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Four-door sedans don’t have to be dowdy, and Nissan’s Altima SE-R is a case in point.

When Nissan launched the redesigned 2005 Altima in 2004, it held back the SE-R until late September. Until now, the SE-R designation was limited to the Sentra, but adding it to the Altima marks a transition to more refined performance in a larger package. The Altima SE-R is available in black, silver, smoke and red. The SE-R starts at $29,200 plus $560 shipping. The only options are the side airbags and traction control.

The dark-gray test car looked stealthy with its gray, 18-inch forged alloy wheels, aggressive front fascia and rear deck spoiler. It sits closer to the ground and looks ready for action. The instrument panel has three gauges added to the center cluster, and the contoured front bucket seats are covered in charcoal leather with gray or red inserts.

This hunkered-down hot rod looks street tough, but it hasn’t sacrificed any of its family-car practicality. That’s what makes it fun.

Twist the key and you’re greeted with a subtle bark as the 3.5-liter V-6 springs to life. That sound is your first clue that this isn’t just another family sedan with big wheels. The SE-R’s horsepower has been bumped up to 260, but it’s the quick throttle response that makes it so much fun to drive. While this engine loves to rev, it has abundant guts at lower rpm. A quick stab of the throttle is all it takes to merge into rush-hour traffic.

Real performance enthusiasts will revel in the six-speed manual transmission, but for everyday driving, the optional five-speed automatic transmission is the better choice. It can be shifted manually when you want.

The Altima’s interior was redesigned for 2005, and the SE-R incorporates all of the upgrades that came with that change. That means a new instrument panel, three-spoke steering wheel, different upholstery, chrome accents and chrome door handles.

The most prominent addition for the SE-R is a three-pod, center-mounted gauge package similar to the one used on the 350Z. Other changes include heavily contoured front seats with perforated red or gray leather inserts and matching stitching on the seats, steering wheel and shift knob. The front seats and outside mirrors are heated.

The split-folding rear seat is solid black leather without the red or gray leather inserts of the front seats.

Additional features include a power outlet inside the center console storage area for a mobile phone, power windows and locks.

A Bose premium audio system with eight speakers and an in-dash six-disc CD changer is also standard on the SE-R. Fingertip audio controls are mounted on the steering wheel.

The SE-R’s suspension is buttoned down tightly, and while the forged 18-inch wheels look cool and help ultimate cornering performance, they give a ride that is a bit rough on bad pavement. The car sits commendably flat in turns and feels very secure at highway speeds.

Price

The SE-R’s base price is $29,200. The automatic transmission is a no-cost option. The test car was outfitted with traction control and side-curtain airbags. The test car’s sticker price was $30,560.

Warranty

Three years or 36,000 miles.

To get in touch with Tom Strongman, send e-mail to tstrongman@kc.rr.com.

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Engine: 3.5-liter, 260-hp V-6

Transmission: Automatic

Front-wheel drive

Wheelbase: 110.2 inches

Curb weight: 3,316 lbs.

Base price: $29,200

As driven: $30,560

Mpg rating: 20 city, 30 hwy.

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At A Glance

Point: A performance-oriented Altima appeals to buyers who value practicality without sacrificing fun. The V-6 has crisp throttle response, the sports suspension gives flat handling, and the front bucket seats give good support.

Counterpoint: The SE-R’s low-profile tires and tight suspension yield a ride that can be rough over less-than-smooth pavement.