2023 Volkswagen Jetta vs 2023 Nissan Altima

The 2023 Nissan Altima signified Nissan's commitment to the family car market. With over 50 years of experience stemming from models like the Datsun 510 and Nissan Stanza, the Altima merged traditional design with modern updates. The 2023 version saw notable upgrades: a revamped front grille, new wheel designs, and additional paint color options. Higher trims featured 19-inch wheels, lending the Altima a more commanding road presence. However, the wheel design on the SL trim posed a risk for curb rash due to its flush alignment with the tire sidewalls.

Nissan streamlined its lineup by eliminating the previous Platinum trim, positioning the SL as one of the upscale variants. The Altima lineup consisted of the base S, the popular SV, the sporty SR, and the elegant SL. Additionally, the SR VC-Turbo offered SL-level equipment with a boosted turbocharged engine. Pricing for the Altima ranged from $25,290 to $34,990, plus a $1,095 destination charge. Our SL trim test vehicle, equipped with AWD and floor mats, stood at $34,755 with destination charges.

The 2023 Altima SL presented a visually appealing package, albeit with certain vulnerable elements like the wheels. Its interior, although attractive, used ample hard plastic as a reminder of its lower base price. Opting for Grey leather enhanced the interior's aesthetics with a high-contrast two-tone look, though the simulated wood dashboard trim did little to elevate its premium feel. Double-stitched seams helped detract from the prevalent hard plastics.

In contrast, while the 2023 Volkswagen Jetta didn't provoke strong reactions, its aesthetics held an inoffensive charm. Volkswagen’s approach typically involved conservative styling intended to age gracefully. Nonetheless, the current Jetta lacked the symmetry and balance that characterized its predecessors. It featured a clean yet unremarkable design.

Our test model, a Jetta SEL painted in Platinum Gray Metallic with a Volcano Brown over Titan Black interior, came with a $29,480 MSRP including destination charges. The SEL trim, setting a visual standard, channeled premium vibes reminiscent of VW’s Audi division. It included ambient lighting, genuine leather upholstery, an extensive sunroof, and larger screens for both digital instrumentation and infotainment systems. From the driver's seat, the Jetta SEL exuded an upscale aura, delivering substantial emotional value for under $30,000.

The 2023 Nissan Altima came primarily with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine coupled with a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). This engine produced 188 horsepower and 180 pound-feet of torque in FWD models, and 182 hp alongside 178 lb-ft in AWD models. The AWD system, available on the SV, SR, or SL trims, could transfer up to half of the engine's output to the rear wheels depending on the driving conditions.

While the Altima's standard power was satisfactory, the torque arrival at 3,600 rpm aided its performance. The CVT mimicked a traditional automatic transmission during acceleration, with the SR trim offering paddle shifters for enhanced driver engagement. Official EPA fuel economy varied, ranging from 30 to 32 mpg combined, though our SL AWD test vehicle averaged 27.4 mpg. For a more spirited drive, the Altima SR VC-Turbo featured a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with a paddle-shifted CVT. This engine delivered 236 hp and 267 lb-ft on regular gas, jumping to 248 hp and 273 lb-ft with premium fuel.

The Altima’s driving dynamics, however, were less thrilling. The CVT, although well-executed, didn’t inspire driver engagement. The car’s ride, firm in urban environments, struggled with speed bumps and rough roads, producing noticeable noise at highway speeds. Poor rear visibility further hindered the driving experience, making the rearview camera and cross-traffic alert system crucial for maneuvering. Steering felt lifeless, and the car’s brakes showed signs of thermal stress during mountain driving, raising concerns about reliability under intense conditions.

Conversely, the 2023 Volkswagen Jetta delivered a more engaging drive despite being no sports sedan. Sporting a 1.5-liter turbocharged inline four-cylinder engine producing 158 hp and 184 lb-ft of torque, the Jetta was zippy enough for everyday commutes. S and Sport trims offered a six-speed manual transmission, while SE and SEL trims featured an eight-speed automatic, with Sport mode for a more responsive drive. An all-wheel-drive option was absent.

However, the automatic transmission had its quirks, including a delay in response that could cause unintentional surges of power and front tire spin when turning. Despite these issues, in manual Sport mode, the Jetta delivered a nimble and comfortable ride, with an EPA rating of 33 mpg combined. Our testing, though, averaged 30 mpg in mountainous terrains.

