Who doesn't appreciate Target? Oh, excuse me, Tar-jay.
This is the store that taught Americans that inexpensive goods don't have to be ugly, dowdy or dreary. For example, say you want to buy a coffee maker. You can buy one at Target or at Williams-Sonoma. Both will be made in China, but one will cost a lot more than the other. Both will look good. Both will make a good cup of coffee.
Now, suppose you're looking for a sexy coupe as your new set of wheels. There are plenty of expensive ones. Even the Nissan Altima coupe, when equipped with a V6 and popular options, can become quite pricey.
So what happens when you swap Nissan's lovely 270-horsepower V6 engine with a 175-horsepower four-cylinder powerplant? It will be almost $5,000 cheaper, but look just as good. After all, this car is a looker. While the front end resembles the Altima sedan, the rest of the car takes its inspiration from the rakish Infiniti G37 coupe. The Nissan has a bit more sculpting to it, but it's quite attractive. So is its starting price: $22,440.
It was time to find out what it took to live with this car's heart transplant. Nissan happily obliged, supplying one with a continuously-variable automatic transmission, or CVT as it's commonly known, rather than the standard six-speed manual.
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Unlike a conventional transmission with a fixed number of gears, a CVT has an infinite number of gears. Theoretically, this allows the transmission to constantly vary which gear it's in, resulting in lower fuel consumption. Usually, CVT transmissions can't handle huge amounts of power, limiting their usefulness in sports cars. They also tend to hesitate if you ask for a sudden burst of speed, as the transmission attempts to decide where it should be. But the amount of power generated by a four-cylinder is minimal enough for a CVT to handle.
The Altima, with a four under its hood, minimizes this problem, although it still crops up at times. Power from the 2.5-liter four-cylinder is sluggish off the line, but responsive once at speed. The four is perfectly adequate for the daily grind, and returns good mileage: 29.8 mpg during a weeklong test drive. Those with a leaden foot will want more power, since this a sporty coupe, and its styling carries expectations of power and responsive handling. But don't get fooled: This is really an economy car with a great bod.
As for its handling, well, it's not any different from the four-door sedan.
Instead, concentrate on making sure this car's cabin is as fetching as its sheet metal. You might want to consider outfitting your Altima like the test car: a slate gray exterior and red leather interior, the latter a $2,060 option.
What others don't have to know, and you don't have to tell them, is that the interior design, while flashy like the car's exterior, has its share of inexpensive plastics. Popping for the leather seats mitigates the downscale feel.
But be careful with the options list.
The test car had the $2,070 2.5 S Premium Package with power moonroof, satellite radio, Bose audio system, 4.3-inch screen, rear-view camera, USB port and dual climate control; and a $1,080 Convenience Package with power driver's seat, automatic headlamps and leather-wrapped steering wheel with audio controls. Along with a couple other options (fog lamps and floor mats), the vehicle didn't seem like as much of a bargain, coming in close to close to $30,000 without a navigation system.
Looking good doesn't have to be expensive, at least with the Nissan Altima coupe. But if you want performance, that's another story.
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2011 NISSAN ALTIMA COUPE:
--What we say: Great looking fuel-sipper
--Pro: Gorgeous, frugal
--Con: Not what its looks suggest
Stats
--Engine: 2.5-liter DOHC four-cylinder
--Wheelbase: 105.3 inches
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--Length: 180.9 inches
--Weight: 3,125 pounds
--Cargo space: 8.2 cubic feet
--EPA rating (city/highway): 23/32 mpg
--Fuel consumption: 29.8 mpg
--Fuel type: Regular
--Base price, base model: $22,440
--Base price, test model: $22,940
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--As tested: $29,345
