Yup, what a bunch of us here have been saying. Yet some lib trolls vociferously defend the Volt saying it'll replace all other cars on the road. We'll see, as money talks! My daughter bought a Nissan Altima Hybrid a few years ago for under $24000. It gets over 700 miles to a tank of gas - proven as she has driven it between California and Kansas, and other states. (The Nissan uses Prius tech.)
What the Auto Press Says
The 2011 Nissan Altima Hybrid ranks 13 out of 18 Affordable Midsize Cars. This ranking is based on our analysis of 29 published reviews and test drives of the Nissan Altima Hybrid, and our analysis of reliability and safety data.
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. It has the gasoline version’s stylish exterior, a quality interior, good handling and impressive fuel economy. These are all great characteristics, but the Altima Hybrid begins to lose its appeal when it’s compared to other hybrids on the market like the Toyota Prius and the Ford Fusion Hybrid.
First, the Altima Hybrid is only available in nine states — California, Oregon, Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island and Vermont — so you may have to travel far to get it.
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. It gets an EPA-estimated 33/33 mpg city/highway, while the Fusion gets 41/36 mpg city/highway and the Prius gets 51/48 mpg city/highway — the highest ratings in the class.
Price is another concern. Starting at $26,780, the Altima Hybrid is fairly priced, but once you add features packages, the Altima quickly tops $30,000 because of the way Nissan bundles its options packages. You might end up paying for features you don’t want.
Combined, the Altima Hybrid’s tragic flaws make it easy to ignore its strengths, and turn to the competition. “The 2011 Nissan Altima Hybrid is a solid hybrid family sedan that also happens to be relatively sporty to drive,” says Edmunds. “But it’s overshadowed by newer and more widely available competitors.”
Other Cars to Consider:
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.
The Toyota Prius is the best choice if you’re looking for a cheaper midsize hybrid and the best fuel economy ratings in the industry. The base Prius costs about $23,000, and has impressive fuel economy ratings of 51/48 mpg city/highway. It isn’t, however, the most comfortable or the best performer. But with so few trips to the gas station, many shoppers may be willing to ignore these drawbacks.
The Ford Fusion Hybrid is more comfortable and has better performance, but it’s also more expensive. It starts at $28,100, which may seem pricey, but if you’re looking for good fuel economy, good performance and comfort, the Fusion Hybrid is the least expensive option. Add tech features, and the Fusion Hybrid stickers at about $33,000.
While it’s not as fuel-efficient or well like at the Prius or the Fusion Hybrid, the Toyota Camry Hybrid deserves to be mentioned because Nissan borrowed the Camry Hybrid’s Synergy Drive technology — a hybrid powertrain — to build the Altima Hybrid. With fuel economy ratings of 31/35 mpg city/highway, the Camry Hybrid’s ratings pale in comparison to the Fusion Hybrid and Prius, but are on par with the Altima Hybrid’s 33/33 mpg city/highway. However, if you’re looking for more fuel efficient and less expensive version of the Lexus GS Hybrid or Lexus LS Hybrid, this vehicle will be a good fit.
If you still want the Nissan Altima Hybrid, get a 2010 model, which is identical to the 2011, except for the addition of three exterior colors. If 2010 models are available in your area, you’re likely to get a good deal. Begin by checking out our Nissan Deals.