TESTER’S JOURNAL:
Day 1: Picked the Altima up at noon. First impressions — visually appealing from all angles. Easy to get in and out of. The Altima was loaded with every option imaginable as standard for the SL model. Only two additional options were listed ... metallic paint and Navigation. Love the “push button” start feature. Drove from the N.E. to the N.W. via Stoney Trail. Very quiet. Virtually no wind noise at highway speeds and just a bit of tire noise from the new Michelin snows on dry pavement. Braking on dry pavement is smooth and progressive with no hint of grabbing.
Day 2: Short trip with my wife and son to the hardware store. The trunk is huge, very well thought out and with the flexibility of split fold-down pass-thru seats, large objects can be easily accommodated. The Altima was very smooth running down Crowchild, soaking up the bumps with little transfer to the interior. Handling is “sports sedan” sharp with minimal body roll and honestly quite unexpected in a family sedan at this price point.
Day 3: Found the switch for the heated steering wheel on my way to work this morning. A very nice feature that I did not know I needed until today! The heated wheel complements the excellent heated seats (both seat and lumbar area) and both heat up quickly. The Altima has a factory installed remote starter that worked well, but shuts down after 10 minutes. Less than I would have liked. Range on the remote starter a bit limited at only 197 feet.
Day 4: I am getting comfortable driving the Altima now. Loving this driver’s seat more each day. It feels like it was custom made for me. I could see doing 10-hour stretches behind the wheel, in comfort.
Day 5: Stopped at the airport this morning to pick up clients on the way to a meeting at work. There was a fair bit of snow, icy sections and slush on the pavement, but traction was very good in start, stop and lane change situations. The traction-control system engaged a few times and kept things under control. I am sure the new Michelin snows helped a good deal. My passengers commented on how much car you got for the money. Placed some calls using the voice dialing feature. Worked flawlessly and extremely easy to use.
Day 6: The fit and finish of the exterior panels is excellent. The interior trim is very high quality and the perforated leather on the seats is nicely stitched. Not a rattle or squeak can be heard.
Day 7: My wife and I took a drive out to the Stoney Nakota Casino for dinner. We both agree the car is very refined and offers a lot for the money. Refuelled the Altima and determined it got 8.14L/100 km or 34.7 mpg in 700 km of mixed highway and city driving on snow tires. As the car is almost brand new and likely not broken in yet, combined with cold winter driving, the mileage is good and should get much better. It’s hard to find fault with a vehicle that looks this good, offers so much value and works so well. I think one would be hard pressed to find all of these creature comforts in a sedan that offers superb driving dynamics and is as easy to live with on a daily basis as this Altima. Hard not to like. Make mine black.