2009 Nissan Altima - Quality Review

See more photos

Shopping for a 2009 Nissan Altima? MSRP: $19,900 - $29,380

SEE LOCAL CLASSIFIEDS

Inside the 2009 Nissan Altima Hybrid you'll find plenty of passenger space and high-quality materials, but the additional area required by the hybrid powertrain eats up some cargo room.

The Nissan Altima Hybrid's passenger accommodations are first-rate up front, according to reviews read by TheCarConnection.com. Edmunds declares that the "front seats in the Altima Hybrid are comfortable and supportive," and Kelley Blue Book echoes that "the sporty front seats are exceptionally supportive." ConsumerGuide reports that the front offers "good overall headroom and legroom, though six-footers may want more seat travel." Unfortunately, the rear of the Nissan Altima Hybrid provides just "so-so backseat comfort," according to Edmunds reviewers. ConsumerGuide adds that rear seat passengers "will find headroom limited and legroom lacking unless [the] front seats are well forward."

While the conventional Nissan Altima includes a respectable amount of storage space, the same can't be said for the 2009 Nissan Altima Hybrid. Kelley Blue Book reviewers note that the "battery pack and other hybrid hardware add almost 400 pounds to curb weight and reduce trunk space by about 50 percent." Edmunds provides some firm numbers for that statement, observing that, "compared to the conventional Altima's 15-cubic-foot trunk capacity, the Hybrid's capacity is squeezed down to 9 cubes." Compared to its competitors, the Altima Hybrid offers "significantly less [trunk space] than the Malibu Hybrid's 15.1 cubic feet," notes Cars.com. However, moving inside the cabin, Edmunds is pleased to report that "interior storage is plentiful, with several bins and large compartments."

Aside from a generous amount of storage space, the interior of the 2009 Nissan Altima Hybrid houses some fine materials that are more than appropriate at this price point. Edmunds says the Altima Hybrid's interior is composed of "first-rate materials that better the Camry's equivalents," while Kelley Blue Book praises the "improved interior quality." ConsumerGuide offers the only contrary opinion, arguing that the "use of budget-grade plastics in the center console area is...a disappointment," but "it's still pleasant inside" the Nissan Altima Hybrid.

One major benefit of the solid construction quality exhibited on the 2009 Nissan Altima Hybrid is that it does an admirable job of squelching road and wind noise. ConsumerGuide reviewers claim that "tire, road, and wind noise are well controlled in sedans," while Car and Driver is impressed by the "quiet operation" of the Nissan Altima Hybrid.