2021 Nissan Altima vs 2022 Lexus IS

2021 Nissan Altima
2021 Nissan Altima
$24,550MSRP
Overview
Overview
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2022 Lexus IS
2022 Lexus IS
$39,125MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
2021 Nissan Altima
$24,550MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
2022 Lexus IS
$39,125MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now

Overview

MSRP

$24,550

MSRP

$39,125

Listings

186

Listings

90

Ratings & Reviews

User Reviews
User Reviews

Expert reviews

7.2 out of 10

Expert reviews

8.2 out of 10

Pros

  • All-wheel drive available

  • Multiple powertrain options

  • Wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto

Cons

  • All-wheel drive not available with the turbo engine

  • Stereo is lacking

Pros

  • Fun to drive

  • Easy-to-use technology

  • Standard advanced safety features

Cons

  • Not much cargo space

  • Noisy

  • Poor value for money

2021 Nissan Altima Reviews Summary

The 2021 Nissan Altima is a popular midsize sedan now in the third year of its sixth generation of production. The Altima debuted as a 1993 model and has spent the decades nudged from the spotlight by the Toyota Camry and Honda Accord, despite continuous evolution and improvement over the years. Don’t feel bad for the Altima—it has a lot of fans, and some innovative features it hopes will allow it to take center stage someday.

2022 Lexus IS Reviews Summary

After a substantial refresh for the 2021 model year, the 2022 Lexus IS lineup returns with a handful of minor updates and a significant improvement in performance. The new 2022 Lexus IS 500 F Sport Performance also debuts this year, packing a normally-aspirated 5.0-liter V8 and laugh-riot driving dynamics. We sampled the new 2022 IS 500 in the suburbs and outskirts of Phoenix, and if you’re among the driving enthusiasts who miss the discontinued Lexus GS F, this is a credible substitute.
No video found

Popular Features & Specs

Engine

2.5L 182 hp I4

Engine

2.0L 241 hp I4

Drive Train

FWD

Drive Train

RWD

Seating Capacity

5

Seating Capacity

5

Horsepower

182 hp @ 6000 rpm

Horsepower

241 hp @ 5800 rpm

MPG City

28

MPG City

21

MPG Highway

39

MPG Highway

31
2021 Nissan Altima
2021 Nissan Altima
$24,550MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
2022 Lexus IS
2022 Lexus IS
$39,125MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
2021 Nissan Altima
$24,550MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
2022 Lexus IS
$39,125MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now

Overview

MSRP
$24,550
$39,125
Listings

Ratings & Reviews

User reviews

4.9

5.0

Expert reviews

7.2 out of 10

Read full review

8.2 out of 10

Read full review
Pros & cons

Pros

  • All-wheel drive available

  • Multiple powertrain options

  • Wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto

Cons

  • All-wheel drive not available with the turbo engine

  • Stereo is lacking

Pros

  • Fun to drive

  • Easy-to-use technology

  • Standard advanced safety features

Cons

  • Not much cargo space

  • Noisy

  • Poor value for money

Summary
The 2021 Nissan Altima is a popular midsize sedan now in the third year of its sixth generation of production. The Altima debuted as a 1993 model and has spent the decades nudged from the spotlight by the Toyota Camry and Honda Accord, despite continuous evolution and improvement over the years. Don’t feel bad for the Altima—it has a lot of fans, and some innovative features it hopes will allow it to take center stage someday.
After a substantial refresh for the 2021 model year, the 2022 Lexus IS lineup returns with a handful of minor updates and a significant improvement in performance. The new 2022 Lexus IS 500 F Sport Performance also debuts this year, packing a normally-aspirated 5.0-liter V8 and laugh-riot driving dynamics. We sampled the new 2022 IS 500 in the suburbs and outskirts of Phoenix, and if you’re among the driving enthusiasts who miss the discontinued Lexus GS F, this is a credible substitute.
Video
No video found

Popular Features & Specs

Engine
2.5L 182 hp I4
2.0L 241 hp I4
Drive Train
FWD
RWD
Seating Capacity
5
5
Horsepower
182 hp @ 6000 rpm
241 hp @ 5800 rpm
MPG City
28
21
MPG Highway
39
31
Look and feel

