Editors' Most Wanted Vehicles for 2002

Midsize Sedan Under $30,000

Winner: Nissan Altima
"Bigger and bolder than anything in its class."

Completely redesigned for 2002, the Nissan Altima gets our nod as the midsize sedan we'd park in our own garages if we had less than $30,000 to spend. Unseating the Volkswagen Passat was no easy task, but Nissan managed to win us over by infusing the formerly forgettable Altima with attractive styling, outstanding packaging, peppy powertrains and popular pricing. Four trim levels are available: 2.5, 2.5 S, 2.5 SL and 3.5 SE. Standard is a 175-horsepower 2.5-liter inline four-cylinder engine, matched to either a five-speed manual or four-speed automatic transmission. Our favorite, the tautly suspended 3.5 SE, benefits from a silky 240-horse 3.5-liter V6 that effortlessly rockets the Altima to 60 mph quicker than a Ford Mustang GT. Even loaded with every option, the Altima 3.5 SE comes in comfortably shy of the $30,000 threshold. And just because the Altima can perform doesn't mean that creature comforts are forgotten. There's plenty of room for five aboard this surprisingly spacious sedan, and the trunk is spacious. The Altima was launched in 1993 as an affordable luxury car. Never has that advertising tagline been truer than it is today. Drive this car before buying anything else in this segment.