Nissan Prices New 2007 Altima Hybrid

Nissan is only selling its new Altima Hybrid sedan in eight states — California, Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island and Vermont — because of their strict emission standards. That’s too bad, because its just-announced starting price of $24,400 and 42/36 mpg city/highway fuel economy estimates sound like they would make the Altima Hybrid a hot item in 42 other states and maybe even the District of Columbia.

Plus, since it’s the first hybrid from Nissan, owners will be eligible for $2,350 in tax credits. The Altima Hybrid is on sale now in those eight states. The reason Nissan doesn’t sell this everywhere really rests in the high cost to produce it and the fact that the company will probably lose money on every hybrid sale, much like other automakers do. It’s also a bit too late for Nissan to get the high level of free publicity that Toyota did from the Prius to offset its losses. We asked how many people would buy a VW Jetta hybrid, but the Altima is here now. How much would hybrid fans pay for an eco-friendly Altima?

Comments

I dont trust nissan quality, they've had issues in reliability also...

Does Nissan lease Toyota's hybrid technology? I remember reading something over a year ago that said they were thinking of doing that.

i agree with the comment on nissan reliability, but also this is just a sort of boring vehicle. the prius is nothing if not interesting and innovative. not everybody likes the look of the prius, but it IS different. this is just another plain sedan.

This model uses toyota tech but the next round of Nissan hybrids will not.
Nissan reliability according to JD power et al is just below the industry norm. I'm not saying that's good or bad but there are plenty above and below Nissan.

At least nissan is trying.

I am currently considering the Nissan Altima Hybrid... When i turned sixteen i had a 2001 Nissan Altima SE.. then when i turned 18 i got a 2004 Nissan Altima SE V6.. they were both excellent cars and i would love to purchase another Altima. i'm sick of paying the high insurance cost, so a hybrid would definently help out. I'm also sick of the whole "buying a hybrid for fuel economy is stupid because we need diesels and blah blah..." arguement. Yes, diesel offer great torque, but hybrids are clean.. and they are trendy!

THIS ALTIMA IS GONNA BE A HIT FOR THE CONSUMERS. THE COMPANY IS WISE IN SELLING THE MODEL IN THOSE 8 STATES. WELL ITS ABOUT MONEY AND PROFIT AND THE HYBRID INDUSTRY IS NOT COST EFFECTIVE TO PRODUCE AND SELL. THIS IS A TEST RUN FOR THE NISSAN CORP. AND IT WILL SEE WHETHER OR NOT HYBRIDS WILL BE SOLD IN HIGH VOLUMES IN THE YEARS TO COME. THE CURRENT MODEL ARE SELLING LIKE CRAZY AND IT WON'T HURT TO HAVE ANOTHER OFFERING IN THE LINEUP. AFTER THIS RELEASE COMES THE COUPE. IT MEANS MORE CHOICES FOR THE 4TH SELLING BEST CAR. I WOULD DEFINITELY CONSIDER THE ALTIMA AS IT HAS THE ATTRIBUTES OF THE CAMRY AND ACCORD. THE MILEAGE RATING ARE EXEMPLARY. IT GOING TO BE A GOOD YEAR FOR NISSAN. AS FOR THE RELIABITY ISSUE, IT HAS VASTLY IMPROVED. IT DOESN'T CLAIM HONDA OR TOYOTA QUALITY BUT A SENSE OF CONNECTION WITH THE DRIVER.

Although some recent Nissan cars have exhibited mediocre reliability, the company (unlike, say, VW) has shown itself entirely capable of producing extremely reliable cars --just check Consumer Reports ratings for most of their Infinity models. In view of their recent emphasis on improved reliability, I would expect their latest Hybrid to be in the same ball-park as Honda and Toyota ... Nissan knows it cannot afford anything less. Furthermore, it seems that the Altima Hybrid will cost about the same as the Prius, have nearly as good fuel efficiency, and, if it performs anything like the Nissan's impressive 2007 non-hybrid Altimas, should drive, ride and handle considerably better than the Prius. Looks better, too, IMO. In other words, a car that's much more appealing to the enthusiast, at least in terms of sportiness. Plus it's considerably cheaper than the fast, but thirsty, Accord Hybrid as well as the not-so-sporty Camry Hybrid.

I currently have a 2001 Prius, but I need something bigger (3 kids). I waited for the Camry Hybrid, but was holding out for the Altima since I figured it'd be cheaper and look a bit better than the Camry's new style (I'm not a big fan of it).

But after doing a quick compare on Edmunds, I'm not so sure... The fact is:

1-The Camry and the Prius have 4" more rear seat legroom than the Altima.

2-The Altima compares in interior width to the Camry, but on height the Camry had the edge on rear seat headroom.

3-The Altima is "new", difficult to get, and dealers will undoubtedly mark it up well above the MSRP, essentially negating the IRS credit. They're well aware that you have to be one of the "first ones" to get that credit.

However it does take the pressure off the Camry and Prius market - so that'll be great!

Rich B
Not loving your mention of the competitor on our blog but anyway...
I highly doubt there will be a markup on the Altima hybrid and I doubt they'd be able to sell 60,000 (the number before the credits go away) in any short amount of time in just eight states.
That doesn't mean that supply won't be scarce however.

If the EPA is so concerned for the environment, then why aren't they allowing the sale of Altima hybrid in all 50 states?

About Toyota technology: Toyota is just boasting b/c Toyota don't got it's own Hybrid System.

Anon,
The EPA is not limiting the sale! Nissan is.
They don't want to lose more money per vehicle than they have to and they'll lose money per Altima hybrid sold. At least at this point.

Nissan has improved its quality and reliability in the last years. It proved with the last generation Nissan Altima. It sold really well. It has aggressive performance and it is sporty. This next-generation Altima is even better. As for saying that the Altima Hybrid is “just a sort of boring vehicle” and “just another plain sedan,” that is just an understatement. Whoever said this obviously did not test drive the Altima Hybrid. Compared to the Prius, the Altima is responsive while still being a responsible one as well. The deck-lid spoiler, the taillights and the overall design of the Altima Hybrid make this car sporty. The Altima conquers curves, something the Prius isn’t capable of doing because it has the beam-axle suspension.

The Altima gives excitement to the one behind the wheel, but the Prius gives boredom to the driver. The Prius is a really boring car and its design IS NOT innovative, but rather it is outdated. A 4-Door hatchback/sedan/wagon/chest drawer with wheels/bag of soggy potatoes thing is unpopular these days. There are many things the Prius fits into and that’s because it is such a boring thing. Those riding in a Prius experience AUTOCLAUSTROPHOBIA. Those riding in the Altima Hybrid experience tons of cargo, room for adult-sized passengers, and get a car that costs thousands less than the Prius , but has better quality.

Where is Toyota’s sporty image? It’s dead! It’s been dead for 2 years now, after discontinuing the Celica. Nissan has a long lineage of sportiness. Just take a look at the legendary Z. Every Nissan vehicle has racing genes.

If you’re telling me that the Altima Hybrid is boring, you’re jealous of Nissan. Envy is ignorance. From what I heard, Prius sales are going down and it is NOT A POPULAR car as you’re claiming it to be. Engineering is more important than “different looks.” The Altima has better engineering all around than your beloved Pri and stop being jealous of Nissan. Imitation is suicide and stop being jealous about Nissan. At least Nissan is trying and not being boastful and such a braggart like your beloved Toyota.