The Los Angeles Times' Dan Neil recently wrote a review of the new 2007 Nissan Altima Hybrid and, well, he pretty much likes it. In many respects it's very much like a new Toyota Camry Hybrid, which is to be expected since Nissan is licensing the battery and control technology for their first hybrid vehicle from Toyota. The Altima loses some trunk space to the battery and electronics, bring it down to just over 9 cubic feet. However, the Nissan's curvier styling combined with sharper steering and handling definitely make it more of a driver's car than the more benign Camry. Follow the Read link to see the full review.

[Source: Dan Neil / Los Angeles Times]

The 2006 Ford Escape hybrid has been in the news a bit lately for its recall, but the hybrid recently made the Times not for the possible safety issue, but because the paper is finally reviewing the "overlooked" hybrid (one reason it's overlooked is that Ford didn't really advertise the the hybrid version until this year's Super Bowl). The Times reviewer found that the 36/31 mpg-rated SUV, which can run on E85 (edit: really?), gets better mileage than the EPA says, way better than the standard engine's 29 highway mpg rating. A revamped 2008 Escape is coming soon, and the hybrid version will come with an updated motor and batteries.

Related:

• Ford recalling 6,164 Escape hybrids to fix drive-train shaft

[Source: New York Times, free registration required]

We've recently pointed to two reviews of the new Toyota Camry Hybrid, one fairly positive and the other fairly negative. Now, USA Today's test driver James Healey comes down a little bit on both side of the equation. He likes the Camry's rated fuel economy of 39-mpg (even though he only got 32.7 while testing the car and was not driving conservatively) and the feel of the roomy interior. He doesn't like extra cost or noise of the electric motor. Also, the shudder of the gasoline engine "seemed more pronounced than you get starting the engine in a conventional gasoline car", he wrote. So, the consensus seems to be that the Camry a good choice for people who need a room sedan with decent gas mileage, but we've got a ways to go until we get the holy grail of hybrid vehicles.

[Source: USA Today via EV World]

We linked to AutoblogGreen reader Jason Coyne's blog last week when he posted a review of the Toyota Camry Hybrid he recently purchased. He then wrote in to say he appreciated the extra attention his review got from that link (among others) and that someone sent him feedback on the review questioning just how green hybrids are. So, in good blogger fashion, he took a whack at the topic with a post titled "Are Hybrids Really Green - An Economic analysis of the real cost and benefits of owning a hybrid." Coyne breaks the costs down to two aspects: personal cost and cost to society, and figures that both come out ahead because he bought a hybrid. He wins because he saves an estimated $9,000 over the life of the car and society wins because hybrids emit fewer emissions and investing in a hybrid is voting with his dollars to encourage the auto manufacturers to make even cleaner cars tomorrow.

[Source: Geeks With Blogs]

AutoblogGreen reader Jason Coyne suggested we take a look at his review of the Toyota Camry Hybrid, which he just picked up from the dealer last weekend. A lot of his review focuses on aspects of the Camry unrelated to the hybrid guts – like the keyless fob and the DVD navigation system – but he does include a section on the power train. His initial impression is that the hybrid system works well, even for an aggressive driver like himself, but he does feel a little lack of power above 40 mph. The engine's somewhat noisy then, and he feels the push. He has been getting about 38 miles per gallon, which matches the EPA's estimate, and thinks that less aggressive driver will get more. 

Coyne's review is well written and detailed (and he uses the word scuttlebutt, which I like). Hop on over if you're interested in learning more about the Camry Hybrid or just want to see the word scuttlebutt in context.

[Source: Geeks With Blogs, Jason Coyne]

With the Toyota Camry Hybrid's lineage (Toyota hybrid technology, Camry styling), it seems like it could be an ideal car for a lot of people. But it's not for one reviewer over at epinions. Mkaresh has written over 400 reviews for epinions (of cars and tires and related items) and so knows his stuff. He certainly knows he doesn't like the Camry hybrid. He found it lacking compared to the Lexus ES 350 he drove the same day, and lacking overall in punch and looks. The shift from the electric to gasoline systems was too noticeable for him, and the handling was weak. Reliability comparisons from multiple Camry Hybrid drivers will be collected on Mkaresh's TrueDelta site, but for now the word is look elsewhere for an enjoyable hybrid experience.

[Source: Epinions.com]