Nissan facelifted the Altima last year, and with styling cues borrowed from the Maxima, from a design perspective the family sedan more than holds its own in this competitive segment. The base model comes equipped with a 2.5-liter 182-hp inline-four, but we got to check out the 3.5-liter V6 that packs 270 horsepower and 251 lb-ft of torque. Despite the rise of the crossover, there are some people that prefer sedans, and the Altima is certainly worth a look if you're in the market for a $30,000 car.

A Xtronic CVT automatic transmission sends power to the front wheels, and with leather appointed seats, a power sliding moonroof, Bose surround sound system, seven-inch touchscreen, push button ignition, and dual chrome exhausts, the Altima ticks plenty of the right boxes.

So before you automatically opt for the trustworthy, yet slightly dull Toyota Corolla, take the time to check out the Nissan Altima. It's a handsome car in person, the powertrain is perfectly capable and there's plenty of room for a family of five. What else can you ask for? Special thanks to Future Nissan of Folsom for letting us film the car.