Going green doesn’t have to be boring. Case in point: the 2007 Nissan Altima Hybrid.
The snappy-looking Altima Hybrid is Nissan’s first trip down the hybrid (gas and electric) road and it ranks up with the best in the market, which has been dominated by Toyota and Honda these past few years.
If you’re looking to do your part for the environment and at the same time save in the pocketbook when you visit the gas pumps, this may be the vehicle for you.
And while it’s Nissan’s first hybrid, the technology is anything but new as the Altima features Toyota’s Hybrid Synergy Drive system.
It’s not inexpensive, though, pricing out at $32,998, but you’re getting a sporty mid-size sedan with plenty of power and interior comforts combined with the added benefits of improved fuel economy and reduced emissions.
The hybrid model features the same 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine that is in the entry-level Altima. However, the performance is better in the hybrid because the gasoline engine itself has 158 horsepower, while the blended gasoline-electric system produces a net power of 198 horsepower and 199 lb/ft of torque.
It certainly doesn’t have neck-snapping acceleration, but there’s plenty of oomph to bring this vehicle up to speed in a reasonable time. And after all, who buys a hybrid vehicle because of the acceleration numbers? A continuously variable transmission (CVT) is standard in the Altima Hybrid.
The Altima has been redesigned for 2007 to be what Nissan claims is to be one of the “best performing large front-wheel drive sedans in the world.”
It has a sportier look than before, with a strong, aggressive stance and the signature Altima-style tail lights. Inside, the cabin has been upgraded with higher-quality materials and a more refined look overall.
What you see is what you get with the Altima Hybrid as it is offered in one model only with no options.
However, it is well equipped with features such as traction and stability control, four-wheel power-assisted disc brakes with ABS, electric power rack-and-pinion steering, four-wheel independent suspension and 16-inch alloy wheels. Comfort and convenience features include dual zone climate control with electrically-powered air conditioning that runs even when the gasoline engine is stopped, power locks and windows, cruise control, tilt and telescopic wheel, cloth seats (heated in front) and an Intelligent Key with push button.
With the Intelligent Key, there is no need to even take the key fob out of your pocket. In fact, there is no key slot inside the car, just the start button. The ‘smart key’ system allows for keyless entry into the car by pushing a small button on the door handle to lock and unlock the door. To drive away, push the start button and you’re ready to go.
For those who have never driven a hybrid, you do have to make some adjustments. When you push the start button, you expect the engine to power up. It does, but in electric mode—it’s so quiet that at first I found myself wondering if the car was actually running.
In fact, the car is so quiet that one time when I pulled into my driveway, my neighbour wondered if I’d shut the engine down and coasted in. He didn’t realize I was driving a hybrid and it was in electric mode.
After pressing the start button, wait for the ‘ready’ light and put the car in gear. It operates in electric mode until about 25 km/h, unless you floor it and the gasoline engine kicks in earlier. The gasoline engine may also kick in during cold starts.
Where this hybrid system really shines is in stop-and-go downtown traffic where you can operate under electric power most of the time. The system automatically shuts the gasoline engine down at idle and starts it again when power is needed. It’s a fairly smooth process, and after a while you don’t even notice the meshing of the two systems.
During my week with the Altima Hybrid, I couldn’t match the Transport Canada rating of 5.6L/100 km (50 mpg) city and 5.9L/100 km (48 mpg) highway because I did a lot of high-speed highway driving.
But what was impressive was that I drove an entire week, nearly 800 km in all, on a little more than three-quarters of a tank of gas thanks in part to a large 76-litre gas tank. This would make the Altima Hybrid a great choice for anyone who does long-distance commutes on a regular basis.
On the negative side, one minor drawback with the hybrid is the reduced trunk space compared with the standard Altima because the battery system sits behind the back seat.
For a growing number of drivers these days, a hybrid is the way to go. While there is a premium of nearly $3,000 over a top-of-the-line V6 Altima SE, this hybrid model comes in a stylish package that is easy to live with, day in and day out in the real world.
2007 NISSAN ALTIMA HYBRID AT A GLANCE
BODY STYLE: five passenger mid-size sedan
DRIVE METHOD: front engine, front-wheel drive
ENGINE: 2.5L inline four-cylinder with permanent magnet AC synchronous electric motor
FUEL ECOMONY: 5.6L/100 km (50 mpg) city, 5.9L/100 km (48 mpg) highway
PRICE: $32,998
WEB: www.nissan.ca