Test Drive: 2008 Nissan Altima Hybrid

Don't Overlook This Spirited, High-Tech Gas-Sipper
By: Joanne Helperin , Senior Features Editor

Vehicle Tested:
2008 Nissan Altima Hybrid 4dr Sedan (2.5L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)
Pros:
Very good acceleration and handling, true comfort for five, stylish inside and out, plethora of technology options.
Cons:
Options grouped in pricey bundles, limited trunk space, only available in eight states.
As gas prices accelerate hybrids' conversion from quirky subculture icons to mainstream must-haves, cars like the 2008 Nissan Altima Hybrid are getting more attention. The front-wheel-drive sedan has flown under the radar since its launch in 2007, largely because it's available only in the eight states that abide by strict California emissions standards. That's too bad, because the Altima Hybrid offers one of the best combinations of performance, fuel economy, comfort and design that exist in a family sedan. Just as important to some, the Altima Hybrid is, as one Edmunds staffer put it, "a real car. It doesn't look like the electric car from Woody Allen's Sleeper."
Now, if you want all the bells and whistles that make a fuel-sipping vehicle into an indulgent toy, it'll cost you some, because Nissan bundles its options in pricey packages. But in an era when choosing a car often means sacrificing your wants for your needs, the Altima Hybrid lets you have your cake and eat up the road, too.

Performance
The 2008 Nissan Altima Hybrid shares its 2.5-liter inline four-cylinder engine with the Altima S. In the hybrid, the engine produces 158 horsepower at 5,200 rpm. Torque is 162 pound-feet and is delivered at a mercifully low 2,800 rpm. Nissan uses Toyota-licensed technology to add a 40-hp electric motor assist, bringing that horsepower number up to an effective net (combined) of 198, making highway merging and passing a cinch.
Coupled with a specialized continuously variable transmission, the Altima turns in an admirable 0-60-mph time of 7.6 seconds. In our earlier comparison test, the Toyota Camry Hybrid and the Saturn Aura Green Line Hybrid took 8.4 and 11 seconds, respectively, to reach that benchmark.
The Altima doesn't just pack more oomph than the competition; it also performs better than expected for a midsize hybrid. Excellent steering feedback, a responsive throttle and tight handling make it, in the words of one tester, "by far the most responsive and rewarding hybrid sedan available."
Four-wheel disc brakes with brake assist and electronic brakeforce distribution work in the Altima's favor, but are countered by long-wearing tires. Stopping distances are average, and brake feel, while better than some regenerative braking systems, still takes some getting used to.
Other than having to part with more cash, though, buyers don't sacrifice much performance in upgrading to the Hybrid's EPA estimated 34 combined mpg — that's a whopping 31 percent higher than the non-hybrid Altima 2.5S. But for hybrid drivers, it's real-world mileage that counts. Our engineers' observed fuel economy was 31.5 mpg — below either of the 2008 EPA estimates of 35 city/33 highway. But the range of achievable mpg is huge, depending on traffic conditions and driving habits. Frequent short trips combined with heavy traffic net us only 27.5 mpg; driving with cruise control on the open highway earned us 38.5 mpg.
Comfort
Thanks to the 2008 Altima Hybrid's standard eight-way power driver seat, tilt-telescoping steering column and driver-side lumbar support, it's easy for the driver to find a comfortable seating position. The backseat can fit three people across, though those who repeatedly drive with five in the car might be better with the Toyota Camry Hybrid instead. Nissan scooped out the back of the front seats, assuring most rear-seat riders of plentiful legroom even when the front seats are slid far back. Installing a large child safety seat was simple (both forward- and rear-facing) and didn't require contortionist training.
Road and dispersed wind noise damping are better than the average midsize sedan, and engine sounds are mild. Due to the Altima's sportier intentions, you'll feel the road surface if it gets rough — the car's suspension has less cush than its competitors, but speed bumps won't toss you around too much. At low speeds, it's easy to feel and hear when the gas engine kicks in to accompany the electric motor, but once the vehicle picks up speed, the transition is more seamless.
Function
As you'd hope for from a family sedan, visibility in the 2008 Nissan Altima Hybrid is good all around, made more so by the rearview camera included with optional navigation. The instrument panel is logical and straightforward, and illumination adjusts instantly when the vehicle passes into shadow. Nissan has forgone a tachometer and instead installed a less interesting kilowatt gauge. We found our eyes constantly drawn instead to the instantaneous fuel economy display below the speedometer. The horizontal bar gauge provides (among other functions) a quick lesson in how throttle affects mpg.
The center console, door and seat pockets, and various cubbies are sufficient to swallow electronic gear and (fortunately for many families) a tissue box. In addition to hefty manuals, the cavernous glovebox can stow a large, collapsible sunshade — a rarity we found very handy in la tierra del sol. Climate and audio controls are intuitive and extremely easy to use, and steering-wheel-mounted audio and phone controls help you keep your eyes on the road. The optional voice-activated Bluetooth system connects to your cell phone as soon as you push the electronic start button, and drivers can clearly hear callers through the car's speakers. But because of ambient noise and/or a weak microphone, you'll still need a headset if you want more than a one-way conversation. The optional nav system's controls aren't that intuitive, but it offers a plethora of readouts and customization options once you figure it out. A nine-speaker Bose AM/FM stereo with XM Satellite Radio and an MP3 jack works fine but doesn't stand out in any way.
Though much is made of hybrids' sacrifice in trunk space, the Altima's 9.1-cubic-foot trunk is surprisingly useful because it's mostly squared off. A week's worth of groceries, two sets of golf clubs and a baby stroller were all able to fit — just not at the same time. We managed to fit luggage for a family of four for a two-night vacation, but you won't find this hybrid in the warehouse store parking lot or schlepping twins anywhere. That's why they make minivans.
Design/Fit and Finish
One of the Altima's strongest points is its design, which does a lot to separate it from other (more boring) family sedans. With its sloping roof line, character lines, dual exhausts and optional spoiler, the Altima is a family car whose style won't embarrass your teenagers.
Our tester's interior was uniformly bathed in black from stem to stern with high-quality, soft-touch materials. That's all good, though we wished for the lighter interior when it got dark outside, and gathering our belongings or finding the trunk release became a game of blind man's bluff. There were no squeaks or rattles, and fit and finish was generally very good, so we were genuinely surprised to notice that the headliner in our tester had started to fall down from the roof on the rear passenger side.
Who Should Buy This Vehicle
The Altima Hybrid's fuel economy, sporty design and handling, and available technology should appeal to anyone shopping for a fuel-efficient midsize sedan. If you want a comfortable midsize car that scores well on both the mpg and the fun-to-drive meter, the 2008 Nissan Altima Hybrid is the one to get.