The Nissan Altima Hybrid car, similar like the Ford Escape Hybrid SUV, borrows Toyota's gasoline-electric hybrid system. Eventually, however, Nissan shall replace the Toyota hybrid drive with a proprietary hybrid drive. Currently, the Nissan Altima hybrid is available only in 8 states that consist of California, Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island and Vermont.

Essentially, the Altima hybrid will run on a QR25 2.5 liter with 4-cylinder engine, but should achieve the power and torque of a 6-cylinder engine while achieving the fuel efficiency of a 4-cylinder vehicle. Currently, the EPA rating shows the 198 horsepower Altima hybrid at 42 mpg in the city and 36 mpg on the highway. Some of new features in Altima include 16-inch alloy wheels, Intelligent Key with Push Button Ignition, power windows/door locks, 6-speaker AM/FM/CD system with auxiliary audio input jack, Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC), Traction Control System (TCS) and dual-zone automatic temperature control that includes an Altima Hybrid-specific electrically powered A/C that continues to provide cooling when the gasoline engine is stopped.

Safety

The federal state government has given the Altima Hybrid five out of five stars for protecting both driver and front passenger in a frontal-impact collision. The hybrid editions of these cars also have five stars for protecting the driver in a frontal-impact crash, and four for protecting rear-seat passengers. It stood with four starts for its ability to resist a rollover accident. Standard safety equipment on the Altima Hybrid shows four-wheel antilock disc brakes, traction and electronic stability control. Front-seat side airbags and side head-curtain airbags are of minimum standard, as they are active head restraints, which can help to prevent whiplash injuries.

Less gas with more comfort and we have the Civic Hybrid to thank for. Incredible Performance110-hp, 8-Valve, SOHC, I-VTEC® 4-cylinder engine, Dual-point sequential ignition system continuously variable transmission (CVT).

Interior facilities include Headroom (in, front/rear) 39.4 / 37.4 Legroom (in, front/rear) 42.2 / 34.6 Shoulder Room (in, front/rear) 53.6 / 52.3 Hip room (in, front/rear) 51.9 / 51.0 Cargo Volume (cu ft) 10.4 Passenger Volume (cu ft) 90.9 Seating Capacity 5Wheelbase (in) 106.3 Length (in) 177.3 Height (in) 56.3 Width (in) 69.0 Track (in, front/rear) 59.1 / 60.2 Curb Weight (lbs, MT/AT) NA / 2877 Weight Distribution (%, front/rear, AT), Roof external facilities include Mounted Rear-Window Antenna ,Standard Security System with Remote Entry with Trunk Release Body-Colored Power Side Mirrors with Integrated Turn Indicators Heated Side Mirrors with Leather Variable Intermittent Windshield Wipers Standard Rear Deckled Spoiler, Impact-Absorbing Body Colored Bumpers Standard Multi-Reflector Halogen Headlights Body Colored Door Handles  Chrome Rear License Plate Trim.

Safety

3-Point Seat Belts at all Seating Positions Standard Front 3-Point Seat Belts with Automatic Tensioning System Standard, Driver's and Front Passenger's Seat Belt Reminder Standard Dual-Stage, Multiple-Threshold Front Airbags (SRS), are the special features fir safety of this car. Side-Impact Door Beams, Lower Anchors and Tethers Lower Anchors (2nd-Row Outboard), Tether Anchors (2nd-Row All) Standard Child-Proof Rear Door Locks are featured only for the children facility.

The 2006 Ford Escape hybrid car become the first commercially available Hybrid SUV, as well as the Truck of the Year of the North American International Auto Show in Detroit in January 2005. The Escape hybrid apparently being firsts, as the hybrid Escape was also named the 11th Greenest Vehicle - a first for a SUV. Likewise, Consumer Reports tells the Escape hybrid the Best and Greenest Small hybrid.

For 2009, the Ford Escape Hybrid replaces a 2.3-liter engine with a 2.5 boosting net horsepower from 155 to 177. Ford engineers refined the Escape hybrid’s breaking system to allow for better traction and stability control, and a smoother feel to the brakes, previously not incorporated into the hybrid system. Noise and some type of vibrations have been reduced in the process. This especially evident on when the engine shuts off and the vehicle moves into all-electric mode. Another really nice feature for 2009 is a 110-volt AC power outlet now comes standard in the Escape Hybrid. The Ford Escape Hybrid’s contribute 300 pounds of weight as compared to the regular gas-powered Escape, gives it a feeling of heaviness. In addition to this, the Ford Escape has the ideal choice if battling in harsh weather and road conditions are top priorities. Other hybrid SUVs in the market are better suited for off-road travel and towing, although the Ford Escape Hybrid's ride quality is more than adequate for both commuting and carting the family.

Safety

The Escape Hybrid features number of safety equipment and has excellent safety scores to back it up. In federal state government tests, it topped scores of five stars for driver and passenger safety in frontal crashes and for front and rear seat safety in side crashes. Its rollover score isn't as impressive as, especially since many SUVs earn four stars. A three star score tells us that Escape Hybrid has a 20 to 22 percent chance of rollover in a single vehicle crash. The base of Escape Hybrid comes with standard dual-stage front airbags, front seat-mounted side airbags, Advancer with Roll Stability Control and anti-lock brakes. It also turns up with side curtain airbags for outboard seating in both rows, which is a rare feature for an affordable base-model SUV.

Mazda finally involved in the hybrid scene of the car, providing the same size & convenience as the regular Tribute but with the added environmental benefits of a hybrid power train. It is basically a re-skinned Ford Escape Hybrid, using the same power train and many of the same interior facilites.The Mercury Mariner also take up or borrow from the Escape Hybrid, so hybrid shoppers can choose from three flavors of the same vehicle. In terms of style, the Mazda Tribute  Hybrid goes against the grain of the rest of the brand’s model line because of its traditional standing apart from the sleek and sporty look of the other Mazda cars and crossovers. A decidedly low-key model, Mazda’s first hybrid vehicle was apparently based on the ease of adapting the Escape’s drive train, rather than an effort to create some buzz and excitement for the Mazda brand.

Mazda’s first Tribute hybrid  car is available in two trims, the Touring and Grand Touring and it features a new 2.5 liter with 153 horsepower four-cylinder engine, which is mated to an electronically controlled continuously variable automatic transmission. A 70 kilowatt electric motor works in combination with the gas engine and cruise up to 25 mph on electricity alone. The Vehicle System Controller (VSC) utilizes advanced software to ensure smooth transition between the electric motor and gasoline engine. The electronically controlled, continuously variable transmission generates and transfers power to the wheels, with no noticeable shift points. Fuel economy of the Tribute Hybrid is near the top of the list of most fuel efficient SUVs. The Tribute Hybrid is seen in limited quantities in California and competes with the Saturn Vue Hybrid and Ford Escape Hybrid.

Safety

Standard safety features of the car includes  4 wheel anti-lock brakes with Electronic Brake force Distribution which help to maintain steering control while braking and prevent wheel lockup. Standard dual front airbags and front-seat side airbags, side curtain airbags with rollover sensor protect both rows of passengers in a collision. The Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) continuously keep monitoring tire pressure and alerts the driver to any significant changes.