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Consumer Reports Top Picks: Nissan Altima

Release Date: 02/23/2010

CR Names Six New Top Pick Cars For 2010

Mazda5, Cheverolet Traverse and Volkswagen GTI among the new additions

YONKERS, NY - Consumer Reports names six new models to its annual Top Picks car list for 2010. Comprised of nine different car brands, this year's list is the most diverse group of
Top Picks in over a decade. Findings from Consumer Reports' Annual Auto Issue, including the new Top Picks, were announced today at a Washington Automotive Press Association (WAPA) press conference in Washington, D.C..

The Mazda5, Nissan Altima, Subaru Forester, Volkswagen GTI, and Chevrolet Traverse and Silverado join the Hyundai Elantra SE, Infiniti G37, Toyota Prius and Lexus LS460L as Consumer Reports' selections for best models of the year based on performance, reliability, and safety.

"The diversity of this year's Top Picks reflect how competitive the industry has become," said Rik Paul, Consumer Reports' automotive editor. "Today's car buyers have more choices than ever when looking for good all-around cars."

Consumer Reports' Top Picks are the best all-around models in their categories and must meet stringent road test, reliability, and safety requirements. Each Top Pick scores at or near the top of its category among the more than 280 vehicles

Consumer Reports recently evaluated at its Auto Test Center; has average or better predicted reliability (based on the problems subscribers reported on more than 1.4 million vehicles in Consumer Reports' Annual Auto Survey), and performed adequately in overall safety if tested by the government or insurance industry. In addition, each model must offer electronic stability control (ESC), a proven lifesaving safety feature as standard equipment or as a readily available option. All of this year's Top Picks provide standard ESC and curtain air bags.

In recent years, Toyota and Honda models have had their share of spots among Consumer Reports Top Picks list. But the automotive landscape continues to grow more competitive. This year, the Nissan Altima managed to dethrone the Honda Accord as the Top Pick for Family Sedan-making it the first time since 1998 that a Honda model was not selected.

The Toyota Prius retains its position as the Top Pick for Green for the seventh consecutive year, while the Lexus LS460L returns as Consumer Reports pick for Best Overall vehicle. At the time of publication, sales of the Toyota Highlander and RAV4 had been halted and currently Consumer Reports has suspended its recommendation for both vehicles removing them from contention in the Small and Family SUV category.

"The competition is quite fierce, and often the difference between a Top Pick and a runner-up can be slim. We believe all of our Top Picks this year to be exceptional vehicles that excel in a number of areas," Paul added. Consumer Reports' testing procedures are the most comprehensive of any U.S. publication or Web site. More than 50 individual tests are performed on every vehicle, including evaluations of braking, handling, comfort, convenience, safety, and fuel economy. Roughly 6,000 miles of general driving and evaluations are racked up on each test car during the testing process. CR buys all its test cars anonymously from dealers. Other reviewers base their evaluations on press cars that are hand-picked by the automakers.

Here, by category, are the 2010 Top Picks.

? SMALL SEDAN: Hyundai Elantra SE. The Elantra SE ($18,695) made the Top Picks list for the third time this year. It is a solid, all-around car that's relatively comfortable, quiet, and roomy, and provides good fuel economy and plenty of features for the money. The SE comes with standard ESC, a critical safety feature that's absent on other small cars (including the lower-end Elantras).

? FAMILY SEDAN: Nissan Altima. The Altima ($23,970 to $30,335) has been a Consumer Reports top-rated family sedan for a couple of years, but lacked easily available ESC. A 2010 freshening made it better and improved gas mileage and for the first time provides standard ESC in all trim lines. It offers an appealing balance of comfort and performance, while getting some of the best fuel economy in its class: 26 mpg overall in four-cylinder models and 24 mpg with a V6. The cabin is roomy, wellfinished, and quiet. And the secure handling, comfortable ride, and spirited acceleration make the car enjoyable to drive.

