2010 Nissan Altima Coupe 2.5 S review

Bose premium audio
Given the low 20s base price, we were pleased to see that Nissan offers its full hard-drive-based navigation system, a similar rig to what we tested in the Nissan Maxima. This system offers all the amenities, including ripping CDs to the navigation hard drive.

Lacking the navigation option, our car still had the Bose-branded premium audio system. That upgrade includes a very iPod-focused stereo, with a big iPod menu button and a screen adequate for browsing a connected iPod's music library. The iPod itself plugs into a USB port in the car's console, and this same port will also work for a USB drive holding MP3 files. We found the iPod interface on the car's screen easy to use, although it took a few moments to understand that the iPod menu button backs out of any menu structure in which we drilled down, one level at a time.

Other audio sources include satellite radio and a single MP3 compatible CD player. The 4.3-inch screen uses unique colors for each audio source, along with attractive graphics in the background.

The Bose audio upgrade, which brings in the color screen, includes seven speakers around the cabin. Typical for Bose, the audio quality is heavy, a chunky sound with a good amount of power behind it. This system doesn't produce much separation, staging the sound most off the center of the dashboard. But the quality is very good, with distinct sounds coming through clearly.

That 4.3-inch screen serves a couple of other purposes. When making a call with the Bluetooth phone system option, the screen displays the phone numbers. This Bluetooth phone system is far from the cutting edge, as it won't import a phone's contact list, forcing you to dial by telling the voice command system the actual phone numbers.

The screen also shows a rear camera view, a surprising option in the Altima Coupe. It's a somewhat primitive camera system, with mere distance lines on the screen, and of questionable need in the car. But still, it's nice not to have to guess how close you are to walls, bicycles, and small children.

In sum
The 2010 Nissan Altima Coupe 2.5 S rises from a segment of midsize cars that include the Honda Accord, also available as a coupe, and the Toyota Camry. This segment is known more for practicality than excitement, yet the Altima Coupe raises the bar with its cabin tech options and peppy CVT-based power train.

The available navigation system in the Altima Coupe earns it a good score for cabin tech, and we are also impressed by the smaller screen available when navigation isn't present. The iPod focus of the stereo makes a lot of sense in today's market, but we would wish for a better Bluetooth phone system. As for the power train, Nissan's engine technology isn't cutting edge in this car, but the CVT is impressive. The coupe design is nice, but we would like to see a style update that comes in line with the 370Z and the GT-R, incorporating boomerang headlights and some of the other cues from those cars.