2021 Nissan Altima

6/10

2022 Lexus IS

9/10
According to CarGurus experts, the 2021 Nissan Altima is rated 6 out of 10, while the 2022 Lexus IS scores 9 out of 10 in terms of look and feel.
Picture of 2021 Nissan Altima
Picture of 2021 Nissan Altima
Picture of 2021 Nissan Altima
Picture of 2021 Nissan Altima
Picture of 2021 Nissan Altima
Picture of 2021 Nissan Altima
Picture of 2021 Nissan Altima
Picture of 2021 Nissan Altima
Performance

2021 Nissan Altima

7/10

2022 Lexus IS

9/10
CarGurus experts rate the 2021 Nissan Altima 7 out of 10 and the 2022 Lexus IS 9 out of 10 in terms of performance.
Form and function

2021 Nissan Altima

8/10

2022 Lexus IS

7/10
The 2021 Nissan Altima is rated 8 out of 10, while the 2022 Lexus IS scores 7 out of 10 in terms of form and function.
Technology

2021 Nissan Altima

7/10

2022 Lexus IS

10/10
The 2021 Nissan Altima is rated 7 out of 10, while the 2022 Lexus IS scores a perfect 10 out of 10 in terms of technology.
Safety

2021 Nissan Altima

9/10

2022 Lexus IS

8/10
The 2021 Nissan Altima is rated 9 out of 10, while the 2022 Lexus IS scores 8 out of 10 in terms of safety.

CarGurus highlights

Winning Vehicle Image

According to CarGurus experts, the overall rating for 2021 Nissan Altima is 7.2 out of 10, while the 2022 Lexus IS scores 8.2 out of 10. Based on these ratings, the 2022 Lexus IS emerges as the top choice, offering a compelling blend of performance, luxury, and advanced technology. If you're in the market for a high-performance sports sedan with a focus on driving dynamics and premium features, the 2022 Lexus IS is the clear winner in this comparison.

Choose the 2021 Nissan Altima if:

7.2of 10overall
  • You prioritize a well-balanced mix of power and efficiency.
  • You seek a practical and spacious midsize sedan for everyday use.
  • You value a comprehensive suite of standard safety and tech features.
186 results
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Choose the 2022 Lexus IS if:

8.2of 10overall
  • You desire a high-performance compact sports sedan with a potent V8 engine.
  • You appreciate a luxurious and well-appointed interior with advanced tech features.
  • You prioritize driving dynamics and handling in a sports sedan.
90 results
See all

CarGurus highlights

Winning Vehicle Image

According to CarGurus experts, the overall rating for 2021 Nissan Altima is 7.2 out of 10, while the 2022 Lexus IS scores 8.2 out of 10. Based on these ratings, the 2022 Lexus IS emerges as the top choice, offering a compelling blend of performance, luxury, and advanced technology. If you're in the market for a high-performance sports sedan with a focus on driving dynamics and premium features, the 2022 Lexus IS is the clear winner in this comparison.

Choose the 2021 Nissan Altima if:

Shop Now
7.2of 10overall
  • You prioritize a well-balanced mix of power and efficiency.
  • You seek a practical and spacious midsize sedan for everyday use.
  • You value a comprehensive suite of standard safety and tech features.
186 results

Choose the 2022 Lexus IS if:

Shop Now
8.2of 10overall
  • You desire a high-performance compact sports sedan with a potent V8 engine.
  • You appreciate a luxurious and well-appointed interior with advanced tech features.
  • You prioritize driving dynamics and handling in a sports sedan.
90 results
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By: CarGurus + AI

At CarGurus, our team of experienced automotive writers remain at the heart of our content operation, conducting hands-on car tests and writing insightful guides that are backed by years of industry experience. To complement this, we are harnessing AI to make our content offering more diverse and more helpful to shoppers than ever. To achieve this, our AI systems are based exclusively on CarGurus content, ratings and data, so that what we produce is both unique to CarGurus, and uniquely helpful to car shoppers.

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