2012 Nissan Altima Coupe Reviews, Pricing & Specs

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$24,040 to $28,970

Original MSRP

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expert review

4.5

avg user rating

(17 reviews)
2012 Nissan Altima Coupe Preview summaryImage

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.

CarGurus Editorial Team
Published May 31, 2022 by CarGurus Editorial Team
While we highlight specific author bylines where possible, sometimes our content results from the combined efforts of several members of the CarGurus editorial team. As with all our editorial content, you can expect high levels of automotive insight and expertise delivered in a style that is approachable and free from jargon.

User reviews for 2012 Nissan Altima Coupe

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User rating:
by Brian S
Nov 26, 2022
Throw in black alloy wheels, repair any dings and I would pay cash after a test drive. Looks like the only thing missing is the leather interior. Nov 26, 2022
by Debbie F
Apr 15, 2022
I love mine. But.. the transmission had to be replaced and I have had leaks from the sunroof window.Apr 15, 2022
by Janice E
Feb 20, 2022
The features are awesome. Love the car and its features Feb 20, 2022

2012 Nissan Altima Coupe Pricing

Original MSRP
$24,040 to $28,970
Price range
$6,801 to $7,619
Average price on CG
$7,018
YoY price change
$7,152 to $7,018

Trims & specs

Air Conditioning

Automatic climate control front air conditioning · Dual front air conditioning zones

Airbags

Dual front airbags · Passenger airbag deactivation: occupant sensing deactivation · Front side airbags · Front side curtain airbags

Audio System

Antenna Type: element · USB auxiliary audio input · Hard Drive: 9.3GB · Single disc in-Dash CD · MP3 player: CD MP3 Playback · Bose premium brand speakers · AM/FM radio · XM with NavTraffic satellite radio · Total Number of Speakers: 9

Brakes

ABS: 4-wheel · Front brake diameter: 11.7 · Front brake width: 1.02 · Front brakes: ventilated disc · Rear brake diameter: 11.5 · Rear brake width: .35 · Rear brakes: disc

Comfort Features

Armrests: rear center folding with storage · Door sill trim: scuff plate · Floor Mat Material: carpet · Floor Mats: front and rear · Shift knob trim: leather · Steering wheel trim: leather

Convenience Features

Center console: front console with armrest and storage · Cupholders: front · Dimming rearview mirror: auto-dimming · Multi-function remote: proximity entry system · One-touch windows: 1 · Power outlet(s): two 12V · Power steering: speed-proportional · Power windows: lockout button · Reading lights: front · Steering wheel: tilt and telescopic · Steering wheel mounted controls: navigation · Storage: sunglasses holder · Universal garage door opener: Homelink · Vanity mirrors: dual

Driver Seat

Manual adjustments: 6 · Power adjustments: 8

Drivetrain

Axle ratio: 3.81

Engine

Alternator: 110 amps

Exterior Features

Door handle color: body-color · Exhaust: dual exhaust tips · Exhaust tip color: chrome · Front bumper color: body-color · Mirror color: body-color · Mudguards: rear · Rear bumper color: body-color

Headrests

Front headrests: adjustable · Number of front headrests: 2 · Number of rear headrests: 2

Instrumentation

Warnings and reminders: low fuel level

Lights

Headlights: HID

Mirrors

Exterior mirrors: folding

Passenger Seat

Manual Adjustments: 4

Rear Seats

Type: 60-40 split bench

Roof

Moonroof: tilt

Safety

Active head restraints: driver · Child seat anchors: LATCH system · Crumple zones: front

Seatbelts

Emergency locking retractors: front · Front seatbelts: 3-point · Seatbelt force limiters: front · Seatbelt pretensioners: front · Second row seatbelts: 3-point

Seats

Driver seat manual adjustments: height · Front seat type: bucket · Heated: front seats · Rear seat folding: split · Upholstery: leather-appointed

Spare Tire

Mount Location: inside · Size: temporary

Spare Wheel

Rim Type: steel

Steering

Steering ratio: 16.2 · Turns lock-to-lock: 2.8

Suspension

Front Arm Type: lower control arms · Front Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Front Spring Type: coil springs · Front Stabilizer Bar: diameter 23 mm · Front Suspension Classification: independent · Front Suspension Type: MacPherson struts · Rear Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Rear Spring Type: coil springs · Rear Stabilizer Bar: diameter 17 mm · Rear Suspension Classification: independent · Rear Suspension Type: multi-link

