2023 Acura Integra vs 2024 Nissan Altima

The 2023 Acura Integra, with its pentagonal grille, JewelEye headlight design, and sharply creased character lines, offered a design language that aligned seamlessly with its brand siblings like the larger TLX, RDX, and MDX crossovers. The modern Integra stood apart by being a major evolution from its sibling, the ILX compact sedan, which was phased out due to the changing market dynamics. Unlike the more traditional four-door sedan styling of the ILX, the new Integra embraced a five-door liftback design, offering a callback to its third-generation predecessor.

Inside, the Integra maintained familial similarities with the Honda Civic while emphasizing its premium positioning. The honeycomb grilles covering the climate control vents were a stylish yet functional design choice, and the tactile feedback from HVAC system’s controls reflected a commitment to quality. The A-Spec with Technology trim featured a 9-inch color touchscreen, a well-designed thin steering wheel, and exemplary external visibility due to the thin A-pillars. Rearward visibility was not as strong. While the Integra’s microsuede upholstery in the A-Spec trims enhanced driving comfort, it lacked breathability, especially noticeable on hot days. The absence of ventilated seats was a notable drawback given Acura’s premium image. Although the Integra didn’t match the bespoke refinement of German competitors, it nonetheless delivered a well-constructed, comfortable ride that appealed to many. In comparison, the 2024 Nissan Altima retained its conservative design language, unchanged significantly since the sixth generation's introduction in 2019. The most notable update was the grille revision introduced in 2023, contributing to an imposing, open-bottomed look. Nissan offered the Altima in four trim levels: S, SV, SR, and SL. Our test model was the SL AWD, showcasing Garnet Pearl Metallic paint and 19-inch alloy wheels. Despite the elegant chrome accents around the lower window sills, the badging was in gunmetal gray, offering a subtle contrast. The Altima's front sported LED projector headlights while the rear incorporated dual exhausts and an optional rear spoiler, which was priced at an additional $420. Inside, the Altima’s design leaned towards conservatism, highlighted by dated soft yellow lights and wood accents. However, its seats were incredibly comfortable and supportive. The strategic placement of cupholders, cubbies, and a wireless phone charger made it user-friendly. Despite comfortable seating, the front passenger seat offered limited four-way adjustment, and the leather upholstery in the SL trim felt less premium. The cabin also had its share of low-quality plastic parts, though commonly touched surfaces like the steering wheel and shift knob felt of higher quality. In terms of performance, the 2023 Acura Integra made significant strides with its introduction of a turbocharged engine. Although it was a modest 1.5-liter, the turbocharged inline-four-cylinder engine felt lively, especially when paired with Acura's six-speed manual transmission, available exclusively on the A-Spec with Technology trim. Lower trims featured a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). The manual variant, equipped with a limited-slip differential, provided 200 horsepower and 192 pound-feet of torque, offering a competitive edge. Shift throws were short and precise, thanks to the gear changes facilitated by automatic rev-matching technology. This system enabled smooth downshifts, giving drivers a nearly seamless experience reminiscent of high-performance driving. Notably, the manual Integra incorporated features like automatic stop/start and automatic brake hold, enhancing its everyday usability. The wide track and long wheelbase provided excellent cornering stability despite being front-wheel drive-only (FWD). A variable-ratio electric power-steering system adjusted its feel based on steering wheel movement, maintaining a heavy feel close to the center and becoming more responsive in turns. Acura offered three drive modes—Comfort, Normal, and Sport—alongside an individual mode, allowing drivers to fine-tune the driving experience. On the other hand, the 2024 Nissan Altima's naturally aspirated 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine produced 182 horsepower and 178 pound-feet of torque, making it adequate for everyday driving needs. The zero to 60-mph sprint was achievable in around 7.5 seconds. For those seeking more power, the Altima SR VC-Turbo provided 248 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of torque, leveraging its variable-compression technology. Our AWD-equipped test model utilized Nissan’s intelligent AWD system, which primarily operated in FWD mode but could send up to 50% of power to the rear wheels when needed. This setup achieved an EPA rating of 26 mpg city, 36 highway, and 30 combined. Comparatively, the VC-Turbo variant maintained efficiency at 25 mpg city, 34 highway, and 29 combined with FWD. In driving dynamics, the Altima’s steering was light but benefited from a low center of gravity, ensuring minimal body roll. Braking performance was neither squishy nor overly firm and was marked by predictable pedal travel. However, the CVT, while effective in power management, introduced a droning noise under aggressive acceleration, a notable downside considering Nissan’s generally high noise isolation standards in other models.

