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Hybrid Vehicles Nissan Altima Hybrid Nissan Altima Hybrid
321 messages, Last post on Nov 19, 2009 at 9:31 PM
You are in the Nissan Altima Hybrid Forum. Your Host is pf_flyer
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Replying to: wilkich84 (Feb 26, 2007 4:42 pm) Accord Hybrid VS Altima Hybrid ~+60 HP Better Handling Real World ~25 MPG AVG ~35 MPG AVG
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Replying to: happy_hybrid_1 (Feb 26, 2007 6:09 pm) It actually reminded me that I rented a last generation Altima a couple of years ago and thought that the 4 cyl was somewhat peppy. I'll check the new one at the dealer and report back.
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Replying to: wilkich84 (Feb 27, 2007 2:07 pm)
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Replying to: happy_hybrid_1 (Feb 28, 2007 10:39 am) the compression ratio is different because it's not exactly the same engine, they had to downsize it a bit in order to be able to fit the hybrid motor that 3000 "discount" was complete bs and wanted you to get in that car that day (scare tactic) i highly doubt these are high in demand cars, i ordered one in MASS and i got $1500 under msrp for a car with tech package
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Replying to: happy_hybrid_1 (Feb 28, 2007 10:39 am) Unfortunately, I also do not live in a state where the Altima Hybrid is sold (but if it was available and I liked it, however, I would have traveled to a neighboring state to get it). Therefore, my comparisons are between a "normal" Altima and the Camry Hybrid. First off, I must address the issue of quality with the Camry. I had one problem, which I ranted and raved about: when I left it overnight at my dealership to have an accessory installed, it would not start the next day. Turns out, the workmen left one of my interior lights on overnight and it drained the battery by the next night. When they recharged the battery that night, the next day all was fine and I have not had one single problem since. Honestly, I attribute that "problem" to the dealership and, indeed, that is an issue with all hybrids: the cars will not start when the battery is drained or excessively low. And, being hybrids, you cannot just "jump" them but must recharge them. All in all, I think the quality of the Camry Hybrid is superior to that of the Altima. While you may be correct in that "Smaller companies that still have a lot to gain, typically, have better quality"; Toyota still has a lot to gain from making certain their hybrids are ultra-reliable. You may want to check the Toyota forums here, too. I think you will find that the new Camry Hybrid owners don't find nearly as much to complain about as the "regular" Camry owners. Personally, I like the interior of the Camry much better than the Altima. The new Altima is itself much better than the old model but I still don't think it quite matches that of the current Camry in terms of either style or quality. But that is, of course, a matter of personal taste. Driving wise, I was pleasantly surprised by the Camry Hybrid. Generally speaking, I am not a fan of Toyota's "neo-Buick" ride but I think the extra battery weight of the Camry Hybrid actually plants and balances the car better. Having said that, I still think the Altima rides better. The Altima is sportier than my hybrid but not quite as smooth. But all in all, I would prefer the Altima (but note again, I have not driven an Altima Hybrid to compare it to). It is a trade-off and, again, your preference may vary. I also must disagree that the engine(/hybrid/transmission combination) for the Altima is necessarily than that of the Camry Hybrid. The Altima Hybrid may have more horsepower but the latest EPA mileage report has the Toyota Hybrid very marginally rated better (43/38 for the Toyota compared to 42/36 for the Altima). Of interest, the latest issue of one of the car magazines has the Altima Hybrid averaging only in the mid-20's. A big disappointment, if true. I can personally attest to averaging over 35 mpg with my Toyota Camry and I am definitely not a passive driver. Plus, the 0-60 times reported so far in most of the car magazines have their respective times at about the same, if not the Camry as a little faster. This is interesting -- and has been especially noted by one of the car websites -- because the Camry Hybrid is actually the heavier car. You are correct about the tax credit. One thing to note is that if you are subject to the AMT, you might not get the full credit regardless. Also, historically Toyotas have had a better resale value than Nissans; perhaps ameliorating the tax credit disadvantage somewhat. But yes, generally speaking, the credit now for the Altima Hybrid is much, much better. Besides (or maybe despite) the above, other reasons to prefer the Altima Hybrid is the Technology Package. While it is expensive, the cost is somewhat ameliorated by the tax credit. And, unfortunately, Toyota does not have anything like the backup camera and "traffic sensing" XM radio/satellite NAV combination that you get with the Technology Package. All in all, its an interesting comparison between the Altima Hybrid and the Toyota Hybrid. And I personally think both are far better than the Honda Accord Hybrid.
