Toyota Prius vs. Nissan Altima Hybrid Review

Utility
Neither the Prius nor the Nissan Altima Hybrid has a marked advantage when it comes to seating capacity.

Performance
In terms of horsepower, the Nissan Altima Hybrid packs quite a punch and will knock the Toyota down a few rungs. On the flip side, note that high horsepower engines often command higher insurance premiums.

Dimensions
Your wallet will hurt more every time you fill up the Nissan than the Toyota Prius because of its larger tank. The Prius and the Nissan Altima Hybrid compete for the same parking spaces.

Convenience
You'll definitely have to take the Toyota Prius for a fill-up more often than the Nissan Altima Hybrid because of its tank size and fuel economy.

Cost
The destination charge is a standard charge for transporting the vehicle from its point of origin to the dealer. It costs almost the same to get the Altima Hybrid to the dealership as the Prius. Producing an exact gas mileage evaluation is so hard that some think not even the federal government can do it, but it looks as though the Toyota Prius is the winner regarding fuel economy. The Nissan Altima Hybrid requires a lot of gasoline compared to the Toyota Prius. With respect to MSRP, the Nissan Altima Hybrid costs approximately as much as the Toyota Prius (though the Toyota Prius is a little cheaper). The Nissan Altima Hybrid will cost you a bundle in gasoline every year compared to the Prius.

Handling
With its tighter turning radius, the Toyota is definitely sprier than the Nissan Altima Hybrid, something to consider if you do a lot of city driving; on the other hand, remember that a vehicle with a tight turning circle may feel a bit twitchy on the highway.

Drivetrain
The Toyota Prius's engine is significantly smaller than the Nissan's. Keep in mind that smaller engines can be stressed more; on the flip side, smaller engines are often cheaper to fix. The Nissan Altima Hybrid packs quite a punch compared to the Toyota with respect to torque, which is the force that lets you accelerate quickly. Torque equals pickup, and the Nissan Altima Hybrid will have picked up and gone by the time the Toyota Prius finally gets moving.

Comfort
Taller drivers will substantially enjoy the extra head room in the Nissan Altima Hybrid's front cabin compared to the Toyota Prius. The Toyota Prius is not particularly more spacious for your passengers than the Nissan Altima Hybrid.

Overview
The Nissan Altima Hybrid and the Toyota Prius have the same basic after-sale protection.