2022 Audi A4 vs 2023 Nissan Altima

The 2022 Audi A4 lineup included the A4 sedan, the A4 Allroad, and the S4 performance-tuned model. For this review, the A4 sedan was evaluated, available in 40 TFSI and 45 TFSI model series and Premium, Premium Plus, and Prestige trim levels. Prices ranged from under $40,000 to over $50,000. The test car was a Prestige 45 TFSI with Tango Red paint, the Black Optic Plus package, 19-inch wheels, the S-line Interior package, and ventilated front seats, with an MSRP of $55,890, including the $1,095 destination charge.

The A4's simple, clean, and conservative appearance was enhanced by the Tango Red paint, Black Optic package detailing, and classic five-arm rotor-design wheels. Inside, the A4 maintained aesthetic restraint with black everything, aluminum trim, gloss black décor, and metallic accents. The high-quality materials, 12.3-inch Audi Virtual Cockpit digital instrumentation panel, and ambient interior lighting were impressive, though the tablet-style touchscreen infotainment system seemed out of place.

The 2023 Nissan Altima received updated front styling with a revised grille design, new wheel designs, and two new paint colors. The higher trim levels, with 19-inch wheels, improved the Altima's visual presence, though the stylish wheel design on the Altima SL trim appeared vulnerable to curb rash. The Altima SL represented one of two upscale trims for 2023, with the lineup including the base Altima S, Altima SV, Altima SR, and Altima SL, plus the Altima SR VC-Turbo with a more powerful engine. Prices ranged from $25,290 to $34,990 plus a $1,095 destination charge.

The test vehicle was an SL trim with optional all-wheel-drive (AWD) and floor mats, with an MSRP of $34,755 including the destination charge. The 2023 Altima SL looked good, partly due to the new wheels, and the interior was appealing despite the presence of hard plastic. The Gray leather option provided a high-contrast two-tone appearance, though the new simulated wood dashboard trim was unconvincing. The new double-stitched seams helped distract from the hard plastic inside the car.

The 2022 Audi A4 40 TFSI featured a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine generating 201 horsepower and 236 pound-feet of torque, paired with a seven-speed S-tronic dual-clutch automatic transmission (DCT) and standard Quattro Ultra all-wheel-drive (AWD). It earned an EPA fuel economy rating of 29 mpg in combined driving and accelerated to 60 mph in 6.3 seconds. The A4 45 TFSI test car had 261 hp and 273 lb-ft of torque, with a lowered sport suspension, accelerating to 60 mph in 5.2 seconds and achieving 27 mpg in combined driving. The A4 45 TFSI averaged 24.8 mpg during testing.

The A4's Quattro Ultra AWD system powered the front wheels unless power transfer to the rear wheels was needed. The driving experience was joyful, with refined engine performance, solid torque, and outstanding tire grip. The 245/35 Hankook Ventus S1 Evos tires provided excellent grip, and the brakes performed well even in high temperatures. The A4's structure and suspension conveyed a rock-solid sensation over speed bumps, and the cabin remained remarkably quiet.

The 2023 Nissan Altima, except for the SR VC-Turbo, had a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine paired with a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). The engine produced 188 horsepower and 180 pound-feet of torque in front-wheel-drive (FWD) models and 182 hp and 178 lb-ft with AWD. The AWD system delivered up to half of the engine's output to the rear wheels. The Altima SR VC-Turbo featured a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder variable compression engine with 236 hp and 267 lb-ft of torque on regular gas, and 248 hp and 273 lb-ft on premium fuel.

The Altima's CVT was programmed to mimic a traditional automatic transmission, and the SR had paddle shifters for added engagement. EPA fuel economy ratings ranged from 30 mpg to 32 mpg in combined driving, with the SL AWD averaging 27.4 mpg. The Altima's ride was firm, and rough roads produced noise. Rear visibility was poor, and the brakes heated up easily during testing.

