2013 Nissan Altima ‘best new model in class’

Adding to its many accolades since launching in 2012, the fifth-generation 2013 Nissan Altima has been awarded the title of “Best New Model” vehicle in the $25,000-$30,000 price range by Kiplinger’s Personal Finance. The Altima was one of 22 vehicles honored in the 2013 Kiplinger’s annual buyer’s guide, which provides consumers with advice on how to find value and quality when they go car shopping. Every year, Kiplinger’s Personal Finance sorts through hundreds of vehicles to reveal the best values in its annual buyer’s guide. Winners are selected in 12 categories, which are ranked by price, performance, value, safety, roominess and driving impressions. Among the winners are two standouts in each category—Best in Class and Best New Model. The 2013 winners will be featured in the March issue, which hits newsstands and online at www.kiplinger.com on February 5. Al Castignetti, Nissan Division Vice President and General Manager, said: “The Nissan Altima has come a long way in the 20 years since it was first introduced. We took great strides to completely redesign this vehicle with a number of innovative features that improve upon the driving experience while maintaining its affordability. Being honored by Kiplinger’s Personal Finance validates all of our hard work and highlights our passion for developing innovative yet affordable products.” The Nissan Altima, assembled in Smyrna, Tenn., continues to be one of the top selling mid-size sedans in the United States, with more than 300,000 sold in calendar year 2012. Among the 2013 Altima’s many attributes are a best-in-segment fuel economy of 38 mpg highway* (2.5-liter engine), new premium exterior styling with a strong presence and excellent aerodynamics, an upscale interior with premium materials, and an outstanding balance of ride comfort, stability and a fun-to-drive demeanor. Building on Nissan’s “Innovation that Excites” philosophy, the fifth-generation Altima also offers standard Bluetooth® Hands-Free Phone System and Streaming Audio via Bluetooth®. Also available are NissanConnectSM and NissanConnectSM with Navigation with a suite of Bluetooth® phone connectivity features including hands-free text message integration, Pandora® playback, real-time Google® POI search and more; along with Easy Fill Tire Alert and next-generation Safety Shield Technologies, including Blind Spot Warning (BSW), Lane Departure Warning (LDW) and Moving Object Detection (MOD) systems. Dynamic performance is provided by a choice of a 182-horsepower 2.5-liter DOHC inline 4-cylinder engine or a 270-horsepower 3.5-liter V6, with both engines matched with standard next-generation Xtronic CVT® (Continuously Variable Transmission). The premium interior design looks and feels a class above, with available leather appointments, and a new standard Advanced Drive-Assist™ Display in the center of the instrument cluster that integrates key information – including available navigation, text messaging notification and audio data – right in front of the driver. From Motorin News