2007 Nissan Altima Hybrid - Car and Driver
Alas, poor Altima: a little late to the U. S. hybrid party, a little ordinary as you finally arrive. "Late" turns out to mean seven-plus years behind the Honda Insight, almost seven behind the Toyota Prius. Hanging back on the hybrid front was a corporate wait-and-see dictated by Nissan's at-the-time dicey economic circumstances. President and CEO Carlos Ghosn suggested that hybrids (a) didn't look like a good business proposition, and (b) cars with continuously variable automatics, or CVTs (e. g. , Nissan cars), could achieve fuel savings (and thus environmental benefits)... So here, finally, is Nissan's first hybrid, and, not to be unkind, its So-What Index isn't high. The dashboard readout tracking the hybridic elements (gasoline engine, electric motor, regen braking, Ni-MH batteries) is reminiscent of the displays in Toyota hybrids because the Altima uses Hybrid Synergy Drive, installed under license from Toyota. A little badge on the trunklid, a different wheel design — that's about it. And to amplify the anonymity, Nissan is making it available only in the states that have adopted California's emissions regs. Sean Blankenship, senior marketing manager, says Nissan will proceed deliberately. We want to test the hybrid market, and we're testing it with our best car. An Altima four with a CVT starts at $20,915. Nissan expects the hybrid to start at about $24,000. Our loaded test car would be about. Source: www.caranddriver.com
