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Performance can be expensive, especially when you get into a high-end import that drives like a combination hot rod and grand-prix car.

That’s what makes the latest Nissan Altima 3.5 SE kind of special. Here’s a sharply styled sedan that cranks out 270 horsepower, corners like a go-kart and doesn’t vacuum all the cash out of your savings account.

Altima’s usual targets, Honda Accord and Toyota Camry, are left behind as the sport-tuned Nissan sets its sights on bigger game, such as BMW 3-Series, Audi A4 or Lexus IS.

Nissan revamped its midsize sedan for 2007, making it lighter, tighter and more powerful. It shrinks a bit in length and grows in width, with an improved interior and styling that refines the look of the previous generation.

The base-model Altima, starting around $18,000, remains in the pack as an attractive family transport powered by a 175-horsepower four. That’s plenty for most chores, but the strong V-6 adds the kind of muscle that more-demanding drivers crave. Fuel mileage is not too bad, either.

There are a few downsides, though, such as a harsh ride that never lets you forget the stiffened sport suspension. The front-wheel-drive torque steer that bedeviled the previous version has been largely tamed, but it’s still yanking the wheel when you push down hard on the throttle.

And while the Altima 3.5 SE packs much of the driving flair of the high-priced sport sedans, it lacks the bragging rights that those sporty drivers also crave.

PERFORMANCE: The 3.5-liter V-6 gets 20 more horsepower for 2007, a powerful improvement that provides strong acceleration and flexible response across the board. Coupled with a slick-shifting six speed, the SE ran like a performance car costing $10,000 more. The sonorous exhaust note provides fitting accompaniment to the smooth performance. The only other available transmission is a continuously variable automatic, which could provide improved economy but most likely would blunt the driving experience.

DRIVABILITY: Altima feels well-balanced for a front-wheel driver, diving into curves and cruising with stable precision. The sport suspension equates to some harsh buffeting on rough pavement. Torque steer is still a problem under acceleration, causing some yawing and traction issues. Even the base model Altima comes standard with six air bags, although you have to pay extra for antilock brakes. The SE comes with antilock as standard, as well as stability and traction control.

STYLING: Nissan lopped a couple of inches off Altima in response to consumer complaints that the previous car was too big. The dramatically angular headlights and taillights from the previous model have been accentuated, adding to Altima’s appeal.

INTERIOR: Despite the shorter body and wheelbase, the interior remains farily roomy and accommodating, with plenty of room for an extra-tall driver. The look and materials are much improved, although the multiple textures wind up looking kind of fussy. The Bose audio sounded great, but the test car’s system had something amiss with the tuner. I never got it to work right.

BOTTOM LINE: Although Altima 3.5 SE starts at a reasonable $24,000, the $4,400 premium option package and sundry other items pushed it right up to $30,000. That seems like a stout price for an Altima, no matter how good it is.

NISSAN ALTIMA 3.5 SE

Vehicle type: Five-passenger, four-door sedan, front-wheel drive. Engine: 3.5-liter V-6, 270 horsepower at 6,000 rpm, 258 pound-feet torque at 4,400 rpm. Transmission: Six-speed manual. Wheelbase: 109.3 inches. Overall length: 189.8 inches. Curb weight: 3,268 pounds. EPA rating: 21 city, 27 highway.

HIGHS: Engine performance, sporty handling, nice interior. LOWS: Rough ride, torque steer, radio woes.

Pricing

Base price: $24,000. Price as tested: $30,215.

OPTIONS * Premium package, including Bose audio system with six-disc CD, satellite radio and MP3/CD-ROM playback capability; Bluetooth hands-free phone system; heated leather seats; moonroof; dual-zone climate control; Homelink transmitter; rear-passenger AC vents, $4,400. * Vehicle dynamic control and full-size spare, $900. * Floor and trunk mats, $170. * Splash guards, $130. * Shipping, $615.