2022 Nissan Altima vs 2022 Mercedes-Benz C-Class

The 2022 Nissan Altima has evolved dramatically since its introduction in 1993. The earlier models had a somewhat bland, rounded design, which was retained in the second generation. A significant change came with the third generation in 2002, which adopted a sharper, sportier aesthetic. This trend continued, leading up to the sixth-generation model that exemplified modern, dynamic styling.

The 2022 Altima was available in five trim levels: S, SV, SR, SL, and Platinum. One of its standout features was the signature V-Motion grille, a design element shared across Nissan’s lineup. The vehicle came with a low, wide stance, tall doors, sharply creased body lines, and a "floating" roofline. The floating roof, while visually intriguing, was considered unnecessary by some.

One noteworthy variant was the Midnight Edition, featured on our test SR trim with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine and AWD. This $1,750 package included numerous blacked-out elements like a sport grille, 19-inch aluminum-alloy wheels, a spoiler, outside mirrors with LED turn signal indicators, and a badge. The Gun Metallic paint on our test car complemented these features, enhancing the Altima’s sporty look.

Inside, the Altima offered Zero Gravity front seats, a thoughtfully designed instrument panel, and a center stack with clear graphics. The materials used gave a premium feel, especially in higher trims. Lower trims, however, were less impressive, reflecting the typical "you get what you pay for" scenario.

The 2022 Mercedes-Benz C-Class, in contrast, displayed a blend of design elements from various Mercedes models, resulting in a cohesive look recognized as distinctly Mercedes from any angle. The front had a drooping design similar to the CLA-Class, while the rear had a squared-off end with thin taillights reminiscent of the S-Class. The cab-rearward proportions emphasized its RWD platform, differentiating it from the FWD CLA and A-Class.

Standard LED headlights and taillights could be upgraded to a Digital Light system, enhancing visibility and safety with features like projecting warning icons on the road. Inside, the C-Class aimed to mimic the luxury of the S-Class, with a freestanding touchscreen, instrument cluster, prominent air vents, and the optional Burmester audio system. The ambient lighting system with 64 color options added a nightclub-like feel.

The interior design and tech features of the C-Class made it feel special and luxurious, though the standard MBTex synthetic leather might have been a letdown for some buyers exploring options beyond the base model.

The 2022 Nissan Altima offered two four-cylinder engine options: a 2.5-liter naturally aspirated engine delivering 188 horsepower and 180 pound-feet of torque, and the 2.0-liter VC-Turbo engine producing 248 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of torque. Both engines featured direct injection, and all models came with a continuously variable transmission (CVT). AWD was available on most trims with the base engine, but the VC-Turbo was restricted to the SR trim with FWD.

The advanced VC-Turbo engine, introduced in 2019, could change its compression ratio for either performance or efficiency. Our test car had the 2.5-liter engine with AWD, which offered adequate but uninspiring performance. Acceleration to 60 mph was moderate, and the engine was noisy under strain. Despite these drawbacks, the ride quality was smooth and quiet, thanks to Active Ride Control and a well-insulated cabin.

The 2022 Mercedes-Benz C-Class C300 model featured a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 255 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission and a 48-volt mild-hybrid system. This system added up to 20 horsepower and 148 pound-feet of torque in short bursts. The C300 could accelerate from zero to 60 mph in 5.9 seconds, with a top speed limited to 130 mph.

A sportier AMG C43 variant was also confirmed, boasting a more powerful version of the same engine, producing 402 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque. This model could reach 60 mph in 4.6 seconds, with a higher top speed.

Our C300 4Matic test car felt powerful, but there was noticeable turbo lag and occasional rough shifts. Despite this, the ride quality was luxurious and comfortable, and its handling on twisty roads demonstrated good body control and precise steering, although it required a deliberate driving style.

The 2022 Nissan Altima was designed to be a practical midsize sedan ideal for commuting and family duties, providing comfortable seating for four (or five for shorter distances), easy-to-use controls, an accessible back seat, and a respectable trunk size of 15.4 cubic feet. While it did not excel in any specific area when compared to rivals like the Toyota Camry, Honda Accord, or Hyundai Sonata, it maintained a balanced approach, appealing to a wide range of buyers. The Altima’s trunk featured a practical, though sometimes cumbersome, design with trunk bars that could crush items if not packed carefully. The high rear shelf also compromised rear visibility, though the backup camera offered some relief.

The 2022 Mercedes-Benz C-Class sedan, solely available in this body style at the time, was longer and wider than its predecessor, translating to more interior space. Headroom increased by 0.1 inch in front and 0.4 inch in back, while rear-seat legroom improved by 0.8 inch. The C-Class led its segment in front-seat headroom and rear-seat legroom, though front legroom was limited compared to competitors.

The C-Class seats combined comfort with adequate bolstering for spirited driving. Forward visibility was excellent, although thick rear pillars created blind spots. The trunk capacity stood at 17.9 cubic feet, surpassing rivals and featuring a wide opening for easy loading. The split-folding rear bench added versatility for carrying longer items.

The base 2022 Nissan Altima S came equipped with basic tech such as a 5-inch multi-function display and a 7-inch color touchscreen with Bluetooth connectivity. Higher trims upgraded to a 7-inch advanced drive-assist display and an 8-inch color touchscreen with wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM satellite radio, and more USB ports. Starting with the SL trim, a nine-speaker Bose premium audio system and navigation were included. Features like active noise cancellation and Nissan's ProPilot Assist system were available on higher trims, enhancing driver assistance and noise mitigation.

The 2022 Mercedes-Benz C-Class boasted a tech suite inspired by the S-Class, including a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and an 11.9-inch portrait-oriented touchscreen across all trims. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard. Higher trims featured a Burmester 3D surround-sound system, head-up display, and augmented-reality navigation. The MBUX infotainment system included a "Zero Layer" setup allowing multiple functions to be displayed simultaneously, with an easy-to-use voice recognition system and intuitive steering-wheel controls. Augmented-reality navigation added a practical overlay on real-time camera feeds for easier navigation in complex scenarios.

The 2022 Nissan Altima came well-equipped with standard safety features, including automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and forward-collision warning. Higher trims added Safety Shield 360, incorporating rear automatic braking, blind-spot warning, and rear cross-traffic alert. The Altima received a five-star safety rating from the NHTSA for overall crash protection and individual categories. The IIHS awarded it the "Top Safety Pick+" designation, marking it highly for crashworthiness and crash avoidance systems.

For the 2022 Mercedes-Benz C-Class, safety ratings were pending at the time of publication, but the previous model held a "Top Safety Pick+" award. The 2022 model included standard safety features like automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and Pre-Safe systems that prepared the car for an imminent collision. Optional features included lane-keep assist, evasive steering assist, and advanced adaptive cruise control. The Car-to-X communication system enabled vehicles to share real-time information, enhancing situational awareness and safety.