2023 BMW 3 Series vs 2023 Nissan Altima

The 2023 Nissan Altima, with its updated front styling, new wheel designs, and fresh paint colors, aimed to maintain its presence in the family car market. The higher trim levels, especially with 19-inch wheels, enhanced its visual appeal, though the wheels on the SL trim were prone to damage. The Altima SL, one of the upscale trims, featured a mix of hard plastics and simulated wood trim, which detracted from its otherwise appealing interior. The Gray leather option improved the cabin's look, but the overall feel reminded drivers of the car's lower base price.

In contrast, the 2023 BMW 3 Series, a staple of the Bavarian brand since 1975, received a subtle yet sporty mid-cycle refresh. The narrow kidney grille, redesigned full-LED headlights, and reshaped lower air intakes contributed to its impactful first impression. Standard 18-inch double-spoke light alloys, with an optional 19-inch upgrade, added to its sporty look. The interior featured the advanced BMW iDrive 8 system with a 27.2-inch continuous high-definition screen, creating a driver-centric cockpit. The minimalist dashboard design and optional M Sport package further enhanced the cabin's appeal.

The 2023 Nissan Altima offered a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine across most trims, producing 188 horsepower and 180 pound-feet of torque in FWD models, and slightly less in AWD versions. The CVT mimicked a traditional automatic transmission, and the SR trim included paddle shifters for added engagement. Fuel economy ranged from 30 to 32 mpg combined, with our SL AWD test vehicle averaging 27.4 mpg. The SR VC-Turbo trim featured a turbocharged 2.0-liter engine, delivering up to 248 hp and 273 lb-ft of torque on premium fuel, with an EPA estimate of 29 mpg combined. The Altima's ride was firm, with poor rear visibility and some noise issues at highway speeds. In mountainous terrain, it showed good grip but lacked engaging steering and had brake performance concerns.

The 2023 BMW 3 Series retained its powertrains from previous years, including a twin-turbo 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine for the 330i and 330e, and a twin-turbo 3.0-liter inline-six for the M340i. The 330i produced 255 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque, reaching 60 mph in 5.4 seconds. The 330e, with its electric assist, offered 288 hp and 258 lb-ft, with a 5.6-second 0-60 mph time and up to 22 miles of electric-only range. The M340i, with a 48-volt mild-hybrid system, delivered 382 hp and 369 lb-ft, hitting 60 mph in 4.1 seconds. Fuel economy for the 330i was 29 mpg combined, while the 330e achieved 75 MPGe combined in electric mode. The M340i managed 26 mpg combined. Our RWD 330i test vehicle, equipped with various performance packages, provided a comfortable and precise driving experience, though it lacked the raw engagement of M-powered models.

The 2023 Nissan Altima's interior was simple and user-friendly, with controls laid out logically and clear analog gauges. The Zero Gravity seats were exceptionally comfortable, though the leather upholstery was somewhat sticky. The Altima SL featured dual-zone climate control, a power sunroof, heated front seats, and a 10-way power-adjustable driver's seat. However, the front passenger seat lacked height adjustment, making entry and exit difficult. Rear seat comfort was good, with ample legroom and headroom, but rear air vents were only available on higher trims. The trunk offered 15.4 cubic feet of space, smaller than some competitors, and lacked a handle for easy closing.

The 2023 BMW 3 Series provided a compact yet comfortable interior, with 38.7 inches of front headroom and 42 inches of legroom. Rear occupants had 37.6 inches of headroom and 35.2 inches of legroom. Standard SensaTec faux leather upholstery and power-adjustable front sport seats offered good support, though the seat cushions were stiff. The leather steering wheel provided excellent grip, and the iDrive controller was intuitive. The 3 Series had standard storage options and a 17-cubic-foot trunk, with rear seats folding in a 40/20/40 split. Standard features included a power moonroof, with available heated seats, a heated steering wheel, and remote start.

The 2023 Nissan Altima's base S trim had limited infotainment features, with a 5-inch display and Bluetooth. The SV and SR trims upgraded to an 8-inch touchscreen with wired Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and SiriusXM satellite radio. A new 12.3-inch touchscreen, available on higher trims, included navigation, wireless Apple CarPlay, a Wi-Fi hotspot, and a wireless charging pad. The Bose nine-speaker audio system was hit-or-miss, but the new infotainment system was a significant improvement, with a superior user interface and voice recognition.

The 2023 BMW 3 Series featured the advanced BMW iDrive 8 system, with a 12.3-inch driver information display and a 14.9-inch touchscreen. The system was intuitive, with customizable widgets and natural voice recognition. Standard tech included USB-C ports, enhanced Bluetooth, Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, a 10-speaker HiFi sound system, and over-the-air updates. Available features included wireless charging, a premium Harman Kardon sound system, and a wireless 5G hotspot.

The 2023 Nissan Altima came standard with Nissan Safety Shield 360, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and a driver monitoring system. Higher trims added rear automatic braking, automatic high-beam headlights, and ProPilot Assist, which included adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping assist. The Altima received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ from the IIHS, though it scored poorly in the updated side-impact test.

The 2023 BMW 3 Series received a five-star crash safety rating from the NHTSA, though the PHEV model was not rated. The 2022 model earned a Top Safety Pick from the IIHS, but the 330i's headlights received a Poor rating. Standard safety features included a rearview camera, LED headlights, BMW Assist eCall, and Active Guard. The Driving Assistance Package added blind-spot detection, lane-departure warning, and park-distance control. The Driving Assistance Professional Package offered semi-autonomous driving systems, while additional safety options included a head-up display and Parking Distance Control.