? SPORTY CAR: Volkswagen GTI. Freshened for 2010, the GTI ($27,504) is the sport version of the Volkswagen Golf (formerly called the Rabbit). The GTI is exhilarating to drive and easy to live with. It delivers the agile handling, spirited acceleration, and responsive steering of a true sports car, along with a decent ride, a well-finished interior, and the cargocarrying practicality of a hatchback. Good fuel economy of 27 mpg overall is another plus, although premium fuel is required.

? SMALL SUV: Subaru Forester. The Forester ($20,972 to $28,860) provides one of the most carlike driving experiences of any SUV. It combines agile handling with the most comfortable ride in its class. Passengers are treated to a spacious cabin, with a roomy rear seat and excellent visibility. The 2.5X provides an impressive 22 mpg overall with an automatic, 24 mpg with a manual. And the turbocharged 2.5XT delivers effortless acceleration and 20 mpg, but it takes premium fuel. The 2.5X has had excellent reliability, while the 2.5XT's is average.

? BEST CAR OVERALL: Lexus LS 460L. The LS ($76,572) scored an outstanding 99 out of 100 in Consumer Reports road tests, making it the highest-rated vehicle. It provides a comfortable ride and luxurious driving environment, including a roomy, well-crafted and exceptionally quiet interior. It offers a plethora of electronic amenities, including an optional self-parking system. Yet, its controls are easy to use. Its efficient 380-hp V8 and eight-speed automatic transmission deliver smooth, brisk acceleration and a relatively good 21 mpg overall. All-wheel drive and a hybrid version are available.

? FAMILY SUV: Chevrolet Traverse. The Traverse ($39,920) stands out as an impressive overall package with a quiet, spacious cabin that can comfortably seat up to eight adults and leave room for cargo. It provides a pleasant ride, communicative steering, and responsive handling. The tested model returned 16 mpg overall, which is respectable for its size. Rear visibility isn't great, but small convex side mirrors and an optional rear-view camera help.

? SPORT SEDAN: Infiniti G37. The G sedan ($37,225) tops this category for the fourth straight year. It is one of the highest-rated sedans tested, with a score of 95 out of 100. It provides agile handling, blistering acceleration, a refined powertrain, a fairly comfortable ride, and a highquality, luxurious interior. The G37 is as inviting to drive on a twisty road as it is on the highway. But compromises include a snug cabin and small trunk. Rear-wheel drive is standard; all-wheel drive is optional. Coupe and convertible versions are also available.

? FAMILY HAULER: Mazda5. The Mazda5 microvan ($23,805) offers lots of practicality in a compact, affordable package. With three rows of seats and sliding rear side doors, it combines the convenience of a minivan with the maneuverability and stingy fuel economy-24 mpg overall-of a wagon. The interior is airy, with good fit and finish. It's fun to drive, with a nimble feel and a comfortable ride. The addition of standard ESC for 2010 improved its emergency handling. If you need more room, consider the Honda Odyssey minivan.

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2010 Nissan Altima Sedan Review

2010 Nissan Altima Sedan - Driving Impressions

Improved inside and out, the Altima Sedan stays competitive.

By Andrew Bornhop "Road and Track" Magazine

October 26, 2009

Nissan's sedans - the Maxima, Altima, Sentra and Versa - have been mildly updated for 2010, each sporting revised front styling that helps the cars look fresh and a smattering of welcome content and quality improvements inside the cars. And although the Versa has been the big seller of late (some 18,000 were sold in August alone, thanks to the government's "Cash for Clunkers" program), the bread-and-butter Nissan remains the Altima, the global volume leader that competes with the likes of the Toyota Camry and Honda Accord.

Although the visual changes to the 2010 Altima Sedan focus on minor revisions to the hood, headlights and front fascia, the new car looks especially sharp and up to date, particularly when parked next to a 2009 model, which now looks almost plain. In addition to new exterior colors and redesigned 16- and 17-in. wheels, the Altima now has standard stability control. As before, it continues to be offered with a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine, a 3.5-liter V-6 or as a Hybrid model that gets an impressive 35 mpg city/33 mpg highway in the EPA tests.

