Hybrids, hybrids, hybrids. They seem like they’re everywhere. That’s because they are! More and more manufacturers are now

Looking good, the Altima Hybrid hardly departs from the styling formula that's made the conventional Altima so popular. (Photo: Nissan)

offering hybrid versions of their popular-selling vehicles or creating them from scratch to keep up with demand. Nissan is one manufacturer that offers their über-popular Altima sedan in an environmentally friendly version; making it the fifth trim of Altima available.
 
For the 2010 model year, the Altima Hybrid (and all other Altima models) receives some enhancements to make it even more appealing. On the outside, it comes with a restyled front fascia and grille, a new wheel design, and some new colours, while the inside gets revised fabrics and finishers. While the interior feels nicer, I’m not necessarily the hugest fan. I’m not crazy about the centre stacks’ styling and find that the black plastics used are too matte in finish. Then again, I am drawn to shiny materials and edgy styling. I feel it also looks slightly outdated, but I won’t rag

A rear lip spoiler adds a sporty edge while improving aerodynamics and therefore mileage on the highway. (Photo: Nissan)

on it too much since it is very user-friendly. What’s more, the Altima owners that I know are totally happy with the car’s interior.

Moving from the inside to the underside, the Altima Hybrid rides on a fully independent suspension and 215/60TR16 tires covering 16” aluminum-alloy wheels. I found this setup to be rather soft yet agreeable for the type of driving I do. After all, if I don’t feel all the bumps and jumps of the road underneath me I’m a happy camper.

What also makes me happy is great gas mileage and the Altima Hybrid has that. For a

Sport-luxury is the theme, with cues from Nissan's Z atop the centre stack plus woods and leathers to premium levels. (Photo: Nissan)

car its size it performs very well thanks to a 2.5L 4-cylinder gasoline engine combined with an AC synchronous electric motor and supplied power via a 245V nickel-metal hydride battery. The gasoline engine produces 158hp and 162 lb-ft of torque, while the electric motor produces 40hp and 199 lb-ft of torque for 198 net horsepower. And with all these horses being harnessed by an Electrically Controlled Continuously Variable Transmission (eCVT), acceleration isn’t too bad. The only time that I found the two systems felt like they were working hard was when accelerating on hills. It took that extra push of the throttle to get it moving, but eventually it climbed to the desired altitude.
 
One

Rear seating is top notch. (Photo: Nissan)

comment I have with Nissan’s hybrid system is that transitions between gasoline engine and electric motor aren’t as seamless as I would like. Even my passengers noticed and asked me, “What was that?” The car vibrated a little when transitioning, too. Granted, it wasn’t anything uncomfortable, just noticeable.
 
Getting back to the fuel economy, thanks to the Altima’s gasoline/hybrid system matched with the eCVT this vehicle uses an estimated 5.6L/100km in the city and 5.9L/100km on the highway. That sounds pretty impressive for a midsize sedan, right? It is. But it does come with a considerable price tag. The MSRP of the Altima Hybrid

Nissan's Hybrid gets an infotainment interface that offers Energy Flow info as well as audio, navigation and personalization capability. (Photo: Nissan)

is $33,398, which is quite a chunk of change considering you can get its gasoline equivalent with the optional CVT transmission for $25,098.
 
Along these lines some may argue that a hybrid isn’t actually worth the additional money because it won’t save them that much in fuel in the long run. For the kind of driving I normally do, a hybrid vehicle would definitely be worth it, if I could afford to buy one, of course! Not only does this vehicle come with a long list of standard features like 4-wheel disc brakes with ABS, Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC), Traction Control System (TCS) and more, but it is an Ultra Low Emission Vehicle (ULEV). The best part was when I’d driven for a full week and still had over half a tank of gas in the tank, and it cost me mere dollars to fill up! I felt pretty good.
 
If saving money on fuel and saving Mother Nature is on your list of “Things to Do,” then taking a look at the 2010 Nissan Altima Hybrid is a step in the right direction. It has all the room of a midsize sedan without midsize sedan gas bills. Can’t go wrong with that. Let the green revolution continue!

Interior

Exterior

Mechanical

Safety

Dimensions

Misc

(MPP) Metallic/Pearl Paint

(3CPM) 3-Coat Paint

(NA00) Leather Tech Package