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Altima is not to be confused with Ultima, the big Buick luxury sedan.

Altima is the compact Nissan economy/wannabe luxury sedan.

Altima bowed in the 1993 model year and has been a steady 150,000-unit annual sales performer since. It has proven especially appealing to women opting for value in a small, easily manageable sedan that delivers excellent mileage with the creature comforts and power amenities that usually come in larger, more expensive vehicles.

That’s not to say Altima is a luxury car. It isn’t. It’s a sedan for those whose next promotion will put them in line for a larger, more luxurious, more comfortable, more powerful, more expensive Maxima.

We tested the 1997 1/2 (Nissan calls it the 1997.5) GLE, top-of-the-line model in the Altima camp. The 2.4-liter, 150-horsepower, 16-valve, 4-cylinder engine is peppy enough so you can merge or pass without waiting for a wider gap in the traffic. But it still is a 4-bangerwith the inherent noise when you punch the pedal hard to merge, pass or climb the hill.

A V-6, as in Maxima, packs more punch and delivers less audible groans. But the 4-cylinder serves the purpose in delivering exceptional mileage, so although the engine/trans may groan a bit when pressed into action, the owner doesn’t groan at the gas station.

The GLE features four-wheel independent suspension, front and rear stabilizer bars, power steering and 15-inch treads. Ride and handling is pleasant, but you don’t take a corner as fast or travel over a bump as smoothly as you would in a Maxima.

The list of standard features is impressive–power brakes/mirrors/door locks/windows with driver’s-side express down, dual air bags, side window demisters, aluminum alloy wheels, air conditioning, AM/FM stereo with cassette, cruise control, keyless entry, illuminated vanity mirrors, tilt steering, intermittent wipers, rear-window defroster, remote hood/trunk/fuel filler door release, a rear center-seat pass-through from the trunk to hold skis, center console storage and dual cupholders.

Also for ’97 1/2, leather seats have been made standard, another means of emphasizing luxury in a smaller sedan that competes with rivals limited to cloth. However, while leather gives you bragging rights, it also may give you a pain in the behind when slipping onto those animal skins when temperatures plunge in another month or two. If you live in Miami, you don’t have to worry about freezing your bottom, but you do have to think about cooking it on leather. Cloth also offers better support in corners and turns without slipping or sliding.

All of those standard goodies at a base price of $20,899 is evidence why folks are swayed Altima’s way when it comes to value. The only options you need add are ABS for $499 and power slide/tilt sunroof for $849. The only gripe is that to keep the base price low, ABS is an option, though we’d also like to have traction control available. It isn’t. And it would be nice if power sunroof prices were closer to $500 than to $1,000.

Perhaps Altima’s biggest drawback is styling, which, at best, is rather bland. You come to expect onlookers to ask “What is it?” when you tool up to the light in a Plymouth Prowler. The question is a compliment that shows interest in the machine. But when you pull into the driveway and the family and neighbors ask the same question, it means the sheet metal fails to make a statement and the car is a bit too invisible.

Altima styling is a bit long in the tooth and is due for a remake for 1998. You just might sneak a peek at the new design on the auto-show circuit next year.

>> 1997 Nissan Altima GLE Wheelbase: 103.1 inches Length: 180.5 inches Engine: 2.4-liter, 150-h.p., 16-valve, 4-cy inder Transmission: 4-speed automatic. EPA mileage: 21 m.p.g. city/29 m.p.g. highway. Base price: $20,899 Price as tested: $22,247. Includes $499 for ABS and $849 for power slide/tilt sunroof. Add $470 for freight. Pluses: Roomy, comfortable, decent power. Good range of safety features. Very good mileage and respectable price. Leather seats now standard. Minuses: ABS optional. Leather seats will be cool in winter, hot in summer. A little slippery in corners most of the time. Styling makes this a “What is it?” car, but a redesign is coming. >>