2022 Lexus IS vs 2023 Nissan Altima

The 2022 Lexus IS 500 F Sport Performance carried forward the legacy of the original 2008 Lexus IS F, featuring a normally aspirated 5.0-liter V8 engine that produced 472 hp and 395 lb-ft of torque. This power was delivered to the rear wheels through an eight-speed automatic transmission. Priced at $56,500 plus a $1,075 destination charge, the IS 500 F Sport Performance offered a thrilling driving experience, blending emotional excitement with daily driving comfort. The car's design included subtle yet distinctive elements like a raised hood, quad exhaust outlets, and exclusive 19-inch wheels, maintaining a stealthy and toned-down look.

Inside, the IS 500 F Sport Performance shared its interior with the IS 350 F Sport, featuring quality materials and a comfortable layout for four passengers. The addition of a wide touchscreen display for the infotainment system in 2021 improved usability, although the touchpad on the center console remained a drawback. The Premium trim level added luxurious features such as triple-beam headlights, a navigation system, a surround-view monitoring system, and a 17-speaker Mark Levinson premium sound system. Despite its higher price, the IS 500 F Sport Performance delivered a satisfying blend of performance, comfort, and quality.

The 2023 Nissan Altima received updates to its front styling, including a revised grille design, new wheel designs, and two new paint colors. The Altima SL trim level, one of the upscale trims, featured 19-inch wheels that enhanced its visual presence but were vulnerable to curb damage. The Altima lineup included the base S, popular SV, sporty SR, and luxurious SL trims, with prices ranging from $25,290 to $34,990 plus a $1,095 destination charge. The SL trim, equipped with AWD and floor mats, had an MSRP of $34,755 with the destination charge.

The Altima SL's interior was appealing, though it featured hard plastic materials that reminded occupants of its lower base price. The Gray leather option provided a high-contrast two-tone appearance, while the new simulated wood dashboard trim and double-stitched seams added a touch of sophistication. Despite these improvements, the Altima's interior still had some drawbacks, such as the lack of rear air conditioning vents and the uncomfortable seatbelt buckle anchor in the rear seat. Overall, the Altima offered a comfortable and practical interior, but it fell short in terms of premium feel and refinement.

The 2022 Lexus IS 500 F Sport Performance was powered by a 5.0-liter V8 engine, producing 472 hp at 7,100 rpm and 395 lb-ft of torque at 4,800 rpm. This engine, shared with the RC F and LC 500, was paired with an eight-speed Sport Direct Shift automatic transmission and a limited-slip differential. The IS 500 featured driving modes including Eco, Normal, Sport S, and Sport+, with a Custom mode for personalized settings. Lexus claimed a 0-60 mph time of 4.4 seconds. The car's adaptive variable suspension and Yamaha rear performance damper provided a comfortable ride and greater stability, while upgraded brakes ensured reliable performance even in triple-digit heat.

During testing, the IS 500 demonstrated impressive performance on various road types, from city streets to desert highways. The V8 engine delivered a throaty, seductive note, and the car felt capable and thrilling, especially in Sport driving modes. However, the IS 500's fuel efficiency was a drawback, averaging just 17.7 mpg compared to the EPA rating of 20 mpg in combined driving. Despite this, the IS 500 offered a unique and exhilarating driving experience, standing out from its German competitors with its distinctive character and performance.

The 2023 Nissan Altima, except for the SR VC-Turbo, was equipped with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine paired with a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). The engine produced 188 hp and 180 lb-ft of torque in FWD models and 182 hp and 178 lb-ft with AWD. The AWD system, available with SV, SR, and SL trims, could deliver up to half of the engine's output to the rear wheels. The Altima's fuel economy ranged from 30 to 32 mpg in combined driving, with the SL AWD averaging 27.4 mpg during testing.

For a more spirited driving experience, the Altima SR VC-Turbo featured a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder variable compression engine, producing 236 hp and 267 lb-ft of torque on regular gas, and 248 hp and 273 lb-ft on premium fuel. The SR VC-Turbo also had a sport-tuned suspension and additional performance technologies. However, the Altima's performance was generally adequate, with the CVT doing a decent job of mimicking a traditional automatic transmission. The ride was firm, and the car struggled with rough roads and speed bumps. The Altima's steering was lifeless, and the brakes showed signs of overheating during testing, raising concerns about their performance in demanding conditions.

The 2022 Lexus IS 500 F Sport Performance excelled in comfort, with an effective climate control system and seat ventilation to combat Phoenix's heat. The front seats were snug yet comfortable, offering excellent thigh support and a driving position that fostered intimacy with the controls. The rear seats were adequate for average-height adults, but the car lacked rear smartphone charging. Storage was decent, though the touchpad controller on the center console took up valuable space. The trunk was small, measuring just 10.8 cubic feet. The IS had an excellent control layout, with buttons, knobs, and clear lettering, making it user-friendly.

The 2023 Nissan Altima's interior was simple, easy to use, and comfortable. The controls were logically laid out, and the analog gauges were clear. Nissan's Zero Gravity seats were exceptionally comfortable, though the leather upholstery was somewhat sticky. The Altima SL featured dual-zone automatic climate control, a power sunroof, heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and a 10-way power-adjustable driver's seat. However, the front passenger seat lacked height adjustment, making it harder to get in and out. Rear seat comfort was good, with plenty of legroom, foot room, and headroom, but lower trims lacked rear air conditioning vents. Interior storage was reasonable, and the trunk measured 15.4 cubic feet, though it lacked a handle for easy closing.

The 2022 Lexus IS 500 F Sport Performance featured a touchscreen infotainment display, solving previous ergonomic issues. The system included an 8-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, and SiriusXM satellite radio. The Premium trim added a 10.3-inch touchscreen, navigation, and a 17-speaker Mark Levinson premium audio system. The dynamic voice command system was outstanding, handling queries and commands accurately. The controls and touchscreen were logical and intuitive, making the driving experience more satisfying.

The 2023 Nissan Altima's base S trim had a 5-inch display with Bluetooth and streaming audio. The SV and SR trims featured an 8-inch touchscreen with wired Apple CarPlay, wired Android Auto, and SiriusXM satellite radio. The new 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system, available with SV and SR trims and standard on SL and SR VC-Turbo trims, included navigation, wireless Apple CarPlay, wired Android Auto, a Wi-Fi hotspot, and a wireless smartphone charging pad. The Bose nine-speaker premium audio system, available with SL and SR VC-Turbo trims, performed well for some music types. The new infotainment system represented a significant improvement, with a superior user interface and appealing graphics.

The 2022 Lexus IS came standard with Lexus Safety System+ 2.5 (LSS+ 2.5), a comprehensive package of safety features including driving assistance, collision warning, and collision-prevention technologies. The lane-departure warning system and adaptive cruise control with lane-centering assistance worked well, though the Curve Speed Reduction function and low-speed automatic braking technology had some issues. The IS earned the highest overall rating of "Top Safety Pick+" from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA, though it received a four-star frontal-impact collision rating for the driver and front passenger.

The 2023 Nissan Altima came standard with Nissan Safety Shield 360, which included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and a driver monitoring system. The Altima SV added rear automatic braking, while the SR included automatic high-beam headlights. ProPilot Assist, optional with SV trim and standard on SL and SR VC-Turbo, added adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and lane-centering assist. The Altima earned a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS, though it received a Poor rating in the updated IIHS side-impact test.