2022 Subaru WRX vs 2023 Nissan Altima

The 2022 Subaru WRX, despite its wider stance, maintained a subtle front end with its signature hood scoop and small hexagonal grille. The side profile was less busy, featuring black plastic cladding with a hexagonal pattern to improve aerodynamics. The rear fenders flared dramatically, and the taillights had a multifaceted design. The interior saw significant improvements with better fit and finish, a D-shaped steering wheel, and carbon-fiber-pattern trim accents.

In contrast, the 2023 Nissan Altima showcased updated front styling with a revised grille, new wheel designs, and two new paint colors. The higher trims, especially with 19-inch wheels, had an improved visual presence. The interior, while appealing, had plenty of hard plastic. The Gray leather option provided a high-contrast two-tone appearance, and the new double-stitched seams added a touch of sophistication. However, the simulated wood dashboard trim was less convincing.

The 2022 Subaru WRX featured a new 2.4-liter turbocharged Boxer engine, producing 271 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. It came with a standard all-wheel-drive system and offered a choice between a six-speed manual transmission and a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). The manual transmission was praised for its notchy and precise feel, while the CVT was programmed with eight shift points for improved performance. The new WRX also benefited from the Subaru Global Platform, which allowed for creative suspension tuning, resulting in a more forgiving ride quality.

The 2023 Nissan Altima, except for the SR VC-Turbo, had a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine paired with a CVT, producing 188 horsepower and 180 pound-feet of torque in FWD models, and slightly less in AWD models. The SR VC-Turbo trim featured a turbocharged 2.0-liter engine with variable compression, delivering up to 248 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of torque on premium fuel. The Altima's CVT was designed to mimic a traditional automatic transmission, and the SR trim included paddle shifters for added driver engagement. However, the Altima's performance was described as merely adequate, with a firm ride and some noise issues at highway speeds.

The 2022 Subaru WRX offered a cargo capacity of 12.5 cubic feet, expandable with the rear seat's 60/40 split-fold function. The sport seats were comfortable and supportive, with premium cloth materials in the base and Premium trims, and Ultrasuede in the Limited and GT trims. The standard AWD added to its practicality, making it a viable commuter vehicle.

The 2023 Nissan Altima had a simple and comfortable interior, with controls laid out logically. The Zero Gravity seats were exceptionally comfortable, though the front passenger seat lacked height adjustment. The rear seat provided good comfort and legroom, but rear air conditioning vents were only available in higher trims. The trunk offered 15.4 cubic feet of space, but the lack of a handle made it difficult to close without getting dirty.

The 2022 Subaru WRX featured an 11.6-inch tablet-style touchscreen display in premium trims and higher, with physical controls for climate and audio functions. However, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay integration was not seamless. The base trim had a less elegant dual 7-inch display setup. An 11-speaker Harmon Kardon stereo system was available in higher trims.

The 2023 Nissan Altima offered a basic 5-inch display in the base S trim, while SV and SR trims had an 8-inch touchscreen with wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. A new 12.3-inch touchscreen system was available in higher trims, featuring wireless Apple CarPlay, wired Android Auto, and a Wi-Fi hotspot. The SL and SR VC-Turbo trims also included a Bose nine-speaker premium audio system, which performed well for some types of music.

The 2022 Subaru WRX's safety features depended on the transmission. CVT-equipped models came with Subaru’s EyeSight suite, including automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, and lane-keeping assist. Manual transmission models did not have EyeSight due to the risk of stalling during panic stops. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were available in higher trims. The Subaru Global Platform improved crash energy absorption, and the car came with seven airbags as standard.

The 2023 Nissan Altima included Nissan Safety Shield 360 as standard, with features like forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and blind-spot monitoring. Higher trims added ProPilot Assist, which included adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping assist. The Altima received a five-star overall rating from NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ from IIHS, though it had a four-star rating for front passenger frontal impact safety.