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Replying to: newcars (Mar 01, 2007 7:52 am) Let me first comment, that it is excellent to hear that the Toyota Camry Hybrid does not have some of the same problems as its gasoline only brother. Next, the quality problems that I mentioned were from www.edmunds.com and were actual problems reported by owners of the gasoline only 4 cylinder Camry. There is not much feedback available on Camry Hybrid. But, I digress. Of the problems that were noted, I'm not surprised that the transmission problem doesn't transfer to the Camry Hybrid because the Camry Hybrid gets a CVT compared to the 5 Speed Auto on Camry. That's good news. The form/fit problems in the interiors that some owners are complaining about, I expect to show up in some Camry Hybrids, unless the Camry Hybrid is assembled some place different then Camry. Same goes for the paint problems. Finally, let me address the fuel economy statement you made in your post. I don't know what magazine you saw those numbers in, but of the reputable magazines that are on the web, I have found no such information. The latest issue of "Automobile" puts the average gas mileage at 37 mpg for the Altima Hybrid. The mid 20s numbers you quote in your post, I think refer to the Altima, not the Altima Hybrid. Here are the latest links I could find to articles in the big Auto Mags. http://www.roadandtrack.com/article.asp?section_id=3&article_id=4646 http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/hybrid/112_0702_2007_nissan_altima_hybrid/ http://www.automobilemag.com/auto_shows/2006_los_angeles/0611_2007_nissan_altima- _hybrid/index.html There is a lot of personal preference involved in making a decision as to which new car to buy. Some people will inevitably prefer the "neo-buick" ride of Camry Hybrid to that sportier ride of Altima Hybrid. Who knows I might be one of those people when I finally drive the car. Afterall, competition is a good thing...
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Replying to: langjie (Feb 28, 2007 1:02 pm) Were you able to get your Altima Hybrid with the Technology Package and Leather? I've been searching the dealer inventories throughout the state of California, and I have yet to find an Altima Hybrid that comes with the Technology Package AND Leather. It seems if you upgrade to the Technology Package, you downgrade to cloth seats. I've seen the leather seats paired with the Connection Package w/XM or SIRIUS (HA-guess it doesn't matter which one you get now because they are merging), but no Leather on any Technology Packages. I think this sucks! If you get a car fully loaded, you should at least have the option of leather if you want it.
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Replying to: happy_hybrid_1 (Mar 01, 2007 11:14 am) For the record, I agree with you on the quality problems (relatively speaking) of the "normal" gas-only Toyota Camry. You are correct, they are well noted. I'm just saying that I have neither heard nor personally experienced the same things about the Camry Hybrid. And I do expect that because hybrids are a major investment, market differentiator as a brand and strategic initiative for Toyota (unlike Nissan), I would not be surprised if they "go over the quality twice" for their hybrid automobiles as opposed to their gas-only counterparts. Maybe the Camry Hybrid is perceived to be of higher quality because relatively fewer Camry Hybrids are sold or because the quality is just better (or both); I honestly don't know. I'm just reporting what I have heard and personally experienced. As for the reportedly bad gas mileage for the Altima Hybrid, it is in the latest issue of Car and Driver, which is not posted on the Internet yet. I don't have a copy right in front of me but I believe it is the April 2007 issue. While noting (like the online articles you reference) what the EPA estimates for the new Altima Hybrid is, Car and Driver did an actual road test and reported that their actual mileage was in the mid-20's. While YMMV (literally  ) I will report that I have never experienced mileage as bad as the mid-20's in my Toyota Camry. Even when making short trips (less than three miles) on very cold days when I had to first warm up the car. By the way, I will also say that my Camry warms up faster than any car I have ever had. Or even just road in. I suspect that this is a feature of the hybrid system and is not unique to the Toyota Camry Hybrid, however; I sincerely hope that Altima Hybrid owners benefit from the rapid warming, too. But back to the issue of the actual reported mileage of the Altima Hybrid. Again, I do not have the issue in front of me at the moment but it is the latest issue of Car and Driver. It is towards the back of the magazine, in their "Short Takes" section (I think that's what it's called) of short (one or two page) automotive reviews. Interestingly enough, this same issue of Car and Driver did not have universally good things to say about their "Long-Term" Lexus 400h Hybrid. |
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Replying to: happy_hybrid_1 (Mar 01, 2007 11:23 am) the tech package includes the leather package. in actuality, the tech package is $2000 and the additional 5,500 is the connection package which includes leather i will be getting my car in 6-13 days, with all the bells and whistles (minus wind deflector, and i will be installing my own kick plates) i think most of the tech package hybrids will be delivered mid-late march.
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