2022 Toyota Corolla vs 2023 Nissan Altima

The 2022 Toyota Corolla, part of the current-generation that debuted in 2019 for the hatchback and 2020 for the sedan, aimed to shake off Toyota's old reputation for dullness with a more daring exterior design. The Corolla's aggressive front fascia featured striking LED headlights and a broad grille, striving for a sportier look. However, it couldn’t quite match the radical styling of models like the Hyundai Elantra, nor did it present as cohesively as the redesigned Honda Civic. Different trim levels brought their own unique styling cues. The SE and XSE trims had an assertive front somewhat resembling a mouth guard, whereas the Nightshade Editions featured blacked-out accents. The Apex Editions upped the sportiness with a modest body kit, bronze accents, and special 18-inch wheels which were both lightweight and offered optional summer tires for enhanced performance. Our test vehicle, the SE Apex Edition in Cement (gray), offered a spirited impression reminiscent of the “Fast and Furious” franchise, genuinely catching the eye. We admired Toyota's effort to make the Corolla stand out from basic transportation, though it offered less dramatic styling options for more conservative buyers. The Corolla was built on the Toyota New Global Architecture (TNGA) platform, which it shared with larger models like the Camry and the RAV4, contributing to its solid build quality. Inside, the Corolla was less adventurous, opting for a clean and straightforward layout. The quality of fit and finish was standard for Toyota, though the plentiful piano black trim easily attracted dust and fingerprints. The SE Apex Edition's interior mimicked the standard SE, providing no enhancements to match its sporty exterior, and the light gray cloth upholstery seemed prone to stains. Both cloth upholstery and SofTex leatherette were available depending on the trim. The 2023 Nissan Altima represented Nissan's continued legacy in the family sedan market, a history extending over 50 years from the Datsun 510 and Nissan Stanza. For the new model year, the Altima received noteworthy updates, including a refreshed front fascia with a new grille design, along with newly designed wheels and two additional paint colors. Higher trims, like the SL, came with 19-inch wheels which gave the vehicle a stronger visual presence, although these wheels were susceptible to curb damage due to their flush design with tire sidewalls. The trimmed-down Altima lineup for 2023 included the base model S, popular SV, sporty SR, and the upscale SL. The SR VC-Turbo stood out with its exclusive turbocharged engine, providing a high-performance option. Our SL trim test vehicle, which came equipped with AWD and additional floor mats, was priced at $34,755 including destination fees. Visually, the SL trim's exterior was pleasing, enhanced by the new wheel design. Inside, the Altima utilized a combination of comfortable, if somewhat stickily upholstered, Zero Gravity leather seats and a logical arrangement of controls. It featured dual-zone automatic climate control, and a 10-way power-adjustable driver's seat among other amenities. However, the passenger's seat's limited four-way power adjustment and lack of height adjustability for the low-set seat detracted from convenience. Exiting the car, especially from the passenger side, could be challenging due to snug spaces between interior trims and slight discomfort caused by accidental contact with the lower steering column. The rear seat offered decent comfort with ample support and space, though only higher trims featured rear air vents. Interior storage was practical but flawed, with a center tray compromised by the wireless charging pad in certain configurations. The Altima provided a 15.4 cubic feet trunk, which was smaller than some rivals but effectively shaped. Unfortunately, the absence of a grip or handle on the trunk lid could dirty one’s hands while closing it.

The 2022 Toyota Corolla sedan offered two engine options. The base L, LE, and XLE trims came with a 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 139 horsepower and 126 lb-ft of torque. On the other hand, the SE and XSE trims boasted a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, ramping up to 169 horsepower and 151 lb-ft of torque. The sportier Apex Editions used the same 2.0-liter engine, now equipped with a sport exhaust. A continuously variable transmission (CVT) was mandatory for the smaller engine models but optional for those with the 2.0-liter engine, which also offered a six-speed manual gearbox. All Corollas were front-wheel drive (FWD), though all-wheel drive (AWD) was anticipated for the 2023 model year. The manual transmission, as seen in the SE Apex Edition test model, provided a sportier driving experience, further enhanced by specific suspension tuning with unique coil springs lowering the car by 0.6 inches and upgraded stabilizer bars. This setup fostered nimble handling and direct steering response, though at the expense of a stiffer ride. Despite the lack of power upgrades for the Apex Edition, the car was fun to manage on corners, though acceleration from a stop felt lacking. Every 2023 Nissan Altima, except for the high-performance SR VC-Turbo, featured a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine coupled with a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). The engine delivered 188 horsepower and 180 lb-ft of torque in front-wheel-drive (FWD) models, slightly reduced to 182 horsepower and 178 lb-ft in AWD versions. AWD could be selected with the SV, SR, and SL trims and could channel up to 50% of the power to the rear wheels as needed. The power output was sufficient, with the torque peaking at 3,600 rpm. Nissan's CVT was programmed to mimic the feel of a traditional automatic transmission, and paddle shifters in the SR trim added a degree of engagement. Fuel economy ratings spanned from 30 to 32 mpg in combined driving, but our SL AWD only averaged 27.4 mpg. The sportier SR VC-Turbo came with a turbocharged 2.0-liter engine boasting variable compression technology, producing 236 horsepower and 267 lb-ft of torque on regular fuel, which increased to 248 horsepower and 273 lb-ft with premium fuel. This variant also maintained nearly the same fuel efficiency as the standard engine but offered a far more dynamic driving experience, complemented by a sport-tuned suspension and advanced control systems. Despite its heft due to the AWD system and luxury appointments, the SL AWD’s performance was adequate, marred by lower-than-expected fuel economy. In urban environments, the Altima was manageable, albeit firm over bumps and noisy at highway speeds. While it exhibited competent cornering ability on mountain roads, the brake performance under cooler conditions was worrisome, and the light, wooden steering feel reduced driving pleasure.