The Jetta’s light and tossable nature shone on mountain roads, where it provided accurate steering, reliable brakes, and predictable handling. The P205/55R17 Nexen Nfera AU7 tires performed admirably, offering excellent grip and communication without squealing in sharp turns.

Despite the Altima’s economical interior fittings, it was user-friendly and comfortable. Controls were logically laid out with easy-to-read matte black surfaces. Analog gauges, akin to those in a Mazda, provided clear readouts.

Notably, Nissan’s Zero Gravity seats, designed for optimal support, offered exceptional comfort. Our Altima SL test model featured dual-zone automatic climate control, a power sunroof, heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and a 10-way power-adjustable driver’s seat. Unfortunately, the front passenger seat had minimal power adjustment and lacked a height adjuster, making entry and exit cumbersome.

Rear passengers enjoyed good comfort with ample legroom, but the absence of rear air conditioning vents in lower trims like the SV was a drawback. Interior storage in the Altima was decent but flawed – mats snapping to the carpeting proved cumbersome, and the center storage bin’s plastic lining wasn’t conducive to a rattle-free environment. The Altima’s trunk, at 15.4 cubic feet, was functional but smaller than some competitors, missing a handle for easy closure.

The Jetta, on the other hand, accommodated family needs effectively. Carrying four adults comfortably, it straddled the compact and midsize sedan categories well. Its interior storage was generous, and the trunk space was noteworthy. The Jetta offered 14.1 cubic feet of cargo space, nearly rivaling midsize sedans. Its 60/40-split folding back seat added versatility for longer items.

In the Jetta SEL, the driver’s seat was power-adjustable, with heating and ventilation features enhancing comfort. Large doors facilitated easy entry and exit, and the car’s flat hood and large mirrors provided an expansive view. Rear seat access was similarly simple, with supportive cushions and legroom, though rear air conditioning vents were missing.

The 2023 Nissan Altima’s technology offerings varied by trim. The base S trim was minimal, featuring a basic radio and Bluetooth capabilities. Upgrading to SV or SR trims introduced an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wired Apple CarPlay, wired Android Auto, and SiriusXM 360L.

New for 2023, a 12.3-inch touchscreen was optional on SV and SR trims, standard on SL and SR VC-Turbo. This system included navigation, wireless Apple CarPlay, wired Android Auto, a Wi-Fi hotspot, and a wireless charging pad. NissanConnect Services required a subscription but offered remote start, Alexa and Google Assistant compatibility, and SOS calls.

The SL and SR VC-Turbo also boasted a Bose nine-speaker premium audio system, though its performance varied across different music genres. The new 12.3-inch system, however, was a significant improvement in terms of interface and graphics, with impressive voice recognition capabilities.

The 2023 Volkswagen Jetta SEL's 10.25-inch Digital Cockpit Pro instrumentation screen replaced the standard 8-inch version, and the 8-inch infotainment touchscreen was enhanced with proximity-sensing and shortcut tiles for easy navigation. While the system required more inputs for tuning and lacked intuitive voice recognition, wireless Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto facilitated smartphone integration.

Car-Net, Volkswagen’s connected services, offered features like remote start, emergency calling, and a Wi-Fi hotspot with a five-year complimentary access plan. However, premium natural voice recognition required a paid upgrade.

The SEL’s Beats Audio premium sound system did not impress, falling short of the rewarding experience previously delivered by VW’s collaboration with Fender.

Standard across all 2023 Altima models, Nissan Safety Shield 360 included forward-collision warning with pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. The ProPilot Assist system, available on higher trims, added adaptive cruise control and lane-centering assist for smooth highway driving, though it needed refinement for seamless operation. The Altima earned a five-star safety rating from the NHTSA but received a Poor rating in the new IIHS side-impact test.

The 2023 VW Jetta SE and SEL came with IQ.Drive, bundling advanced driving assistance features such as Travel Assist and Emergency Assist. Travel Assist combined adaptive cruise control with lane-centering for semi-autonomous driving and performed commendably on winding roads. Emergency Assist could detect unresponsive drivers and safely brake the car to a stop.

Despite its effectiveness, the Jetta’s driver-assistance systems occasionally issued inaccurate warnings or added unnatural steering inputs. The Jetta scored five stars in NHTSA’s overall safety rating but had four stars for frontal-impact protection and a Poor rating in the IIHS’s new frontal-impact test.