2010 Nissan Altima Hybrid

Base MSRP: $26,780

Reviewed

April 2010

Pros

Good performance
Nimble handling
Comfortable cabin
Reliability record

Cons

Available only in nine states
Not as fuel efficient as some rivals
Tiny trunk
Noisy
Abrupt powertrain transitions
Premium pricing over nonhybrid models
Costly option packages

Our Analysis

Reviewers say the five-passenger 2010 Nissan Altima Hybrid is refreshingly nimble for a midsize hybrid car, but it 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. Aside from minor front-end and cabin facelifts, the Altima Hybrid carries over largely unchanged from 2009. See our page on the 2009 Nissan Altima Hybrid (*Est. $26,650) for a detailed review.

Fuel economy stands pat at 35 mpg city/33 mpg highway/34 mpg combined, according to Environmental Protection Agency estimates -- about the same as the 2011 Toyota Camry Hybrid (Base MSRP: $26,675) but lagging a few mpg behind the newest midsize hybrid on the block, the 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid (Base MSRP: $27,950). The front-wheel-drive Altima Hybrid's powertrain is similar to the Camry Hybrid's, combining a 2.5-liter, four-cylinder engine with an electric motor for a total output of 198 horsepower.

The Altima hybrid includes the usual complement of safety features for its class: front, side and curtain airbags, front-seat active head restraints, antilock brakes, traction and stability control. In government tests, it earns perfect 5-star ratings in frontal crashes and for protecting the driver in a side crash, with 4-star rear-passenger side-crash protection and rollover avoidance. In crash tests at the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, Altima sedans (including the hybrid) earn the highest rating of "Good" in front and side crashes and "Acceptable" in rear and rollover crashes.

Base MSRP for the 2010 Nissan Altima Hybrid is $26,780. It qualifies for a $2,350 federal tax credit until Dec. 31, 2010.

expand

collapse

Our Sources

1. ConsumerReports.orgDetails/Subscribe

ConsumerReports.org includes the Nissan Altima Hybrid in its ranking of 2010 hybrid and nonhybrid sedans. Top picks are based on performance, fuel economy, safety, reliability and more.

Review: Sedans, Editors of ConsumerReports.org

2. Edmunds.com

"The 2010 Nissan Altima Hybrid is a green car that doesn't completely suck the life out of you," Edmunds.com editors conclude after a full test. Unfortunately, it's available in only nine states.

Review: 2010 Nissan Altima Hybrid Review, Editors of Edmunds.com

3. Car and Driver Details/Subscribe

Car and Driver's typically thorough comparison test pits four midsize hybrid sedans against each other. The Nissan Altima Hybrid comes in third place, behind the Toyota Camry Hybrid and top-scoring 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid. Compared to the others, editors feel the Altima is "an agile, frisky car but not a refined player."

Review: 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid vs. Camry Hybrid, Altima Hybrid and Malibu Hybrid -- Comparison Tests, Patrick Bedard, February 2009

4. Motor Trend Details/Subscribe

In what's more of a detailed blog entry than a full traditional review, Motor Trend technical editor Frank Markus discusses driving the Nissan Altima Hybrid and 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid in a fuel-economy run around cold and snowy Detroit. After driving identical routes, the Altima averaged 43.7 mpg versus the Fusion's 45.6 mpg.

Review: Cold-Weather Hybrid MPG Test: Ford Fusion Hybrid vs. Nissan Altima Hybrid, Frank Markus, Jan. 9, 2009

5. Insurance Institute for Highway Safety

The 2010 Nissan Altima (including the hybrid version) earns the highest rating of "Good" in front- and side-crash tests here, but its rollover and rear-crash scores are only "Acceptable" -- not good enough to make it a Top Safety Pick.

Review: Midsize Moderately Priced Cars, Editors of the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety

6. SaferCar.gov

The 2010 Nissan Altima Hybrid earns perfect 5-star ratings in frontal crashes and for protecting the driver in a side crash, with 4-star rear-passenger side-crash protection and rollover avoidance.

Review: 5-Star Safety Ratings, Editors of SaferCar.gov

7. FuelEconomy.gov

The Nissan Altima Hybrid achieves an estimated 35 mpg city/33 mpg highway/34 mpg combined, according to this chart from the Environmental Protection Agency and Department of Energy. Several other hybrids rate higher.

Review: 2010 Hybrid Vehicles, Editors of FuelEconomy.gov

8. ConsumerSearch.com

The 2010 Nissan Altima Hybrid carries over largely unchanged from 2009, so our comprehensive review of that model still applies. Links lead to a variety of expert reviews of the Altima Hybrid.

Review: 2009 Nissan Altima Hybrid, Editors of ConsumerSearch, May 2009

2011 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid Base MSRP: $25,795

9 picks including: FuelEconomy.gov, Car and Driver…

2011 Chevrolet Volt Base MSRP: $40,280

6 picks including: Car and Driver, Cars.com…

2011 Honda Insight Base MSRP: $18,200 to $21,490

6 picks including: FuelEconomy.gov, Edmunds.com…

2011 Lincoln MKZ Hybrid Base MSRP: $34,645

4 picks including: About.com, FuelEconomy.gov…

2011 Nissan Altima Hybrid Base MSRP: $26,800

4 picks including: FuelEconomy.gov, Edmunds.com…

2011 Lexus CT 200h Base MSRP: $29,120 to $30,900