Are you in the market for a solid sedan, one that can get you to and from your day’s activities with ease but still has a bit of a sporty flair to it? The 2012 Nissan Altima 2.5 S is recognized as a reliable option.
What does the 2012 Nissan Altima 2.5 S have to offer?
- Available as a 4-door sedan or 2-door coupe
- 2.5L I-4 engine
- 175 horsepower performance
- 2-speed CVT and auto-manual
- Front-wheel drive
Those are some of the basic features of the 2012 Nissan Altima 2.5 S, but it has much more to offer.
Let’s break down those details here. You can get even more insight when you check the 2012 Nissan Altima 2.5 S’s Vehicle History.
What’s the Insight on the 2012 Nissan Altima 2.5 S?
The 2012 Nissan Altima 2.5 S is the mid-trim option. The 2.5 is the base model and has a lot of the same specs with less styling and a bit less performance. The upper trim option, the 3.5 SR, offers much more. That includes a 3.5L V6 engine and available 6-speed manual transmission.
Still, the 2012 Nissan Altima 2.5 S is a solid buy for many reasons. You can take a look at this video of the 2.5 S to get an outstanding view of everything it has to offer. Of course, that’s a new model, but it still offers an idea of different features that make this a solid-selling vehicle.
Let’s See What’s Under the Hood
The standard engine for the 2.5 S is a 2.5L I-4 model. It gets 175 horsepower and 180 lb-ft.
It’s reliable and powerful enough for day-to-day use. That’s the only engine option available on the 2.5 S, which can feel a bit limiting to some drivers.
The vehicle comes with a standard 2-speed CVT with overdrive and auto-manual. For suspension, it comes with four-wheel independent suspension as standard with rear coil springs, independent rear multi-link suspension with an anti-roll bar, and rack and pinion steering.
One of the drawbacks for the 2.5 S is the limited number of upgradable options. You have to move into the 3.5 SR if you want bigger and bolder.
One solid benefit of this car is the good fuel economy. It gets an EPA-estimated 23 city and 32 highway, for a combined 26 miles per gallon. Again, it’s just right for day-to-day driving for most people, especially when you need room for five people (and not just toddlers!).
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration gives it only four out of five stars for safety, though. That’s due to the front and driver side-impact risks. There’s also a bit higher of a risk with rollover than competitor models.
Check out the Look of it
One of the ways the 2.5 S stands out from the base trim is with added styling of the exterior body. There’s not a lot of difference. It comes with 16-inch wheels as standard. You can upgrade to alloy wheels.
It offers an optional spoiler and rear lip spoiler if you want a bit more jazz to the car. It has bodyside moldings, a chrome-tip exhaust, and body-colored folding side-view door mirrors. A nice feature is that they do have an optional upgrade to turn signal indicators on the mirrors.
The Interior has Something to Offer
Another way this model differs from the base trim is with a better number of interior features and convenience options. It features an intelligent key for unlocking the doors. Remote keyless entry is a solid upgrade from previous years.
There are a few optional features available. That includes a navigation system — it’s a bit more basic than you’ll find on new cars today, but it works just the same. You can further upgrade to a voice-activated navigation system. There’s also standard cruise control on this vehicle.
This vehicle also offers automatic temperature control, console ducts, and remote window controls.
Some of the vehicles also have a power glass tilting and sliding moonroof. That’s an optional feature, as is the sunroof wind deflector.
The interior is comfortable, as well. It features ample interior room for legs and shoulders. You’ll also find optional automatic dual-zone front air conditioning. Optional features include a power reclining driver seat and a leather shift knob or steering wheel.
You can also upgrade to the driver and passenger heated-seatbacks and 8-way driver seat adjustments. Some of the cars also feature the optional leather front and rear seat upholstery. This is a nice upgrade that adds a bit of luxury to this vehicle.
Many of the features that help the 2012 Nissan Altima 2.5 S stand out relate specifically to the interior features — such as wood panel door inlays and carpeting floor covering with mats. You will find other features that are worth it — like the driver lumbar support.
How about the Entertainment on the 2012 Nissan Altima 2.5 S?
The 6-speaker setup is reliable, but many people will want the upgraded options. That includes a 9-speaker premium setup or a 9-speaker Bose setup.
Optional features include steering-wheel-mounted audio controls, a DVD system, and radio data system. Speed-sensitive volume is another feature. There is a primary monitor touchscreen provided.
Other upgradable features include wireless phone connectivity and CD-MP3 decoder. This is a 2012, which means it has far fewer features than newer cars.
Should You Go With the 2012 Nissan Altima 2.5 S?
When you break down the differences in the 2.5 S from the trim model, you’ll find a number of benefits. It’s a bit more comfortable and designed to be more luxurious. When compared to the upper trim option, the 2.5 S sees a lot of optional features become standard.
The 2012 Nissan Altima 2.5 S is a solid car. It’s not an industry-leading vehicle, but it does provide solid driving quality and the features you need to enjoy the ride.
Are you ready to find out what’s really worth it? You need customer reviews, then. You can find out what other owners think of the 2012 Nissan Altima 2.5 S at Vehicle History.
