If you’re expecting a dramatically different Nissan Altima Coupe for 2012, you’ll be disappointed. Despite a lack of changes (other than a single exterior color change), you’ll still find a coupe that can deliver a powerful V6 with, according to Nissan, a sporty and sophisticated look. While short on rear-seat comfort and trunk space, the coupe offers a fairly sprightly ride, combined with a choice of transmissions (although the manual 6-speed was not a selling feature for some in 2011).

This year’s carryover will still provide buyers a choice of two trims, the 2.5 S and the 3.5 SR. Each is named for the engine that drives it—either a 2.5-liter inline 4-cylinder with 175 hp and 180 lb-ft of torque or a 3.5-liter V6 with 270 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque. Unlike its sedan counterpart, the Coupe offers a choice of transmissions for both engines: an Xtronic CVT (continuously variable transmission), which includes performance tuning and adaptive shift logic for the V6, or a 6-speed manual transmission (6MT). This doesn’t have much bearing on the fuel economy of the Coupe, however, with the I4 manual reaching estimates of 23 mpg city/31 highway and the 2.5 CVT virtually matching it with 23/32. The V6 suffers a bit in its fuel economy, with 18/27 for the manual and 20/27 for the CVT.

The transmission choice does influence what comes standard in the 3.5 SR, however. When equipped with the 6-speed manual, the 3.5 SR includes all the options in the Leather Package (available for the 2.5 S or 3.5 SR with CVT) and the 3.5 SR Premium Package (optional for the 3.5 SR with CVT). This means that the 3.5 SR 6MT includes leather, rather than cloth, seats with heated front passenger and driver seats. Other standard features include HID Xenon headlights and a HomeLink Universal transceiver, as well as an upgraded Bose audio system, dual-zone automatic climate control, a RearView monitor with a 4.3-inch display, Bluetooth for hands-free phone, a USB port for iPod connectivity and XM satellite radio (although no subscription).

This is not to say that the 2.5 S or 3.5 SR with CVT are without their charms. All trims come with front and rear antilock disc brakes with electronic brakeforce distribution and brake assist. Heated side-view mirrors with integrated turn signals provide additional visibility for the 3.5 SR, regardless of transmission choice. Both the 2.5 S and 3.5 SR locate the standard cruise control switches on the manual tilt/telescoping steering wheel, and the sporty 2-door coupe drives comfortably (if not always quietly) on front independent struts and a rear multilink independent suspension with front and rear stabilizer bars.

The two Altima Coupe trims also return with seating for 5 (although the rear will prove cramped for adults—a not uncommon complaint for a coupe’s sloping roofline) with 4-way manual passenger seat adjustment. The 2.5 SR, however, includes only 6-way manual adjustment for the driver’s seat, while the 3.5 SR adds 8-way power adjustment. The standard stereo for all but the 3.5 SR with 6MT is an AM/FM/CD with 6 speakers. In addition, every trim includes remote keyless entry with the Nissan Intelligent Key, allowing drivers to gain entry to the car or trunk with the tap of a button and start the engine with push-button ignition.

Although the trunk space is (not surprisingly) small, with only 8.2 cubic feet of storage space, the trunk hinges do not interfere with the actual usable space, and interior storage options help to compensate, including a center console with a sliding armrest and covered storage box.

Safety features across the lineup include 6 standard airbags, as well as standard vehicle dynamic control, traction control and tire pressure monitoring. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety did not test the 2011 Nissan Altima Coupe and, although the 2011 4-door Altima sedan got a thorough “once-over” by the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA), the Coupe underwent only a rollover test for last year, receiving a perfect 5 stars, with only a 9.3% chance of a rollover.

While individual options can be added to the 2012 Altima Coupe (foglights, rear deck spoiler or the Blueconnect Bluetooth hands-free phone system to name a few), upgrades to the Coupe are primarily available through packages of options, which can quickly increase the cost of the car. In addition to the Leather Package, a Technology Package is available for both trims, adding a hard-drive navigation system with 6.5-inch color touchscreen monitor (as well as voice recognition), DVD playback, streaming audio with Bluetooth and a 9.3GB Music Box hard drive for music storage and playback, among other features. In addition, while the 3.5 SR has its own Premium Package, the 2.5 S similarly offers a trim-specific duo of packages. The 2.5 S Convenience Package includes extras such as an 8-way power adjustable front driver’s seat, wood-tone interior trim and a leather-wrapped steering wheel with integrated audio controls. This package is a prerequisite for the 2.5 S Premium Package, which will add a power tilt-and-slide moonroof, hands-free phone with Bluetooth, an upgraded stereo, rear-view monitor, XM aatellite radio and a USB port for iPod integration, as well as dual-zone automatic temperature control and exterior folding mirrors with LED turn signals. One downside, however, is that all but the 3.5 SR Premium package and 2.5 S Convenience package require the purchase of additional features and/or packages (depending on the trim), boosting the pricetag of the Coupe.