2023 Nissan Altima vs 2024 Mazda MAZDA3

The 2023 Nissan Altima continued Nissan's long-standing tradition of offering a sizable family sedan, even as the market shifted away from such vehicles. With updated front styling, a revised grille design, and new wheel designs, the Altima aimed to maintain its visual appeal. The higher trim levels, particularly with 19-inch wheels, enhanced its presence, though the SL trim's wheels were prone to damage. The Altima SL, one of the upscale trims, featured a more luxurious interior, albeit with some hard plastic elements. The Gray leather option provided a high-contrast two-tone appearance, while the new simulated wood dashboard trim was less convincing. Overall, the Altima SL offered a good look and feel, despite some interior material shortcomings.

In contrast, the 2024 Mazda MAZDA3, despite being last redesigned in 2019, maintained a modern and luxurious appearance. Its swooping lines and scalloped bodywork placed it alongside luxury vehicles, aligning with Mazda's aspirations. The Mazda3 was available in sedan and hatchback body styles, with the hatchback being the more visually appealing option. The Turbo Premium Plus trim, priced at $38,210, impressed with its material quality and value compared to luxury brands. The interior featured red leather upholstery, with leather trimmings extending across the dashboard and doors. The steering wheel and shift knob were wrapped in black leather, creating a beautifully designed and furnished driver’s seat.

The 2023 Nissan Altima offered a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine across most trims, delivering 188 horsepower and 180 pound-feet of torque in FWD models, and slightly less in AWD versions. The CVT was programmed to mimic a traditional automatic transmission, with paddle shifters available on the SR trim. Fuel economy ranged from 30 to 32 mpg in combined driving, though the SL AWD averaged 27.4 mpg. The SR VC-Turbo trim featured a turbocharged 2.0-liter engine, producing up to 248 hp and 273 lb-ft of torque with premium fuel. The Altima's ride was firm, with some noise at highway speeds, and rear visibility was limited. In mountainous areas, the Altima displayed good grip but lacked engaging dynamics.

The 2024 Mazda MAZDA3 offered two engine options: a naturally aspirated 2.5-liter engine with 191 hp and 186 lb-ft of torque, and a turbocharged 2.5-liter engine with 250 hp and 320 lb-ft of torque. The Turbo Premium Plus trim, with AWD, provided a delightful driving experience. Fuel economy varied by configuration, with the turbocharged hatchback achieving 23/31/26 mpg. The Mazda3 excelled on back roads, with precise steering and minimal body roll. The torsion beam suspension managed corners well, though rough pavement could unsettle it. The Mazda3's performance was more engaging than the Altima's, appealing to enthusiastic drivers.

The 2023 Nissan Altima featured a straightforward and comfortable interior, with controls laid out logically. The Zero Gravity seats were exceptionally comfortable, though the leather upholstery was somewhat sticky. The Altima SL included dual-zone climate control, a power sunroof, and heated front seats. However, the front passenger seat lacked height adjustment, making entry and exit challenging. Rear seat comfort was good, with ample legroom and headroom, but rear air vents were only available on higher trims. Interior storage was reasonable, though the trunk's 15.4 cubic feet of space was smaller than some competitors.

The 2024 Mazda MAZDA3, while visually appealing, sacrificed rear passenger space for cargo capacity. The hatchback offered 20.1 cubic feet of cargo space, expanding to 47.1 cubic feet with the seats folded. Rear legroom was limited, and headroom was tight, making it less suitable for taller passengers. The sedan's trunk space was even more limited at 13.2 cubic feet. The hatchback's design created significant blind spots, affecting rearward visibility.

The 2023 Nissan Altima's infotainment system varied by trim. The base S trim had a basic 5-inch display, while SV and SR trims featured an 8-inch touchscreen with wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The new 12.3-inch touchscreen, standard on SL and SR VC-Turbo trims, offered wireless Apple CarPlay, a Wi-Fi hotspot, and navigation. The Bose nine-speaker audio system was available on higher trims, though its performance was inconsistent. The 12.3-inch system represented a significant improvement, with a user-friendly interface and effective voice recognition.

The 2024 Mazda MAZDA3 utilized a rotary controller for its infotainment system, which some drivers found safer than a touchscreen. The system included an 8.8-inch display on most trims, with a new 10.25-inch screen on top trims. The larger screen offered touchscreen functionality for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, though it was positioned far from the driver. Wireless connectivity was available on higher trims, along with a wireless charging pad. The Mazda Connect system included Wi-Fi, remote services, and navigation. The Bose stereo in higher trims performed well, and the rotary controller was intuitive once familiar.

The 2023 Nissan Altima came with Nissan Safety Shield 360, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. ProPilot Assist, available on higher trims, added 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 2024 Mazda MAZDA3 earned five stars from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ from the IIHS. Standard safety features included automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-departure warning, and lane-keeping assist. Adaptive Cruise Control with stop-and-go was standard, with Cruising and Traffic Support on the Turbo Premium Plus trim.