The 2009 Nissan Altima Hybrid is fun to drive, and very similar to its non-hybrid sibling. It is well-behaved in the city, and a real pleasure to drive at highway speeds. It’s design, from its gauges to its powertrain, isn’t as flashy as some other hybrids such as the Ford Fusion, the Nissan Altima is a well-designed, fuel efficient ride. Nissan was not enthusiastic about making hybrids. They were late coming to the table, letting Toyota and other manufacturers get the jump on them. Nissan had intended to concentrate on making electric cars – not hybrids – and it was only market forces that convinced the Japanese automaker to start producing hybrid vehicles that ran an electricity and gasoline. Fortunately, Nissan has the engineering know-how to get the job done, and the Nissan Altima Hybrid is, for all its modesty, a soundly designed hybrid vehicle. It doesn’t sacrifice performance to deliver gas savings. Its 2.5 litre 4 cylinder gas engine has plenty of pep once it takes over from electric power. If we have one knock on the Altima it’s how it handles the transition from electric to gas. Let’ s put it this way: you’ll know when it makes the shift. But that’s the only way the Altima’s ride is choppy. Once underway it handles like you’d expect a Nissan to perform. Nor does it feel underpowered, even climbing hills, or at highway speeds. Is it worth the hefty hybrid price? Or would you be better off buying a regular non-hybrid Altima? The Nissan Altima Hybrid does deliver on fuel efficiency. It’s rated at 5.7 litres per 100 kilometres for city driving, and manages a thrifty 5.9 litres per 100 kilometres on the highway. These numbers will certainly add up to savings when you fuel your Nissan up. But let’s be realistic. Despite its great fuel efficiency you’re not likely to recover the added cost of the hybrid version any time soon. You should be realistic about that. But if gas prices continue to rise, and especially when factoring resale value, the Nissan Altima Hybrid may well prove to be a sound investment. That’s provided that you avoid going uptown and getting the high-tech leather trim package offered on the 2010 Altima. It includes a state-of-the-art Bose sound system, and alloy wheels, and, naturally a price to match. The Nissan Altima Hybrid looks and handles the way you’d expect a Nissan would, and once it’s underway it’s a real pleasure to drive. Fuel economy alone may not justify its purchase price, but if you expect the price of gas to rise, and you plan to hang on to it for awhile, you’ll likely be very pleased with your investment. Source: Improve-Gas-Mileage-Guide.com Category:Home › Other • Pomegranates: A newly discovered superfood • Where did the joke why did the chicken cross the road come from and why is it funny? • Can mothers diagnosed with bipolar disorder make good parents? • Spiritual evolution of human consciousness • Tips for getting a college basketball scholarship • Living with Pseudotumor cerebri (PTC) • Caring for the caregiver • Technologys impact on society