The 2023 Acura Integra’s liftback design underscored its practicality, offering 24.3 cubic feet of storage space behind its rear seats. However, the lift-over height posed challenges, especially for shorter individuals or those handling heavy luggage. According to Acura's claims, a mountain bike could fit with the rear seats folded—a testament to its spaciousness despite the potential difficulty in loading bulky items. Inside, the Integra featured a well-planned dashboard layout with sensibly placed cupholders, a phone tray, and a practical center console cubby. Rear passenger space was comfortable as long as occupants weren’t excessively tall, with adequate legroom but limited headroom due to the sloped roofline. The backseat offered soft cushions, enhancing overall comfort. Meanwhile, the 2024 Nissan Altima excelled in interior space, particularly in the front seats, surpassing competitors like the Honda Accord, Subaru Legacy, and Toyota Camry. The rear legroom measured at 35.2 inches, matching the Kia K5 and exceeding the Hyundai Sonata, though falling short of the Legacy, Camry, and Accord. In terms of cargo space, the Altima's trunk offered 15.4 cubic feet, besting the Legacy and Camry while trailing behind the Accord and Korean rivals. The trunk opening was wide, facilitating the loading of large items, and the 60/40-split rear seat fold expanded cargo capacity. Overall, the thoughtfully designed interior—complete with comfortable seats, well-placed cupholders, and cubbies—enhanced the Altima's day-to-day usability.

The 2023 Acura Integra came standard with a range of technological features, including Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth connectivity, and a 10.2-inch digital instrument cluster. However, trims equipped with the Technology package introduced significant enhancements, including a larger 9-inch color touchscreen, a head-up display, and wireless charging. Notably, wireless versions of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto became available with this upgrade. The integration of a USB-C port in front and two USB-A ports for rear passengers further improved connectivity. Audiophiles could enjoy the ELS Studio 3D premium audio system, boasting 16 speakers for a superior sound experience. Conversely, the 2024 Nissan Altima featured an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system on most trims, with a base 7-inch screen and an impressive 12.3-inch display on the SL and SR VC-Turbo trims. The larger screen offered crisp graphics and easy navigation with static icons and an organized tile view. While Android Auto and Apple CarPlay were standard, wireless capabilities were available only with the larger screen. Though the nine-speaker Bose stereo met expectations for a mass-market sedan, it didn't overwhelmingly impress. NissanConnect, available on higher trims, enabled remote functions like locking/unlocking, remote start, and vehicle health reports via the MyNissan smartphone app.

The 2023 Acura Integra set high standards for safety with an array of standard ADAS, including automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, traffic jam assist, traffic sign recognition, a rear-seat reminder, hill-start assist, and automatic brake hold. The A-Spec with Technology trim added low-speed braking control, front and rear parking sensors, and rain-sensing windshield wipers. Acura’s thoughtful integration enabled these features even in models with manual transmissions. While the IIHS had yet to test the 2023 Integra, the NHTSA awarded it an overall rating of five stars. The 2024 Nissan Altima also earned a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA but scored four stars in specific frontal crash tests. The latest side-impact test by IIHS noted subpar performance, affecting its Top Safety Pick+ designation. Nonetheless, the Altima’s Nissan Safety Shield 360 suite included forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, blind-spot monitoring, rear automatic braking, rear cross-traffic alert, and lane-departure warning. Higher trims added a 360-degree surround-view monitor and traffic-sign recognition. ProPilot Assist offered semi-autonomous driving, blending adaptive cruise control with steering assistance for enhanced highway driving.