2023 Honda Accord vs 2022 Nissan Altima

The 2022 Nissan Altima traced its design roots to a sportier look introduced in its third generation back in 2002. The sixth-generation Altima maintained this sharp, sporty appeal with a striking V-Motion grille and low, wide stance. The floating roofline, while creative, seemed a bit unnecessary and potentially confusing. Nevertheless, the Midnight Edition package, with its blacked-out elements, enhanced the Altima's aggressive and sophisticated look. Interior highlights included Zero Gravity front seats, which provided comfort, and an intuitive layout with high-quality materials. However, material quality varied considerably by trim level, making lower trims feel less premium.

The 2023 Honda Accord, in contrast, adopted a more technical and modern yet conservative design. Gone were the shiny chrome elements, replaced by a subdued aesthetic that some might find less captivating than the 2018-2022 model. The Canyon River Blue paint on our test car received positive feedback, and the pewter wheel finish on the EX trim struck a nice balance between the less interesting LX wheels and the overly blacked-out variants. Inside, the Accord EX featured durable cloth seats with contrast stitching and a sleek metal mesh dashboard trim. Digital instrumentation paired neatly with the touchscreen infotainment system, exuding a sense of modernity and refinement.

The 2022 Nissan Altima offered two engine choices: a 2.5-liter naturally aspirated four-cylinder engine delivering 188 horsepower and 180 pound-feet of torque, and a technologically advanced 2.0-liter variable-compression turbo (VC-Turbo) engine with 248 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of torque. The latter's ability to adjust compression ratios for performance and efficiency made it compelling, although it was only available with FWD on the SR trim. The base engine's performance was underwhelming, with mediocre acceleration and noticeable engine noise. However, the Altima's outstanding suspension and quiet cabin significantly enhanced the driving experience.

The 2023 Honda Accord LX and EX came equipped with a turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 192 horsepower and 192 pound-feet of torque. The CVT was unobtrusive during everyday driving and included programmed ratio changes to emulate traditional automatic transmission sounds under hard acceleration. However, the lack of all-wheel drive options was a notable omission. The Accord's responsive steering, well-balanced suspension, and ventilated front brakes provided an engaging and enjoyable driving experience, especially on twisty roads. Although the tires on the EX trim occasionally felt strained, the overall performance was commendable.

The 2022 Nissan Altima provided comfortable seating for four adults, though five could manage short distances. The back seat offered easy accessibility, and the trunk held a respectable 15.4 cubic feet. Among its competitors, the Altima's dimensions occupied a middle ground, though it boasted the largest fuel tank capacity at 16.2 gallons. However, rear visibility was compromised by the high rear shelf and sloping roofline, making it challenging to see behind. The trunk's metal bar supports required careful packing to avoid crushing contents when closing the lid.

The 2023 Honda Accord EX added several conveniences over the LX trim, including a power-adjustable driver’s seat, heated front seats, and a split-folding rear seat. The sunroof, while a popular feature, lacked practical alternatives like rear air conditioning vents and USB charging ports. Rear passengers enjoyed ample legroom and excellent seat support, though they might miss additional amenities. The Accord's 16.7 cubic-foot trunk provided generous cargo space, easily accommodating full-size suitcases, and featured a self-opening lid for convenience. However, the plastic sides of the center console could be uncomfortable for the driver.

The 2022 Nissan Altima's tech offerings varied by trim. The base S trim came with a basic 5-inch display and 7-inch touchscreen, while higher trims featured an 8-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The SL trim added a nine-speaker Bose system and navigation, and the SR VC-Turbo trim offered advanced noise cancellation. ProPilot Assist, available on upper trims, provided semi-autonomous driving capabilities, including automatic acceleration, steering, and braking. Our test vehicle, equipped with mid-range tech, performed well, handling voice commands and Apple CarPlay seamlessly.

The 2023 Honda Accord LX and EX featured a 10.2-inch digital instrument cluster and a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system. Standard tech included Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and HondaLink connected services. The EX trim also offered a decent eight-speaker audio system. However, SiriusXM satellite radio was not included, requiring alternative streaming options like Pandora. Honda's straightforward physical controls for the infotainment system were user-friendly, though the misplacement of function buttons could be confusing. Overall, the tech package felt basic but reliable for everyday use.

The 2022 Nissan Altima came well-equipped with safety features, including automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane-departure warning, and forward-collision warning as standard across all trims. Higher trims added Nissan's Safety Shield 360 suite, which included rear automatic braking, blind-spot warning, and rear cross-traffic alert. The Altima received top safety ratings from the NHTSA and IIHS, including a "Top Safety Pick+" designation and excellent crashworthiness scores.

The 2023 Honda Accord featured the Honda Sensing suite of advanced safety systems, including adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keeping assist. The EX trim offered an optional safety package with blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. The Honda Sensing suite performed reliably, though the lane-departure warning could benefit from a tactile indication like steering wheel vibration. The Accord also earned a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS, ensuring excellent crash protection.