By Peter Newton

Pros:

• Luxury features
• Notable gas mileage
• Affordable price

Cons:

• Mushy handling
• Sluggish acceleration

The Altima, assembled in Tennessee, is one of Nissan’s best selling cars in North America and provides some touches of luxury in a firmly positioned mid-size car. New for 2012 is the Value Package, available for the Altima 2.5 S model, which includes a Bluetooth® Hands-free phone system, automatic on/off headlights, leather-wrapped steering wheel with steering-wheel-mounted audio controls, a HomeLink® Universal Transceiver, and passenger-side front-window one-touch auto-up/down.

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>> Review by Michael D. Leroy | >> Photographs by Derek Mau

Pros:

• The Infiniti-like redesign is sporty and aggressive looking
• CVT is smooth and non-intrusive
• Great iPod integration with Premium package
• Interior conveniences: large glove box and hidden front seat storage are nice

Cons:

• Base 4-cylinder could use more oomph
• Small trunk
• HVAC and other controls look dated
• Suspension could be more sporty

Let’s face it, sedans can often have quite sedentary and dull looks. Nissan must understand this, because the 2010 Altima Coupe is far more exciting to look at than its larger, 4-door laden, sister. Some people just like the look of two doors better. For those that cry foul at four doors, you are in luck. The 2010 model has undergone a refresh this year and is much improved.

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By Greg Gaillard

Hybrids Come of Age

Just 10 years ago Honda released the Insight as the first US mass market hybrid combustion/electric car.  Its two seat aerodynamic teardrop shape, light weight and focused engineering delivered spectacular fuel economy that generated quite a bit of media attention.  In the real world however, the Insight represented significant compromises in terms of utility, performance and perceived safety.  Launched at the height of the SUV boom alongside inexpensive gasoline, sales weren’t significant and to many people the Insight was another Honda engineering experiment; a car that Honda’s Asimo robot might drive, but not something American families would put in their garage.

What a difference a decade makes.  Last week the EPA released its annual Fuel Economy Guide for 2010 and hybrids swept the podium with 9 out of the top 10 MPG scores.  At least in terms of EPA ratings, hybrids are the drivetrain technology of the moment.  Perhaps more important than MPG is how the technology has evolved into a variety of solutions that can be used across a range of body styles without many of the original Insight’s compromises.

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The 2010 Nissan Altima hybrid, which goes on sale this coming Monday, will have an MSRP of $26,780. This is the fourth generation Altima, and apart from the hybrid drivetrain, it is only slightly tweaked from last year’s model. Speaking of drivetrains, the 2010 Altima will use a 2.5 liter four-cylinder with and electronically-controlled CVT tranny that cranks out 198 hp. Nissan says the new Altima hybrid will get an estimated EPA rating of 35 mpg in the city and 33 mpg on the highway.

Curiously, these figures aren’t all that much different form the 2009 model. Although the 09 also had a 2.5 liter inline four engine, it only put out 158 HP, and the fuel economy numbers of 35/33 city/hwy mpg were identical.

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Review by Mary-Ellen Ash | Photos by Derek Mau

Pros:

• Good suspension and steering = smooth handling
• Very spacious interior for driver and passengers
• Well insulated cabin keeps out the engine and road noise
• Convenient cup and bottle holders
• Nissan Intelligent Key system
• Good fuel economy with the 4-cylinder engine

Cons:

• Small trunk space
• Slow acceleration with 4-cylinder engine
• Hard to drop rear seats
• Nasty blind spots

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By Kevin Bowe

Pros:

• Stylish good looks
• Hybrid technology
• Being less dependant on greedy oil companies
• Touch screen console
• Bluetooth® option

Cons:

• A little pricey ($30k as tested, $25k base)
• Sloppy handling through the corners
• Small trunk
• Noticeable transitions from electric to gas motor

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