Toyota Prius To Become Brand's Biggest Seller...
Green
Trucks
Luxury
Family
Brand
Muscle
See more sites from  HighGear  M E D I A  >>
Compare this car to others like it Try our car compare tool now

2008 Nissan Altima Hybrid Bottom Line

November 25, 2008

By Bengt Halvorson's avatar Bengt Halvorson, EditorBengt Halvorson

The experts at TheCarConnection.com studied up on all the review information available for the 2008 Nissan Altima Hybrid, then produced this comprehensive report. TheCarConnection.com's editors also drove the 2008 Nissan Altima Hybrid and included their experience in this definitive piece.

Likes:

  • Perky acceleration
  • Awesome fuel efficiency in city driving
  • Nice interior styling and materials

Dislikes:

  • Back-seat space is skimpy
  • Doesn’t handle as well as the other Altimas
  • Powertrain is a little unsettled on the highway

Buying Tips:


If cost is an issue and you'd be happy with either the Altima Hybrid or the Camry Hybrid, go to the Nissan dealership for the better deal. While Toyota dealerships have been selling the Camry Hybrid at or above sticker price, the Nissan has already offered cash back on the Altima Hybrid--a sign that Nissan shoppers haven't been springing for the 2008 Nissan Altima Hybrid.

The 2008 Nissan Altima Hybrid, a version of Nissan's popular mid-size sedan, combines a sophisticated electric hybrid system with the automaker's proven 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, here tuned down to 162 horsepower for improved efficiency, but in the hybrid powertrain altogether makes 198 hp. That power reaches the road through a continuously variable transmission, via the front wheels. Nissan says only minor changes will grace its gas-electric Altima Hybrid sedan, now in its second year of production.

The hybrid system in the 2008 Nissan Altima Hybrid is capable of powering the sedan on electric power at low speed for short distances, which especially helps fuel efficiency in city driving. The fuel economy rating for the Altima Hybrid checks in at 35 mpg in the city, 33 mpg highway.

The 2008 Nissan Altima Hybrid has adequate punch for city driving and reasonably quick passing power. The Hybrid rides a little harder than other Altima models, yet due to all the extra weight, it handles with much less agility than the standard gasoline versions.

The Hybrid shares most of its body and interior with the conventional, gas-powered 2008 Altima and has a similar cabin, including a simple but attractive instrument panel and handsome materials throughout. Backseat space is tight compared to other mid-size sedans, though.

This year, the changes to the Hybrid version include standard splash guards, a diversity antenna, and factory-installed XM Satellite Radio. An available Technology Package brings a host of features, including a rearview monitor, navigation system with XM NavTraffic, hybrid energy display, and a well-integrated Bluetooth hands-free calling interface. For now, the Altima Hybrid is marketed only in the eight states that have the most potential for sales by Nissan's reckoning. They include California, New York, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Vermont, Rhode Island, Maine, and New Jersey.

Front, side, and curtain airbags and anti-lock brakes are all standard in the Hybrid, along with electronic stability control. The 2008 Nissan Altima has performed well in both sets of crash tests, with top five-star results in the federal tests and Good ratings from the insurance-affiliated IIHS--except for Marginal ratings in the seat-based rear-impact test.

Other Choices:

If you like the 2008 Nissan Altima Hybrid, also consider:

Reason Why:

The 2008 Nissan Altima Hybrid competes head on with the Toyota Camry Hybrid, and the two are priced very closely. The Camry's cabin is quieter inside--especially on coarse road surfaces--and its backseat is significantly roomier, making it the choice if you plan to frequently carry passengers, but the Altima's interior may feel a little bit more upscale to some, with its more impressive materials. Toyota's Prius might also be considered a competitor for those who value fuel efficiency above all else; the Prius posts much better fuel economy figures of 48 mpg city, 45 mpg highway, but it's neither as comfortable inside nor as settled on the highway. The Escape Hybrid SUV allows greater versatility and utility but isn't as refined. And to those money-no-issue green shoppers, the Mercedes-Benz E320 Bluetec might also be a candidate; the clean Mercedes diesel gets mileage that isn't as high as the Altima Hybrid in town, but it meets or exceeds the Hybrid's real-world highway mpg while allowing all the luxury features of a gasoline Mercedes-Benz.

The Bottom Line:

All is not as it appears; the 2008 Nissan Altima Hybrid keeps it simple on the outside but has a complex, fuel-efficient powertrain.

