2009 Nissan Altima Hybrid

Reviewers consistently call the Nissan Altima Hybrid (*Est. $26,650) the sportiest midsize hybrid car, but they warn buyers that this model is only sold in nine sates with the most stringent emissions regulations: California, Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island, Oregon and Vermont. While the Nissan Altima Hybrid utilizes Toyota's hybrid technology via a licensing agreement, it matches the 40-horsepower electric motor with Nissan's own 158-horsepower, 2.5-liter, four-cylinder gas engine. The total output is 198 horsepower, more powerful than the Toyota Camry Hybrid (*Est. $26,150) with its 187 horsepower. The result is noticeably stronger acceleration and better handling from the Altima's sportier chassis. "It feels downright exciting compared with the dowdy Toyota Camry Hybrid," reports Automobile Magazine's Evan McCausland. An added bonus: The Nissan Altima Hybrid's Environmental Protection Agency fuel-economy ratings of 35 mpg city and 33 mpg highway are slightly better than the Camry Hybrid's 33 mpg city and 34 mpg highway.

However, the Nissan Altima Hybrid loses out to the Toyota Camry Hybrid in overall refinement, reviewers point out. They say the Altima has higher levels of noise from the engine, wind and road, and the cabin controls don't work as smoothly. "The Altima engine is relatively loud and rough, it wakes up from battery propulsion with a jolt, and the system broadcasts a loud whine when you move away from a stop under electric power," writes Patrick Bedard of Car and Driver. Like most hybrids, trunk space is compromised by the battery pack; you get just 10.1 cubic feet to work with. The New York Times' Jerry Garrett also points out that because the battery pack is partially located under the back seat, another tradeoff is a flatter, less-cushioned rear seating area. Resale value and reliability are very good.

The 2009 Nissan Altima Hybrid is priced significantly higher than the gas-powered four-cylinder Nissan Altima (*Est. $19,900 to $21,540), which gets between 23 and 32 mpg. While the hybrid car model offers better fuel economy, the editors of Edmunds.com and other critics point out it will take many years to recoup the extra upfront cost. Another gripe that applies to Nissan vehicles in general is the automaker's propensity to force buyers to purchase expensive option packages in order to get desirable features. There are many less expensive, nonhybrid midsize sedans worth considering (see our report on family cars), and some new hybrids offer strong competition to the Altima. Reviews say the new 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid (*Est. $27,270) or similar Mercury Milan Hybrid (*Est. $27,500) are setting new benchmarks for fuel economy, comfort and overall behind-the-wheel enjoyment in a midsize hybrid sedan.