2022 Subaru WRX vs 2022 Nissan Altima

For the 2022 Subaru WRX, the aesthetic experience was more about subtlety than dramatic statements. The new WRX was two inches wider than its predecessor, yet it didn’t flaunt aggressive styling except for its signature hood scoop. The front fascia kept a relatively small hexagonal grille, bisected by a decorative bar, and flanked by sharp-looking LED headlights. The side profile of the WRX was noticeably cleaner compared to previous models, lacking prominent character lines, though the inclusion of black plastic cladding had polarized opinions. The cladding, adorned with a hexagonal texture, served functional purposes such as reducing turbulence, improving aerodynamics, and presenting a nod to the car’s rally heritage.

At the rear, the WRX featured dramatically flared fenders and a large plastic bumper. The taillights had a multifaceted design, aiming to appear like magma when illuminated. Quad tailpipes completed the rear look. Key features on our Premium trim included LED fog lights, 18-inch dark gray alloy wheels, and a subtle trunk-mounted lip spoiler. Inside, improvements were substantial—fit and finish had markedly improved. The interior boasted a sporty, flat-bottom steering wheel, aluminum-alloy pedal covers, and carbon-fiber-pattern trim accents. Black cloth seats with red contrast stitching added to the modern feel, setting it apart from other Subaru models.

In contrast, the 2022 Nissan Altima embraced a sportier and sharper aesthetic, evolving significantly since its inception in 1993. The current, sixth-generation model continued to exemplify this sporty visual identity. Available in five trim levels—S, SV, SR, SL, and Platinum—the Altima featured Nissan's hallmark V-Motion grille, a low, wide stance, tall doors, creased body lines, and a sharply sloped 'floating' roofline. The Midnight Edition package on our test SR trim added gloss black-painted features, LED fog lights, larger 19-inch aluminum-alloy wheels, a moonroof, and black-painted heated mirrors, enhancing its sporty allure. The Gun Metallic paint complemented these features well.

Inside, the Altima impressed with some distinctive highlights like comfortable Zero Gravity front seats, a well-laid-out instrument panel, and center stack. These elements contributed to a premium feel, particularly in higher trims. In comparison, lower trims didn't exude the same level of luxury, highlighting the incremental changes in materials and finish as you move up the trim levels.

The 2022 Subaru WRX showcased a significant powertrain update, moving from the 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine of previous generations to a 2.4-liter turbo variant. This new engine, also found in the Outback and Legacy XT models, retained Subaru’s hallmark Boxer design. It produced 271 horsepower, up from the previous 268, but kept the same torque output of 258 pound-feet. Despite this modest power increase, some enthusiasts felt it lacked the expected grunt, making it slightly sluggish compared to lighter, front-wheel-drive competitors like the Volkswagen GTI.

The WRX came standard with all-wheel drive and offered a choice between a six-speed manual transmission and a Subaru Performance Transmission (CVT). During testing, the manual transmission proved to be enjoyable, with precise shifts and a satisfying clutch feel. The CVT, unavailable during initial testing, featured interesting technology like programmed shift points and variable torque distribution. The new GT trim, exclusively CVT, added features like Recaro seats and electronically controlled dampers.

The WRX's suspension impressed, thanks to the Subaru Global Platform, reducing body roll and enhancing ride comfort. Despite driving on challenging, debris-filled mountain roads, the WRX maintained composure, solidifying its capability for performance driving under various conditions.

The 2022 Nissan Altima offered two engine options: a naturally aspirated 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine making 188 horsepower and 180 pound-feet of torque, and a more powerful 2.0-liter VC-Turbo engine producing 248 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of torque. The base engine was available with either FWD or AWD, while the VC-Turbo was only available on the SR trim with FWD. Paired with Nissan's Xtronic CVT, both engines highlighted a focus on efficiency and performance.

The VC-Turbo, capable of adjusting its compression ratio, delivered impressive power while maintaining efficiency. Unfortunately, the AWD was only available with the base engine, limiting performance enthusiasts. The AWD-equipped 2.5-liter engine provided satisfactory road manners, but acceleration was less thrilling compared to the VC-Turbo. The Altima's ride quality, however, was commendable, with Active Ride Control ensuring a smooth and composed experience.

The 2022 Subaru WRX demonstrated considerable practicality, despite lacking a hatchback option. Cargo capacity increased to 12.5 cubic feet from the previous 12 cubic feet, with further expansion possible via the 60/40 split-fold rear seat. Sport seats offered ample support and comfort, making the WRX a viable option for daily commutes. The standard AWD added to its practicality, cementing its position as a versatile performance-focused sedan in the $30,000 range.

The 2022 Nissan Altima, designed as a midsize sedan fit for family and commuting, provided comfortable seating for four and could accommodate five for shorter distances. Its user-friendly controls and spacious rear seat made it a popular choice among car rental fleets. Dimensionally, the Altima sat in between its main competitors. Its trunk space of 15.4 cubic feet was larger than the Camry but smaller than the Accord and Sonata. The Altima also featured a generous 16.2-gallon fuel tank. One downside was the high rear shelf, which compromised rear visibility, a concern mitigated by the infotainment system's rear camera.

Subaru equipped the 2022 WRX with a significantly improved infotainment system compared to its predecessor. The higher trims featured an 11.6-inch tablet-style touchscreen, borrowed from the Outback and Legacy. Although it had physical controls for essential functions, the rest operated via the touchscreen. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration were somewhat flawed, but the system’s visually impressive display partially compensated. Lower trims featured an unconventional dual 7-inch screen setup. An optional 11-speaker Harman Kardon stereo was also available, promising enhanced audio experiences.

The base model of the 2022 Nissan Altima offered a 5-inch multi-function display and a basic 7-inch touchscreen with Bluetooth connectivity and a range of voice recognition features. Higher trims boasted an 8-inch infotainment system with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a nine-speaker Bose audio system in the SL trim. Technologies such as active noise cancellation and traffic sign recognition were available, adding to the driving experience. ProPilot Assist, available on select trims, utilized a combination of cameras, radar, and sensors to help with acceleration, steering, and braking, providing an advanced driving assistance system that improved upon standard adaptive cruise control.

The WRX’s safety profile was partly dependent on the transmission selected. CVT-equipped models came standard with Subaru’s EyeSight suite, featuring automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and lane-tracing assist. A manual WRX, however, did not include EyeSight due to the challenge of avoiding stalling during automatic braking scenarios. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were available from the Limited trim upwards. The Subaru Global Platform added to the car’s inherent safety, absorbing more energy in crashes, and the WRX came equipped with seven airbags, including a driver’s knee airbag.

Nissan equipped the 2022 Altima with a robust suite of safety features. Standard tech included automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane-departure warning, and forward-collision warning. Higher trims added Safety Shield 360, with rear automatic braking, blind-spot warning, and rear cross-traffic alert. The Altima received a five-star rating from the NHTSA for crash protection and the coveted "Top Safety Pick+" designation from the IIHS, indicating excellent crashworthiness and crash avoidance capabilities.