2008 Nissan Altima Hybrid Consumer Reviews

Altima hybrid-performance car.

Written by: HEV Performance car on 01/08/2010

Vehicle

2008 Nissan Altima Hybrid 4dr Sedan (2.5L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)

Review

My brother had this car for a while. I drove it too. With really aggressive driving it gets about 30MPG while if you drive normally you will get like 35 combined. This car is almost as fast as 2006 Nissan 350Z, faster then Lexus 330 SUV. So far no problems, the car is reliable including some couple of thousands mountain driving.

Favorite Features

Navi, instant MPG!

Suggested Improvements

Make it a plugable car with like 40 Miles of EV mode. Oh, Volt should to that! I meant PHEV when writing plugable! Also improve MPG to like AVG 41MPG. Why not try to out run Fusion hybrid?

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Loved it for 5 days!

Written by: Jim Warrick on 09/05/2009

Vehicle

2008 Nissan Altima Hybrid 4dr Sedan (2.5L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)

Review

I had been researching different vehicles to buy for some time with particular interest in hybrid technology. I enjoy driving but wanted to save gas, I didn't necessarily care if it cost me more to save gas. I would rather spend the money on the car than give it to OPEC and contribute to the myriad of problems we have in the world today. Test driving the car was great, first few days of ownership, great! Now the service engine light is on, not great. I'm told I have to take a day off and possibly leave it overnight. Really not great. So much for Nissan reliability!

Favorite Features

Nav packages gets you everything you could ever want! The back-up camera, bluetooth, and Bose sound is awesome! Comfortable, uber adjustable, supportive driver's seat. Great AC!

Suggested Improvements

Reliability, reliability, reliability! No one should only get one week of fun in their super expensive car. Free rental car when your $35,000 car craps out. Better cornering, this is a weak area.

3 out 6 people found this review helpful

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being Green is fun

Written by: Barbara on 08/31/2009

Vehicle

2008 Nissan Altima Hybrid 4dr Sedan (2.5L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)

Review

I have had None of the problems listed in other reviews. Car stays in electric mode even over 35/mph at times. No brake noises. Fits even the tall people in my family. do not have high tech package but the regular stuff is fine. Comfortable seats, ride etc. More gas is used if needed heat or air conditioner otherwise It sips and I can go more than 2 weeks before needing gas.

Favorite Features

plenty of zip getting on a highway and it's so quiet.

Suggested Improvements

Not all of Nissan's dealer mechanics know what they are doing. If you have a problem look for another mechanic.

2 out 2 people found this review helpful

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Use This Car For What It's Intended

Written by: Michael Tonelli on 08/19/2009

Vehicle

2008 Nissan Altima Hybrid 4dr Sedan (2.5L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)

Review

I bought this car because the $4.50/gal gas prices were worrying me. I assumed they would only go higher. The tax credit was a huge incentive. I chose this car because it was the "sportiest" choice of the hybrid vehicles on the market. While it can set you back in the seat, it has some quirks too. The mpg are disappointing, but not terrible. The best I can do is low 30's. The regenerative braking system feels "grabby" when rolling to a slow stop. There is something wrong with the driver's seat. It pops when your weight shifts in turns. Dealership worked on it and it's better, but not completely gone. But mostly, use it for long distance commuting. I don't drive far enough to justify the price

Favorite Features

Keyless fob that stays in your pocket. Just push the button on the handle to unlock the car. Steering mounted audio controls. Ample power when needed. One touch power windows driver and passenger side. Automatic on/off headlights. Driving in "stealth" mode at slow speeds with the engine off.

Suggested Improvements

Smoother braking system. Retractable side mirrors. Less aggressive power application when stepping on throttle (the supplemental power pours on if you hit a bump and accidentally push on the throttle a little harder. All of a sudden you start launching forward).

2 out 2 people found this review helpful

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fuel economy?

Written by: azdriver on 07/10/2009

Vehicle

2008 Nissan Altima Hybrid 4dr Sedan (2.5L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)

Review

(this review is for a fully loaded 2008 hybrid) I guess I got the lemon. I get maybe 31 in the winter time, running on cruise control between traffic lights minimize fuel consumption. Now, at 105F outside, I'm lucky to get 27 - on mostly mixed freeway/city. Something must be bad - likely the battery pack. Blew an A/C hose o-ring at about 1 year, the single sided bolted joint at the top rear of the engine compartment must have worked itself loose.

Favorite Features

XM radio. OK, there is no deep bass out of the system, but it still sound pretty darn good.

Suggested Improvements

The A/C climate control software must have been written by a drunken monkey. The recirc turns itself off constantly - likely so they can sell more of those "cabin filters". I don't want to smell the cigarette of the guy in front of me, plus I don't see the point of cooling 100F+ air rather than 78F.

