In the sea of four-door family sedans on the market, there have been many attempts but few successes crossing over into the coupe world. Honda and Mitsubishi have had minor triumphs with their respective Accord Coupe and Eclipse, and Hyundai has also set a new benchmark with their Genesis Coupe. But Nissan may have set a new standard with its 2010 Altima Coupe. Taking the functionality and reliability of its four-door counterpart, Nissan has injected style and performance to convert it into a two-door coupe that's modern on the inside, sleek on the outside, and even more affordable than the competition. At first glance, the 2010 Altima Coupe has a more sharply angled rear than the sedan, with dual exhaust pipes adding a sporty touch between the 18-inch allow wheels. While the rear and side views reveal a sporty and sexy design, the front is a different story. As you move around to the front of the car, you expect to see a sleeker, streamlined front end, but are a greeted with a more traditional extended sedan look. All-around the 2010 Altima Coupe is an attractive car but the head-on view of the car could almost pass for a Maxima. What does manage to impress us about the Altima Coupe is the surprising power under the hood. The 3.5-liter V6 engine puts out 270-horsepower, accelerating 0-60 in just 5.5 seconds. For those less apt to having an iron foot, the 2.5 S model, with its 175-hp 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine is more than enough for the road. The 6-speed manual transmission comes standard on all models, and Nissan's Xtronic CVT (continuously variable transmission) proves impressive with its ability to max out fuel efficiency to a decent 27 mpg highway. The interior is satisfying upon first glance; the layout is efficient, plus the soft-touch detailing on the dash and door panels are a pleasing addition while the leather-wrapped steering wheel gives off a luxurious vibe. iPod and Bluetooth hookups are centrally located, and the layout of the control panel was designed for function, not flash, with its digital climate control and steering wheel controls providing a convenient touch. The optional 4.3-inch screen display with rear camera ensures that the lower seating height doesn't compromise safety while backing out, and protects against significant blind spots. The Premium package of the Altima Coupe comes equipped with an advanced nine speaker Bose audio system surrounding the front bucket-style seating and rear 60/40 fold seats. However, while the front cabin has the roominess and modern gadgetry a driver needs, the rear seats leave much to be desired, especially legroom, headroom and ease of entry. The 60/40 rear fold seats provide some additional space in the trunk, but not enough for carrying large loads. For the driver who has an occasional passenger, this set up is sufficient, but for those who consistently carpool or lug around extra baggage, backseat access and trunk space are a challenge.  Extras are what make the Altima Coupe a safe bet for those looking for something sportier for cruising and comfortable enough for commuting. The XM NavTraffic gives drivers a heads up on traffic conditions on their route, allowing them to make alternate driving plans to avoid accidents and delays. The Nissan Advanced Air Bag System (NAABS), Traction Control System (TCS) and 4 wheel anti-lock brakes are just a few of the safety features passed on to the Coupe that have made the 4-door Altima one of the top-rated family sedans in the past.  Overall, the 2010 Nissan Altima Coupe is a draw; it's sportier than a sedan, but not as flashy as its more luxurious cousins the Infiniti G35 Coupe or the 350Z. With a satisfying starting price point under $23,000 it's a great option for those looking for something sleeker than a sedan and less expensive than a luxury coupe, keeping in mind that certain design elements coupled with the driving performance make the Altima Coupe sufficient, but not mind-blowing. The bottom-line; it's fun to drive, good-looking, and filled with the modern gadgetry we all want—which is more than enough for most drivers.

View post:
2010 Nissan Altima Coupe