Nissan Altima Hybrid
Nissan Altima Hybrid
MSRP: $26,780
Estimated MPG: 33 city / 33 highway
Class: Mid-size sedan
The Altima Hybrid represents the latest version of the very first electric vehicle to bear the Nissan brand. Thanks to a technological partnership with Toyota, Nissan has been able to bless their sporty mid-size sedan with a green-friendly drivetrain that goes a long way towards reducing the amount of fuel consumed by the vehicle. Nissan plans to eventually introduce its own proprietary hybrid technology within a short period of time.
The Nissan Altima Hybrid licenses the same Hybrid Synergy Drive that is used by Toyota in the Prius and the Camry. In Nissan’s application, the vehicle’s 2.5 liter, 4-cylinder engine is tuned to provide 158 horsepower and 162 lb-ft of torque. An electric motor kicks in an additional 40 horsepower, for a grand total of 198 ponies. The Xtronic continuously-variable electronic transmission sends all of this power to the front wheels, and the Altima Hybrid’s fuel economy is a decent but not spectacular 33 miles per gallon in the city and 33 miles per gallon on the highway. Speed-sensitive electric power steering and electric air conditioning help to reduce some of the load on the gasoline engine and contribute to thriftier driving. The Altima Hybrid provides a more engaging ride than some other gasoline / electric vehicles, managing to retain a significant portion of the driving experience that the Altima has become known for, especially during cornering.
Unlike some companies who choose to outfit their hybrid models with heavy amounts of comfort gear and gadgets, the Nissan Altima is a mixed bag when it comes to features and equipment. The vehicle starts off with cloth seats, dual climate controls, a push button start and of course the now mandatory gauges that track battery charge and energy flow between the engine and the electric motor. The roomy Altima can be upgraded with niceties such as leather hides for the seats, as well as almost every single option available to other versions of the sedan, which can quickly load the car down with gadgets and gizmos. The automobile also benefits from a 2010 exterior restyling effort as well as a refresh of the sedan’s interior that took place at the same time.