2022 Nissan Altima vs 2022 Toyota Corolla

The 2022 Toyota Corolla had been on the market for a few years, initially launching as a 2019 model in hatchback form, with the sedan version following a year later. In trying to shake off Toyota’s old image of producing dull vehicles, the Corolla bore a more assertive exterior design, featuring scowling LED headlights and a wide grille. However, its design still fell short when compared to the more eccentric Hyundai Elantra and the cohesively redesigned Honda Civic.

Different trim levels of the Corolla offered varied styling elements. The SE and XSE trims had an aggressive front fascia that made the car look as if it were wearing a mouth guard. The Nightshade Editions added blacked-out trim, while the Apex Editions sported a subtle body kit with bronze accents and unique 18-inch wheels, which Toyota claimed reduced weight by 2.2 pounds. Despite these sporty touches, the Corolla maintained a user-centric approach, aiming to offer more than just basic transportation.

Built on the Toyota New Global Architecture (TNGA) platform, the Corolla shared structural similarities with larger models like the Camry and RAV4. The interior leaned toward minimalism with simple yet appealing finishes. However, the use of piano black plastic was a downside, attracting dust and smudges easily. The SE Apex Edition didn't offer interior updates to match its sportier exterior, which meant the light gray upholstery, prone to stains, and standard cloth seats stayed the same.

The 2022 Nissan Altima, a more seasoned model, existed in a vastly different design landscape. Since its inception in 1993, the Altima's design had undergone several transformations. The sixth-generation model followed a sporty aesthetic with sharp body lines, a low and wide stance, and Nissan’s hallmark V-Motion grille. However, its “floating” roofline was a design element that felt unnecessary.

Our test car, equipped with the Midnight Edition package, exuded a more aggressive aura. This package included a black sport grille, LED fog lights, glossy black 19-inch wheels, a moonroof, and various black trim elements. The Gun Metallic color further complemented these features, making the Altima look both modern and sporty.

Inside, the Altima boasted comfortable Zero Gravity seats and a well-arranged dashboard, enhancing the car’s premium feel. The interior quality was generally high, but it varied with trim levels. Higher trims offered more luxurious materials, while lower trims had noticeably cheaper finishes.

The 2022 Toyota Corolla sedan came with two engine options depending on the trim level. The L, LE, and XLE models featured a 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine that produced 139 horsepower and 126 pound-feet of torque. The SE and XSE trims, along with the sportier Apex Editions, utilized a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine offering 169 hp and 151 lb-ft of torque. While the smaller engine relied solely on a continuously variable transmission (CVT), the 2.0-liter engine could be paired with a six-speed manual gearbox in the SE and SE Apex Edition models, providing some driving choice. All Corolla models were front-wheel drive (FWD).

Our SE Apex Edition test car included a manual transmission that paired well with its sportier configuration, making driving more engaging. The model-specific suspension enhancements, including unique coil springs and solid stabilizer bars, lowered the car by 0.6 inches and provided tighter handling. Enthusiast drivers might have appreciated the enhanced agility, although the stiffer ride could be less comfortable. However, the lack of any tire, brake, or further engine upgrades limited its overall performance.

The 2022 Nissan Altima offered two four-cylinder engine choices: a 2.5-liter naturally aspirated engine producing 188 hp and 180 lb-ft of torque, and a 2.0-liter variable-compression turbo (VC-Turbo) engine delivering a more robust 248 hp and 273 lb-ft. Both engines featured direct injection. The base engine was available with either FWD or AWD, while the VC-Turbo engine was restricted to the SR trim with FWD. Every Altima was equipped with Nissan's Xtronic CVT.

The VC-Turbo engine was a technological marvel, actively varying its compression ratio to balance performance and efficiency. Although our test vehicle had the base engine, previous experiences with the VC-Turbo revealed its potential. Sadly, the turbo engine was not available with AWD, limiting its appeal. The base engine, while offering decent on-road manners and comfort, felt underwhelming in performance-related aspects, with an uninspiring acceleration and noticeable engine noise during hard acceleration despite the car handling well and providing a quiet cabin.

