2023 Acura Integra vs 2023 Nissan Altima

The 2023 Acura Integra was a masterclass in maintaining a cohesive design language that was both distinctive and identifiable as part of the Acura family. With its pentagonal grille, JewelEye headlights, and sharply creased lines, the Integra seamlessly aligned with the looks of the larger TLX sedan and Acura’s SUV lineup, including the RDX and MDX. Unlike its predecessor, the ILX, the Integra showcased a five-door liftback design, adding both functionality and a nod to its predecessors with embossed "Integra" branding on the front-left and rear-right corners. This car also flaunted a solid, planted look due to its wide track and long wheelbase. Inside, while it shared some similarities with the Honda Civic to keep costs down, its distinct touches made it more than just a re-skin. Elements like the honeycomb grilles that didn’t span the entire dash and the quality feel of the HVAC controls contributed to its distinctive character.

Conversely, the 2023 Nissan Altima featured updated front styling with a revised grille design, new wheel designs, and two new paint colors. Especially in the higher trim levels sporting 19-inch wheels, the Altima had a more commanding presence. However, the stylish wheels on the SL trim appeared prone to curb damage. Additionally, with the removal of the Platinum trim, the SL represented one of the more luxurious Altima options. Interior-wise, the Altima had a mix of appealing elements, like the comfortable ‘Zero Gravity’ seats, and less premium touches, like the hard plastics and somewhat ineffective simulated wood trim. Despite this, opting for Gray leather in the SL trim could add a high-contrast, two-tone sophistication.

The 2023 Acura Integra marked a significant step with its 1.5-liter turbocharged engine, the first turbo for this model. With 200 horsepower and 192 pound-feet of torque, the Integra's powertrain was shared with the Honda Civic Si but tuned to deliver a lively feel. Acura offered only the A-Spec with Technology trim with an optional six-speed manual transmission, complete with rev-matching technology, which positioned it as a perfect choice for manual transmission enthusiasts. The car also featured a variable-ratio electric power steering system, adaptive dampers in Sport mode, and other driving aids that delivered a sporty yet comfortable driving experience. However, the lack of all-wheel drive could be a downside for those in snowy regions.

In comparison, the 2023 Nissan Altima came with a standard 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, providing 188 horsepower and 180 pound-feet of torque in FWD models, or slightly reduced figures in AWD setups. While the power was adequate, the engine’s torque delivery at 3,600 rpm made day-to-day driving smoother. For a more lively experience, the SR VC-Turbo with its 2.0-liter turbocharged engine delivered up to 248 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of torque on premium fuel. The CVT in the Altima, mimicking traditional automatic transmissions, gave the car a somewhat engaging feel when paired with the paddle shifters in the SR trim. However, the SL AWD test vehicle offered a more pedestrian performance, impacted by additional weight and less power, along with a disappointing fuel economy.

The 2023 Acura Integra stood out for its practical design, particularly with its liftback offering 24.3 cubic feet of cargo space. However, the rear end’s height and lift-over height were limitations for shorter individuals or those with heavy luggage. Inside, the Integra provided a logical dashboard layout with well-thought-out storage solutions upfront. Rear passengers had decent legroom but compromised headroom due to the sloping roofline. The comfort of the seat cushions did make up for this somewhat, but taller adults might find the accommodation cramped.

The 2023 Nissan Altima, while lacking some premium touches, was designed with simplicity and functionality in mind. The interior was straightforward, with logically laid-out controls and clear analog gauges. Comfort was a highlight, thanks to the ‘Zero Gravity’ seats. Unfortunately, the front passenger seat's four-way power adjustment was minimal, and the seating arrangement made entry and exit cumbersome for some. Rear seat comfort was generally good with substantial legroom and headspace. However, storage was less impressive. The trunk’s 15.4 cubic feet capacity was smaller than many competitors but still functional. An added drawback was the lack of a handle to close the trunk, potentially dirtying hands on the car’s exterior paint.

All 2023 Acura Integra models came with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth connectivity, and a 10.2-inch digital instrument cluster. Upgrading to the A-Spec with Technology package added a 9-inch touchscreen, wireless smartphone integration, and a wireless charging pad. The package also included USB-C and USB-A ports for both front and rear passengers, and a 16-speaker ELS Studio 3D premium audio system, making it a tech-savvy choice for audiophiles.

On the 2023 Nissan Altima, the entry-level S trim featured rather basic tech with a 5-inch display and Bluetooth. The SV and SR trims offered an 8-inch touchscreen with wired Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and SiriusXM 360L. The new 12.3-inch touchscreen on higher trims came with a navigation system, wireless Apple CarPlay, wired Android Auto, and a Wi-Fi hotspot. SL and SR VC-Turbo trims included a Bose nine-speaker premium audio system. This newer system provided a significant upgrade in terms of graphics, user interface, and voice recognition.

The 2023 Acura Integra set a high bar for standard safety features, including automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, traffic jam assist, traffic sign recognition, and more. These features were standard across all trims, with the A-Spec with Technology adding extras like low-speed braking control and parking sensors. The Integra received a five-star rating from the NHTSA but had yet to be tested by the IIHS.

The 2023 Nissan Altima also boasted an extensive array of standard safety features under the Safety Shield 360 umbrella. This included forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and a driver monitoring system. Higher trims offered additional features like rear automatic braking, automatic high-beam headlights, and ProPilot Assist for highway driving, though the system could benefit from smoother operation. The Altima earned top marks from both the NHTSA and IIHS, although its side-impact rating was less favorable in the updated IIHS tests.