2008 Nissan Altima Sedan
Based on analysis of 68 Altima reviews and test drives.
Nissan Altima Sedan - What the Auto Press Says
The 2008 Nissan Altima Sedan ranks 8 out of 23 Affordable Midsize Cars. This ranking is based on our analysis of 68 published reviews and test drives of the Nissan Altima Sedan, and our analysis of reliability and safety data.
The Altima has a sporty ride, distinctive sleek styling, and one of the highest fuel ratings for non-hybrid vehicles in this segment, but it doesn't provide the standard appointments or comfortable rear seating of some of the class leaders.
According to our analysis, the 2008 Nissan Altima appeals to reviewers with its sporty nature, appearance and performance, but its practicality and overall quality is not as widely regarded as other affordable midsize sedans. Motor Trend says the Altima finishes fourth a comparison test with the Chevrolet Malibu, Honda Accord and Toyota Camry, noting the "winner on track and twisties comes up short for lack of polish and refinement." Most reviewers test drove the Altima in 2007, the same year it was redesigned. The 2008 Nissan Altima carries over virtually unchanged, but adds a new model -- the Nissan Altima Coupe, reviewed separately here. However, for reliability, reviews report the 2008 sedan is a solid alternative to the class favorites. In fact, Consumer Reports' most-recent reliability ratings place the Nissan Altima ahead of the Honda Accord and Toyota Camry.
The 2008 Nissan Altima sedan is available in four main trims, and is also offered as a two-door coupe, reviewed separately here, or the Nissan Altima Hybrid, available in eight states and reviewed on our site here. If the Altima isn't for you but you're still interested in a family sedan, consider the esteemed quality of a Honda Accord or Toyota Camry.
- "The Altima is a roomy and somewhat sportier alternative to the Honda Accord and Toyota Camry, which have been the major players in the mid-size-sedan market for years." -- Car and Driver
- "The Nissan Altima topped the redesigned Honda Accord in Consumer Reports' ratings of midpriced sedans. … The Accord V6 topped six other vehicles tested for the February issue, but it fell one-point shy of the Altima V6. The Camry XLE and Passat 2.0 ranked third and fourth, respectively." -- Detroit Free Press
- "There are many sound cars in this crowded segment, and the Altima is fresh and lively on top of that." -- U.S. News
- "Generally, the Altima impresses with an exciting mix of speed and agility. But as an overall package, it fails to grab you, lacking the refinement of the Accord, the posh cabin of the Malibu, and the intimacy of the Camry." -- Motor Trend
- "To be honest, for many of us, Nissan Altimas have been nice enough automobiles, but up against the gold standards of Toyota Camry and Honda Accord, they were a quarter turn off perfection." -- Road and Track
Altima Performance - 7.9 (Good)
Reviewers say the 2008 Nissan Altima is a good-performing family sedan. Although it might not outperform some of its main competitors, it still has enough power and versatility to serve as a viable alternative. Following a comparison test featuring the Altima, Honda Accord, Toyota Camry and Chevrolet Malibu, Motor Trend thinks that the Altima is "designed to deliver sportiness and for the most part, it succeeds…yet, subjectively, it comes up short. Judges found the steering, while offering a firm on-center feel and crisp turn-in, to be too artificial through the range and thus, rather numb." Check out our full Performance Review to learn more about how the Altima's sporty tendencies compare to its peers. continue
Altima Exterior - 8.5 (Very Good)
The Nissan Altima underwent a major styling overhaul in 2007, and is largely unchanged this year. Reviews continue to describe the 2008 Altima's outward appearance as sleek, refined and bearing a strong resemblance to other Nissan sedans. According to The Auto Channel, the design language that defines Nissan vehicles and specifically the Altima "exhibits just enough style and panache to set the brand apart from the competition." Reviewer sentiment is also reflected in the Altima's exterior score, which is higher than redesigned versions of the 2008 Accord and Chevy Malibu. Check out the 2008 Nissan Altima Photo Gallery to see photos of the four-door sedan and continue with our full Exterior Review to learn how the Altima looks compared to other Nissan models and various other midsize sedans. continue
Altima Interior - 7.1 (Good)
According to reviews, Nissan successfully improved the quality and comfort of the Altima's cabin during a 2007 redesign. But in 2008 the car still trails other sedans that are considered more spacious and refined. Car and Driver editors determine the 2007 redesign "added some much-needed interior upgrades, although the cabins still look a little gloomy." Check out the 2008 Nissan Altima Photo Gallery to see images of the redesigned interior, or continue with our full Interior Review to learn how well the Altima's dimensions for people and cargo compare to the rest of the class. continue
Altima Safety - 9.3 (Excellent)
The 2008 Nissan Altima offers front and side air bags for front-seat passengers and side-curtain air bags for passengers in both rows. Anti-lock brakes are now included for all Altima trims. In addition, the 2008 Altima receives excellent scores in federal government and insurance industry crash tests. Check out our Safety Review to see how the Altima's newly included safety equipment affected its safety score. continue
Altima Reliability - 7.0 (Good)
The 2008 Nissan Altima Sedan reliability score shown is the Predicted Reliability rating provided by J.D. Power and Associates. This score is based on trending the past three years of historical initial quality and dependability data from J.D. Power's automotive studies, specifically the Vehicle Dependability Study (VDS) and the Initial Quality Study (IQS). The 2008 Nissan Altima comes with a three-year/36,000-mile limited vehicle warranty. Although several automotive experts report the Altima has had quality issues and experienced a recall of some 2.5-liter models due to stalled engines, most still note general improvement in build quality since the 2007 redesign. Check out our Reliability Review to see how Nissan's reputation for reliability has changed in the last few years compared to the rest of the affordable midsize class. continue
