New Car Review of the 2004 Nissan Altima Mid-Size Sedan.

Description: Mid-Size Sedan
Base MSRP Range: $16,850 - $23,250
Invoice Price Range: $16,464 - $21,502

Nissan's four-door sedan for the mid-size class projects aggressive styling and packs aboard a big V6 engine.

Exterior designs look crisp and clean, but also aggressive and powerful with taut skin stretched over muscular shoulders and flat side panels interrupted by bulging fenders.

Altima appears in four trims described by the size of two engine options. An entry model and two upgraded issues carry a dual-cam 2.5-liter in-line-four plant and line up as the Altima 2.5, mid-grade 2.5 S and deluxe 2.5 SL.

Top Altima 3.5 SE packs Nissan's 3.5-liter V6 good for 245 hp now. A five-speed manual or four-speed automatic works with either engine. Several packages of gear go to SE, such as the 3.5 SE Sport Package Plus with sunroof, tail spoiler, xenon headlamps and Bose audio, or the Premium Leather Package with leather draping the cockpit. And a fresh exterior color choice for Altima emerges under the label of Smoke.