doesn't assault the eyes with trendy, short-lived styling, challenge service personnel

with exotic hardware, or pressure the bank account with irresistible options customers

just can't live without.

A car, in short, like the Nissan Altima.

You might not even notice a member of the three-model Nissan sedan family in a

crowd. It lacks the distinctive ovoid styling cues of the newer Ford Contour and

Mercury Mystique, for example, or the aggressive, cab-forward presence of the Dodge

Stratus. And it does without a long list of model choices, drivetrain options and

other sticker-inflating gimcrackery.

Fact is, in a field that is filled with everything from Honda Accords to Hyundai

Sonatas--with the Mazda 626, Mitsubishi Galant and a number of others in between--the

Altima has carved out a high successful niche for itself during the past three model

years by being unobtrusive, understated and an especially good value.

To those basic virtues are added a few surprises along the way,

comfort/convenience features that allow Nissan to unblushingly bill the Altima as a

small luxury sedan.

A look at sales figures shows how correct Nissan's product planners were: The

Altima has sold well since the day it was introduced, and continues to do so, a

performance that's had a profoundly positive impact on the company's fortunes in the

intensely competitive North American market.

And all without smoke, mirrors or gimmicks.