Toyota had not released specific measurements for headroom and legroom, but the Corolla felt adequately spacious. The vehicle’s low beltline improved outward visibility, although its steeply raked windshield made it difficult to gauge the front-end. The driver’s seat positioning aimed for comfort, yet tall drivers might have found knee room insufficient. The front and rear seats of the Corolla offered squishy, supportive cushions. With 13.1 cubic feet of trunk space, the Corolla fell short compared to competitors like the Honda Civic and Nissan Sentra. Nonetheless, a 60/40 split-folding rear seat and optional power trunk release provided some flexibility. The interior's slender console limited small-item storage, and the wireless charging equipped phone tray was inconveniently designed. Despite some inexpensive materials, the Altima's interior was comfortable and user-friendly. Controls were logically arrayed with easy-to-read black matte finishes. Standout features in our Altima SL included Nissan’s Zero Gravity seats, dual-zone automatic climate control, and a heated steering wheel. The lack of height adjustment for the front passenger’s seat and sticky leather hindered ingress and egress. Entering and exiting the driver’s side was easier, but the tight space for the right knee and restricted foot clearance posed challenges. Rear-seat occupants enjoyed good comfort with ample legroom, although only high trims included rear air vents. Interior storage involved well-placed door trays, a fairly large center bin, yet the wireless charging pad location compromised tray space. The Altima’s trunk, at 15.4 cubic feet, was slightly less spacious than competitors but effectively shaped for practical use. The absence of a trunk handle did cause minor inconvenience.

The Corolla lagged behind in infotainment technology updates. The base L model featured a 7-inch touchscreen, while all higher trims included an 8-inch version. Standard across the lineup were Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, WiFi connectivity, Amazon Alexa, and SiriusXM satellite radio, along with a six-speaker audio system. Premium JBL audio was optional on upper trims. Despite its ease of use, the infotainment system's graphics were outdated compared to rivals like Hyundai and Kia, and Toyota lacked wireless versions of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. There were no innovative tech features like Hyundai’s Digital Key, which could be a drawback for some tech-savvy buyers. For 2023, the base Altima S model came with minimal tech, featuring only a 5-inch radio display and basic Bluetooth capabilities. Upgrading to SV or SR brought an 8-inch touchscreen with wired Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and SiriusXM satellite radio with the advanced 360L package. New for this model year was an available 12.3-inch touchscreen, offered with navigation, wireless Apple CarPlay, and wired Android Auto, standard in higher trims. The updated infotainment interface and graphics marked a significant improvement, along with effective voice recognition, but it lacked climate control voice commands. Nissan’s optional Bose nine-speaker audio system delivered mixed performance. While the tech interface had been greatly improved, the inclusion of a volume knob and tuning buttons provided straightforward control preferences.

Both the Corolla sedan and hatchback earned the IIHS Top Safety Pick+ award with best-in-class crash test scores, although some trims had only Acceptable or Marginal headlight ratings. The NHTSA gave the Corolla a five-star overall safety rating, with top marks in frontal and side crashes and four stars for rollover resistance. Standard safety features under Toyota Safety Sense 2.0 included forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning with steering assist, automatic high beams, adaptive cruise control, and traffic sign recognition. Blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert was available on higher trims. The 2023 Altima came equipped with Nissan Safety Shield 360 across all trims, featuring forward-collision warning with pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. Additional features for higher trims included ProPilot Assist with adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and lane-centering assist. ProPilot Assist offered beneficial automated driving support but required smoother transitions for manual overrides and quicker response to traffic changes. The SL and SR VC-Turbo trims improved visibility with a surround-view camera system, though the reversing camera lacked high resolution. Safety ratings were strong, with NHTSA awarding five stars overall, although front passenger frontal safety was rated four stars. The IIHS designated the Altima as a Top Safety Pick+ for 2022, with an area of concern being a Poor rating in the updated side-impact test.