The biggest improvements are inside, where revised fabrics and materials give the look and feel of quality. And the old gauges, which had orange markings and were not especially easy to read, have been replaced by new ones with white lettering. What's more, the Altima is available with a next-generation navigation system with an in-dash 6.5-in. monitor. XM NavWeather, Bluetooth Streaming Audio and Zagat ratings are all available, as well as a USB port with iPod connectivity.

Even with improved content and standard stability control, the Altima remains reasonably priced. The base 2.5 model, with a continuously variable transmission, lists for $19,900. That's a lot of car for the money. The top-of-the-line 3.5 SR CVT model, quite the powerhouse, lists for only $24,520. For the record, the Altima Hybrid lists for $26,780.

From an enthusiast's viewpoint, these Nissan sedans impress with their well-snubbed suspension that delivers a good blend of comfort and sport. About our only gripe is the CVT, which works fine in everyday light-throttle driving but is not especially sporty or satisfying when the car is being driven hard. On the positive side, though, the 2010 Nissan Altima Sedan remains a good car, nicely updated, attractively priced and likely to stay a best-seller thanks in part to its tight structure, excellent interior room and spacious trunk.

What's Hot:

Improved interior quality
Freshened styling
Standard stability control

What's Not:

CVT is only transmission
Styling revisions too mild?

Cars to Compare:

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2009 Nissan 370Z Touring Introduction - Long-Term Road Tests

Better, stronger, faster - the new 370Z is Nissan's Six Million Dollar Man.

By Jonathan Elfalan, Road Test Editor / Photos by Jeff Allen

June 15, 2009

December 15, 2009

After comparing the Nissan 370Z to the 2008 Porsche Cayman S (April 2009), a sports car of similar performance costing nearly twice as much, we came away respecting the Z's dynamic potential, but were probably more impressed that Nissan could stage the assault at such a cut-rate price.

Well, the Z did end up losing that battle, but as they say, the war (over your hard-earned Benjamins) is what ultimately matters.

The 370Z distilled down to its primary purpose is the only car within a mile or two of its MSRP to provide all the essentials of a pure sports coupe - a taut, responsive chassis, no more than two seats, a manual gearbox and rear-wheel drive. Compromise, like having rear passenger seats, could have spruced up its utility rating, but would've diluted the essence of what makes the new Z the contender it is.

Having had a first-generation 350Z long-term car in 2005, albeit with more than a few first-generation teething problems, we admire the formula Nissan adheres to...and has greatly refined in producing the new Z. Under the hood is the latest iteration of the VQ-series V-6, the VQ37VHR, displacing 3.7 liters and producing 332 bhp at 7000 rpm and 270 lb.-ft. of torque at 5200 rpm. The new VQ not only produces more power and torque while revving to a higher rpm, but feels more polished than the 3.5-liter it replaces, which certainly has increased its overall drive appeal thus far.

The suspension also underwent an overhaul, gaining a livelier double A-arm setup in front with a revised rear multilink that's a marked improvement over the 350Z's, greatly enhancing both the handling feel and turn-in crispness.

The interior of our 370Z is a huge step up in execution and quality, replete with power-adjustable heated leather and synthetic-suede seats, Bluetooth phone connectivity and a premium eight-speaker Bose sound system with dual subwoofers and satellite radio (all part of the $4530 Touring trim package). The rear chassis brace that once formed a blockade for anything you attempted to throw in the trunk has been relocated up against the back of the seats, for a significant gain in cargo space. And although most of the silver interior accents are plastic, they don't appear cheap, which makes a world of difference from an owner's standpoint. Of note, even the standard interior of our previous 370Z test car outshined the Porsche's leather-heavy cockpit in our subjective ratings.

For your inner enthusiast, the Sport Package is a no-brainer option considering what you get for $3000 - a much needed viscous limited-slip differential, huge 19-in. RAYS forged alloy wheels shod with wider and stickier-than-stock Bridgestone summer tires, upgraded Nissan Sport brakes, front and rear spoilers and, of course, Nissan's proprietary SynchroRev Match 6-speed manual transmission.

