Comparison: 2007 Nissan Altima Hybrid vs 2007 Saturn Aura Green Line vs 2007 Toyota Camry Hybrid

**Tideland Prius** · 10-06-2007, 02:47 AM

At the moment, the number of hybrid-powered cars, trucks, SUVs, and crossovers clamoring for your attention totals not two, or three, or four, but 13. This is no longer a parlor trick. Yet after two years of sometimes three-buck gas and a 600-expert U.N. report that pegs the human fingerprint on climate change at a 90 percent certainty, let's count, shall we, the number of hybrids that are selling in notable numbers. Ummm, one. The Prius.

What's the reticence here?

It's the kitchen-table economics of the hybrid-premium, pal. Everybody is an eco-altruist until it comes time to write a check. Even little ones. Is $50 per month reasonable? $10 way too much? We'll number-crunch how big or small that check is for Toyota's Camry Hybrid, Nissan's Camry-clone Altima Hybrid, and Saturn's Aura Green Line Hybrid. But first, we ought to get acquainted with these three electro-combustive marvels.

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clintd555 · 10-06-2007, 03:11 PM

They picked the Altima as the winner.

**Tideland Prius** · 10-06-2007, 05:27 PM

same difference, no? (almost)

n8kwx · 10-06-2007, 08:53 PM

My biggest issue with this review is their "price premium". (Although almost all reviews do this)

They compare the Hybrid to the LE not the XLE.

Like the XLE, the hybrid has alloy wheels, upgraded stereo, dual-zone climate control, stability control, etc. The LE lacks all of these. For 2007 the base prices were approx 25k for the 4-cyl XLE, 26 for the hybrid and 27 for the V6 XLE.

I see NO price "premium" of any kind. With that, I fail to see how the 4 cylinder XLE sells. With the hybrid you get extra speed, extra quiet and almost 50% better fuel economy for about $1000 more.

From what I hear about 10% of the US Camry market is the hybrid version. In Canada it sounds like it is closer to 20%.

clintd555 · 10-06-2007, 09:50 PM

I agree... but you can't put that completely on the reviewers. The car companies should make basic hybrid versions of their cars to appeal to the people who want just the basics. For example If I bought a Camry, I'd go for the just the basics. But to get a hybrid, I'm forced to buy all the other bells and whistles that I probably wouldn't use.

Per · 10-06-2007, 11:34 PM

Actually the reason the Altima won out was because of the tax credit, since none is available for the Camry.

10-06-2007, 02:47 AM	#1
Tideland Prius Moderator of the North Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Canada Posts: 19,606 My Car: 2010 Prius Model: N/A Package: Technology Package (Canada) Thanks: 227 Thanked 343 Times in 242 Posts Friends: 23	At the moment, the number of hybrid-powered cars, trucks, SUVs, and crossovers clamoring for your attention totals not two, or three, or four, but 13. This is no longer a parlor trick. Yet after two years of sometimes three-buck gas and a 600-expert U.N. report that pegs the human fingerprint on climate change at a 90 percent certainty, let's count, shall we, the number of hybrids that are selling in notable numbers. Ummm, one. The Prius. What's the reticence here? It's the kitchen-table economics of the hybrid-premium, pal. Everybody is an eco-altruist until it comes time to write a check. Even little ones. Is $50 per month reasonable? $10 way too much? We'll number-crunch how big or small that check is for Toyota's Camry Hybrid, Nissan's Camry-clone Altima Hybrid, and Saturn's Aura Green Line Hybrid. But first, we ought to get acquainted with these three electro-combustive marvels. Full Article __________________ 2005 Tideland Pearl Premium Package 25/10/04 VVT-i Emblem, Sport Pedals, All-Weather Mats, Cargo Mat, EV Mod, JDM Prius Footwell Lighting, DICE iPod Kit 2008 Deep Black smart fortwo passion coupé - sold (6.1L/100km) 2010 Blue Ribbon Metallic Technology Package 29/08/09 All-Weather Mats, Homemade Console Pads, LED lighting "Ask an Expert" on Facebook I am not employed by Toyota, and the opinions expressed by me as a Prius Expert are not those of Toyota.

10-06-2007, 08:53 PM	#4
n8kwx Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Arlington Heights, IL - NW Chicago Suburb Posts: 236 My Car: Other Hybrid Model: Package: N/A Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	My biggest issue with this review is their "price premium". (Although almost all reviews do this) They compare the Hybrid to the LE not the XLE. Like the XLE, the hybrid has alloy wheels, upgraded stereo, dual-zone climate control, stability control, etc. The LE lacks all of these. For 2007 the base prices were approx 25k for the 4-cyl XLE, 26 for the hybrid and 27 for the V6 XLE. I see NO price "premium" of any kind. With that, I fail to see how the 4 cylinder XLE sells. With the hybrid you get extra speed, extra quiet and almost 50% better fuel economy for about $1000 more. From what I hear about 10% of the US Camry market is the hybrid version. In Canada it sounds like it is closer to 20%. __________________ 2007 Camry Hybrid

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10-06-2007, 03:11 PM	#2
clintd555 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 253 My Car: Model: Package: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 1	They picked the Altima as the winner.

10-06-2007, 05:27 PM	#3
Tideland Prius Moderator of the North Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Canada Posts: 19,606 My Car: 2010 Prius Model: N/A Package: Technology Package (Canada) Thanks: 227 Thanked 343 Times in 242 Posts Friends: 23	same difference, no? (almost)

10-06-2007, 09:50 PM	#5
clintd555 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 253 My Car: Model: Package: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 1	I agree... but you can't put that completely on the reviewers. The car companies should make basic hybrid versions of their cars to appeal to the people who want just the basics. For example If I bought a Camry, I'd go for the just the basics. But to get a hybrid, I'm forced to buy all the other bells and whistles that I probably wouldn't use.

10-06-2007, 11:34 PM	#6
Per Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: San Antonio Posts: 228 My Car: Other Hybrid Model: Package: N/A Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post Friends: 0	Actually the reason the Altima won out was because of the tax credit, since none is available for the Camry.