Picture Gallery: 2007 Nissan Altima Hybrid | Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4
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This week I am testing the Nissan Altima Hybrid, Nissan’s first foray into the world of alternative-power vehicles. I’m glad Nissan decided to do this with a mid-sized sedan rather than yet another small car that already gets excellent gas mileage. The Altima is a good-sized sedan that can seat four comfortably, with a fifth on the hump, a vehicle the average American is certainly looking for and a good portion of the Canadian population as well.
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Except for leather and a sunroof this vehicle seems to be fairly loaded, including items such as: dual zone climate control, auto up/down front windows, eight-way power adjustable driver’s seat, traction control and vehicle dynamics control, cruise control, smart-key keyless entry and start system, aux input jack and more.
Of course there is a downside to the hybrid version compared to regular Altimas, and that is trunk space. The hybrid car’s batteries are stored behind the passenger seat, and as a result, the rear seat is a bench that cannot be folded, and the trunk is quite a bit smaller than a standard Altima’s trunk.
Transmission choice in the Altima Hybrid is also less exciting, with only a standard CVT available, meaning no 6-speed manual or even a shift-able CVT like other Altimas. I haven’t had much of a chance to drive it yet, but so far impressions are good — hopefully they last.
2007 Nissan Altima Hybrid
MSRP as tested: $34,398
For more information on Nissan and the Altima visit Nissan Canada
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There is a very small but easily-readable display in the Altima’s instrument cluster that tells you when you are in “EV (electric vehicle) mode.” Although you can tell once in awhile when the engine starts or shuts down, if you aren’t waiting for it or thinking about it you, would not notice. I monitored this readout throughout my drive to and from work today and was amazed at how often I was in “EV mode.”
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On the inside, the Altima is plain but functional and the automatic climate control works extremely well and is easy to understand and use. The steering wheel audio controls are a little odd, with the volume control being a left-right toggle rather than the typical up-down configuration, but owners should get used to this fairly quickly.
The seats are extremely comfortable and although they lack lumbar support they seem to be set up just right. One glaringly missing feature is telescopic steering; while I was able to get comfortable rather quickly I found this an odd omission.
Besides the smaller trunk, the hybrid version of the Altima isn’t much different than the standard Altima on the inside, with a good amount of leg and headroom and good visibility all around.
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On the road, the steering is light but direct, giving you the sense you are driving a much smaller car than you really are. Pity about the tires though: they could use some upgrading. I suspect the tires were chosen out to provide the vehicle with a quiet and fuel-efficient ride, but any type of enthusiastic driving will cause them to cry out in pain followed shortly thereafter by huge amounts of understeer. This is odd on a Nissan vehicle, which are typically more sporty.
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The instant-on torque of the electric motor provides a unique sense of acceleration and immediate response. While driving at speed the electric motor is typically helping the gas engine along, if possible, giving you that extra oomph. I’ve noticed at speeds at or below 65km/h with a light throttle application you can cruise in “EV mode” solely; if I am careful I can drive almost entirely on electric power.
Today on my drive into work as luck (good or bad; you decide) would have it, I got stuck in a rather long traffic jam. Bumper to bumper for about 15 min for two km. Now typically I would be fuming (especially when my drive to work is usually 10 minutes and now it was stretched to about 30), but driving the Altima kept me calm. The entire time I was laughing inside, thinking, “wow I’m not using any fuel right now;” remarkable!
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The advertised fuel mileage figures on Nissan’s website are: 5.6 L/100 km (50 mpg) City and 5.9 L/100 km (48 mpg) highway, this might be a bit optimistic compared to my experience this week, but on a really good day — downhill and with a strong tailwind — you might achieve those numbers.
I averaged 7.5L/100km, in mostly city driving with a small amount of highway — much higher than the advertised numbers from Nissan. Also, on Nissan’s website, the company mentions the ability to travel 1310 kilometres (800 miles) per tank; again, that seems like a stretch as the on-board computer was estimating approximately 750-800 kilometres in my tester.
