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My recent test vehicle was the newly designed 2008 Altima Coupe 2.5 liter, 4-cylinder with 175 horsepower and a six-speed manual transmission. There's also a 3.5-liter V6 option with 270 horsepower. A hybrid model will debut after the new year.

The V6, 3.5-liter Altima must be exceedingly quick, because my test vehicle also had plenty of spunk. Consumer Guide, the national review publication, rated the car in the standard 0-60 mph test at 6.4 seconds.

The red exterior-black interior combination is likely the most popular choice among sport cars drivers. My test Altima had a uniquely named "code red" exterior and black leather seating and console, and it only further adds to the car's appeal. It's a Nissan, but one national reviewer described it as a "junior Infiniti G37."

During my test week, I twice made round-trip journeys from Sacramento to the San Francisco Bay area, including one trek in nighttime commuter traffic. I also tested the Altima in a good share of city driving, and in every driving circumstance the new Nissan had plenty of quickness and sustained power.

The Altima's base price of slightly more than $20,000 makes its even more attractive. But that's when Nissan's bottom line folks begin their jobs.

The Altima coupe's Standard equipment list is plentiful, and my test vehicle also has  a great sound system, which was particularly attractive with its satellite radio. But the Bose system and satellite radio is only available via a $1,200 "Connection Package." It also includes the 6-disc MP3/CD player and wireless cellphone link. Then there's the "2.5 SL Package" It has a long list of options — antilock brakes to remote control windows and leather upholstery to woodgrain and metallic interior trim. It sets the buyer back $3,800.

The Altima coupe's new design and responsive driving attributes still make it a good option when matched against the mainstays from Honda and Toyota. But to get the same features as the market leaders requires Altima buyers to select many of the option packages, and thus the base price is a long-forgotten financial reality.

2008 Nissan Altima (Facts & Figures): Safety — Driver and front passenger dual-stage front, front-side and side-curtain airbags; Fuel Mileage (estimates) — 24 mpg (city), 31 mpg (highway); Warranty — Bumper to bumper, 3/36,000 miles; Powertrain, 5 years/60,000 miles; Corrosion, 5 years/unlimited miles; 24-hour roadside assistance, 3 years/36,000 miles; Base Price — $20,570.