silvershadow

I have been in San Francisco for the Bluetech conference for the last several days. I always rent from Hertz and get a car with GPS. They rented me a Nissan Altima Hybrid.

I have to say if this is the pinnacle of hybrid technology, I'm glad I got a diesel instead of a hybrid. This was the worst car I have driven in a long time. Driving down the highway was like what I would imagine riding a push me-pull you (from Dr. Doolittle) must have been like. The car constantly surged back and forth.

Throttle addition was a dicey proposition at best. Depending whether the car was driving on the electric motor and engine or engine alone, it would either leap ahead (when the electric motors were on) or be totally non-responsive (engine alone).

The biggest surprise came when I was going back to the airport. The entrance to the SF airport from the north involves a long left hand sweeping turn that is elevated. I entered the turn at a speed that was about the same as what I would enter the turn with my F350 truck and the Altima understeered so badly I ended up changing lanes. It reminded me of driving my parents full size 70 Pontiac in its inability to turn.

When I turned the car back into Hertz, I went to the counter and told them to put in my profile to never rent me an Altima hybrid again.

I hope the Prius and other hybrids are not as bad as the Altima was.

Kyras

The only hybrid I've ever driven was when I test drove an '08 Toyota Highlander. It seemed very smooth and quiet, but I just did a local drive around the Toyota dealership neighborhood. (It was bigger than I needed so I bought a RAV4.)

goblueS2K

I rented a new Camry hybrid a few months ago while visiting my mother in San Francisco. I really liked it. No surges or problems with braking.

It took awhile to get used to the car. First, the parking lot attendant had to show me how to start the car (keep the key in your pocket, press the brake, then the Start button on the dash). It was "fun" trying to keep the car in "Eco" drive most of the time, and when stopped, the car was utterly silent.

I was so impressed, I actually think I will seriously consider buying a Camry hybrid the next time I need to buy a new car.

The only negative about the car was that the Check Engine light came on and stayed on after the first day. I called the car rental office and they told me to ignore the warning light (not very reassuring!),

Jet sitter

The car articles that I've read, in car magazines, all say that the Honda CRZ is the only Hybrid that has decent handling. It is supposed to become available sometime this summer.

silvershadow

Good to know that there are hybrids out there that are not like this one.

NNY S2k

I've never even sat in one.

S2KRAY

I drove a Lexus SUV hybrid while my car was being serviced. Very nice.

boltonblue

my neighbor has a prius, I think that is close enough.

Lainey

Zippy