2024 Acura Integra vs 2023 Nissan Altima

The 2023 Nissan Altima drew from a lineage spanning over 50 years, maintaining a firm hold in the family car segment. For 2023, Nissan introduced several notable updates to the Altima, such as revamped front styling featuring a redesigned grille and updated wheel designs, along with two new paint colors. The higher trim levels, like the SL, with 19-inch wheel designs, boosted the Altima's visual appeal despite the wheels appearing vulnerable to damage due to their flush alignment with the tire sidewalls. The Altima SL, being one of the upscale trims (following the discontinuation of the Platinum trim), positioned itself with other trims like S, SV, SR, and the more performance-oriented SR VC-Turbo. Pricing for the Altima ranged from $25,290 to $34,990 plus a destination charge.

In contrast, the 2024 Acura Integra Type S exuded a bold and aggressive look with its widebody appearance, sharing key hardware components with the Honda Civic Type R. The redesign of the Integra’s front end accommodated a significant increase in front track width, 19-inch wheels, and aerodynamic enhancements to reduce high-speed lift. The rear track similarly widened, complemented by a lower body kit and rear fender flares for a cohesive visual flow, an eye-catching rear lip spoiler, and a substantial rear diffuser panel. Importantly, the triple-outlet exhaust system added an acoustic thrill, especially in Sport+ mode.

The Integra Type S, offered in a single specification level, allowed customization through various dealer-installed accessories, with our test car, adorned with Apex Blue paint and other extras, bringing the MSRP to $53,785, with a destination charge included. The interior of the Integra Type S mirrored the Integra A-Spec's design, with the addition of Type S emblems, Ultrasuede seat inserts, and dashboard trim matching the interior color. However, the high price didn't reflect significantly in material quality, particularly noticeable in the rear seating area.

The 2023 Nissan Altima, except for the SR VC-Turbo version, featured a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine paired with a CVT, producing 188 hp and 180 lb-ft of torque in FWD models and slightly lower in AWD configurations. The available AWD system distributed up to 50% of the engine’s output to the rear wheels as needed. The torque peak at 3,600 rpm provided adequate power, with the CVT programmed to simulate a traditional automatic transmission for enhanced driving experience. Depending on the trim and drivetrain, fuel economy estimates ranged from 30 to 32 mpg, although our SL AWD test vehicle averaged a lower 27.4 mpg.

For enhanced performance, the Altima SR VC-Turbo featured a turbocharged 2.0-liter engine with a variable compression ratio, generating up to 248 hp and 273 lb-ft of torque on premium fuel, with an EPA estimate of 29 mpg in combined driving. This was complemented by a sport-tuned suspension and various control technologies, including Active Ride Control and Intelligent Trace Control.

Conversely, the 2024 Acura Integra Type S distinguished itself with a turbocharged and intercooled 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, a six-speed manual gearbox, and a limited-slip differential, reminiscent of the Honda Civic Type R’s specifications. Producing 320 hp at 6,500 rpm and 310 lb-ft of torque within a broad rpm range, the Integra Type S offered compelling performance. The dual-axis front strut and multi-link rear suspension, adaptive damping system, variable-ratio steering, and robust Brembo brakes enhanced handling and stability.

In practical terms, during a test drive in California, the Integra Type S demonstrated impressive performance with minimal torque steer and exceptional grip, despite minor understeer on uneven surfaces. Its ride in Comfort mode balanced the high-performance dynamics with everyday usability, although road noise remained a notable drawback. Fuel economy, at an EPA rating of 24 mpg combined, was offset by a smaller fuel tank, resulting in frequent fuel stops during extended trips.

The 2023 Nissan Altima presented a user-friendly and comfortable interior, despite some inexpensive fittings. The controls were intuitively laid out, making essential functions easily accessible. The Zero Gravity seats offered commendable comfort though the front passenger seat lacked sufficient adjustments. Dual-zone climate control, a power sunroof, heated front seats, and a 10-way adjustable driver’s seat were part of the SL trim's amenities. However, the lower steering column housing and floor mat snaps posed minor ergonomic challenges.

The rear seats provided good comfort and ample legroom and headroom, though amenities like rear air vents were not available on all trims. Cargo space was reasonable at 15.4 cubic feet, smaller compared to some competitors, but the space was well-shaped for practicality.

In contrast, the 2024 Acura Integra Type S featured front sport seats with significant bolstering, though not as extreme as those in the Civic Type R, offering comfort in daily use. The driver enjoyed a 12-way power-adjustable seat, but the front passenger seat was less adjustable. The rear seat area provided decent space but limited thigh support, and storage was minimal. Key shortcomings included the absence of rear air vents and USB ports.

One of the Integra Type S's standout features was its sportback body style, offering a generous 24.3 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats up. Folding the seats down effectively doubled the cargo area, highlighting its practicality alongside its high-performance nature.

Nissan fitted the 2023 Altima with a sequence of infotainment options. The base S trim offered limited tech features, but higher trims boasted an 8-inch touchscreen with wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The highlight was the new 12.3-inch touchscreen system available from 2023, featuring wireless Apple CarPlay, navigation, a Wi-Fi hotspot, and comprehensive NissanConnect Services, enhancing overall usability and connectivity.

Meanwhile, the 2024 Acura Integra Type S came equipped with a 10.2-inch digital instrumentation display and a 9-inch infotainment screen. Avoiding the complexity of Acura's True Touchpad Interface, it utilized touch controls with an intuitive design. Features included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, HD Radio, SiriusXM satellite radio, and a robust 16-speaker Acura/ELS Studio 3D audio system. Despite some pairing issues and occasional wireless charging unreliability, the user interface was straightforward.

The 2023 Nissan Altima offered an extensive suite of safety features under Nissan Safety Shield 360, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and blind-spot monitoring. The ProPilot Assist system added adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping assist on higher trims. However, it required refinements for smoother operation. The Altima received a five-star overall rating from NHTSA but scored four stars for front passenger frontal impact safety. IIHS awarded it a Top Safety Pick+ for the 2022 calendar year, though it rated poorly in the updated side-impact test.

The 2024 Acura Integra Type S also featured a comprehensive ADAS system under AcuraWatch, which included adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keeping assist. However, some functions were limited due to the manual transmission, such as the lack of stop-and-go capabilities. The Integra's ACE vehicle architecture promoted crash energy dispersion. Given the redesigned front end, crash-test ratings specific to the Type S were pending, but the standard Integra's ratings were favorable.