New Top Gun in Town: Has The Altima Hybrid Upstaged The Camry?

You know that horror movie where the mad scientist straps two victims to gurneys, lowers the metal skull caps on them and, by dint of special effects the victims' personalities are switched?

The 2007 Nissan Altima hybrid is like that. The company's first effort at a gas-electric auto, using parts and technology licensed from Toyota, drives like a Nissan with a Prius soul transplant: The same ninja-in-the-night silence at low speeds; the same tremble when the gas engine lights up; the same bubbly, torque-infused acceleration as the gas and electric motors pull on the oars, only quite a bit more so.

Anybody who has driven a hybridized Toyota Camry will recognize the company's power-management graphics displayed on the Altima's center-dash LCD screen. In fact, the Altima hybrid -- nearly a numerical dead ringer for the Camry hybrid (wheelbase, height, weight, horsepower, acceleration) -- might be thought of as a Camry hybrid with sex appeal. Let us not underestimate the magnitude of that achievement.
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answer - 1/3/2007 11:55:30 AM

+1 Boost

Will the Altima coupe get the hybrid treatment as well?

mstangpny07 - 1/3/2007 12:28:24 PM

+1 Boost

I would certianly take the sporty Altima Hybrid over the Camry Hybrid..

mstangpny07 - 1/3/2007 2:06:34 PM

0 Boost

I wasn't talking about the driving. The Altima is sportier in general.
In non-hybrid form, the 4cyl Altima is more powerful, has sharper handling, and a stiffer ride. The 4cyl Camry is more relaxed and laid-back.
I've been in both.

Agent009 - 1/3/2007 1:08:48 PM

+1 Boost

Eventually some will ante up and take them head on. Is the Altima the one that can do it?

kart1 - 1/3/2007 1:27:36 PM

+3 Boost

Flame War? This car is half Toyota!

S4cabriofoxone - 1/4/2007 2:26:10 AM

+2 Boost

They're both okay, but the Altima seems a little superior. The interior is top-notch (an unnecessary but generous standard feature is push-button start), it's very cool-looking on the road (noone can say the same for the Camry), and it has a powerful V-6, though the Camry's is moreso.

If I had to shop in this class, I would end up with this, a Mazdaspeed6 or a Passat 3.6.