Hybrid Vehicles Guide

Overview: Nissan is a company that has gone on record stating that hybrid cars are bad business. When you look at it from a purely business point of view, perhaps there is merit. After all, hybrid sales count for a mere 5% of the demand for vehicles, and the cost of producing them are quite high (for now). And, one can experience a similar increase in fuel economy by simply changing their driving habits.

Detail: However, upon us is the Nissan Altima, Nissan’s eco-friendly of the popular sedan. Utilizing a hybrid system licensed from Toyota, the Altima features current hybrid technology as well as its handsome looks and impressive handling. The question is, however, whether or the not the hybrid system will change how the Altima, which is a consumer favorite for its performance, drives and feels.

Driving the Altima Hybrid

The 200 combined horsepower of the Altima hybrid do a great job of propelling this beauty, and the gobs of low end torque (200 from the electric motor, 168 from the gasoline engine, all before 3,000 rpm) propel the Altima from stops with surprising deliverance. This is a car that doesn’t want to have the typical “hybrid” label.

The Altima scoots along effortlessly, and though it feels bulkier than its non-hybrid brothers, it’s a compromise we’re willing to make. After all, gas mileage exceeding 30 miles per gallon is pretty impressive for a sedan this size. We had some complains initially about brake pedal feel, but we’ve grown accustomed to it and it no longer poses a bother. In fact, we don’t even notice it anymore.

The transmission does a good job of allowing the Altima hybrid to accelerate smoothly, but we miss the feeling associated with a traditional transmission. The continuously variable transmission, which seems to be all the rage with automakers right now, tends to take a bit off of the Altima’s fun side.

Like most hybrids, the Altima comes with many different technical features, including a very useful rear-view camera. However, at a price exceeding $30,000 well equipped, it certainly isn’t the bargain driver that we would have liked. A price around $28,000 would have been ideal, but I suppose you need to pay for all of that technology.

Conclusion

The Altima isn’t the most spirited hybrid, but it’s comfortable and certainly no slouch either. Rumor has it that Nissan is developing their own hybrid system, so perhaps we’ll see more of a commitment from the automaker. Either way, as far as hybrids go, the Altima is pretty good.