2002 Nissan Altima Review Summaries

What reviewers liked most about the Nissan Altima:

[The 3.5-liter V6] is incredibly smooth and powerful, like a turbo with no turbo lag.

-- AutoWeek

This four-cylinder powerplant has plenty of power and is very responsive in both urban and freeway environments.

-- Canadian Driver

Handsome and aggressive new body

-- Edmunds.com

Plenty of convenient storage areas and huge cupholders

-- iZoom.com

It's one of those somewhat rare family sedans that actually stands out in the crowd and delivers on the expectations set by its looks.

-- New Car Test Drive

Nobody should feel claustrophobic in the rear seat.

-- The Detroit News

Here's the cool feature...the radio provided memory settings for three different users.

-- USA Today

What reviewers liked least about the Nissan Altima:

[The four cylinder] is quite noisy at the top end.

-- Automobile

Gooseneck hinges...intrude into the useable [trunk] space.

-- New Car Test Drive

Interiors were the weak link...the leather looked cheap...the plastics felt flimsy.

-- USA Today

Nissan Altima Comparisons:

It's not as good as a Passat inside, but then nothing in this class is.

-- Automobile

With its big V6 and sports suspension, the Nissan Altima has suddenly turned into a sporty alternative to the Honda Accord and Toyota Camry.

-- New Car Test Drive

The Altima [styling] succeeds because Nissan decided to emulate the Passat instead of Camry and Accord.

-- The Detroit News

Best one-liner about the Nissan Altima:

Be afraid, Camry and Accord.

-- Automobile

Nissan definitely doesn't want you asleep at the wheel.

-- USA Today

...[the new] Altima is far more carnivore than cetacean as it gobbles up the road.

-- Los Angeles Times