2005 Nissan Altima 3.5SL 3.5 V6
Summary:
Perfection on wheels
Faults:
None that I could find.
General Comments:
The interior is about as comfortable as any car I've been in, taking many visual cues from the Infiniti G35. Mine is black leather, with the upgraded Bose stereo and 8 speakers. It also has the upgraded interior appointments, and a sunroof. My mother, who has driven various true luxury cars for years commented on how comfortable it is when she got in.
The SL comes with an extra bit of chrome over the other models, which look great against the Smoke exterior, which I got. The extra chrome is over the rear license plate, bisecting the doors and around the windows. It really makes the car look rich.
The real excitement is in the drive, though. With essentially the same engine as in the Maxima and 350Z, this car can move. It takes some getting used to, as the acceleration is so smooth and quick, that it's easy to be doing 90 on the freeway and not even notice. I use the cruise control often, even in town. The car just wants to go. Punching it from a standstill, even with the traction control system engaged, will spin the tires until you're going over 40mph. The LS comes with an Automatic/Tiptronic-style manual transmission, which actually works quite nicely and is lots of fun.
The car has many nice touches that are usually reserved for more luxurious cars. Heated leather seats and outside mirrors, an incredible sound system that adjusts volume for road noise, and can be controlled from the steering wheel. Automatic temperature controls, where you set your desired temp and the car adjusts for open windows and other variables. The interior just screams luxury.
So far, I've averaged about 24.5 mpg, according to the car's readout. Not bad, since I've been having a bit of fun with the big engine. It's good that it gets good mileage, as the manual recommends premium fuel, and the dealer insisted that it was always filled with premium, as well.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes
Review Date: 21st July, 2005
3rd Oct 2009, 08:30
With the 3.5 you can get on the freeway 35 mpg... great on gas..
My Altima has all the extras.. sunroof, Bose stereo, 17 inch rims, spoiler, leather heated seats, etc.. it's so enjoyable to drive that it feels like a luxury car!
18th Feb 2012, 19:42
You really do not need premium fuel. I have used both, and unless you take your car to the track, forget it, you will not notice the difference.
8th Jan 2009, 22:43
Alright, don't get carried away here, it's an Altima people... you can dress it in leather and add some extra chrome, but don't get confused. This is not a luxury vehicle (or even near-luxury). It may have certain features which one may describe as "luxurious," but this is FAR from a luxury car, even entry level. My old 1997 Maxima had heated leather, heated mirrors, Homelink, Bose, etc. This is nothing new. Just don't expect too much... it can be a good car, but you get what you pay for. Its handling is sub-par and it just lacks refinement. Acceleration is decent for the 3.5, though I don't understand why the 2.5 can't get better MPGs considering its measly 175 HP. (Riding mower v. Altima?)