2022 Honda Civic vs 2022 Nissan Altima

A quick glance at the redesigned 2022 Civic revealed that its appearance had become more conservative and plain compared to the previous year's model. The new 11th-generation Civic resembled the larger Accord sedan, sporting a more tailored and mature look. This new styling might have appealed to those who were not fans of the previous Civic's design quirks, although it might have seemed a bit too boring for those who appreciated the older model's aesthetics.

Honda's effort to return to simplicity was evident in the interior, which featured a minimalistic layout. An eye-catching metal honeycomb mesh spanned the width of the dashboard, elegantly concealing the air vents. The upgraded interior materials in the Touring trim reflected a maturity absent in the previous Civic.

In contrast, the 2022 Nissan Altima continued to build upon its sharper, sportier aesthetic introduced with the third generation in 2002. For 2022, the Altima was available in five trims: S, SV, SR, SL, and Platinum. The V-Motion grille defined the front look, paired with a low, wide stance and sharply sloped roofline. While the "floating" roofline attempted to add a bold statement, it seemed somewhat unnecessary.

Our test model was an Altima SR equipped with the Midnight Edition package, a $1,750 option that added gloss-black painted elements like the sport grille, 19-inch aluminum-alloy wheels, and black painted mirrors, among other enhancements. This package amplified the Altima's sporty vibe, and the Gun Metallic paint complemented the overall look perfectly.

Inside the Altima, comfort was ensured with Zero Gravity front seats, an easy-to-use instrument panel, and center stack. High-quality materials gave the interior a premium feel, though lower trims had inferior materials. The layout was intuitive, ensuring practicality and ease of use.

The 2022 Honda Civic offered two engines, both improved versions from the previous generation. The base engine for the LX and Sport trims was a 2.0-liter four-cylinder producing 158 horsepower and 138 lb-ft of torque. This engine was adequate but less impressive than the turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder offered in the EX and Touring trims. This turbocharged engine generated 180 horsepower and 177 lb-ft of torque over a broad rev range from 1,700 to 4,500 rpm, providing a satisfying blend of performance and efficiency.

Both engines paired with Continuously Variable Transmissions (CVTs), with different CVTs utilized for each engine type. The CVTs featured new Step Shift programming, mimicking the sound and feel of traditional automatic transmissions. Sport and Touring trims added a Sport mode for quicker acceleration and a more dynamic driving experience.

The Civic's improved structural rigidity, four-wheel independent suspension, and better steering feel ensured enjoyable ride and handling characteristics without sacrificing ride quality. Honda also succeeded in reducing noise, vibration, and harshness, resulting in a quieter cabin.

In our 95-mile test drive, the Civic Touring returned 30.4 mpg, slightly less than the EPA's estimate of 34 mpg, possibly due to the engaging driving experience.

The 2022 Nissan Altima came with two engine choices: a 2.5-liter naturally aspirated four-cylinder engine producing 188 horsepower and 180 lb-ft of torque, and a 2.0-liter variable-compression turbo (VC-Turbo) engine generating 248 horsepower and 273 lb-ft of torque. The VC-Turbo engine featured advanced technology that actively changed its compression ratio for enhanced performance or efficiency.

The base 2.5-liter engine could be paired with either FWD or AWD on most trims, while the VC-Turbo was only available on the SR trim with FWD. Both engines were mated to Nissan's Xtronic CVT. The VC-Turbo engine offered good performance but lacked the refinement found in some competitors.

Our test model, equipped with the 188-horsepower engine and AWD, provided mixed performance. The acceleration was mediocre, hindered by the engine's power and the CVT's struggles. However, the suspension offered a composed and comfortable ride, enhanced by Nissan's Active Ride Control. The cabin remained quiet and free from unwanted noise.

Honda's 2022 Civic prioritized comfort, particularly with the Touring trim, which featured redesigned front seats offering improved support. The power driver’s seat allowed for precise adjustments, though it lacked ventilation. The front passenger seat provided excellent thigh support but lacked a height adjuster due to already limited headroom.

Entering and exiting could be challenging due to the Civic's low stance, but rear passengers benefitted from increased legroom. While rear seats offered good thigh support, the backrest angle could feel too reclined for some. Unfortunately, the Civic lacked air conditioning vents for the rear passengers, which was a notable oversight. The new interior design sacrificed some storage flexibility and space in favor of a conventional layout, but the trunk volume remained generous at 14.8 cubic feet or 14.4 cubic feet for the Touring trim.

The Nissan Altima provided comfortable seating for four and easy-to-use controls, making it popular among commuters and families. Compared to rivals like the Toyota Camry, Honda Accord, and Hyundai Sonata, the Altima’s dimensions placed it in a centrist position. It had ample headroom and legroom but didn't lead in these areas. With a trunk space of 15.4 cubic feet, the Altima fell in the middle among its competitors, although it boasted the largest fuel tank at 16.2 gallons.

However, the Altima's high rear shelf compromised visibility, making it difficult to see behind the vehicle. The trunk's metal bar supports could also crush items when closing the lid, so careful packing was necessary.

The 2022 Honda Civic excelled in technology, offering a digital instrument panel and sophisticated infotainment systems. The Touring trim featured a ten-inch digital display with greater customization options and the innovative Vehicle Activity display to ensure all lights were appropriately activated.

Standard infotainment included a seven-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Touring trim upgraded this to a nine-inch touchscreen with wireless capabilities, enhanced by a superior 12-speaker Bose audio system.

Conversely, the 2022 Nissan Altima's technology suite varied by trim. The base S model included a five-inch multi-function display and a basic seven-inch touchscreen. Higher trims, starting with SV, upgraded to an eight-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The SL trim featured a nine-speaker Bose audio system, navigation, and other advanced features like active noise cancellation and Nissan's ProPilot Assist.

Our test model, featuring the mid-tier infotainment system, offered smooth performance, accurately handling voice commands and integrating well with Apple CarPlay.

The 2022 Honda Civic showcased an impressive array of safety upgrades. Honda Sensing, the advanced driver assistance suite, included Traffic Jam Assist, adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, and automatic emergency braking. The wide-view camera and ultrasonic sonar sensors significantly improved these systems' accuracy and smoothness.

The Civic also replaced its less effective LaneWatch system with a proper blind-spot warning system, though this feature was only available on EX and Touring trims. Enhanced vehicle architecture, new airbag designs, and standard rear-seat reminders further added to the Civic's safety credentials.