2012 Nissan Altima Review

This is a complete guide to the 2012 Nissan Altima. We have evaluated the key features, performance issues, styling, and the safety features of the 2012 Nissan Altima. Our goal is to help you decide if the 2012 Nissan Altima is right for you.

What's new for the 2012 Nissan Altima? The 2012 Nissan Altima now offers a number of upscale bundled packages this year so that you can have all of the up to date technology traveling with you. The Altima Hybrid was discontinued this year. Other than that the 2012 Nissan Altima remains unchanged.

The interior of a 2012 Nissan Altima can be fitted with Bluetooth streaming audio, a rear-view camera, a navigation system, music storage, and other technology features. These goodies are available to purchase in a variety of packages.

The V6 engine available both in the 2012 Nissan Altima coupe and sedan is especially noteworthy. The V6 engine produces sprightly driving and excellent highway passing response. A sedan with a V6 engine averaged 23.8 mpg in mostly highway driving and 19.1 mpg driving mostly in the city.

The 2.5 liter engine in a 2012 Nissan Altima sedan averaged 28.1 mpg in consumer guide testing. Twenty-eight miles per gallon is an exceptional result. Especially since the consumer test excluded a highway bias.

The 2012 Nissan Altima has two types of engines available. The first is a 175 horsepower 2.5 liter four-cylinder engine. The second is a 270 horsepower 3.5 liter V6 engine. In addition, a continuously variable transmission, also called a CVT, is standard on all sedans and is an available option in the coupes.

According to Edmunds performance testing, a 2012 Nissan Altima sedan with a V6 engine went from zero to 60mph in seven seconds. The coupe with a V6 engine went from zero to 60 mph in 6.5 seconds. The 2.5 liter sedan went from zero to 60 mph in 8.5 seconds.

The 2012 Nissan Altima sedans have excellent steering and the brakes have excellent stopping control. In addition, the sedans have smooth handling and ride balance. The sedan is quiet while cruising and accelerating.

The 2012 Nissan Altima coupe has excellent handling. The coupe is quiet while cruising, but if it has the CVT the engine can sound noisy during hard acceleration. Avoid the manual transmission if possible. The manual transmission can be frustrating in an urban environment due to a vague clutch and long-throws.

The four-cylinder engine in the 2012 Nissan Altima models should be adequate for most drivers needs. The suspension is biased toward ride comfort and the vehicles handle well too.

The V6 powered engine is excellently complemented by the CVT. The V6 has strong acceleration, precise steering, and sport-tuned suspension. Driving enthusiasts will flock to get an opportunity to drive this power-train.

The 2012 Nissan Altima comes in coupe and sedan body styles. The sedans have a longer wheelbase and are slightly longer than the coupes. The 2012 Nissan Altima comes in three trim levels: 2.5, 2.5 S, and 3.5 SR.

The 2.5 model, which is only available in a sedan, offers the following standard equipment: air conditioning, full power accessories, a trip computer, key-less entry, 16-inch steel wheels, cruise control, and the interior has four speakers. The 2.5 model offers no options for upgrades.

The 2.5 S trim adds an auxiliary audio jack, key-less ignition, 17-inch alloy wheels for the coupe only, and a six-speaker sound system with a CD player. The 2.5 S trim offers a number of optional packages if you want to add upgrades to your 2012 Nissan Altima.

If you want to get a top of the line 2012 Nissan Altima, then opt for the 3.5 SR model. The standard equipment on the 3.5 SR model includes the following: heated side mirrors, a V6 engine, 17-inch alloy wheels on the sedan, and 18-inch alloy wheels on the coupe.

The 3.5 SR model also includes a power driver seat, leather wrapped steering wheel with audio controls, automatic headlights, Bluetooth, and an auto-dimming rear-view mirror. The 3.5 SR model also offers a few options if you want to upgrade your 2012 Nissan Altima even further.

The 2012 Nissan Altima interior materials are soft and pleasant to touch. The interior creates a pleasing if somewhat plain ambiance. The controls in both the coupe and the sedan are large and brightly lit making them simple to use.

The 2012 Nissan Altima coupe features sporty styling front seat. The coupe offers less legroom and rear-seat head space than many competitors. The coupe has 8.2 cubic feet of trunk space.

The 2012 Nissan Altima sedans still use the flat front bucket type seats. If you need a big trunk, then opt for the sedan. The sedan has 15.3 cubic feet of trunk space.

Every 2012 Nissan Altima comes with the following safety features: traction control, anti-lock brakes, and an anti-skid system. In addition, every 2012 Nissan Altima also has front-side airbags and curtain-side airbags that cover both rows.

After the 2012 Nissan Altima sedans performance in government crash tests, the government rated the sedan with an overall safety rating of four stars out of a possible five stars. The Institute for Highway Safety reports that the 2012 Nissan Altima sedan scored the highest possible rating of "Good" on side and frontal offset crash tests.

In Edmunds brake testing, the 2012 Nissan Altima performance on brake testing was a stop from 60 mph in about 130 feet. This number is a bit longer than average for brake testing. This result was the same regardless of which body style of 2012 Nissan Altima Edmunds tested.

In conclusion, what is so exciting about the 2012 Nissan Altima is that there are so many options to choose from. If you want a sporty fast model, then opt for a V6 powered 3.5 SR. If you just need a practical family car, then opt for a 2.5 liter engine. Whatever you choose, the 2012 Nissan Altima offers an engaging and fun to drive set of wheels at an affordable price.