2023 Nissan Altima vs 2022 Lexus ES

The 2022 Lexus ES has long been a staple in the Lexus lineup. Debuting way back in 1990, the ES series had evolved over seven generations. While its peak sales year was 2007, it remained a consistent performer for the brand. However, Lexus faced a challenge with the ES's attraction to an aging demographic. They needed to allure younger buyers without alienating their loyal older customer base.

The current generation of the ES, launched in 2018, was built on the versatile Global Architecture-K (GA-K) platform, shared with models like the Lexus RX, Toyota Camry, and Toyota Avalon. This structure supported both front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive configurations, providing multiple engine options.

Aesthetically, the ES was conservative yet unquestionably elegant. The car boasted sleek, fastback-like proportions and a prominent Lexus "spindle" grille, which proved polarizing. Standard 17-inch wheels could be upgraded to 18-inch or even 19-inch variants, though the largest wheels seemed almost out of place on this model. Inside, the dashboard had an asymmetrical design, giving the driver a cockpit-like feel but also a somewhat cluttered look. The interior was precision-assembled with two-tone leather seating depending on the trim level, especially in the sporty F Sport model.

On the contrary, the 2023 Nissan Altima tried to keep the spirit alive for family sedans even as its sibling, the Maxima, was facing discontinuation. For 2023, the Altima saw significant updates in the form of a revised grille, new wheel designs—especially the 19-inch wheels that gave it an enhanced visual appeal—and new paint colors.

The Altima trim levels ranged from the base S to the luxury-laden SL, with SR VC-Turbo as the performance-oriented model. The SL trim for our test vehicle featured a subdued yet appealing interior, marred somewhat by an overabundance of hard plastics. Opting for Gray leather improved the cabin's aesthetics, but the simulated wood dashboard trim fell short. While the overall interior was functional, certain details like the exposed, vulnerable wheel design and tough-to-remove floor mats left room for improvement.

The 2022 Lexus ES came in three primary models, each differing by powertrain. The base ES 250 AWD featured a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 203 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque. It was equipped with an eight-speed automatic transmission and delivered an EPA rating of 25 mpg city/34 mpg highway/28 mpg combined. Lexus claimed a 0-60 mph time of 8.6 seconds, with a top speed of 131 mph.

The ES 350 was the powerhouse of the lineup, boasting a 3.5-liter V6 engine with 307 hp and 267 lb-ft of torque, achieving a 0-60 mph time of 6.6 seconds. However, this model was FWD only, delivering an EPA rating of 22 mpg city/32 mpg highway/26 mpg combined. The hybrid ES 300h combined a 176-hp four-cylinder engine with a 39-hp electric motor, yielding a total of 215 hp and an impressive 43 mpg city/44 mpg highway/44 mpg combined. Though not particularly fast, with a 0-60 mph time of 8.1 seconds, it offered excellent fuel efficiency.

During our test, the ES 250 AWD's naturally aspirated engine felt unrefined under heavy throttle, and its acceleration was disappointing for a luxury car. However, its handling and ride quality were commendable.

In comparison, all 2023 Nissan Altima models except for the SR VC-Turbo featured a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine paired with a CVT. The FWD variants produced 188 hp and 180 lb-ft of torque, while the AWD versions had 182 hp and 178 lb-ft. Fuel economy ranged from 30 to 32 mpg in combined driving, with our SL AWD averaging 27.4 mpg.

The SR VC-Turbo was the performance variant, equipped with a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder variable compression engine outputting up to 248 hp and 273 lb-ft of torque on premium fuel. This model combined performance with efficiency, boasting an EPA rating of 29 mpg combined.

While Nissan's CVT mimicked the feel of a traditional automatic, driving dynamics were marred by a firm ride and noticeable noise at highway speeds. Steering remained uninspiring, and the braking system showed signs of stress during spirited driving.

Sedans might not be in vogue compared to SUVs, but the 2022 Lexus ES had its practical advantages, notably in cargo space. The trunk offered a respectable 13.9 cubic feet, unaffected by the hybrid variant’s battery. For more flexibility, the ES 250 and ES 350's rear seats could fold flat, accommodating larger items.

Additionally, the ES had a lower center of gravity than its SUV counterpart, the RX, enhancing handling and fuel efficiency. Inside, generous storage options, such as door bottle pockets and a spacious glove compartment, added to its practicality.

Meanwhile, the 2023 Nissan Altima also offered reasonable interior space and a logical layout for controls. Its standout feature was Nissan’s Zero Gravity seats, designed for exceptional comfort. Our SL trim test vehicle came well-equipped, but the absence of height adjustment for the front passenger seat was a notable oversight.

Interior storage was satisfactory, although some design choices, like the poorly designed floor mat snaps, detracted from functionality. The Altima's trunk measured 15.4 cubic feet, offering more storage space than the Lexus ES. However, the use of lower-quality materials was apparent in several areas of the cabin.

The base infotainment system of the 2022 Lexus ES featured an 8-inch touchscreen compatible with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa. The standard audio setup included a 10-speaker Pioneer system, while higher trims boasted a 12.3-inch touchscreen and a 17-speaker Mark Levinson surround sound system. Lexus also offered a 10-inch head-up display on higher trims. The center-console touchpad interface remained challenging, but it was an improvement over previous iterations.

The 2023 Nissan Altima's base S trim had a minimalistic 5-inch display. Upgrading to SV or SR trims added an 8-inch touchscreen with wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and SiriusXM satellite radio. The new 12.3-inch touchscreen system, standard on higher trims, offered navigation, wireless Apple CarPlay, wired Android Auto, and a Wi-Fi hotspot. However, NissanConnect Services required an active SiriusXM subscription for full functionality.

The Altima's tech was mostly intuitive, though the overall system wasn’t as premium as Lexus'. Additionally, the Bose nine-speaker audio system was a mix of hits and misses, unlike the consistently high-quality Mark Levinson system in the Lexus.

Safety was a strong suit for the 2022 Lexus ES, earning a Top Safety Pick+ rating from IIHS and a five-star rating from NHTSA. Standard safety features included Lexus Safety System+ 2.5, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. The suite of driver assists was comprehensive, further bolstered by 10 airbags and three years of Lexus Enform Safety Connect.

The 2023 Nissan Altima also performed well in safety tests, receiving a five-star overall rating from NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ from IIHS, though it scored poorly on the updated side-impact test. Standard safety features included Nissan Safety Shield 360, with additions like ProPilot Assist on higher trims. This suite provided adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping assist, though it needed refinement for smoother operation. Despite these features, some crucial visibility issues remained.