2023 Nissan Altima vs 2023 Chrysler 300

The 2023 Nissan Altima, poised to continue Nissan’s legacy in the family car market, boasted some noteworthy changes in its design. Known for evolving from the Datsun 510 and Nissan Stanza, the Altima featured updated front styling with a revised grille design, new wheel designs, and two new paint colors. Particularly at higher trim levels with 19-inch wheels, the Altima’s presence on the road was more assertive. However, the stylish wheel design standard on the Altima SL trim appeared susceptible to curb rash due to their flush placement with the tire sidewalls.

Despite the departure of the previous Platinum trim, the Altima SL emerged as one of two upscale trims for 2023. The lineup ranged from the base Altima S to the luxurious Altima SL, with prices spanning from $25,290 to $34,990 plus a $1,095 destination charge. Our test vehicle—a fully-equipped SL with all-wheel drive—priced at $34,755 with the destination charge. The 2023 Altima SL displayed an appealing look with its new wheels, although the interior, with its simulated wood trim, didn't entirely mask the abundance of hard plastic. Gray leather interior provided a high-contrast two-tone appearance which elevated the car's feel.

By contrast, the 2023 Chrysler 300C carried the elegant and bold styling that had been its hallmark since its introduction in 2005. Drawing comparisons to a Bentley, its bold grille, round headlights, and stately proportions provided a striking road presence. Despite its roots stretching back to the George W. Bush administration, the Chrysler 300 still looked modern and sophisticated thanks to its blacked-out appearance and large 20-inch wheels.

For its final production year, the 300 came in Touring, Touring L, 300S, and 300C trims, with prices from $35,515 to $44,025 plus a $1,595 destination charge. The limited-edition 300C, priced at $56,595, stood out with its premium interior elements like carbon-fiber trim and Laguna leather upholstery. However, while the exterior appeared luxurious, the interior didn’t entirely live up to the plush promise, remaining true to its price and age.

The 2023 Nissan Altima, in all trims except the SR VC-Turbo, was powered by a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine paired with a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). In front-wheel-drive (FWD) configurations, this engine produced 188 horsepower and 180 pound-feet of torque, while all-wheel-drive (AWD) versions slightly reduced these figures to 182 hp and 178 lb-ft. The option of AWD was available on SV, SR, and SL trims, enabling the vehicle to deliver up to half of the engine’s output to the rear wheels as needed.

In our test, the SL AWD Altima averaged a fuel economy of 27.4 mpg, compared to the official EPA estimate of 30-32 mpg in combined driving. For a more spirited drive, the Altima SR VC-Turbo offered a turbocharged 2.0-liter engine with up to 248 hp and 273 lb-ft of torque on premium fuel. Despite its higher performance potential, the CVT transmission, though well-tuned by Nissan, and the car’s heavy build resulted in only adequate performance and slightly disappointing fuel efficiency in real-world driving.

The 2023 Chrysler 300C, however, revived the glory of the old 300 SRT with a formidable 6.4-liter Hemi V8 engine producing 485 horsepower and 475 pound-feet of torque. This powertrain, combined with an eight-speed automatic transmission with a Sport mode, enabled the 300C to reach 60 mph in just 4.3 seconds with a top speed of 160 mph. The performance was further enhanced by an adaptive damping suspension, Brembo brakes, and performance tires.

However, the robust performance came at a cost. The exhaust roar was ever-present, and the car’s fuel economy was rated at 18 mpg in combined driving, with our test yielding 17.5 mpg. Additionally, the 300C, while fun to drive, required cautious handling of the accelerator to manage the considerable torque and avoid frequent tire chirping.

The 2023 Nissan Altima's interior was straightforward and user-friendly, despite the presence of hard plastics that hinted at its budget-friendly nature. The Zero Gravity seats, designed for comfort, were wrapped in somewhat sticky leather, which did not detract from their comfort. Features in the Altima SL included dual-zone automatic climate control, a power sunroof, heated front seats, and a heated steering wheel. However, the front passenger's seat offered limited adjustment, making entry and exit more challenging.

Rear seating comfort in the Altima was commendable, offering ample legroom and headroom, although lower trims lacked rear air conditioning vents. The trunk capacity measured 15.4 cubic feet, slightly less than some competitors, but the space was practical. However, the design of the floor mats and the lack of a grip for the trunk lid were minor drawbacks.

In contrast, the Chrysler 300C provided a more premium front seating experience with Laguna leather seats that were both heated and ventilated. However, the back seat was less accommodating due to hard plastic front seatbacks and a slouch-inducing backrest angle. Storage solutions in the 300C lagged behind modern standards, with limited options for organizing personal items.

Cargo capacity in the Chrysler 300 outdid the Altima, offering 16.3 cubic feet of trunk space. This was more significant and more accommodating, though it also lacked power assistance for the trunk lid, making it less convenient for closing when loaded.

For tech enthusiasts, the Altima catered with its available 12.3-inch touchscreen system starting from the SV trim. This system included wired and wireless connectivity options, navigation, and a Wi-Fi hotspot, significantly enhancing the user experience over the base S trim's sparse 5-inch display setup. The Bose nine-speaker audio system in the SL trim performed variably across different music genres, but overall, the updated infotainment system was a step up from previous Nissan offerings.

The Chrysler 300C, while equipped with the reliable Uconnect system, revealed its age through its graphics and smaller 8.4-inch screen. Despite this, it offered the essentials, including Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, SiriusXM satellite radio, and navigation. The car featured a bass-heavy 19-speaker Harman Kardon audio system, which performed well, and the inclusion of an SRT Dashboard for performance tracking added a unique touch. However, modern amenities like a surround-view camera system were notably absent.

The 2023 Nissan Altima came well-equipped with standard safety features across its lineup. The Nissan Safety Shield 360 suite included forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, a driver monitoring system, and more. ProPilot Assist, available on higher trims, offered adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping features, though it required refinement for smoother operation. The Altima achieved a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA and was a Top Safety Pick+ from the IIHS for 2022, despite a Poor rating in the updated side-impact test.

In comparison, the Chrysler 300 lagged in standard safety features, with many being optional add-ons except in the fully-loaded 300C. The available Safety Tec Plus Group included necessary features like forward-collision warning and automatic emergency braking, but the adaptive cruise control system felt outdated, unable to resume speed on its own. The 300 performed adequately in NHTSA tests but fell short in IIHS ratings with a Marginal score in moderate-overlap frontal impact and Poor headlight performance.