In preparing this comprehensive review covering the 2008 Nissan Altima Coupe, TheCarConnection.com's auto experts separated out some of the most useful information to shoppers. And to be especially helpful, the editors at TheCarConnection.com have added their impressions in driving the Altima Coupe.
Likes:
- Four-cylinder is peppy, manual gearbox is economical
- Good front seats
- Crisp handling without impacting ride
Dislikes:
- Trunk opening is small
- Some road noise on rough surfaces
- Headroom can be tight for some
An all-new coupe version of the mid-size Altima bows for 2008. The 2008 Nissan Altima Coupe shares only its hood with the Altima sedan; otherwise, it has entirely different sheetmetal. The Altima Coupe is about seven inches shorter than the Altima sedan, with a lower roofline, and it weighs slightly less than the sedan.
Like the sedan, the 2008 Nissan Altima Coupe can be equipped with economical four-cylinder or powerful V-6 engines. The base 175-horsepower, 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine provides adequate power for keeping up with traffic, and it's especially peppy with the six-speed manual, which returns 31 mpg on the EPA highway cycle. For those who crave more performance, there's a big jump to the 270-horsepower, 3.5-liter V-6, which delivers brisk performance and more refinement with the "shiftless" Xtronic CVT automatic transmission. The CVT is optional with the four-cylinder and includes a manual mode with simulated gears.
The 2008 Nissan Altima Coupe has a ride that's quite firm but not harsh, with sharp handling response from the front strut and multilink rear suspension. The Coupe has a very quiet interior, although there can be some road noise on coarse surfaces. The backseats are split 60/40 and fold forward to expand the trunk area, which has an admittedly small opening due to the very sloped back window. Front seats are unique to the coupe, with sportier contouring and more support than those in the sedan.
Base 2.5S models come well equipped; they include keyless entry, cruise control, dual-zone climate control, and a six-speaker sound system. The 2008 Nissan Altima Coupe SE model--which is available with the V-6--adds a moonroof, steering-wheel audio controls, and larger alloy wheels. Major options, most grouped into packages, include HID headlamps, heated seats, a Bluetooth hands-free system, an upgraded Bose sound system, and a navigation system.
Front side and side curtain bags, along with anti-lock brakes, are standard across the 2008 Nissan Altima Coupe lineup, but electronic stability control isn't available on the four-cylinder and is only offered on the V-6 as an option. The Altima Coupe has been crash-tested by the federal government and earned four out of five stars in frontal impact and five stars in side impact; it earned only Marginal scores from the IIHS in rear impact.
The Bottom Line:
The 2008 Nissan Altima Coupe provides most of the practicality of the Altima sedan, with a lot more style.
Other Choices:
If you like the 2008 Nissan Altima Coupe, also consider:
- Honda Accord Coupe
- Toyota Camry Solara
Reason why
The 2008 Nissan Altima Coupe has been introduced the same year that an all-new Honda Accord Coupe bows. Compared to the Altima Coupe, the Accord Coupe has a more elegant interior design that feels markedly more upscale. The Accord also rides a bit better than the Altima, though it doesn't feel as sporty. However, even in base-model form, the Accord Coupe comes with standard electronic stability control. Another rival is the Toyota Solara, but next to the Altima Coupe, the Solara really shows its age; the Solara's available V-6 can't match the Altima's V-6 in performance either.
Buying Tip:
If you're looking for a more serious rear-wheel-drive sport coupe, the 350Z starts at a price that's about the same as a loaded 2008 Nissan Altima Coupe V-6.
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Review was originally published at TheCarConnection.com
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