Toyota did not provide specific headroom and legroom measurements for the 2022 Corolla, but the vehicle generally felt roomy with a low beltline that improved visibility. However, forward visibility was somewhat compromised due to a steeply raked windshield and a deep dashboard that pushed the seats back. Toyota's attempt to optimize the driving position by lowering the driver’s hip point and moving the driver’s seat rearward resulted in a potential lack of knee space for taller drivers. Both the front and rear seats were more cushy than supportive.

On the cargo front, the Corolla sedan offered 13.1 cubic feet of trunk space, which was less than competitors like the Honda Civic and Nissan Sentra. The inclusion of a 60/40 split-folding rear bench seat provided some flexibility, and certain trims offered a power trunk release. However, the interior design limited smaller item storage with a thin center console and inadequately sized cupholders and phone tray.

The 2022 Nissan Altima excelled in practicality, easily accommodating four passengers comfortably, with five for shorter trips. The back seat was accessible, and the trunk provided a reasonable 15.4 cubic feet of cargo space, falling just behind the Honda Accord and Hyundai Sonata but ahead of the Toyota Camry. The Altima’s sleek interior didn’t stand out dramatically from the crowd but held its own in terms of space and comfort. Nissan’s clever packaging meant that interior space was competitively ample when measured against midsize rivals.

However, the Altima's rear visibility was hindered by a high rear shelf and the combination of a sloping roofline and high trunk. Additionally, the trunk's design required careful packing to avoid crushing items with the metal bar supports when closing the lid, which could be inconvenient during travel.

In the world of infotainment tech, the 2022 Toyota Corolla began to lag behind its peers. The base model featured a 7-inch touchscreen, while other trims upgraded to an 8-inch version. Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, WiFi connectivity, Amazon Alexa, and SiriusXM were standard. Higher trims had the option for a nine-speaker, 800-watt JBL audio system. Despite intuitive home buttons for each menu, certain tasks were cumbersome, and the graphics felt outdated compared to newer Hyundai and Kia models. Moreover, the Corolla lacked wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and did not offer unique tech features like Hyundai's Digital Key.

The 2022 Nissan Altima, in contrast, provided a robust array of technology features. The base Altima S included a 5-inch information display in the instrument panel, a 7-inch color touchscreen audio display with Bluetooth, and Siri Eyes Free. Higher trims boasted a 7-inch advanced drive-assist display and an 8-inch infotainment system with wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Altima SL included a nine-speaker Bose audio system, navigation, and connected services. Additional tech features included active noise cancellation, traffic sign recognition, an Around View Monitor, and Nissan’s ProPilot Assist system. Our test vehicle efficiently handled voice commands, Apple CarPlay, and offered a solid audio experience.

The 2022 Toyota Corolla was a formidable performer in safety tests. Both the sedan and hatchback versions received the IIHS “Top Safety Pick+” award for 2022, with top “Good” scores in all crash tests, though headlights earned “Acceptable” or “Marginal” ratings depending on the trim level. The NHTSA granted the Corolla a five-star overall safety rating, including top marks in frontal and side crash tests and four stars in rollover tests.

Standard driver-assist features included in Toyota Safety Sense 2.0 comprised forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning with steering assist, automatic high beams, Lane Tracing Assist, adaptive cruise control, and traffic-sign recognition. Blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert was available on some trims.

The 2022 Nissan Altima similarly scored high marks in safety. It earned a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA, including five stars in individual testing categories, and was named an IIHS “Top Safety Pick+”. The Altima received “Good” ratings in all crash tests, along with “Acceptable” ratings for headlights and vehicle-to-pedestrian front crash prevention, and a “Superior” rating for vehicle-to-vehicle front crash prevention.

Standard safety features on the Altima included automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane-departure warning, forward-collision warning, automatic high-beam headlights, driver-attention warning, Rear View Monitor, rear door alert, and hill-start assist. The Safety Shield 360 suite, available from the SV trim, added rear automatic braking, blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic warning, and a rear sonar system.