CanadianDriver: Preview - 2005 Nissan Altima
Nissan has been hailed as one of the great automotive revival stories of the past decade or two. The 2005 Altima improves on an already excellent product and deserves close scrutiny from buyers who always thought the quality affordable sedan world began and ended with Camry and Accord. Manufacturer's suggested retail prices for the 2005 Altima have remained the same or slightly higher, depending on the trim level.
Change Track: 2005 Nissan Altima - Shift_Improvement
The exterior has also received a slight, but noticeable facelift. The headlamps retain their multi-element design, but have a more angular housing and are smoked for a more upscale appearance. The taillights return virtually unchanged, though they get a slight smoke treatment as well, and the orange has been replaced for an all-red color-scheme. The 2005 Altima receives Nissan's new corporate grill design, a new lower front fascia and a new raised hood design to complete the overall look. The Altima's handling has always been pretty responsive for such a large car. This is afforded by the fully independent front and rear suspension constructed largely from aluminum. The only big difference between the previous model and the 2005 Altima is that the rear multi-link suspension is approximately 6% lighter. This helps reduce unsprung weight, which contributes to a more responsive suspension and less harshness over bumps.