Nissan Altima CVT FWD 2014 review

If what's on the inside counts, Nissan can start counting Altima sales. The mid-sized sedan is a well-balanced and feature-laden car with a classy interior and competitive pricing. Six-monthly servicing apart, it is on the money.

Value

The starting price is $29,990 for the four-cylinder ST. Then there's a jump to $35,890 for the ST-L, another $4300 for the Ti. Add the V6's extra performance in the Ti-S and the price climbs to $45,390.

The ST misses out on some of the good gear fitted to the higher-spec models, with a five-inch screen in place of a seven-in touchscreen, generic six-speaker sound system instead of the nine-speaker Bose job, no parking sensors or reversing camera and manually adjusted front seats.

Beyond that, Ti and Ti-S models also benefit from blind spot and lane departure sensors, darkened rear glass, xenon headlamps and a bird's-eye camera view when reversing, complemented by auto-tilt side mirrors.

Technology

The NissanConnect interface - standard on all but the ST - leverages the power of owners' smartphones to provide app-based infotainment. Pandora music streaming, Google search functionality and vocalised Facebook status updates are the launch highlights, but that list will continuously expand. All models use a constantly variable transmission and, at least in the Ti-S Carsguide tested, it is one of the better stepless transmissions.

Design

There's nothing visually edgy about the new Altima and some will find that refreshing. The big corporate identity grille is classily chromed and sweeps up to the bonnet sculpted with curves along both edges that accentuate the flared front guards. The sides are relatively devoid of the proliferation of character lines that define European vehicles and the general feel is of a curvaceous car.

This compromises rear headroom for taller passengers but it isn't an issue for those under 180cm. Leg room isn't an issue front or rear. Inside there's a quality look and feel to the materials with carbon-fibre look plastic trim offsetting the muted chrome finishes. The biggest complaint is with the Bose speaker mounted on the top of the dash - the chrome logo reflects back onto the windscreen. The "zero-gravity" front seats are up there with the best in class for containing the driver and the wheel adjusts for height and reach.

Safety

The Altima has been crash-tested only in the US where it gained a five-star rating from the NTHSA and earned a top safety pick from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. The usual ABS software is on board, along with an active understeer control. There are six airbags if things do get out of shape.

Driving

Conservative looks don't continue through the chassis or drivetrain. The Altima is as responsive as a treat-seeking canine and ample torque from the V6 ensures the CVT isn't droning on at the occupants under moderate acceleration. Slip the shifter into sport mode or take manual control with the paddle shifters on the Ti-S and it's an engaging car.

The steering wheel feels a tad thin by modern standards but feedback from the electro-hydraulic power steering is good. As a front-driver it will ultimately understeer, though it's a case of the tyres running out of grip before the suspension or chassis give up. Body roll and ride quality on broken roads isn't on a par with a Mazda 6 … but few owners expect anything like the cornering prowess or pace the Altima enjoys.

As a middleweight cruiser it is hard to argue with. Noise insulation is first rate and the features list is extensive beyond the base ST and performance is more than adequate with the 2.5-litre four or downright entertaining in the V6. The Ti-S uses 9.3L/100km, or 1.8L/100km more than the four-cylinder variants.