The news that Nissan is no longer making its Altima Hybrid is a shame because it's the best used hybrid on the road. The good news is the decision should help lower prices on used Altima Hybrids because people shy away from discontinued models.
The Nissan Altima Hybrid was first sold in November 2006 as a 2007 model. It was Nissan's first entry into the hybrid gas-electric vehicle segment and what an entry it was. The Altima Hybrid powertrain mated a refined version of Nissan's QR25 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine and standard electronically controlled CVT with an advanced electric drive motor/generator that increased fuel economy while maintaining low tailpipe emissions. The Altima Hybrid is rated as an Advanced Technology-Partial Zero Emissions Vehicle (AT-PZEV) and emits almost no evaporative emissions.
It also gets great fuel economy numbers of 35-mpg city and 33-mpg highway for a combined fuel economy rating of 34 mpg. Not bad for an engine rated at net 198 horsepower, according to this Nissan Altima Hybrid review.
Want to know a secret? When you buy a used Nissan Altima Hybrid, you are actually purchasing a sedan with Toyota parts in it. Nissan licensed Toyota's hybrid technology for the Altima Hybrid. As one reviewer put it, you get Toyota's technology wrapped in Nissan's much better-looking package.
Consumer Reports does not have specific recommendations for the Nissan Altima Hybrid but the standard Nissan Altima is Consumer Reports recommended. Since its redesign in 2007, the Altima gets almost perfect marks in all categories.
A lot of attention is heaped on the Toyota Prius, which has sold more than a million units since it was introduced in 2001 and does get better fuel economy. But (and isn't there always a but?) the cost to operate an Altima Hybrid, according to Consumer Reports, is 0.54 cents a mile vs. 0.5 cents a mile for the Prius. That's almost negligible.
Plus there's the fact that it is one of the roomier used hybrids on the road. The Nissan Altima Hybrid, based on an Edmunds.com comparison, has:
- More front shoulder room (55.7 inches v. 54.9 inches)
- More front head room (40.6 inches v. 38.6 inches)
- More front leg room (44.1 inches v. 42.5 inches)
- More rear hip room (52.5 inches v. 51.2 inches)
- More rear shoulder room (55.5 inches v. 53.1 inches)
- More overall width (70.7 inches v. 68.7 inches)
- A lot more length (190.7 inches v. 175.6 inches) and
- More wheelbase (109.3 inches v. 106.3 inches).
Simply put, the Altima Hybrid is a more comfortable car. Inches quickly add up when it comes to passenger and driver comfort.
According to Edmunds.com, which consistently has the most accurate pricing in my opinion, the 2009 Nissan Altima Hybrid has a true market value of $19,020.
Now, the Toyota Prius base model is going to have a lower true market value of $17,991, which is obviously more than $1000 cheaper. For that price, though, you are going to get a substantially less powerful engine (1.5 liter vs. 2.5 liter) and the used car market is still a little crazy when it comes to the Prius when gas prices are high. That insanity has not quite struck the Nissan Altima Hybrid.
Edmunds also has this glowing praise for the Altima Hybrid: "Hybrids and other green cars, though known for being economical and earth-friendly, have a reputation for also being rather slow, odd-looking and uninspiring behind the wheel. Bucking the trend is the 2009 Nissan Altima Hybrid."
Plus, with its demise as a Nissan offering, the Altima Hybrid has officially joined the ranks of orphans, those models that have been discontinued by a manufacturer. Don't be concerned about buying an orphan used car because the Nissan service network continues to support them. Dealers make a lot of money off of service. They will have the parts and expertise that you need.
Also, a main reason for recommending the 2009 Nissan Altima Hybrid as the best used hybrid on the market is you can buy one as Nissan Certified Pre-Owned.
In addition, all hybrid batteries, by law, are covered by an eight-year, 100,000-mile warranty. You will get a lot of use out of a used 2009 Nissan Altima Hybrid before you have to be concerned about the batteries having reduced or no function.
