2022 Audi A4 vs 2022 Nissan Altima

The 2022 Audi A4 lineup included the A4 sedan, the A4 Allroad, and the S4 performance model. For this review, the A4 sedan was evaluated, available in 40 TFSI and 45 TFSI model series with Premium, Premium Plus, and Prestige trims. Prices ranged from under $40,000 to over $50,000. The test car was a top-tier Prestige 45 TFSI with Tango Red paint, the Black Optic Plus package, 19-inch wheels, and ventilated front seats, totaling $55,890 including destination charges. The A4's simple, clean, and conservative design was enhanced by the Tango Red paint and Black Optic detailing, making it look sensationally good.

Inside, the A4 maintained a restrained aesthetic with black everything, complemented by aluminum trim and metallic accents. The air vents were seamlessly integrated into the dashboard, and controls were clearly labeled. The test car featured high-quality materials, a 12.3-inch Audi Virtual Cockpit, and ambient lighting. However, the tablet-style touchscreen infotainment system seemed like an afterthought. Despite this, the interior was well-crafted and visually appealing.

The 2022 Nissan Altima had evolved significantly since its 1993 debut, with the current sixth-generation model continuing the sharp, sporty look introduced in 2002. Available in five trims—S, SV, SR, SL, and Platinum—the Altima featured Nissan's V-Motion grille, a low, wide stance, and a "floating" roofline. The test car, an SR with the base 2.5-liter engine and AWD, included the $1,750 Midnight Edition package, adding gloss black accents, 19-inch wheels, a moonroof, and more. Painted in Gun Metallic, the Altima looked particularly sporty.

Inside, the Altima boasted comfortable Zero Gravity front seats, a well-laid-out instrument panel, and high-quality materials, especially in higher trims. The test car's interior was premium-feeling, though lower trims were less impressive. The Altima's design and features made it a solid choice for those seeking a stylish and comfortable midsize sedan.

The 2022 Audi A4 40 TFSI featured a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with 201 horsepower and 236 pound-feet of torque, paired with a seven-speed S-tronic dual-clutch automatic transmission and Quattro Ultra AWD. It achieved an EPA rating of 29 mpg combined and accelerated to 60 mph in 6.3 seconds. The A4 45 TFSI, with 261 hp and 273 lb-ft of torque, had a sport suspension and reached 60 mph in 5.2 seconds, with a combined fuel economy of 27 mpg. Both engines required premium gas and offered multiple driving modes. The A4 45 TFSI averaged 24.8 mpg during testing, though it didn't feel as fast as claimed.

The A4's Quattro Ultra AWD system primarily powered the front wheels, transferring power to the rear when needed. The car handled well in the Santa Monica Mountains, with excellent tire grip and brake performance. The steering was adequate but not exceptional. Around town, the A4's structure and suspension provided a solid, comfortable ride, and the cabin remained remarkably quiet. Overall, the A4 45 TFSI Prestige was a dynamically rewarding and unflappable German sports sedan.

The 2022 Nissan Altima offered two four-cylinder engines: a 2.5-liter unit with 188 horsepower and 180 pound-feet of torque, and a 2.0-liter VC-Turbo with 248 hp and 273 lb-ft. The base engine was available with FWD or AWD, while the VC-Turbo was only available on the SR trim with FWD. All Altimas had a CVT, with paddle shifters on the SR trim. The VC-Turbo engine, capable of changing its compression ratio for performance or efficiency, was technologically advanced but not as refined as hoped.

The test car had the base 2.5-liter engine, which provided mediocre acceleration and noticeable engine noise. However, the Altima's suspension offered a smooth, composed ride, and the cabin was impressively quiet. The Altima's road manners were commendable, though the base engine's performance was uninspiring. The VC-Turbo engine, while more powerful, was not available with AWD, limiting its appeal.

The 2022 Audi A4's low stance made entry and exit challenging, and the small door openings and snug cabin didn't help. However, the front seats were exceptionally comfortable, with soft leather, power adjustment, and a thigh-support cushion. The center armrest was adjustable for height and position. The A4 featured a three-zone automatic climate control system, separate from the infotainment screen, and an intuitive layout. The rear seats were less spacious, with limited legroom and hard plastic seatbacks. Interior storage was limited, with the center console bin housing the wireless charging pad and Audi Phone Box signal booster. The 13 cubic-foot trunk was well-finished, with enclosed hinges and storage nets.

The 2022 Nissan Altima provided comfortable seating for four (five for short distances), easy-to-use controls, an accessible back seat, and a decent-sized trunk. Its dimensions were average among midsize sedans, with a 15.4 cubic-foot trunk and a 16.2-gallon fuel tank. The rear shelf was high, compromising rear visibility, and the sloping roofline and high trunk made seeing out the back challenging. The trunk's metal bar supports could crush items when closing the lid, requiring careful packing.

The 2022 Audi A4 featured the MIB3 version of Audi Multi-Media Interface (MMI) with a 10.1-inch touchscreen display. The screen supported common smartphone functions and provided acoustic feedback. Features included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM satellite radio, Audi Connect services, navigation, wireless smartphone charging, and a 19-speaker Bang & Olufsen audio system. The MMI was intuitive, with a Home button for easy navigation and separate climate controls. The voice recognition was accurate but slow. The Bang & Olufsen stereo was satisfying, though sound quality degraded at high volumes. The head-up display was hard to see with polarized sunglasses.

The 2022 Nissan Altima's entry-level S trim had a 5-inch multi-function display and a 7-inch touchscreen audio system with Bluetooth, voice recognition, Siri Eyes Free, and a single USB port. Higher trims had a 7-inch advanced drive-assist display and an 8-inch touchscreen with wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM satellite radio, and two USB ports. The SL trim added a nine-speaker Bose audio system, navigation, connected services, and remote engine start. The advanced drive-assist display handled text messages, audio streaming, and navigation. Active noise cancellation was available on the SR VC-Turbo trim. ProPilot Assist, available on higher trims, assisted with acceleration, steering, and braking. The test car's tech worked flawlessly, with accurate voice commands and quality audio.

The 2022 Audi A4 stair-stepped its safety features, with more features available on higher trims. The Prestige model included front and rear collision preparation, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, lane-centering assist, adaptive cruise control with Traffic Jam Assist, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, safe exit warning, a surround-view camera system, and Park Assist. The Matrix-design LED headlights provided excellent visibility. The driver assistance tech was effective but had a delayed reaction in some situations. The A4 received a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA.

The 2022 Nissan Altima came with standard driver-assist tech, including automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane-departure warning, forward-collision warning, automatic high-beam headlights, driver-attention warning, Rear View Monitor, rear door alert, and hill-start assist. The SV trim and higher added Safety Shield 360, which included rear automatic braking, blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic warning, and a rear sonar system. The NHTSA gave the FWD Altima five stars for overall crash protection, and the IIHS awarded it a Top Safety Pick+ designation. The Altima received high ratings for crashworthiness and crash avoidance, with "Good" ratings in all crash tests and "Superior" ratings for front crash prevention.