[NC_Altima]

198hp in Lexus es 300... the next gen beginning in 1999 has 210hp.

Actually the HP was somewhere in the middle of what I wrote and what you wrote:

1996 Lexus ES300 Performance & Efficiency Standard Features
- 2,959 cc 3 liters 6 V engine with 87.5 mm bore, 83 mm stroke, 10.5 compression ratio, double overhead cam and four valves per cylinder
- Premium unleaded fuel
- Fuel economy EPA highway (l/100km): 8.4
- Multi-point injection fuel system
- Main 70 liter fuel tank
- Power: 140 kW , 188 HP @ 5,200 rpm; 203 ft lb @ 4,400 rpm


The next year, 1997, they upped the HP to 198, and there was *significant* difference in the acceleration response (torque as well?).

So yeah, ever so slightly higher than the Altima 2.5. But not much!

 

[alfman4245]

The performance of the 2.5 is terrific! I'm telling you, coming from an Acura TL, I feel and see a major difference even though it is only four cylinders. I will say that I feel more power in my 2.5S than I did in the TL. It might sound crazy but I just love driving the altima. Never had fun driving a car before the it.

 

[cvtfan]

I will say that I feel more power in my 2.5S than I did in the TL.

A 2.5 feels like it has more power than the 258 hp V6 TL? I find that hard to believe. Maybe it's the CVT. Around here, the TL is at least 10k more than the 4-cyl Altima. I have to admit, I was very interested in the TL, but for what I was prepared to fork out, it would have been a 2004 TL with at least 60,000 km on the odometer.

 

[alfman4245]

Don't get me wrong, I loved the TL and it was a great car but I just thought it lagged alittle and when compared to the Altima, I felt that the Altima beat it out as far as acceleration from stop. It might be the CVT and the fact that the Altima is smaller and less weight. btw, the the TL goes for $36,000 with nav and I paid $18,400 for my Altima granted its a base model but it is definitely worth the money and then some.

 

[canadiantj]

I'm more and more impressed with the 2.5 everyday. I can't believe how it accelerates either from a standstill or from cruising speeds. I have to constantly keep checking the speedo to see what over the limit speed I'm at. The 4 cyl effortlessly moves the car like it was half the size it is and never seems to run out of power. And the kicker is the great gas mileage too!

 

[072.5S6SPD]

I'm actually dreading this reality.

There's going to be a bunch of Sentras and Altimas cruising around sounding like low-floor transit busses.

Uh-oh, here it comes... right on schedule...

"Stillen Cat-Back Exhaust for 2.5's"

be the first to get one on your 2.5CVT

 

[nissanjohn]

I used to have a 1996 Lexus ES300 with a 6-cylinder and it was approx 170-175 HP, I believe. I would say the 2.5S is comparable. And if not, it's at least close. Although, the very next year Lexus upped the HP and/or torque and it was *significantly* faster/more responsive. I drove one as a loaner and it made mine seem sluggish. So -- yeah, it's like a sluggish V6 of the past, but it's certainly peppy for a 4cyl.

I've read consumer reviews of the new Camry on Edmunds and person after person with the 4-cyl said it drives like a slug. You don't get that with the Altima 2.5S. (The consumer reviews of the Altima are almost all positive regarding performance). Still, if you want performance ... you will still know that the 2.5S just has a 4-cyl. Long story short, you really do need to test drive them to determine whether the few extra miles per gallon lost to the 6-cyl is worth the significant decrease in performance.

Again -- just my opinion, but thanks for listening to me ramble. lol

I bought my daughter a Camry(I bought it for its size and safety features). It is a Slug, Slow and it handles like crap. Absolutely no comparison to the Altima!

John