Is a Nissan Hybrid Worth It?

Nissan doesn’t have any current hybrid models, so here’s the lowdown on past Nissan hybrids.
Written by Macy Fouse
Reviewed by Jessica Barrett
Nissan
once had four different hybrid models on the market—but the brand hasn’t released a new hybrid since 2019. 
Hybrid vehicles have changed the game, there’s no doubt about it. Not only do they save drivers money on the cost of fuel, but they’re eco-friendly cars, too. While Nissan makes plenty of great gas-powered vehicles, they’ve currently hit a pause on their hybrid production. 
It wasn’t always that way, though—Nissan has produced four different hybrid models in the past. We're here to guide you through them all. We’ll go over each Nissan hybrid in detail and give you some pointers on reducing car-related costs, like
car insurance
.
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Nissan hybrid models guide

Between the current
Nissan Leaf
and the upcoming 2023 ARIYA electric crossover, Nissan is making strides for the brand with all-electric models. Unfortunately, Nissan’s eco-friendly cars currently contain no hybrid models, as all hybrids have been discontinued. 
That being said, there are a handful of hybrids from previous model years that are still kickin’—most recently, the
Nissan Rogue Hybrid
, which was only discontinued in 2019. The U.S.market wasn’t as enthusiastic about Nissan hybrids as planned, so the brand stopping making hybrid models due to low ratings and poor sales. 
Nissan never released a hybrid-specific model but created hybrid versions of their popular models: first with the
Altima
from 2008 to 2011, the Rogue from 2014 to 2019, the
Pathfinder
in 2014 only, then the
Murano
for only 2016. 
Here’s a quick look at how the most recent model from each Nissan hybrid stack up against each other.
Model
Vehicle type
Fair purchase price
Fuel economy (base trim)
2019 Rogue
SUV
$25,818
33 city/35 highway/33 combined mpg
2016 Murano
SUV
$20,161
28 city/31 highway/29 combined mpg
2014 Pathfinder
SUV
$13,670
25 city/27 highway/26 combined mpg
2011 Altima
Sedan
$7,674
33 city/33 highway/33 combined mpg
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Hybrid, plug-in hybrid, electric car: what’s the difference?

What makes these hybrids so different from the Nissan Leaf—or other brands’ plug-in electric vehicles (PHEVs)?
Electric vehicles, like the Leaf, run on electricity only. They have batteries and no conventional engines. PHEVs have larger electric batteries and function as electric vehicles when the battery is charged. When their battery is depleted, a gas engine kicks in to power the car.
All of Nissan's hybrids are considered standard hybrids, meaning they run on gasoline. Electric motors work with a gas engine to power the vehicle, but you can’t drive on pure electricity. 
The Leaf, Nissan’s singular all-electric car, starts at $28,425—but the 2023 all-electric SUV ARIYA model is set to release in late 2022. Nissan also plans to launch 23 more hybrids and electric vehicles by 2030.

The best Nissan hybrid cars

You don’t have a ton of options to pick from, but it’s still important to find the best fit for you. The right one for you, though, will depend on factors like your lifestyle, budget, and taste. With that in mind, here are a few of the top picks. 

Safest Nissan hybrid: 2014 Pathfinder

The 2014 Pathfinder was the only Nissan hybrid to score a perfect five stars by the
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHSTA)
, making it the safest hybrid option out of the pack. However, the Altima scored five stars for all-wheel drive models. 
The 2014 model also included standard features like anti-lock brakes, stability control, and a security system. 

Most reliable Nissan hybrid: Nissan Rogue Hybrid

Every Rogue hybrid model was given a 4.5/5 rating on reliability by J.D. Power—though according to
CarComplaints.com
, it might be a good idea to steer clear from the 2017 model. That being said, the Rogue Hybrid has amassed few complaints across all model years.
Even though it’s the most reliable Nissan hybrid model, that doesn’t make it the most reliable hybrid, though. In fact, some of the 2017 through 2019 models were recalled for an increased crash risk.
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Are Nissan hybrids worth it? 

Let’s see how the facts play out to determine whether Nissan hybrid models are worth it. 

Performance

Nissan’s hybrid vehicles didn’t sell well on the market—and there’s a reason why. They aren’t bad hybrid vehicles, but they just didn’t compare to competitors in each class. 
For example, the 2019 Rogue Hybrid delivered a smooth and comfy driving experience, but fell short on acceleration and power with just 176 hp. In the end, hybrid rivals like the
Toyota RAV4
and the
Honda CR-V
offered a better performance. 
The single Pathfinder hybrid model landed at the bottom of the list in 2014, and the Murano hybrid model didn’t perform much better. The Altima hybrid models were also upscaled by most of its hybrid rivals.
Here’s to hoping Nissan’s future hybrid models are a bit more impressive.

Reliability

The Rogue hybrid scored decent reliability ratings from both J.D. Power and RepairPal—4.5/5 and 4/5 respectively. The other Nissan hybrids, however, were all rated 3.5 and below by J.D. Power—so comparatively, Nissan hybrids aren’t expected to be all that dependable in the long run. 

Cost of ownership 

One perk to investing in a hybrid vehicle is the long-term savings in the cost of ownership. Let’s take a closer look at the numbers on the 2019 Nissan Rogue. 
Accordion to Edmunds, the five-year true cost to own a gas-powered 2019 Rogue is $39,688. That cost includes:
  • Insurance: $3,674
  • Maintenance: $7,221
  • Repairs
    : $1,691
  • Financing: $2,590
  • Taxes and fees: $2,050
  • Fuel: $8,892
  • Depreciation: $13,570
The five-year cost to own the 2019 Rogue hybrid, however, is just $36,670. Why the difference? The majority of the contrast is due to fuel costs—but the hybrid model also depreciates slower than the gas model. 
Owning a Nissan hybrid could also qualify you for insurance discounts with your provider!

How to get sustainable rates on car insurance

Purchasing a hybrid vehicle is one good way to save money on car-related expenses, but another big way? Using
Jerry
to shop for
car insurance
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FAQs

The U.S. government offers
tax credits
to drivers who buy new Nissan electric vehicles, but not hybrid models. These credits could give you up to $7,500 in tax credits just for purchasing an EV!
The cost to replace a battery in one of Nissan’s hybrid models ranges from $1,849 to $3,879—but this will depend on the model, the exact replacement you need, and where you get it repaired.
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