For those still unfamiliar with what a SynchroRev Match transmission is or how it works, here's the story: It's a traditionally shifted 6-speed manual gearbox with speed sensors on each gear's synchronizer. This allows the computer to match engine speed with road speed with respect to each gear. This innovative gearbox is almost magical in how it calculates the exact amount of throttle needed for ultra-smooth downshifts every time.

So far, SynchroRev Match has proven an asset on track (at least during the times we remembered not to heel-and-toe), but we've yet to discover its true place here in the real world - a neat quirk (or unintended consequence?) is the ability to blip the throttle at speed simply by shaking the gearshift from side to side while in neutral.

With the improvements Nissan has made to the new Z, we are glad to see the company has also managed to keep it affordable. Over the next year we plan to find out if any of the old 350's ghosts resurface in this latest incarnation - we're absolutely sure its soul remains.

2009 NISSAN 370Z TOURING
Total Miles	3343
Miles since last report	N/A
Average mpg to date	21.0
Best mpg (avg of 3)	25.8
Worst mpg (avg of 3)	18.0
Repair costs to date	$0
Maintenance costs to date	$0
Delivered price	$38,470

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2010 Nissan GT-R - Driving Impressions

Nissan's supercar gets a software upgrade for improved transmission durability.

By Sam Mitani "Road and Track" Magazine

March 16, 2009

Nissan's GT-R hit the sports-car scene last year with a tremendous bang, but not even a year after the first car was delivered, there's already controversy. Web-savvy car enthusiasts have no doubt read about the GT-R's issue with the "launch control" system. It was something I had to bring up with GT-R project chief Kazutoshi Mizuno. Over a cup of green tea, I asked for an explanation...well, he did more than that. He threw me the keys to a 2010 Nissan GT-R and said, "I'll explain as you drive."

Mizuno said that the major difference between the 2010 model GT-R and its predecessor is the launching system. ("Please don't call it launch control!" he kept reminding me.) Nissan was forced to make revisions to this technology after dozens of busted transmissions (by folks who abused the system by using it repeatedly over a short period of time). The issue became so publicized that it led to a highly viewed You Tube parody starring an evil German dictator, which at the time of this writing had 204,900 views.

Mizuno and his team claim that this device was never intended for setting fastest quarter-mile times at your local drag strip. Its main function was to efficiently pop out of slippery driving surfaces, such as snow or mud. Yeah, right. I gave him a questioning stare. He pulled out the car's original owner's manual and said, "See for yourself."

Okay, he had a point. It did state that the system was to be used only when getting out of snow or mud.

But Mizuno said that because there was so much made about the system in its current state, he has made sure there will be no controversy next year. The "leave-the-line-efficiently-out-of-slippery-surfaces control" has been reprogrammed to launch the car at 3000 rpm instead of 4500. This dramatically eases the stress on the drivetrain, allowing the driver to use it repeatedly without worrying about breaking anything. Unfortunately, it also means the end of super-quick wheel-chirping snaps off the line. Still, even with this mellower version, the car is plenty fast.

The 2009 version now comes with the same reprogrammed software as the 2010. First, we tested the 2009 model. The car's original 0-60-mph using the launching system was 3.3 seconds. We recorded 3.4 sec. with the new software. There's much less drama when releasing the brake pedal, but it doesn't take long for all four tires to hook up. Now Mizuno asked me to launch "normally" - by using only one foot. So when I was ready, I took my right foot off the brake pedal and then mashed the throttle with the same foot. Again, no real drama when leaving the line, but the result was surprising. I recorded a 3.5-sec. 0-60-mph run. This means that you really don't need to initiate the launching mode anymore, unless for some crazy reason, you really savor that extra fraction of a second. This held true for the 2010 model as well.

Other changes for the 2010 car, which comes with an MSRP of $80,790 ($83,040 for the Premium Edition), include a new color mentioned above and a new black coating on the forged alloy wheels. But for driving enthusiasts, the only difference worth noting is the leave-the-line-efficiently-out-of-slippery...oh the heck with it, the only difference worth noting is the launch control.