What do the rating stars mean?
The fourth generation Altima is going strong in the Hybrid version’s second year. Nissan’s hybrid offers a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine and 30 kW electric motor for a satisfying 198 hp (148 kW combined) that might burn rubber—but not the fuel budget. With 2008 EPA combined ratings of 34 mpg and a 700-mile fuel range, would our Sonoma Sunset/Blonde tester prove to have the goods to back up the good looks? Base priced at $25,070, the Connection Package pushed it to $30,205. The bumper-to-bumper warranty covers 36 months/36,000 miles, and the hybrid electrical components for 96/100,000.
Initial Impression
Christine: "Ever since we reviewed the 2007 Altima Hybrid last year and called it the benchmark for all hybrids, my memories of that car were like a recurring dream with a subliminal message embedded: ‘Awesome car … like no other … sporty yet economical … sexy yet environmentally-smart …’ And it seemed like every single car I had driven since had paled dramatically in comparison. Had the Altima Hybrid actually spoiled me for good—or were those rose-colored glasses? I was more than ready to see if what I remembered was really as good as real life."
Scott: "Like Christine, I too fell hard for the Altima’s sex appeal. Every time I drove it, it kept my blood at a steady simmer. The occasional time that I nailed the throttle, well … it boiled over. We got very good fuel mileage with the ’07 (33.6), but I was bound and determined to see if I could crank it up a few notches with the ’08."
Look & feel: A-1
California dreamin’ aside, the Sonoma Sunset paint and Blonde interior was a beautiful combination. Can’t say we would choose it, but it certainly showed this set of wheels to good advantage. But were we biased? Probably some. But we really wanted to see if the cold January wind would blow away our Altima Hybrid thrill from last spring. While the tester didn’t have a moonroof (a personal fave), it did have the fit, finish and feel of a more expensive car, and that’s certainly a winner in our book.
Not only did it feel great to just sit in the driver’s seat—yes, Christine was found at odd hours listening to that awesome Bose AM/FM/6CD 9-speaker system, and she didn’t dread running errands during this test week—even to the grocery store. And it was becoming obvious as the days passed that it was for very solid reasons that our last review of the Altima Hybrid concluded so strongly. This hybrid’s got all the right stuff in all the right places. From the leather-appointed seats (yes, heated) with lumbar support (8-way adjustable for driver) to the Intelligent Key with Push Button Ignition and rear passenger leg-room and convenient A/C vents (and even a pocket in the glove box to hold the owner’s manual), the quality is in the details. We couldn’t find a twisty country back road that upset the capable 4-wheel independent suspension. In every curve it was sure-footed and predictable. And those details add up to one mean hybrid machine. We could go on and on, but it was time to see if this baby had the backbone to support such a pretty face.
Fuel-ability & enviro-meter: The thrifty joy of a full hybrid
It's the hybrid electronics and the electronic continuously variable transmission that makes all the difference. And it makes this 4500 lb. car capable of 39 MPG fuel economy on everyday, grocery getter jaunts. Yeah, you can drive it hard, lay on the gas till you need to stop then jam on the brakes, accelerate like you're 15 minutes late to claim your winning lotto ticket. You can go ahead and do these things, but then you won't get much better mileage than the regular 2.5-liter Altima. Drive it with care and a little planning and forethought though, and things turn much rosier. To deliver the mileage they’re capable of, hybrids do require a gentler foot. That doesn’t mean you can’t get on it for fun once in a while, but too much and it’ll show up at the fuel pump.
Stop at a traffic signal and the engine shuts off (Auto stop). Pull out gently and the engine remains off in EV Mode (Electric Vehicle Mode), accelerating the car up to 25 to 30 mph. Once the speed gets up over 30 mph--and often 40 mph, the engine will kick on, and the electric motor will go from primary to secondary power. Not all hybrids are full hybrids and they can’t all run on just the electric motor. This one can. It’s the power of the battery, inverter and electric motor that makes it happen. As soon as it starts to move, it’s delivering 199 ft-lb of torque—exactly what physics calls for to get a heavy stationary object moving. And it does this without using a drop of gasoline.
When it’s all said & done: It’s really just the beginning
Like a dog with a bone, Christine just couldn’t get this car out of her mind. Yep, you read that correctly—when the tester went back, she couldn’t sleep. It was time to find her a new car—the rattles and bangs of the ole diesel (powered by our home brewed biodiesel) were not puttin’ a smile on her face anymore. Not ones to take replacing sturdy ole Dieter lightly, we researched and drove many cars—not to mention all the testers that we review here.
And that’s where this story ends—and begins. For just as this site has expanded to cover hybrids, our garage is now home to a hybrid: the 2008 Altima Hybrid—in Precision Grey with the Tech Package. From here on out, we’ll be documenting and sharing what life with the Altima Hybrid is like first-hand. Winter mileage. Summer mileage. Long trips and short. Maintenance and repairs. We’ll be holding your hand as we take up a new chapter in our life: as hybrid owners. We’ll be learning and sharing right along with ya.
Don’t you just love stories with a happy ending? We do. This benchmark has found a home—and now, finally, a good night’s sleep is in the cards. That is, right after Christine runs out to take care of some errands. And by the way, Scott behaved himself behind the wheel and coaxed a cool 39.0 average mpg outta this baby. We're lookin' forward to much more of that.
Nuff said!