I keep reading that the 2002 Altima saved Nissan in the US, but what was so special about that model?

I've been reading a little about Nissan's history and how they almost died in the US in the early 2000's but everything I see about that period points to the 2002 Altima and that gen being the saving grace for Nissan.Was it because of its value, its gas milage, its driving dynamics? What was it better at when compared with the other mid size sedans at that point in time that make it successful? via /r/cars http://ift.tt/2sH8pMF