2023 Nissan Altima vs 2024 Mercedes-Benz E-Class

The 2023 Nissan Altima continued Nissan's legacy in the family car segment, offering a sizable four-door option even as the Maxima faced discontinuation. The Altima featured updated front styling with a revised grille, new wheel designs, and two new paint colors. Higher trims, like the SL, showcased 19-inch wheels that enhanced its visual appeal, though they were prone to curb damage. The Altima SL, one of the upscale trims, replaced the previous Platinum trim and offered a luxurious experience with a price range from $25,290 to $34,990, plus a destination charge. The interior, while appealing, had hard plastic elements that reminded drivers of its lower base price. The Gray leather option provided a high-contrast two-tone cabin appearance, and the new double-stitched seams added a touch of elegance.

In contrast, the 2024 Mercedes-Benz E-Class defied the trend of cold, technical designs with its elegant proportions and bold detailing. The E-Class featured a star-map grille texture, star-shaped taillight illumination, and a chrome-defined roofline, promising a timeless look. Available in E 350 4Matic and E 450 4Matic models, the E-Class started at $62,300, plus a destination charge. The test vehicle, an E 350 4Matic, was priced at $82,450 with nearly all options included. Its interior exuded luxury and technology, with Tonka Brown Nappa leather upholstery and a Superscreen triple-display glass panel. The E-Class blended classic luxury with modern high-tech features, offering a plush and sophisticated driving experience.

The 2023 Nissan Altima, except for the SR VC-Turbo, was equipped with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine paired with a CVT, delivering 188 horsepower and 180 pound-feet of torque in FWD models, and slightly less in AWD versions. The AWD system could distribute up to half of the engine's output to the rear wheels. The Altima's power was adequate, with torque arriving at 3,600 rpm. The CVT was programmed to mimic a traditional automatic transmission, and the SR trim included paddle shifters for added engagement. Fuel economy ranged from 30 to 32 mpg in combined driving, but the SL AWD test vehicle averaged 27.4 mpg. The SR VC-Turbo offered a more powerful turbocharged engine with 236 hp on regular gas and 248 hp on premium fuel. The Altima's ride was firm, with some noise at highway speeds, and rear visibility was limited.

The 2024 Mercedes-Benz E-Class E 350 4Matic featured a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with 255 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque, reaching 60 mph in 6.1 seconds. The E 450 4Matic offered a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder engine with 375 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque, achieving 60 mph in 4.4 seconds. Both models used a nine-speed automatic transmission and 4Matic AWD, with a 48-volt mild-hybrid system for improved fuel economy. The E 350 felt swift, but its observed fuel economy was 23.8 mpg, below the EPA's 27 mpg estimate. The Airmatic Package provided an adaptive air suspension and rear-axle steering, delivering a smooth and comfortable ride. The E-Class excelled in comfort and luxury, offering a calming driving experience.

The 2023 Nissan Altima's interior was simple and user-friendly, with logically arranged controls 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 heated steering wheel. 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 conditioning vents were only available on higher trims. Interior storage was reasonable, with various bins and trays, though the trunk's 15.4 cubic feet of space was smaller than some competitors.

The 2024 Mercedes-Benz E-Class offered comfortable seating with options for MB-Tex, leather, or Nappa leather upholstery. The front seats were heated and power-operated, with available ventilation. The rear seat entry was challenging due to intrusive wheel wells, but once seated, passengers enjoyed good leg support and a tall riding position. Interior storage was ample, with sizable door pockets, a hidden center console bin, and a roomy bin under the center armrest. The trunk provided 19.1 cubic feet of cargo space, accommodating full-size suitcases and expandable with a 40/20/40-split folding rear seat.

The 2023 Nissan Altima's infotainment system varied by trim. The base S trim had a basic radio with a 5-inch display, while SV and SR trims offered an 8-inch touchscreen with wired Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and SiriusXM satellite radio. A new 12.3-inch touchscreen was available on higher trims, featuring navigation, wireless Apple CarPlay, and a Wi-Fi hotspot. The Bose nine-speaker audio system was available on SL and SR VC-Turbo trims, offering mixed performance. The 12.3-inch system represented a significant improvement, with a superior user interface and voice recognition technology.

The 2024 Mercedes-Benz E-Class showcased the third-generation MBUX infotainment system, with a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation display and a 14.4-inch infotainment touchscreen. The system included wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, SiriusXM, and a navigation system with augmented video technology. The MBUX allowed for personalized driver profiles and programmable routines. Online music and video streaming were available, along with a 17-speaker Burmester 4D surround-sound system. The Superscreen Package added a passenger touchscreen and a video camera for conference calls. The MBUX technology was intuitive and responsive, with a conversational digital voice assistant.

The 2023 Nissan Altima came with standard Nissan Safety Shield 360, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, blind-spot monitoring, and a driver monitoring system. 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 had a Poor rating in the updated side-impact test.

The 2024 Mercedes-Benz E-Class offered numerous safety features, with the Driver Assistance Package adding 15 advanced technologies. Highlights included upgraded Pre-Safe features, Active Emergency Stop Assist, adaptive cruise control, and lane-keeping systems. The ADAS worked well, though some features were less suitable for fast-flowing traffic. The lane-keeping assist system was particularly impressive, providing practical assistance in daily driving situations.