature that's quietly disappearing from other cars in this class.