ALTIMA L32

About the Altima L32

Fourth-gen Altima, and Nissan was losing the mid-size war. The QR25DE 2.5 made 175 hp, the VQ35DE V6 pushed to 270 hp, and the coupe returned with a body that looked genuinely attractive. The CVT became the default transmission and Nissan's Xtronic unit divided opinion between people who didn't notice and people who hated it. The chassis was comfortable and quiet, biased toward highway cruising. The hybrid variant arrived with a supercharged 2.5 and an electric motor for 198 combined hp and 33 mpg. Interior quality was adequate, the tech was current for the era, and the seats were comfortable for long drives. The L32 sold well on fleet deals and incentives. The Altima was becoming a volume play rather than a driver's choice, and the L32 confirmed the direction.