2023 Nissan Altima vs 2024 Subaru Impreza

The 2023 Nissan Altima, with its updated front styling, new wheel designs, and fresh paint colors, aimed to maintain its presence in the family car market. The higher trim levels, especially with 19-inch wheels, enhanced its visual appeal, though the wheels on the SL trim were prone to damage. The Altima SL, one of the upscale trims, featured a mix of appealing interior elements and hard plastics, with Gray leather and double-stitched seams adding a touch of sophistication. However, the simulated wood dashboard trim was less convincing.

In contrast, the 2024 Subaru Impreza showcased a more aggressive and sporty style with a larger, angular grille and narrower LED headlights. The RS trim added side skirts for a low-slung appearance, while the flared rear fenders suggested a wider stance. Inside, the Impreza featured a modern look with an 11.6-inch infotainment touchscreen on the Sport and RS trims, and red stitching and seat upholstery accents in the RS. The materials quality was commendable, with soft-touch surfaces in the front and durable hard plastics in the rear.

The 2023 Nissan Altima offered a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with 188 horsepower and 180 pound-feet of torque in FWD models, and slightly less in AWD models. The CVT was programmed to mimic a traditional automatic transmission, and the SR trim included paddle shifters. Fuel economy ranged from 30 to 32 mpg in combined driving, with our SL AWD test vehicle averaging 27.4 mpg. The SR VC-Turbo trim featured a turbocharged 2.0-liter engine with up to 248 hp and 273 lb-ft of torque on premium fuel, offering a more spirited driving experience. However, the Altima's performance was generally adequate, with firm ride quality and some noise issues at highway speeds.

The 2024 Subaru Impreza came with two engine options: a 2.0-liter four-cylinder with 152 hp and 145 lb-ft of torque for the Base and Sport trims, and a 2.5-liter engine with 182 hp and 178 lb-ft of torque for the RS trim. Both engines were paired with a CVT, and AWD was standard. The RS model, with its sport-tuned suspension and paddle shifters, provided a responsive and engaging driving experience. The Impreza's handling was confident, and the ride quality remained comfortable over rough surfaces. The added sound insulation reduced road noise, making long drives less fatiguing.

The 2023 Nissan Altima's interior was simple and user-friendly, with logically laid-out 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 10-way power-adjustable driver's seat. However, the front passenger seat lacked height adjustment, and the floor mats were difficult to remove. Rear seat comfort was good, with ample legroom and headroom, but the trunk space was smaller than some competitors at 15.4 cubic feet.

The 2024 Subaru Impreza's cabin favored function over form, with logically placed controls and good outward visibility. The RS trim included a wireless charging pad and a large center armrest bin. The rear seats offered ample headroom and legroom, and the cargo area provided 20.4 cubic feet of space, expandable to 56 cubic feet with the seatbacks folded down. The Impreza also accommodated various roof racks for active lifestyles, though it wasn't rated for heavier overlanding tent platforms.

The 2023 Nissan Altima's base S trim had limited infotainment features, but the SV and SR trims included an 8-inch touchscreen with wired Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and SiriusXM satellite radio. The new 12.3-inch touchscreen, available on higher trims, offered wireless Apple CarPlay, a navigation system, and a Wi-Fi hotspot. The Bose nine-speaker audio system was available on SL and SR VC-Turbo trims, though its performance varied. The 12.3-inch system represented a significant improvement with a superior user interface and voice recognition technology.

The 2024 Subaru Impreza featured an 11.6-inch touchscreen on the Sport and RS trims, with large on-screen buttons and physical controls for volume, tuning, and temperature. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, with wireless connectivity on higher trims. The Starlink system, included on the Sport and RS trims, offered a Wi-Fi hotspot and smartphone app integration. The infotainment system was user-friendly, with intuitive menus and minimal need for the owner's manual.

The 2023 Nissan Altima came standard with Nissan Safety Shield 360, which included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. Higher trims added features like rear automatic braking, adaptive cruise control, and a surround-view camera system. 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 Subaru Impreza included the EyeSight driver assist suite with features like frontal collision warning, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, and lane-centering. The Sport trim added Starlink communications with automatic collision notification, while the RS trim included blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and automatic emergency steering. The safety features performed well during testing, with no false alarms or intrusive actions. Crash-test results were not yet available, but Subaru aimed for a Top Safety Pick award from the IIHS.