2023 Nissan Altima vs 2022 Nissan Sentra

The 2022 Nissan Sentra, redesigned in 2020, carried over its modern, low-slung, coupe-like exterior into 2022. It was a significant improvement over its pre-2020 predecessors, aligning closely with Nissan's current design language. The Sentra offered a variety of bold color options, including blue, burnt orange, and "Scarlet Ember," with some trims featuring a contrasting black roof. Inside, the Sentra's cabin was a highlight, boasting a modern yet simple layout with easy-to-use controls and a visually appealing touchscreen centerpiece.

In contrast, the 2023 Nissan Altima featured updated front styling, new wheel designs, and two new paint colors. The higher trim levels, especially with 19-inch wheels, enhanced its visual presence. The interior, while appealing, had a fair amount of hard plastic, reminding drivers of its lower base price. The Altima's cabin could be upgraded with Gray leather for a high-contrast look, and the new double-stitched seams added a touch of sophistication. However, the simulated wood dashboard trim was less convincing.

The 2022 Nissan Sentra was powered by a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 149 horsepower and 146 pound-feet of torque, paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and front-wheel drive (FWD). While the engine wasn't particularly outstanding, the CVT managed power well, providing solid low-end acceleration and satisfactory highway performance. The Sentra's steering was well-weighted, and its cornering was sharp for a non-performance car. The suspension handled most road bumps decently but struggled with harsher conditions.

The 2023 Nissan Altima, except for the SR VC-Turbo, came with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine making 188 horsepower and 180 pound-feet of torque in FWD models, and slightly less in AWD models. The CVT was programmed to mimic a traditional automatic transmission, and the SR trim included paddle shifters for added engagement. The Altima's fuel economy ranged from 30 to 32 mpg in combined driving, with our SL AWD test vehicle averaging 27.4 mpg. The SR VC-Turbo offered a more powerful turbocharged engine with up to 248 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of torque on premium fuel. The Altima's ride was firm, and its steering was lifeless, with some noise issues at highway speeds. The brakes also showed signs of heating up easily under certain conditions.

The 2022 Nissan Sentra provided 14.3 cubic feet of trunk space, which was better than many small sedans but less than the Kia Forte's 15.3 cubic feet. The trunk could be expanded with a 60/40 split-fold rear bench, though the ledge created by the bench made sliding larger items through more difficult. The Sentra's trunk could be remotely opened via the key fob or a button on the dash. Inside, the Sentra offered spacious seating in both rows, with plenty of headroom and legroom in the front and decent legroom in the rear. The front row featured large in-door cargo trays and bottle holders, along with ample cupholders and trays in the center console.

The 2023 Nissan Altima's interior was simple to understand, easy to use, and comfortable. The controls were logically laid out, and the Zero Gravity seats were exceptionally comfortable. Our Altima SL test vehicle included 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 only offered four-way power adjustment, and the low seating position made entry and exit more challenging. Rear seat comfort was good, with plenty of legroom, foot room, and headroom, though rear air conditioning vents were only available on higher trims. The Altima's trunk measured 15.4 cubic feet, smaller than some competitors but usefully shaped.

The 2022 Nissan Sentra came standard with a 7-inch touchscreen featuring Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, along with a USB port and Bluetooth connectivity. The SV and SR trims upgraded to an 8-inch touchscreen. The menu navigation was user-friendly, with conventional hard buttons and volume and tuning dials. However, the graphics could use updating, and the lack of wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto was a drawback.

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

The 2022 Nissan Sentra came equipped with a solid list of standard driver-assistance features, including forward and reverse automatic emergency braking, forward collision avoidance, pedestrian detection, driver drowsiness monitoring, lane-departure warning, and blind spot monitoring. Our test model included additional features like a surround-view parking monitor and adaptive cruise control. The Sentra earned a five-star overall rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and a "Top Safety Pick" award from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).

The 2023 Nissan Altima included standard safety features like 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, available on higher trims, 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+ from the IIHS, though it received a Poor rating in the updated IIHS side-impact test.