2011 Nissan Altima Hybrid

Altima Hybrid is licensed from Toyota’s Hybrid Technology. Hybrid model is unchanged for this year’s model. 2011 Nissan Altima Hybrid model is available in single trim level. Nissan Altima Hybrid model can be offered with three packages. Packages offered with this model include Convenient Package, Premium Package and Technology Package.



Convenient Package include foldable side view mirrors, eight way power adjustable driver seats, automatic headlights, leather wrapped steering column, rear spoilers, outside rear view mirrors integrated with turn signals and steering wheel with audio controls mounted on it.



In a growing class, the 2011 Nissan Altima Hybrid is easily overlooked because of its low fuel economy ratings, limited availability and expensive optional packages.



In theory, the 2011 Nissan Altima Hybrid is an ideal hybrid sedan. Second, the Altima Hybrid has great fuel economy ratings if you compare it to gasoline cars. However, once you look at competing hybrids like the Ford Fusion Hybrid and the Toyota Prius, the Altima’s ratings aren’t impressive. "The 2011 Nissan Altima Hybrid is a solid hybrid family sedan that also happens to be relatively sporty to drive,” says Edmunds. The 2011 Nissan Altima Hybrid’s main competitors are the Toyota Prius, Ford Fusion Hybrid and the Toyota Camry Hybrid, each of which bring one or more of these strengths to the table: excellent fuel economy, value, comfort and strong performance.



Nissan has been somewhat hobbled by the fact that its mid-size Altima hybrid sedan utilizes many hybrid parts courtesy of Toyota, which have so far restricted the car’s availability and also profitability.



Other somber exterior colors, such as Navy Blue, Ocean Grey, Dark Slate, Winter Frost, Super Black and (this is a good one) Radiant Silver, help cement this car’s persona as sensible and safe. That said, the Hybrid version appears somewhat out of place compared to its sportier siblings, the Altima sedan and coupe. The Altima Hybrid comes with a standard 6.5-inch centrally mounted touch screen and hard drive navigation system as part of the Technology Package.

Back seat space is decent, with ample legroom (35.8 inches, versus 44.1-in up front).



The powertrain consists of Nissan’s 2.5-liter QR25 four-cylinder, twin cam engine that boasts continuous variable valve timing and electronic throttle control, teamed with an electric motor and a Hybrid Vehicle Electric Control Unit (HV-ECU) that works in conjunction with a Continuously Variable Transmission to provide drive to the wheels.



Unlike Honda’s hybrids, but like the Toyota Prius, the Altima is a true hybrid – the torque produced from the electric motor at zero rpm gives sufficient thrust to move the car at low speeds without assistance of the gasoline engine. For the Hybrid, it’s rated at 158 horsepower at 5200-6000 rpm and 162 ft-lbs of torque. The latter figure is reached at a relatively low 2800 rpm, providing lively mid-range acceleration. Nissan claims that the Altima Hybrid can go around 600 miles between fill ups and EPA fuel economy ratings are 33-mpg city and 35-mpg highway. During our time with the Altima Hybrid, we put it through multiple 120 mile round trips, much of it through city driving, and the difference in fuel consumption was quite noticeable with visits to the pump almost halved. Still, when compared to newer and more advanced hybrids like the Ford Fusion and Hyundai Sonata, the fuel economy is less than impressive.



Although the Altima Hybrid doesn’t exactly scream ‘enthusiast,’ the chassis and suspension tuning are definitely biased toward the tauter side of comfort. The ride is fairly firm, even with the 16-inch wheels and high profile 60 series tires, while pushing the car through the turns reveals surprisingly neutral handling for a front driver. Standard Vehicle Stability Control also helps. The Altima Hybrid sports four-wheel disc brakes with standard ABS and features regenerative braking, a feature common to other hybrid cars. For 2011 the Altima Hybrid’s price remains unchanged at $26,780 for a single, decently equipped model. Given the high profile status that hybrids currently enjoy, the Altima Hybrid seems to have been lost in the shadows almost since the day it was introduced.