The 2022 Audi A4's low ground clearance made it harder to enter and exit, and the small door openings and snug cabin didn't help. However, the front seats were exceptionally comfortable, with soft leather, power adjustment, and a thigh-support cushion. The A4 had a three-zone automatic climate control system, and the layout and switchgear were intuitive. The back seat was comfortable for shorter trips, though space was limited, and getting in and out was challenging.

Interior storage space was limited, with the center console bin housing the wireless charging pad and Audi Phone Box signal booster. The A4's 13 cubic-foot trunk was nicely finished, with enclosed hinges and storage nets on either side. Grab handles on both sides of the lid made it easy to close.

The 2023 Nissan Altima's interior was simple to understand, easy to use, and comfortable to drive. The controls were logically laid out, and the Zero Gravity seats were exceptionally comfortable. The Altima SL had dual-zone automatic climate control, a power sunroof, heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and a 10-way power-adjustable driver's seat. However, the front passenger's seat offered only four-way power adjustment, and the sticky leather upholstery made entering and exiting the car harder.

Rear seat comfort was good, with plenty of legroom, foot room, and headroom. Interior storage was reasonable, with door panel trays and bins, a large tray forward of the transmission shifter, and a good-sized storage bin under the center armrest. The Altima's trunk measured 15.4 cubic feet, smaller than some competitors, but usefully shaped. However, there was no grip or handle to close the lid without getting fingertips dirty.

The 2022 Audi A4 featured the next-generation MIB3 version of Audi Multi-Media Interface (MMI) with a 10.1-inch touchscreen display. The screen supported common fingertip smartphone functions and offered acoustic feedback. Features included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM satellite radio, Audi Connect connected services, navigation, wireless smartphone charging, and a 19-speaker Bang & Olufsen premium audio system.

The MMI was easy to configure and use, with an intuitive user experience. The voice recognition technology was accurate but slow to respond. The Bang & Olufsen stereo was satisfying, though sound quality degraded at high volumes. The test car also had a head-up display, but it was hard to see with polarized sunglasses.

The 2023 Nissan Altima's base S trim had a radio with a 5-inch display, Bluetooth, and a hands-free text messaging assistant. The SV and SR trims featured an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wired Apple CarPlay, wired Android Auto, and SiriusXM satellite radio. The new 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system, available with SV and SR trims and standard with SL and SR VC-Turbo trims, offered navigation, wireless Apple CarPlay, wired Android Auto, a Wi-Fi hotspot, and a wireless smartphone charging pad.

The 12.3-inch touchscreen setup included NissanConnect Services, remote engine starting, Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant compatibility, and an SOS calling button. The Bose nine-speaker premium audio system performed well for some types of music but not others. The new 12.3-inch infotainment system represented a significant improvement, with a superior user interface and more appealing graphics. The voice recognition technology was effective, though it couldn't adjust the climate system.

The 2022 Audi A4's safety features were stair-stepped based on the trim level. The Prestige model included front and rear collision preparation, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, lane-centering assist, adaptive cruise control with Traffic Jam Assist, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, a safe exit warning system, a surround-view camera system, and Park Assist. The Matrix-design LED headlights with automatic high-beam operation were also included.

The driver assistance tech was effective and non-intrusive, though the adaptive cruise control had a delayed reaction in some situations. The A4 received a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and a five-star overall rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

The 2023 Nissan Altima's standard safety features included forward-collision warning with pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and a driver monitoring system. The lane-departure warning system used a helpful vibration through the steering wheel, and the blind-spot monitoring system employed a light on the trim near the windshield pillar. The Altima also had a rear-seat reminder system and an Easy Fill Tire Alert.

The Altima SV added a rear automatic braking system, while the Altima SR included automatic high-beam headlights. ProPilot Assist, optional with SV trim and standard on the Altima SL and SR VC-Turbo, added adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and lane-centering assist. The SL and SR VC-Turbo had a surround-view camera system to help with reversing.

The Altima received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA, including a five-star rollover resistance rating. However, the front passenger frontal impact safety rating was four stars. The IIHS awarded the 2023 Altima a Top Safety Pick+ for the 2022 calendar year, though the updated side-impact test resulted in a Poor rating.