Telematics

Navigation system: hard drive navigation system w/voice activation · Phone wireless data link: Bluetooth

Tires

Type: all season

Tires and Rims

Wheel type: aluminum alloy

Wheels

Wheel spokes: 5

Windows

Front wipers: variable intermittent · Power windows: with safety reverse

Air Conditioning

Automatic climate control front air conditioning · Single front air conditioning zones

Airbags

Dual front airbags · Passenger airbag deactivation: occupant sensing deactivation · Front side airbags · Front side curtain airbags

Audio System

Antenna Type: element · USB auxiliary audio input · Hard Drive: 9.3GB · Single disc in-Dash CD · MP3 player: CD MP3 Playback · Premium Brand: Bose · AM/FM radio · XM satellite radio · Total Number of Speakers: 9

Brakes

ABS: 4-wheel · Front brake diameter: 11.7 · Front brake width: 1.02 · Front brakes: ventilated disc · Rear brake diameter: 11.5 · Rear brake width: .35 · Rear brakes: disc

Comfort Features

Armrests: rear center folding with storage · Door sill trim: scuff plate · Floor Mat Material: carpet · Floor Mats: front and rear · Shift knob trim: leather · Steering wheel trim: leather

Convenience Features

Center console: front console with armrest and storage · Cupholders: front · Dimming rearview mirror: auto-dimming · Multi-function remote: trunk release · One-touch windows: 2 · Power outlet(s): two 12V · Power steering: speed-proportional · Power windows: lockout button · Reading lights: rear · Steering wheel: tilt and telescopic · Steering wheel mounted controls: cruise controls · Storage: sunglasses holder · Universal garage door opener: Homelink · Vanity mirrors: dual illuminating

Driver Seat

Adjustable lumbar support: manual · Power adjustments: 8

Drivetrain

Axle ratio: 4.13

Engine

Alternator: 130 amps

Exterior Features

Door handle color: body-color · Exhaust: dual exhaust tips · Exhaust tip color: chrome · Front bumper color: body-color · Mirror color: body-color · Mudguards: rear · Rear bumper color: body-color

Headrests

Front headrests: adjustable · Number of front headrests: 2 · Number of rear headrests: 2

In Car Entertainment

Infotainment screen size: 4.3 in.

Instrumentation

Warnings and reminders: low fuel level

Lights

Headlights: Halogen

Mirrors

Exterior mirrors: power

Passenger Seat

Manual Adjustments: 4

Rear Seats

Type: 60-40 split bench

Roof

Moonroof: sliding sunshade

Safety

Active head restraints: driver · Camera system: rearview · Child seat anchors: LATCH system · Crumple zones: front

Seatbelts

Emergency locking retractors: front · Front seatbelts: 3-point · Seatbelt force limiters: front · Seatbelt pretensioners: front · Second row seatbelts: 3-point

Seats

Driver seat power adjustments: height · Front seat type: bucket · Heated: front seats · Rear seat folding: split · Upholstery: leather

Spare Tire

Mount Location: inside · Size: temporary

Spare Wheel

Rim Type: steel

Steering

Steering ratio: 16.2 · Turns lock-to-lock: 2.7

Suspension

Front Arm Type: lower control arms · Front Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Front Spring Type: coil springs · Front Stabilizer Bar: diameter 24 mm · Front Suspension Classification: independent · Front Suspension Type: MacPherson struts · Rear Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Rear Spring Type: coil springs · Rear Stabilizer Bar: diameter 18 mm · Rear Suspension Classification: independent · Rear Suspension Type: multi-link

Telematics

Navigation system: hard drive navigation system w/voice activation · Phone: voice activated · Phone wireless data link: Bluetooth

Tires

Type: all season

Tires and Rims

Wheel type: aluminum alloy

Wheels

Wheel spokes: 5

Windows

Front wipers: variable intermittent · Power windows: remote operation

See all trims (2)