2023 Acura TLX vs 2022 Nissan Altima

The 2022 Nissan Altima had come a long way since its introduction in 1993. Initially featuring rather bland, softly rounded front and rear exterior styling, the Altima received a significant makeover with the launch of the third-generation model in 2002, introducing a much sharper and sportier look. By 2022, Nissan had continued to build on this successful formula in the sixth-generation model.

Available in five trim levels—S, SV, SR, SL, and Platinum—the 2022 Altima sported Nissan's hallmark V-Motion grille, which it shared with other Nissan sedans and SUVs. It had a low, wide stance, tall doors, creased body lines, and a sharply sloped "floating" roofline. While this floating roof design aimed to add a touch of sophistication, it was often deemed unnecessary.

The Midnight Edition package, included on the SR trim with AWD, added a layer of intrigue with a black-painted sport grille, LED fog lights, 19-inch aluminum-alloy wheels, and more. Our test car in Gun Metallic combined well with the Midnight Edition, enhancing the Altima's already sporty appeal.

Inside, the Altima reflected quality, particularly in the higher trims. The Zero Gravity front seats were lauded for their comfort, while the instrument panel and center stack were well-laid-out with easy-to-read graphics. However, it was essential to remember that these niceties were primarily limited to higher trims, as lower ones did not offer the same material quality.

The 2023 Acura TLX, on the other hand, faced a different set of challenges. Its latest redesign in 2021 had arrived during the pandemic, which, coupled with supply chain constraints and fluctuating car prices, hampered the model's visibility. Nonetheless, the TLX stood out as a rare sight on the road, particularly in Southern California.

Based on a concept vehicle that introduced a new design language to the brand, the TLX featured a front-wheel-drive platform, a long, low, and lean aesthetic, and a rear-wheel-drive look that tapered into a tidy tail. Though its dramatic styling impacted rear-seat room and cargo space, it was undeniably striking. Inside, Acura employed a layered dashboard design that emphasized the car's width. Unfortunately, functionality took a backseat to style, with a control layout that required a period of adjustment for most drivers.

Our eye-catching TLX Type S test car boasted premium Milano leather seats with artificial suede inserts and contrast stitching. The flat-bottom sport steering wheel and analog gauges added a sporty touch, although the low-contrast red markings could have been easier to read.

Overall, both vehicles prioritized a distinctive look and feel, but the Altima's straightforward yet sporty appeal contrasted with the TLX's more dramatic and somewhat polarizing design choices.

The 2022 Nissan Altima offered a choice between two four-cylinder engines: a naturally aspirated 2.5-liter unit producing 188 horsepower and 180 pound-feet of torque, or a technologically advanced 2.0-liter variable-compression turbo (VC-Turbo) engine making 248 hp and 273 lb-ft. The VC-Turbo engine, introduced in 2019, featured the ability to change its compression ratio between 8:1 (for high performance) and 14:1 (for high efficiency) by continuously raising or lowering the pistons' stroke.

The base engine was available with either FWD or AWD across most trims, while the VC-Turbo was exclusive to the SR trim with FWD. Both engines featured direct injection and were paired with Nissan's Xtronic continuously variable transmission (CVT). While the SR trim included paddle shifters, they were viewed as unnecessary for a mainstream midsize sedan.

Despite its high-tech credentials, the performance of our 2022 Altima test car, equipped with the base 2.5-liter engine and AWD, was underwhelming. Zero-to-60-mph acceleration was mediocre, accompanied by engine noise as the CVT struggled to keep up. However, the Altima shone in terms of road manners and cabin quietness, offering a smooth and composed ride, thanks to Nissan's Active Ride Control.

In contrast, the 2023 Acura TLX came equipped with a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine making 272 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque, paired with a paddle-shifted 10-speed automatic transmission. Fuel efficiency ranged between 24 mpg and 25 mpg in combined driving, depending on the trim and drivetrain.

