The 2010 Nissan Altima Coupe is freshened for 2010. The Nissan Altima is a 2-door, 5-passenger family coupe. The Nissan Altima is as practical and functional as the top midsize family sedans, but adds a dose of fun most of them lack. It’s no match for sports cars, but its crisp handling and lively acceleration make for entertaining commuting. This family coupe is available in 4 trims, ranging from the 2.5 S 6M/T to the 3.5 SR 6M/T. Upon introduction, the 2.5 S 6M/T is equipped with a standard 2.5-liter, I4, 175-horsepower engine that achieves 23-mpg in the city and 31-mpg on the highway. The 3.5 SR 6M/T is equipped with a standard 3.5-liter, V6, 270-horsepower engine that achieves 18-mpg in the city and 27-mpg on the highway. A 6-speed manual transmission with overdrive is standard on both trims.

Nissan builds the Altima with those people in mind that it’s a reliable transportation device. But, Popular Mechanics notes, “More important, at least to enthusiasts, is that the Altima is in some ways the sportier choice compared to the best-selling Toyota [Camry] and Honda [Accord]. Nissan estimates that 65 percent of Altima buyers are male, and its bolder styling and more subdued interior reflects an adherence to its somewhat masculine personality.”

This car offers one of the sportiest rides available in an affordable midsize car. The rivals are the Ford Fusion and Mazda6, for instance. And while both of its available engines offer almost exactly the same amount of power as the powerplants in the Toyota Camry or Chevy Malibu, the Altima sends thrust through a Continuously Variable Transmission that puts down the power smoothly, giving it sprightly acceleration. It feels a little faster than those cars, even while putting up fairly similar performance measures in the sort of track testing that auto enthusiast magazines conduct.

The Altima is also available as a sporty-looking coupe. In the affordable midsize car class, only the Honda Accord and the Altima offer two-door options.