All-new 2014 Nissan Altima first drive

THE 5TH gen Nissan Altima has boomerang headlamp housings inspired by the Nissan 370Z sports car. PHOTOS BY AIDA SEVILLA-MENDOZA

Nissan Philippines Inc. (NPI) sprung a surprise when they introduced the 2014 Altima at their launch program last March.  It was a surprise because the Altima is none other than the Nissan Teana, which was being sold in the Philippines up to the time that Nissan Motor Co. Ltd. of Japan began restructuring its business organization here last year.  In fact, the Altima is produced and sold in China as the Teana, perhaps with a few different specs.

NPI, the new local company of Japan’s second largest carmaker, will import the 2014 Altima to the Philippines from the Nissan factory in the United States as a CBU (completely built unit.)  Together with the Sylphy compact sedan, the midsize executive sedan Altima will spearhead Nissan’s new marketing strategy in the Philippines.

Not a few motoring journalists, including this columnist, wondered why NPI chose two sedans instead of a mini-compact car, a subcompact car or a compact SUV or seven-seater SUV or van, given the way sales of these types of vehicles are currently soaring. Besides, the midsize executive/family sedan segment in the Philippines is already crowded with competitors such as the Toyota Camry, Honda Accord, Mazda6 and Hyundai Sonata.

IN THE cockpit, a 2-gauge binnacle, a hi-res 7-inch infotainment screen and plush materials.

But apparently, NPI wants to go mainstream from Day 1 of its operations and has a lot of confidence in the US-built Altima’s ability to grab market share from the segment’s well-entrenched players.  If indeed the 2014 Altima is the rebranded, latest updated Teana, then I know why Nissan is so sure about its product.  I have test-driven Teanas in the past and was always impressed by their award-winning engine, luxurious interior and driving dynamics.

FIFTH GENERATION. Given  these antecedents, I welcomed NPI’s offer to drive the new Altima SV over the weekend.  This is the completely redesigned fifth generation Altima and the more affordable (P1.65 million) variant, powered by Nissan’s aluminum QR25DE 2.5-liter, inline four-cylinder, twin cam, 16 valves engine with variable valve timing delivering 182 HP/6,000 rpm and 234 Nm max torque at 4,000 rpm.  The Altima SL (P2.03 million) is a 3.5-liter V6.

THE NEW, transverse-mounted 2.5 liter, inline 4 engine packs 182 horsepower and averages 13 kilometers per liter.

With a spindle-shaped grille, boomerang headlamps and taillights inspired by those of the Nissan 370Z sports car, plus chromed door handles and window trim, the 2014 Altima looks more upscale than before.  It may not be as stylish as the Sonata or as aggressively sporty as the Mazda6, but its exterior design  is conservatively pleasing and will not offend the taste of most people.

Both the SV and the SL are equipped with Nissan’s Xtronic CVT (continuously variable transmission) which contributes to the Altima SV’s amazing fuel efficiency, averaging 13-plus kilometers per liter in combined city and highway driving.  It matters little that, due to the CVT, the powertrain gets noisy when you step hard on the gas. From past experience with the CVT in other cars, I expected it to be initially slow to accelerate, so I was pleasantly surprised by the swift responsiveness of Nissan’s next-generation CVT.  Moreover, the Xtronic CVT’s lack of conventional gears makes the Altima’s ride smoother and even more comfortable. Shift-free, creamy-smooth road manners characterize the Altima, thanks also to the tried and tested suspension system consisting of independent strut with coil springs up front and independent multilink at the rear.

WITH ALL seats in place, Altima has 436 liters of cargo capacity

TOP SAFETY PICK. The new Altima has an intelligent key system with remote and push button start, remote keyless power door locks, one-touch pinch prevent power windows, six-way power adjustable driver’s seat.  With six airbags, antilock brake system, electronic brake force distribution and brake assist, Vehicle Dynamic Control with Active Understeer Control, LED high mount stop lamp, disc brakes on all four 17-inch alloy wheels among other safety features, no wonder the Altima SV was rated a 2014 Top Safety Pick by the US Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).

Aside from impressive fuel economy, the 2.5-liter, four inline engine of the Altima SV offers above-average performance and generates more than enough acceleration for daily driving.  Despite its conservative looks, the Altima’s  sophisticated driving dynamics and handling are sporty, due in part to the instant response of the Xtronic CVT and the advanced multilink rear suspension.

FOR BACKSEAT passengers, rear aircon ducts, a folding armrest with cupholders and a 60/40 split folding seatback

What’s more, Nissan’s Active Understeer Control  (AUC) helps the Altima go through twisties quickly and with increased stability as it brakes the inside front wheel during a turn to help tighten up the turning radius. The AUC stabilizes the car when it swerves or enters a bend too fast. Meanwhile, the electric assisted steering is on-center, predictable and well-modulated, even if somewhat lacking road feel.

ZERO GRAVITY. Nissan’s Nasa-inspired Zero Gravity front bucket seats contribute further to the Altima’s ride quality as the seats offer a neutral posture, similar to that of an astronaut in midship, to reduce load on the spine, pelvis and muscles. I discovered that the continuous support from the pelvis to the chest provides unparalleled comfort and imposes the least fatigue, especially on long trips.

Because the new Altima is longer than the outgoing model, legroom is generous at the rear of the cabin although headroom is somewhat limited because of the long, sloping rear roofline. There are air-conditioning vents and a folding armrest with two cupholders for rear seat passengers. The 60/40 split rear seatback can be folded to increase cargo space.

THE 17-INCH alloy wheels are shod with 215/55R/17 Michelin tires. photos by aida sevilla-mendoza

The refined, neatly laid out cockpit has a two-gauge binnacle with speedometer and tachometer plus a high-resolution 7-inch infotainment screen.  A clock, trip computer, external temperature display and fuel level complete the instrumentation. The cabin of the  Altima SV test unit is all-beige with plush seats finished in beige fabric. The tilt and telescopic steering wheel has controls for the integrated six-speaker audio system while consoles front and overhead, a glove box, door pockets and cupholders offer convenient storage space.

With its steady, quiet (but not CVT quiet) and comfy ride, five-star safety rating, long-distance tranquility, agile handling, superior fuel economy and competitive retail price, the 2014 Nissan Altima SV is without doubt an outstanding, engaging executive sedan in a segment full of boring cars.

And that is why NPI “introduced” the new Altima to the Philippine market.