2022 Nissan Altima vs 2022 Lexus ES

The 2022 Lexus ES had a long-standing presence in the Lexus lineup, evolving over seven generations since its debut in 1990. Despite a decline in sales since its peak in 2007, it remained a respectable choice for many buyers. Lexus faced a challenge with the ES, as it was popular among an aging demographic, which the company needed to balance with attracting younger buyers. This balancing act led to a design that was both safe and a bit quirky. The latest generation, launched in 2018, utilized the Global Architecture-K (GA-K) platform, supporting a front-engine, front-wheel drive layout with optional all-wheel drive. The ES featured elegant proportions, a sleek roofline, and a prominent "spindle" grille. The interior, while precisely assembled, had an asymmetrical dashboard and bold two-tone leather seating in the F Sport model, which felt somewhat mismatched with the rest of the car.

The 2022 Nissan Altima had come a long way since its introduction in 1993, evolving from a bland design to a sharper, sportier look by its third generation in 2002. The 2022 model continued this trend with a low, wide stance, tall doors, and a sharply sloped "floating" roofline. The Altima was available in five trim levels: S, SV, SR, SL, and Platinum. The Midnight Edition package added a gloss black sport grille, LED fog lights, 19-inch wheels, and other blacked-out features, enhancing its sporty appearance. The interior featured comfortable Zero Gravity front seats, a well-laid-out instrument panel, and high-quality materials, though lower trims lacked the same level of refinement. The Altima's design and features made it a compelling choice in the midsize sedan segment.

The 2022 Lexus ES offered three models with distinct powertrains. The base ES 250 AWD had a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 203 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. It achieved 25 mpg city/34 mpg highway/28 mpg combined and had a 0-60 mph time of 8.6 seconds. The ES 350 featured a 3.5-liter V6 engine with 307 horsepower and 267 lb-ft of torque, also with an eight-speed automatic but only front-wheel drive. It managed 22 mpg city/32 mpg highway/26 mpg combined and a 0-60 mph time of 6.6 seconds. The ES 300h hybrid combined a 176-hp four-cylinder engine with a 39-hp electric motor for a total of 215 hp, achieving 43 mpg city/44 mpg highway/44 mpg combined and a 0-60 mph time of 8.1 seconds. The ES 250 AWD, while smooth and predictable, felt slow compared to its siblings, with the V6 and hybrid offering better performance and fuel economy.

The 2022 Nissan Altima came with two four-cylinder engine options: a 2.5-liter unit producing 188 horsepower and 180 pound-feet of torque, and a 2.0-liter variable-compression turbo (VC-Turbo) making 248 hp and 273 lb-ft. Both engines featured direct injection and were paired with Nissan's Xtronic continuously variable transmission (CVT). The base engine was available with either front-wheel or all-wheel drive, while the VC-Turbo was only available on the SR trim with front-wheel drive. The VC-Turbo engine offered impressive performance, adjusting its compression ratio for high performance or efficiency. However, our test car had the base 2.5-liter engine, which provided mediocre acceleration and engine noise. Despite this, the Altima's suspension and road manners were excellent, offering a smooth and quiet ride.

The 2022 Lexus ES offered a generous 13.9 cubic feet of trunk space, with a pass-through behind the center armrest for long items and flat-folding second-row seats in the ES 250 and ES 350. The sedan's lower center of gravity and ground clearance compared to SUVs like the Lexus RX contributed to better handling and fuel economy. Inside, the ES featured ample storage, including big bottle pockets, cupholders, and a large glove compartment. The dashboard layout, while not aesthetically pleasing, was functional, with a prominent volume knob for the audio system.

The 2022 Nissan Altima provided comfortable seating for four (five for short distances), easy-to-use controls, and a decent-sized trunk at 15.4 cubic feet. Its dimensions placed it in the middle of the midsize sedan segment, with a 16.2-gallon fuel tank being the largest among its competitors. However, the high rear shelf compromised rear visibility, and the trunk's metal bar supports could crush items when closing the lid. Despite these minor complaints, the Altima remained a competent and practical choice for commuters and families.

The 2022 Lexus ES came with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa+Lexus compatibility, and a 10-speaker Pioneer sound system. Upper trims upgraded to a 12.3-inch touchscreen, Mark Levinson 17-speaker audio, and navigation. The ES also featured a 10-inch head-up display, Panoramic View Monitor, and Lexus Enform connected services, including Safety Connect, Service Connect, Remote, WiFi, Dynamic Navigation, and Destination Assist.

The 2022 Nissan Altima's entry-level S trim had a 5-inch multi-function display and a 7-inch color touchscreen with Bluetooth, voice recognition, Siri Eyes Free, and a single USB port. Higher trims featured an 8-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, SiriusXM, and two USB ports. The SL trim added a nine-speaker Bose audio system, navigation, and remote engine start. The Altima also offered active noise cancellation, traffic sign recognition, an Around View Monitor, and ProPilot Assist, which provided advanced driver assistance features.

The 2022 Lexus ES received top safety ratings from both the IIHS (Top Safety Pick+) and NHTSA (five stars). Standard safety features included the Lexus Safety System+ 2.5, with a pre-collision system, lane-departure warning, road-sign assist, lane-tracing assist, adaptive cruise control, and Intelligent High Beam Control. Additional standard features were blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and 10 airbags.

The 2022 Nissan Altima also received high safety ratings, with the FWD version earning five stars from NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ designation from IIHS. Standard safety features included automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, forward-collision warning, automatic high-beam headlights, driver-attention warning, and rear door alert. The SV trim and above added Safety Shield 360, with rear automatic braking, blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic warning, and a rear sonar system.