The TLX featured several software and hardware enhancements to improve driving dynamics. Acura’s Super Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD) system, available on the A-Spec Package and standard on the TLX Advance and Type S models, provided mechanical torque vectoring by distributing up to 70 percent of power to a single rear wheel. Additionally, the TLX offered multiple Integrated Dynamics System (IDS) driving modes, including Comfort, Normal, Sport, and Individual, with the Type S adding a Sport+ mode.

The Type S model featured a turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 engine producing 355 hp and 354 lb-ft of torque. Complementing this powertrain were numerous performance enhancements, such as a sport automatic transmission with rev-matching downshifts, performance-tuned suspension with adaptive dampers, and substantial braking hardware from Brembo. The Type S could accelerate to 60 mph in five seconds and achieve a top speed of 155 mph. However, its fuel efficiency was less impressive, averaging 20 mpg in combined driving.

Despite its powerful performance, the braking system, which lacked a physical connection between the pedal and the master cylinder, proved a minor flaw in its otherwise exciting driving dynamics. It caused some unpredictability when decelerating, particularly on twisty roads.

Overall, while the Altima offered competent but unremarkable performance, the TLX Type S dazzled with power and advanced driving technology, albeit with some minor compromises.

The 2022 Nissan Altima covered the basics competently as a midsize sedan. It provided comfortable seating for four, or five for shorter distances, with easy-to-use controls, accessible back seats, and a decent-sized trunk. However, its high rear shelf and sloping roofline compromised rear visibility, making it challenging to monitor what was happening behind the car. The trunk, though decently sized at 15.4 cubic feet, had metal bar supports that could crush items when closing the lid. Its 16.2-gallon fuel tank was the largest in its class.

Conversely, the 2023 Acura TLX prioritized styling and performance at the expense of interior space. The TLX offered Ebony, Red, and Orchid interior colors in premium Milano leather with Ebony artificial suede inserts. While the front seats offered 16-way power adjustability and excellent comfort, the rear seats were less accommodating, with narrow doors and limited legroom. Acura’s design focus resulted in a small trunk, holding 13.5 cubic feet of cargo, comparable to a compact car.

In terms of cargo capacity, the Altima offered more practicality with its larger trunk and more accessible design, whereas the TLX sacrificed utility for sporty aesthetics.

The 2022 Nissan Altima came with a good range of tech features, starting with a 5-inch multi-function information display for the base S trim, and a 7-inch color touchscreen with basic audio controls and smartphone connectivity. Higher trims featured a more advanced 8-inch infotainment system with wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM radio, a nine-speaker Bose premium audio system, navigation, and connected services. ProPilot Assist, available on higher trims, offered advanced driver-assist features like adaptive cruise control and lane-centering.

The 2023 Acura TLX, however, faced consumer frustration with its technology. The True Touchpad Interface (TTI) for its 10.2-inch display proved to be a primary source of irritation, with the touchpad interface offering a less intuitive user experience compared to traditional touchscreens. Standard infotainment features included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a 17-speaker ELS Studio 3D audio system on higher trims. Despite the advanced audio system and comprehensive connectivity features, the lack of a user-friendly interface detracted from the overall tech experience.

Ultimately, while the Altima provided a more user-friendly and straightforward tech setup, the TLX's technological ambitions were let down by its complicated interface.

Nissan equipped the 2022 Altima with a commendable level of standard safety technology. Features included automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane-departure warning, forward-collision warning, driver-attention warning, and rear door alert as standard. Higher trims added the Safety Shield 360 package, which included rear automatic braking, blind-spot warning, and rear cross-traffic alert. The Altima earned top ratings from both the NHTSA and IIHS, with a five-star overall crash protection rating and a Top Safety Pick+ designation.

Similarly, the 2023 Acura TLX came with standard AcuraWatch, which included forward-collision warning with pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, traffic sign recognition, and adaptive cruise control. Higher trims added blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and parking sensors. The TLX earned a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and a five-star overall crash-test rating from the NHTSA, showing commendable safety performance.

Both vehicles offered robust safety features and top ratings, making them secure choices in their respective segments.