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2005 Nissan Altima SE-R Mid-Size Sports Sedan
Heart of the Z, body of the Altima
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New Car Review of the 2005 Nissan Altima SE-R Mid-Size Sports Sedan
Base MSRP Range: $17,450-29,350
Base Invoice Range: $17,050-27,144
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MSRP As Tested: $29,200
Versions: S, SE, SE-R.
Vehicle Category: Mid-Size Sports Sedan
Engine Location: Front Engine
Drive Wheels: Front-Wheel Drive.
Standard Engine: 2.5-liter, Dual Overhead Cam, 16-valves, I-4, 175â€' horsepower at 6000 rpm and 180 lb-ft torqueat 4000 rpm.
Optional Engine: 3.5-liter, Dual Overhead Cam, 24-valves, V-6, 250-horsepower at 5800 rpm and 249 lb-ft torque at 4400 rpm.
Optional Engine as Tested: 3.5-liter, Dual Overhead Cam, 24-valves, V-6, 260â€'horsepower at 5800 rpm and 251 lb-ft torque at 4400 rpm.
Transmission: Four-speed automatic, Five-speed automatic, Five-speed manual, Six-speed manual.
Fuel Economy (city/hwy): 4-speed automatic S 23/29, Five-speed automatic SE and SE-R 20/30, Five-speed amnual S 24/31, Five-speed manual SE 21/27, Six-speed manual SE-R 20/28.
Standard Safety Features: Dual front airbags, Four-wheel disc brakes, Emergency inside trunk release, antilock 4-wheel disc brakes (SE automatic).
Competition: Chevrolet Malibu, Honda Accord, Toyota Camry.
There's a renaissance going on at Nissan.
After teetering on the brink of obliteration in the late 1990s, the company is coming back in a big way with amazing cars like the 350Z and impressive trucks like the Titan and Armada. The change couldn't have been more dramatic.
And now the turnaround is showing more than ever in a variation on Nissan's venerable, bread-and-butter Altima, a four-door sedan that has played second fiddle for years to the Toyota Camry and Honda Accord.
Although the newest generation of Altima stood out against the very drab Accord and Camry when it was introduced a few years ago, it still wasn't enough for a true renaissance company to brag about. Nissan needed something that would leapfrog the competition -- something that would make the world take note.
That's why the Altima SE-R exists.
Instead of trying to create a more exciting version of a Honda or Toyota -- something that's not very hard to do -- Nissan took aim at BMW by creating a high-performance version of the Altima called the SE-R for hardcore driving enthusiasts. It's a car you can drive straight from the dealer to the autocross course.
To start with, Nissan massaged 10 extra horsepower and a smidgeon more torque out of the Altima's already powerful V6 engine, giving it a whopping 260 horses. It's essentially the same engine that Nissan uses in the heart-stopping 350Z sports car, a fact that's made more obvious by the deep growl of the SE-R's high-flow exhaust system.
The SE-R also has a significantly firmer suspension than the regular Altima. It's based on the Japanese market Nissan Skyline that kids love racing on Playstation games, including different shocks, stiffer springs and thicker stabilizer bars.
The front suspension uses plenty of aluminum parts to reduce weight, and the rear uses a multi-link, independent setup for great control without too much harshness. It's a nice suspension for having fun at the track, but it's not so harsh and unforgiving that it's uncomfortable for everyday driving. Nissan deserves big kudos for the ride and handling.
Unique 18-inch wheels -- ones that look great but may be easily damaged because they extend beyond the width of the tires -- along with an aggressive front fascia, rear spoiler and painted brake calipers let other drivers know this Altima is no ordinary sedan. It's a nice variation on the Altima's existing design, one that stands out from the crowd without being too flashy or annoying.
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