1 out 1 people found this review helpful

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Yearling

Written by: KP on 06/21/2009

Vehicle

2008 Nissan Altima Hybrid 4dr Sedan (2.5L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)

Review

Commute about 55miles/day. Had a Toyota Highlander which I loved. Gas creeping up so I looked at the Hybrids. The rebate influenced my decision to buy the Altima. Was worried about how I would enjoy driving it as I loved the Highlander, but the Altima has not disappointed. My commute is a combination of highway and town driving I am averaging 37mpg (the computer) actual is about 2mpg less. This took a year to achieve. Winter dropped to 30 mpg. Zippy, comfortable, the Bose system is disappointing, and it's nice to drive a car not an SUV - Winter posed a bit of a problem, will buy snow tires for next year. I live in a very hilly area in CT. Slip control GREAT! The dog loves it too!

Favorite Features

Comfort, driving performance, slip control, and the gas mileage has really helped my budget.

Suggested Improvements

Sound system, already had to have mine replaced,

2 out 2 people found this review helpful

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Best Performing Hybrid Sedan

Written by: SonicAgamemnon on 06/10/2009

Vehicle

2008 Nissan Altima Hybrid 4dr Sedan (2.5L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)

Review

Test drove the Fusion, Camry and Prius hybrids and concluded the Altima was the best overall performing hybrid in the group, with the best balance between fuel economy, driving performance and comfort. Although the Prius stands above the group in fuel economy, it fell quickly behind in other areas during my test drive. The Altima has the best merge/pass performance, lowest cabin noise, and the best cornering and general handling in the group. Fully dressed, all of these vehicles are priced about the same, with similar rebates and financing, and the same warranty coverages. It's nice to simply test drive them all on the same day and decide based mostly on that alone.

Favorite Features

Good engine performance and even better handling for a hybrid; excellent build quality and reliability; good comfort level inside; XM traffic navigation is nice; the rear-view mode is also very handy.

Suggested Improvements

Long term fixes should include a stronger electric motor for even better 0-60 performance and fuel economy, and a full plug-in Altima. Short term fixes should include power seats for the passenger side with memory for both seats, a better security system, and pre-wired support for fog lights.

4 out 4 people found this review helpful

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Like it lots, despite a few problems

Written by: researchqueen on 04/02/2009

Vehicle

2008 Nissan Altima Hybrid 4dr Sedan (2.5L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)

Review

Have had my Altima Hybrid for 10 months and really enjoy driving it. It's got great pick-up, feels like it was made to suit me physically, and looks great. The fuel economy is sub-par -- averaging 30mpg mostly in city driving, which means I'm paying a lot for a hybrid that isn't performing as expected. I initially had to have the 12v battery replaced, then the headliner. Now there's an issue with the engine control module and the NAV system (which I don't find particularly intuitive). Despite all this, really enjoy driving it and despite the smaller cargo capacity, it can hold pretty much whatever I need it to and seats three kids well in the back. Still a great combo of practicality and fun

Favorite Features

Keyless, push-button start!! Steering-wheel audio and Bluetooth contorls, one-touch driver and passenger windows, automatic headlights, acceleration, interior and exterior styling.

Suggested Improvements

All-black interior makes it really hard to see things at night. NAV/entertainment system could be better. Lousy fuel economy (for the hybrid premium).

5 out 5 people found this review helpful

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one year old!

Written by: steve suher on 03/04/2009

Vehicle

2008 Nissan Altima Hybrid 4dr Sedan (2.5L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)

Review

Actually, I have two NAH's, both purchased March 07. I have loaded one with tech package, roof, etc., now have 34,000 miles, my wife's slightly loaded, she has approx 6000 miles. MPG as expected, for my car up until winter was averaging 34 - 35 mpg (mostly hwy driving) My wife's car, slightly better (more (suburban stop & go). I do keep very accurate gas records so these figures are actual consumption, not per computer (which is always higher by 5 to 7% MPG dropped to around 30 mpg for both vehicles, I suppose winter fuel and cold weather negatively impact mpg. Otherwise, no issues at all, very pleased with both vehicles.

Favorite Features

great gas mpg, got plenty of power, exterior styling

Suggested Improvements

very poor bluetooth (I can hear fine, but people I call cannot). Heater outlet on floor too small, not enough heat down there

3 out 3 people found this review helpful

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Think twice -- hybrid?

Written by: Mary Brennan on 02/17/2009

Vehicle

2008 Nissan Altima Hybrid 4dr Sedan (2.5L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)

Review

I like the car overall but am extremely disappointed with the gas mileage - 26 mpg in the city. When I took it in for the six month oil change, the service tech told me if the mileage didn't improve by the next change he would look into it. Today, a different service tech tells me that those numbers (29 to 41 mpg) are only estimates. Given that I'm averaging more than 10% less than the low side of the estimate, I consider my car a gas "lemon."

Favorite Features

Suggested Improvements

5 out 5 people found this review helpful

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