2023 BMW 7 Series vs 2024 Nissan Altima

The 2023 BMW 7 Series introduced a bold new design language, marking a significant departure from previous models. Its front-end styling featured an oversized beveled grille and split lighting elements, which initially seemed jarring but grew on observers over time. The profile maintained the classic 7 Series silhouette, with a long hood and extended wheelbase, while the rear end offered a more conventional design with distinctive horizontal taillights. Inside, the 7 Series boasted a modern and minimal interior, highlighted by a broad horizontal layout and a futuristic curved glass pane housing the instrument panel and infotainment touchscreen. The materials used were of premium quality, with options like light gray cashmere wool-blend upholstery adding a cozy touch. The rear seats, especially with the optional Rear Executive Lounge Seating package, provided a luxurious experience akin to business class on an airline.

In contrast, the 2024 Nissan Altima retained a familiar design, with a new grille introduced in 2023 adding a touch of modernity. The Altima was available in four trim levels, with the SL trim offering chrome accents and a gunmetal gray rear badging. The interior, while somewhat outdated, featured comfortable seats and practical storage solutions. The Altima's cabin was spacious, with the front seats offering more room than some competitors, and the rear seats providing adequate legroom. The trunk space was competitive, with a wide opening for easy loading. Overall, the Altima's design was conservative but functional, appealing to those seeking comfort and practicality.

The 2023 BMW 7 Series offered two powertrains, starting with the base 740i, which featured a 3.0-liter turbocharged six-cylinder engine paired with a 48-volt mild hybrid system, producing 375 horsepower and 383 pound-feet of torque. This setup allowed the 740i to accelerate to 60 mph in 5.2 seconds. The 760i xDrive, on the other hand, boasted a 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8 engine, delivering 536 horsepower and 553 pound-feet of torque, achieving 60 mph in just 4.1 seconds. The 7 Series provided a sporty driving experience, with responsive handling and a slightly stiffer ride compared to rivals like the Mercedes-Benz S-Class. The air suspension and steering adjustments in Sport mode enhanced the driving dynamics, making it an excellent choice for those who valued performance alongside luxury.

The 2024 Nissan Altima, equipped with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, offered 182 horsepower and 178 pound-feet of torque, providing adequate performance for most drivers. The Altima SR VC-Turbo variant featured a 2.0-liter VC-turbo four-cylinder engine, producing 248 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of torque, offering a more exciting driving experience. However, the VC-Turbo was not available with all-wheel drive, limiting its appeal in regions with regular snowfall. The Altima's intelligent AWD system provided power to the rear wheels when necessary, contributing to its fuel efficiency. The Altima's steering was light, and the brakes were predictable, while the continuously variable transmission (CVT) managed power output effectively, albeit with some noise during acceleration.

The 2023 BMW 7 Series featured power-operated doors, which could be cumbersome to use, but the interior offered generous space and comfort. The front seats were well-padded and adjustable, with standard heating and ventilation. The rear seats were spacious, with the lounge seating option providing a reclining passenger-side seat with massage functions. The 31.3-inch rear entertainment screen added a wow factor, although its central placement could cause neck strain. The trunk offered 13.7 cubic feet of cargo space, with a wide and deep design for easy loading. Interior storage was adequate, with wireless charging, cupholders, and small door pockets available.

The 2024 Nissan Altima provided impressive interior space, with front seats offering more room than some competitors and rear seats providing 35.2 inches of legroom. The trunk offered 15.4 cubic feet of space, with a wide opening for easy loading. The Altima's interior was practical, with comfortable seats, smartly placed cupholders, and cubbies for convenience.

The 2023 BMW 7 Series came with iDrive 8, a feature-rich infotainment system that could be operated via touchscreen, central dial, or voice commands. While basic functions were easy to use, the system's complexity increased with more advanced features. Voice controls helped mitigate some frustrations, but the system was not as intuitive as previous iterations. The standard 18-speaker Bowers & Wilkins Surround Sound System provided excellent audio quality. The optional theater screen had some usability challenges, with inconsistent touchscreen inputs and a missing remote control.

The 2024 Nissan Altima featured an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, with a 12.3-inch display available on the SL and SR VC-Turbo trims. The larger screen offered crisp graphics and excellent resolution, with static icons for easy navigation. Android Auto and Apple CarPlay were standard, with wireless versions available on the larger screen. The available nine-speaker Bose stereo was underwhelming, but NissanConnect telematics features were standard on higher trims, offering remote access and vehicle health reports.

The 2023 BMW 7 Series had not been crash-tested by NHTSA or IIHS, but it came with a comprehensive suite of standard safety features, including frontal collision warning, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, and lane-keep assist. The optional Driving Assistance Professional package added a hands-free automated driving system for highways, which performed well in testing, reducing driver fatigue on long trips.

The 2024 Nissan Altima received a five-star overall rating from NHTSA, with excellent side-impact and rollover crash test results. However, it scored four stars in frontal crash tests and did not receive the IIHS Top Safety Pick+ designation due to poor side-impact test performance. The Altima came with Nissan Safety Shield 360, a suite of standard advanced driver assist systems, and ProPilot Assist semi-autonomous driving tech on higher trims.