Nissan's first gas-electric hybrid vehicle is one of the best, but gas guzzling drivers don't make it any easier to share the roads.

If you really want to annoy other drivers on the road, drive your hybrid as it's designed to be driven.

You'll hear a constant barrage of horns when you don't race off at the lights and most drivers will risk there lives to dodge around you when you keep to the posted speed limit.

It soon becomes obvious that most people still drive as if gas was still $2.00 a gallon and up until driving a hybrid, that included me.

The Nissan Altima Hybrid, the company's first entry into the gas-electric hybrid market uses a 2.5-litre four cylinder engine from the conventional Altima, connected to a Toyota-sourced electric hybrid drive and a continuously variable transmission (CVT).

The Altima can run solely on battery power, the engine also shuts off when at idle, so there is absolutely no emmissions when your stuck in a traffic jam. The electric motor restarts it, so there is also no conventional starter to wear out.

The first question people always ask is "what's the replacement cost of the battery pack". The Altima hybrid system is covered by warranty for 8 years or 160,000km, if you need a replacement after that, Nissan estimates the cost at around $3,900.00.

I've driven many hybrid vehicles but I really like the Altima hybrid. The CVT transmission didn't have that rubber band feel and the handling was very crisp and accurate.

If you are not willing to change your driving habits, you will have a harder time recovering the extra hybrid cost in your gas savings. If you live in an urban area with constant traffic you will immediately notice the benefits of a hybrid vehicle.

Nissan has always prided iteself on sporty performance and the Altima hybrid does deliver. It's low end torque makes it feel like a V6 and the stiff platform handles the road admirably. But if you drive it like a sports car you will sacrifice the benefits of the hybrid system.

The Altima hybrid is a great car and comes in top-of-the-line trim levels, including heated power adjustable cloth seats, automatic climate control, ABS, stability control and side & curtain airbags.

If you are in the market for a hybrid vehicle the Nissan Altima Hybrid is a serious contender.


About the Author
John Anderson operates a successful Hybrid Car website that offers resources, news, discussions and future technology from all the major hybrid manufacturers. You can reach his website at http://hybrid-cars.megawebpages.com/