Nissan Drops Altima Hybrid From 2012 Lineup

June 15, 2011

Nissan has announced that it will stop selling its Altima Hybrid after the 2011 model year. The car served as Nissan’s first and only hybrid since its release in 2007, but has only ever been available in the nine states that follow the California Air Resources Board’s tailpipe emissions regimen: California, Oregon, Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island or Vermont. Nissan had previously talked about making the Altima Hybrid available nationwide, but it now looks as though that will not happen without a significant retooling—and certainly not for 2012.

During its five-year tenure as Nissan’s lone gas-electric, the Altima Hybrid may not have approached the sales numbers of competitors like the Toyota Camry Hybrid, but it generally received a mildly positive reception from critics. At 198 combined horsepower, the car was said to be more powerful and fun to drive than the Camry—if a little rough around the edges. The interplay between the electric motor and gas engine made its presence known a bit more than in other hybrids, but the trade-off was 11 more horsepower than the Camry Hybrid and 23 more than the standard four cylinder non-hybrid Altima.

Marrying Nissan’s best selling platform with gas-electric technology licensed from Toyota, the Altima Hybrid has been called “the neglected middle child” in the carmaker’s efforts to become the world leader in fuel efficiency. For Nissan that has meant a multibillion-dollar commitment to becoming the world leader in plug-in electric vehicles like the Nissan LEAF. In the meantime, hybrids seemed to fall by the wayside—though that may not be the case for long, as the carmaker recently debuted its very own lithium-ion-based hybrid technology in the 2012 Infiniti M Hybrid.

Nissan says that the M Hybrid’s gas-electric powertrain will find its way into other vehicles “where it makes sense.” Given the Altima’s status as Nissan’s leading model—and the fact that the carmaker’s new North American lithium ion battery facility will sit just a few hundred yards from where the Altima is manufactured—there is speculation that a retooled Altima Hybrid may yet be in the works.


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  • Shines

    FYI – the Altima hybrid has been selling in Washington state as well…

  • Yegor

    Now since they have Nissan LEAF they can focus on their own fuel efficient revolutionary technology that will allow them to meet CAFE standards and not to pay to Toyota license fees. Very reasonable.

  • James Davis

    Why didn’t the article’s author compare the Nissan Altima hybrid with the GM Volt hybrid? They always compare the Nissan Leaf all electric with GM’s Volt hybrid.

    Now maybe Nissan can direct their attention toward the Leaf, and forget about that ICE hybrid crap, and get a million of those fuel saving electrics on the American road like they and GM is now doing for Canada. How patriotic of GM to think of Canada first above America in helping Canada to develop their clean environment vehicles.

    Not like GM, at least Nissan still pretends to have America’s best interest at heart.

  • FamilyGuy

    As the proud owner of 2009 Altima Hybrid, I just wanted to say that both my Wife and I love the car. It’s great. This car has the balance that we sought when we bought the car. We get MPG in the upper 30′s, low 40′s. It’s fun to drive, have acceleration when we need it whether on the highway or the back country roads. Great car.

    Thanks Nissan!

  • Chuck

    I bet they are planning hybrid on Versa.. Not Sentra but Versa. Versa is getting bigger for 2012 model so why wouldn’t they? Versa hybrid around $20,000 would make great deal in true hybrid hatch back.. I think it’l be better then Honda Insight with Leaf tech..

  • JDGLOW

    I just bought my 2009 pre-owned Altima Hybrid Nissan and I have had it only 2 days and I LOVE it. This is coming from a 5 year owner of a V-6 4.0 fully loaded Mustang! I was highly concerned about the power of a hybrid and it being a 4 cylinder. Upon test drive of this vehicle I was literally SHOCKED at the power and get up it has. Its got a sporty drive to it and its quick and zippy. Even climbing a steep grade it picks up and just goes. It is smooth for a hybrid in city and freeway. I bought my hybrid altima about half an hour away from home and day 2 into the vehicle after the half hour drive back home I am still on FULL!!! Its also a sexy looking hybrid I must say.

  • Geoff

    Have had my 2010 Altima hybrid for going on 2 years and have to say am very pleased. If they do retool hopefully the mileage will improve as it trails the Fusion Hybrid as well as the new Sonata and Optima hybrids. Nonetheless still a great car.

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  • Mary Johnson

    My 2007 Altima Hybrid is a FANTASTIC car. There is absolutely nothing wrong with it. PLEASE Nissan, make more cars like this!

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  • EddieWardo

    Unbelievable!!! I’m a proud owner of 2 Hybrid Altimas. I bought my first 2007 Hybrid Altima , I put 135,000 freeway/traffic miles on it and I loved it! I gave it to my son when he went to college last year and I couldnt see myself in another car so i purchased 2011 model same color ..black! I love it. My best mileage I did on the 2007 model was 725 miles on a tank of gas (now that’s my 52 mile drive one way to work everyday in the middle of rush hour) ! I love my Altima!

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  • elcartero

    my 2010 altima hybrid is doing great . I drive 140 miles a day every day . and this car is great .. my mileage is 35/38 in the freeway . Can’t complain . last year I got stock in the freeway for 2 hrs in the middle of the summer and it did not bother me , ac on tv on .
    is too bad that Nissan drop the hybrid . I’m going to keep my for as long as I can

  • tapra1

    a mildly positive reception from critics. At 198 combined horsepower, the car was said to be more powerful and fun to drive.Host News

  • Anonymous

    I have a 2010 Altima hybrid that I bought new after looking at the Prius and Ford Fusion. I have driven it 38K miles. It’s a great car, roomy, good power, and fun to drive. I’m averaging 38-40 mpg. Nissan should make it again.

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  • Bill Hartenstine

    I am very sorry to hear that they will no longer be making a Altima Hybrid. I have owned two if them and found it to be my favorite car. Little of no maintenance and the ability to go over 550 miles on a fill up makes this a tremendous value. I average over 37 mpg and have nothing negative to say bout it, only possitive.

    I wish they would reconsider making it. Most people thou never heard of it but are most impressed when I tell them about mine.

  • albertjohnela

    I wish they would reconsider making it. Most people thou never heard of it but are most impressed when I tell them about mine.

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  • native

    I have a 2010 Altima hybrid that I bought new after looking at the Prius and Ford Fusion. I have driven it 38K miles. It’s a great car, roomy, good power, and fun to drive. I’m averaging 38-40 mpg. Nissan should make it again.

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    The interplay between the electric motor and gas engine made its presence known a bit more than in other hybrids, but the trade-off was 11 more horsepower than the Camry Hybrid and 23 more than the standard four cylinder non-hybrid Altima. text spy

  • Ader Smith

    Have had my 2010 Altima hybrid for going on 2 years and have to say am very pleased. If they do retool hopefully the mileage will improve as it trails the Fusion Hybrid as well as the new Sonata and Optima hybrids. Nonetheless still a great car and the traders insurance is cheap enough for me! There was a great writeup of it here: http://www.motortradesinsurance.com/traders-insurance/