If the government ever gets into gear (pun intended), you’ll be able get a $1500 rebate off the purchase price of the Altima Hybrid, making it pretty good value. My only concern with a vehicle like this is winter worthiness; no doubt the engine will be running more in the winter and the batteries won’t last as long, perhaps negating the Hybrid advantage I achieved this week in record high temperatures.
*Rating out of 5:
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*Rating based on vehicle’s classification
2007 Nissan Altima Hybrid
MSRP as tested: $34,398
For more information on Nissan and the Altima visit Nissan Canada
July 31, 2007, 07:56:09 am Using the Toyota system for it's underpinings will be a plus and bring in people who mike be looking at Camrays to compare. Will be interesting to so how sales go since it's outside the normal players.
July 31, 2007, 08:31:38 am ..Just having a small trunk and no drop down rear seat,plus higher initial cost, would negate any small mileage increase advantage..it's supposed to be a flexible 4 seater.....now it's a BIG MINI.........
July 31, 2007, 09:24:21 am Hybrid System being the same.
How does it stack up against the Camry Hybrid?
1. Content
2. Driving Experience (Sportier?)
3. Safety equipment, knee airbag?
July 31, 2007, 09:53:47 am I wonder why they can't install the battery someplace else (ie. under the trunk like Escape) to allow the rear seats to fold down. Being able to fold down at least one side would be a start.
July 31, 2007, 10:05:57 am
How much of the trunk would be compromised if the trunk was only 7in deep now that they put the batteries underneath? Or how low would the back end be?
July 31, 2007, 10:18:19 am Are hybrids the answer? What environmental saving is there if the process uses to manufacture the batteries spew 5 years worth pollution, equal to a small car in the air? Do we feel good about fooling ourselves?
I like to save fuel, diesel is a better solution as seen in Europe.
July 31, 2007, 10:36:08 am
I like to save fuel, diesel is a better solution as seen in Europe.
Yes, we know the arguments and issues of hybrid vehicles.
Anyways, the Altima Hybrid definitely looks better than the Camry Hybrid (IMO).
July 31, 2007, 10:42:28 am Beside the Prius which I like a lot and would consider, this is probably the only other hybrid that would interest me.
July 31, 2007, 06:55:49 pm Another trunk photo please. Between shadows and the cargo net I can't really tell how big or small the trunk is.
July 31, 2007, 07:06:37 pm
How much of the trunk would be compromised if the trunk was only 7in deep now that they put the batteries underneath? Or how low would the back end be?
That ... and the battery would have to sit in-between the two axles, not on or behind the rear axle, for weight distribution shakes.
Personally, I still cannot see the need/benefit of having a large hybrid vehicle yet.
July 31, 2007, 11:43:57 pm Anybody else having problems with the photo links?
August 01, 2007, 08:54:04 am They're working fine for me
August 01, 2007, 08:57:36 am
How much of the trunk would be compromised if the trunk was only 7in deep now that they put the batteries underneath? Or how low would the back end be?
The battery application on the Escape didn't have to raise the floor much. Of course, the battery wasn't a chunky one; it looked rather flat and wide on the Escape. Maybe they could get rid of that donut spare and place the battery in its place.
August 01, 2007, 09:12:03 am
Since I also wondered the size difference I found this on the Nissan site.
I also noticed this about fuel economy...
The tank size is 76L.
August 01, 2007, 09:24:51 am The trunk is about the same size as the Mazda RX8 and as I type this I checked and voila, RX8 is 290L
August 01, 2007, 10:49:52 am Feeling smug yet James?
August 01, 2007, 12:45:11 pm
Thanks for giving the number a tangible comparison. Wow, that is small for a big sedan. Wouldn't want to take the family and their luggage to the airport in that. I like the RX8 a lot, but it's very small trunk was an issue (would need a different stroller
August 07, 2007, 10:28:03 am Did you use the A/C at all? How did that affect things?
August 07, 2007, 10:37:57 am It was 40C all week last week. The A/C was running CONSTANTLY, it didn't seem to make a difference I believe it runs off of electricity and not off the engine. Maybe I'm wrong but it worked when the engine was not turning.