DESCRIPTION

Pros:

• Very good fuel economy
• Basic but comfortable interior built with quality materials
• Responsive handling belying its tree-hugger aspirations

Cons:

• Hybrid powertrain uncomfortable at highway speeds
• Only sold in limited regions
• Backseat comfort is not very good

Ruling: The Nissan Altima Hybrid offers performance, comfort, safety, economy, and good looks in this environmentally friendly family sedan.

Altima Hybrid is estimated to have a hybrid system net power rating of 198 horsepower. EPA fuel economy is estimated at 35 mpg City and 33 mpg Highway. Combined with Altima’s standard 20-gallon fuel tank, the Altima Hybrid has a projected driving range of over 600 miles between fill-ups.

The Altima Hybrid powertrain uses Nissan’s 158 horsepower 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine and electronically controlled CVT with an advanced electric drive motor/generator that increases fuel economy while maintaining low tailpipe emissions. The Altima Hybrid is rated as an Advanced Technology Partial Zero Emissions Vehicle (AT-PZEV) and emits almost no evaporative emissions.

The Altima Hybrid has been certified to meet California emissions requirements and is sold in states that have adopted California emissions regulations: California, Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island and Vermont.

The 2010 model year got a revised front end and refinements to the interior. For 2011, revisions to the Altima Hybrid for 2011 are limited to three new exterior colors: Metallic Silver, Saharan Stone and Brilliant Silver.