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2008 Nissan Altima Safety Review

July 5, 2008

SAFETY | 8 out of 10

Expert Quotes:

Five stars, frontal impact; five stars, side impact
NHTSA

Good, frontal offset impact; Good, side impact
IIHS

Stability control not available on four-cylinder models
Edmunds

The 2008 Nissan Altima offers a mixed bag for safety-conscious shoppers. While the 2008 Nissan Altima performs admirably in crash tests, its list of safety features is not quite up to par.

One of the best determinations of a vehicle's overall safety is how well it performs in crash tests, and in this category, the Nissan Altima is an all-star. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the federal agency that oversees government crash testing, awards the 2008 Nissan Altima a full five stars for both front and side impacts. Even more impressive is the fact that these ratings apply for both driver and passenger protection. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) confirms the NHTSA results, and in IIHS tests, the Altima performed equally well. The 2008 Nissan Altima has earned the IIHS's highest rating, "good," for both frontal offset and side impact collisions.

When it comes to safety features on the Nissan Altima, most of the usual amenities appear, but there are a few noteworthy exceptions. Beginning with what you'll find on the Nissan Altima, Edmunds writes "front-seat side airbags and full-length side-curtain airbags are standard on every 2008 Nissan Altima." Furthermore, with the Altima, Nissan offers "antilock brakes" as "standard on the 3.5 sedan trims" and base 2.5, and "optional on the 2.5 S sedan." One of the omissions that reviews read by TheCarConnection.com noticed is that stability control is available only as an option, and only on the 3.5 trims, which leads ConsumerGuide to "wish Nissan would make an antiskid system standard on all models."

Another redeeming safety quality on the Altima Nissan is the driver's sight profile. Several reviews read by TheCarConnection.com praise the visibility from within the cabin, with Kelley Blue Book writing that the "Altima's generous glass area provides the driver with good sightlines to the outside world." ConsumerGuide adds, "visibility in sedans is very good to all directions."

Conclusion

A strong crash-test record and great visibility are moderated by the 2008 Nissan Altima's lack of a standard antiskid system.

SAFETY | 8 out of 10Expert Quotes:Five stars, frontal impact; five stars, side impactNHTSAGood, frontal offset impact; Good, side impactIIHSStability control not available on four-cylinder modelsEdmunds The 2008 Nissan Altima offers a mixed bag for safety-conscious shoppers. While the 2008 Nissan Altima performs admirably in crash tests, its list of safety features is not quite up to par. One of the best determinations of a vehicle's overall safety is how well it performs in crash tests, and in this category, the Nissan Altima is an all-star. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the federal agency that oversees government crash testing, awards the 2008 Nissan Altima a full five stars for both front and side impacts. Even more impressive is the fact that these ratings apply for both driver and passenger protection. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) confirms the NHTSA results, and in IIHS tests, the Altima performed equally well. The 2008 Nissan Altima has earned the IIHS's highest rating, "good," for both frontal offset and side impact collisions. When it comes to safety features on the Nissan Altima, most of the usual amenities appear, but there are a few noteworthy exceptions. Beginning with what you'll find on the Nissan Altima, Edmunds writes "front-seat side airbags and full-length side-curtain airbags are standard on every 2008 Nissan Altima." Furthermore, with the Altima, Nissan offers "antilock brakes" as "standard on the 3.5 sedan trims" and base 2.5, and "optional on the 2.5 S sedan." One of the omissions that reviews read by TheCarConnection.com noticed is that stability control is available only as an option, and only on the 3.5 trims, which leads ConsumerGuide to "wish Nissan would make an antiskid system standard on all models." Another redeeming safety quality on the Altima Nissan is the driver's sight profile. Several reviews read by TheCarConnection.com praise the visibility from within the cabin, with Kelley Blue Book writing that the "Altima's generous glass area provides the driver with good sightlines to the outside world." ConsumerGuide adds, "visibility in sedans is very good to all directions." ConclusionA strong crash-test record and great visibility are moderated by the 2008 Nissan Altima's lack of a standard antiskid system. 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA STYLING | [8 out of 10] Cars.com: "Flared fenders and sculpted headlights resemble Nissan's 350Z sports car" Mother Proof: "Sporty yet mature-looking lines" Car and Driver: "The annoying, seemingly misaligned tunnels are gone" Nissan's mid-size sedan, the ...

Read More of this Review:

  1. styling
  2. performance
  3. quality
  4. safety
  5. features

Other Choices:

The 2008 Nissan Altima Coupe has been introduced the same year that an all-new Honda Accord Coupe bows. Compared to the Altima Coupe, the Accord Coupe has a more elegant interior design that feels markedly more upscale. The Accord also rides a bit better than the Altima, though it doesn't feel as sporty. However, even in base-model form, the Accord Coupe comes with standard electronic stability control. Another rival is the Toyota Solara, but next to the Altima Coupe, the Solara really shows its age; the Solara's available V-6 can't match the Altima's V-6 in performance either.

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See the Nissan Altima in Other Years:

2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | 2003 | 2002 | 2001 | 2000 | 1999 | 1998 | 1997

Comments (2 total)

  1. By MohJ #1, Posted: 9/22/2008

    Thank You

    A very helpful review indeed. I'm getting my Nissan Altima 2.5S today or tomorrow, and I'm excited about it :D

  2. By pELg #2, Posted: 1/21/2009

    3.5S OR 2.5S

    I am a graduating high school student looking into purchasing a used nissan altima aroudn 02-04. My budget is around 7-9 grand...i know the 3.5 is more sportier and more powerful than the 2.5 but if you think about it that 3.5 would take up more gas given that the enigne is more powerful. My question is, is it really worth paying more money rather than a 2.5 is it more pracitcal for a kid whos going off to college looking to commute aroudn 10-15 miles a day? If so please specify

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