2009 Nissan Altima Sedan

The Altima Sedan is Nissan's entrant into the very competitive mid-size sedan segment and goes head-to-head with the Toyota Camry, Honda Accord, and Chevrolet Malibu.

New for 2007, the Altima Sedan came standard with a 175 horsepower 2.5 liter engine, a six-speed manual and push-button ignition. The Altima has Nissan's standard 2.5 liter, four cylinder engine, with 175 horsepower. With a 3.5 liter, V6 engine, the horsepower increases to 270 with 258 pounds-feet of torque. Both six-speed manual or CVT (continuously variable transmission) automatic transmissions are available. The CVT helps improve fuel economy and save on gas mileage.

The sedan measures 189.8 inches long, 2.5 inches shorter than the previous model. The grille has a subtle 't' notch in the center, and front fenders and headlights are similar to the 350Z sports car. The Altima's standard wheels are 16 inches, though the 3.5 SE has 17 inch wheels.

Inside, the Altima seats five, and the rear seat can be folded for more storage and to fit larger items in the car. The trunk has storage of 15.3 cubic feet. Optional are blue-tooth phone connectivity, navigation, and a nine-speaker stereo system. In terms of safety, antilock brakes and side-impact and side curtain airbags are standard.