The experts at TheCarConnection.com studied up on all the review information available for the 2008 Nissan Altima Hybrid, then produced this comprehensive report. TheCarConnection.com's editors also drove the 2008 Nissan Altima Hybrid and included their experience in this definitive piece. Likes:Perky accelerationAwesome fuel efficiency in city drivingNice interior styling and materialsDislikes:Back-seat space is skimpyDoesn’t handle as well as the other AltimasPowertrain is a little unsettled on the highwayBuying Tips: If cost is an issue and you'd be happy with either the Altima Hybrid or the Camry Hybrid, go to the Nissan dealership for the better deal. While Toyota dealerships have been selling the Camry Hybrid at or above sticker price, the Nissan has already offered cash back on the Altima Hybrid--a sign that Nissan shoppers haven't been springing for the 2008 Nissan Altima Hybrid. The 2008 Nissan Altima Hybrid, a version of Nissan's popular mid-size sedan, combines a sophisticated electric hybrid system with the automaker's proven 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, here tuned down to 162 horsepower for improved efficiency, but in the hybrid powertrain altogether makes 198 hp. That power reaches the road through a continuously variable transmission, via the front wheels. Nissan says only minor changes will grace its gas-electric Altima Hybrid sedan, now in its second year of production. The hybrid system in the 2008 Nissan Altima Hybrid is capable of powering the sedan on electric power at low speed for short distances, which especially helps fuel efficiency in city driving. The fuel economy rating for the Altima Hybrid checks in at 35 mpg in the city, 33 mpg highway. The 2008 Nissan Altima Hybrid has adequate punch for city driving and reasonably quick passing power. The Hybrid rides a little harder than other Altima models, yet due to all the extra weight, it handles with much less agility than the standard gasoline versions. The Hybrid shares most of its body and interior with the conventional, gas-powered 2008 Altima and has a similar cabin, including a simple but attractive instrument panel and handsome materials throughout. Backseat space is tight compared to other mid-size sedans, though. This year, the changes to the Hybrid version include standard splash guards, a diversity antenna, and factory-installed XM Satellite Radio. An available Technology Package brings a host of features, including a rearview monitor, navigation system with XM NavTraffic, hybrid energy display, and a well-integrated Bluetooth hands-free calling interface. For now, the Altima Hybrid is marketed only in the eight states that have the most potential for sales by Nissan's reckoning. They include California, New York, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Vermont, Rhode Island, Maine, and New Jersey. Front, side, and curtain airbags and anti-lock brakes are all standard in the Hybrid, along with electronic stability control. The 2008 Nissan Altima has performed well in both sets of crash tests, with top five-star results in the federal tests and Good ratings from the insurance-affiliated IIHS--except for Marginal ratings in the seat-based rear-impact test. Other Choices:If you like the 2008 Nissan Altima Hybrid, also consider:Ford Escape HybridMercedes-Benz E320 BluetecToyota Camry HybridToyota PriusReason Why:The 2008 Nissan Altima Hybrid competes head on with the Toyota Camry Hybrid, and the two are priced very closely. The Camry's cabin is quieter inside--especially on coarse road surfaces--and its backseat is significantly roomier, making it the choice if you plan to frequently carry passengers, but the Altima's interior may feel a little bit more upscale to some, with its more impressive materials. Toyota's Prius might also be considered a competitor for those who value fuel efficiency above all else; the Prius posts much better fuel economy figures of 48 mpg city, 45 mpg highway, but it's neither as comfortable inside nor as settled on the highway. The Escape Hybrid SUV allows greater versatility and utility but isn't as refined. And to those money-no-issue green shoppers, the Mercedes-Benz E320 Bluetec might also be a candidate; the clean Mercedes diesel gets mileage that isn't as high as the Altima Hybrid in town, but it meets or exceeds the Hybrid's real-world highway mpg while allowing all the luxury features of a gasoline Mercedes-Benz. The Bottom Line:All is not as it appears; the 2008 Nissan Altima Hybrid keeps it simple on the outside but has a complex, fuel-efficient powertrain. The experts at TheCarConnection.com studied up on all the review information available for the 2008 Nissan Altima Hybrid , then produced this comprehensive report. TheCarConnection.com's editors also drove the 2008 Nissan Altima Hybrid and included their experience in this definitive ...

Other Choices:

The 2008 Nissan Altima Hybrid competes head on with the Toyota Camry Hybrid, and the two are priced very closely. The Camry's cabin is quieter inside--especially on coarse road surfaces--and its backseat is significantly roomier, making it the choice if you plan to frequently carry passengers, but the Altima's interior may feel a little bit more upscale to some, with its more impressive materials. Toyota's Prius might also be considered a competitor for those who value fuel efficiency above all else; the Prius posts much better fuel economy figures of 48 mpg city, 45 mpg highway, but it's neither as comfortable inside nor as settled on the highway. The Escape Hybrid SUV allows greater versatility and utility but isn't as refined. And to those money-no-issue green shoppers, the Mercedes-Benz E320 Bluetec might also be a candidate; the clean Mercedes diesel gets mileage that isn't as high as the Altima Hybrid in town, but it meets or exceeds the Hybrid's real-world highway mpg while allowing all the luxury features of a gasoline Mercedes-Benz.

Next Steps:

Check Insurance Rates

for the 2008 Nissan Altima Hybrid

Check Financing Rates

for the 2008 Nissan Altima Hybrid

Check Local Classifieds

for a 2008 Nissan Altima Hybrid near you

See the Nissan Altima Hybrid in Other Years:

2009 | 2008

Comments (0 total)

Be the first to post a comment

Post a comment

Post anonymously, or
(Required)
(Required - will not be published, sold or shared)
(Optional - your 'posted by' name will link to the URL)

Remember Me?

I have read TheCarConnection.com's privacy policy