Mercedes-Benz E-Class vs Nissan Altima

The 2024 Nissan Altima, a nameplate that had been around since 1993, retained a familiar design by 2024, carried forward from its sixth generation introduced in 2019. In 2023, a new grille with an open-bottomed edge was added to give it a more imposing look. Despite these minor updates, the Altima remained a recognizable product. Available in four trim levels—S, SV, SR, and SL—most Altimas featured front-wheel drive (FWD), though the SV, SR, and SL also offered all-wheel drive (AWD). The SR trim could be ordered with the more powerful and technologically advanced VC-Turbo engine.

Nissan provided an Altima SL with AWD for review, which wore Garnet Pearl Metallic paint and 19-inch alloy wheels, lending it a pleasant if somewhat conservative appearance. Chrome door handles, chrome trim around the lower window sills, and gunmetal gray badging at the rear added subtle flair to the SL trim. LED projector headlights at the front and dual exhaust pipes, along with an optional rear spoiler, at the rear completed the look of this aging sedan.

Inside, the Altima felt somewhat outdated but had redeeming qualities. The soft yellow overhead lights and wooden trim evoked nostalgia for older generation cars. However, the seats were notably comfortable—soft yet supportive. A wireless phone charger (optional on the SV and SR, unavailable on the S) sat ahead of a traditional PRNDL shifter. Cupholders and storage cubbies were within easy reach from the driver's seat. Unfortunately, the front-passenger seat offered only four-way adjustment, and the leather upholstery in the SL trim seemed underwhelming in quality, with cheap plastics scattered throughout the cabin. Yet, frequently touched points like the steering wheel and shift knob felt premium.

Comparatively, the redesigned 2024 Mercedes-Benz E-Class exuded a more timeless elegance with modern sophistication. It eschewed the cold and technical aesthetic of many modern vehicles for long hood and short deck proportions, softened curves, cleanly penned flanks, and bold detailing. The new E-Class added distinctive touches like a star-map grille texture, star-shaped taillight illumination, a chrome sweep defining the roofline, and various expressive wheel designs.

From its initial sale, the E-Class was available in E 350 4Matic and E 450 4Matic models in a sedan body style. Starting at $62,300 plus a destination charge of $1,150, it offered reasonable value considering its standard equipment. However, most advanced features required additional option packages related to comfort, technology, and safety. The test car, an E 350 4Matic, was heavily equipped, lacking only a few extras and the Multicontour Seating Package. The MSRP for the test vehicle totaled $82,450, including the destination charge.

With its extensive options, the interior of the reviewed E 350 dripped in luxury and technology. It boasted Tonka Brown Nappa leather upholstery and a Superscreen triple-display glass panel that stretched across the dashboard. Wood trim with aluminum inlays, an active ambient lighting system, and an interior design that blended classic luxury with high-tech modernism completed the opulent cabin.

The 2024 Nissan Altima's performance was grounded in its naturally aspirated, 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine which delivered adequate, if not thrilling, performance. With 182 horsepower and 178 pound-feet of torque, it accelerated from zero to 60 mph in about 7.5 seconds. The Altima SR VC-Turbo provided a more exhilarating option with a 2.0-liter VC-turbo four-cylinder engine generating 248 hp and 273 lb-ft of torque, albeit without an AWD option.

Tested in winter conditions in Boston, the review unit employed Nissan's "intelligent" AWD system. This system monitored wheel traction, delivering power (up to 50%) to the rear wheels when necessary without the fuel penalties of a full-time AWD system. As a result, the Altima managed an EPA-estimated 26 mpg city, 36 highway, and 30 combined. The VC-Turbo engine offered slightly lower fuel efficiency at 25 mpg city, 34 highway, and 29 combined for FWD models.

In terms of driving dynamics, the Altima’s steering was a bit light, yet its low center of gravity allowed for minimal body roll in corners. The brakes were predictable, with the CVT gearbox managing power output effectively, albeit with droning noise under all but the lightest acceleration.

The 2024 Mercedes-Benz E 350 4Matic came equipped with a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 255 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque, reaching 60 mph in 6.1 seconds. For those seeking more performance, the E 450 4Matic's turbocharged 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder engine offered 375 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque, hitting 60 mph in 4.4 seconds. Both models featured a nine-speed automatic transmission, 4Matic AWD, and a 48-volt mild-hybrid system aiding fuel economy and launch performance.

On the Southern California testing loop, the E 350 felt swift and comfortable though it missed fuel economy marks, achieving 23.8 mpg against the EPA's estimated 27 mpg. The optional Airmatic Package on the test vehicle contributed to a superior ride quality, filtering out road harshness despite the large 21-inch wheels and low-profile tires. The adaptive air suspension and rear-axle steering system glided smoothly over various road conditions, making it a consummate luxury car rather than a sports sedan.

The 2024 Nissan Altima offered impressive interior space, with front seats providing more room than the Honda Accord, Subaru Legacy, and Toyota Camry. However, it fell short of the Hyundai Sonata and Kia K5 in this regard. The rear seat provided 35.2 inches of legroom, surpassing the Sonata and matching the K5 but falling behind the Accord, Legacy, and Camry. The trunk offered 15.4 cubic feet of cargo space, outclassing the Legacy and Camry but less than the Korean models and the Accord. Despite its limitations, the Altima's layout and features, such as the 60/40-split folding rear seat and wide trunk-lid opening, made it easy to live with.

In comparison, the 2024 Mercedes-Benz E-Class promised a luxurious and tech-rich experience inside. However, entering and exiting the back seat could be tricky due to intrusive rear wheel wells. Once seated, passengers felt supported with decent legroom, although squeezing three people in the back was less comfortable. Storage was ample with large door pockets, a hidden center console bin, and a roomy bin under the split-top center armrest. The trunk's 19.1 cubic feet of capacity accommodated full-size suitcases stored on their sides and could expand with a 40/20/40-split folding rear seat. The E-Class trunk seemed more spacious, but the published capacity number appeared optimistic.

Most 2024 Altimas came with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, though the base S trim featured a 7-inch screen, and the test car had a 12.3-inch display. The 12.3-inch screen, standard on SL and SR VC-Turbo trims, stood out with crisp graphics and excellent resolution. It included static icons for easy navigation and a well-organized home screen. The system supported Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, though wireless versions were exclusive to the larger screen. The nine-speaker Bose stereo system, while better than the base six-speaker system, felt underwhelming. NissanConnect’s suite of telematics features added value, offering remote functionalities via the MyNissan app.

On the other hand, the 2024 Mercedes-Benz E-Class showcased advanced technology with the third-generation Mercedes Benz User Experience (MBUX) infotainment system. It combined a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation display with a larger 14.4-inch touchscreen in the dashboard's center. Configurable themes for instrumentation, augmented reality navigation, wireless smartphone integration, and a range of embedded apps enriched the experience. The Superscreen Package added a 12.3-inch touchscreen in front of the passenger, replacing wood trim with glass. The optional 17-speaker Burmester 4D surround-sound system was highly commendable.

The MBUX system supported up to 800 personalized settings, featured a digital voice assistant, and included artificial intelligence for learning driver preferences. Although this technology enhanced the driving experience, occasionally unsummoned activity from the digital assistant was slightly unsettling.

The 2024 Altima earned a five-star overall rating from NHTSA but only four stars in frontal crash tests. Previous models had obtained a Top Safety Pick+ from IIHS, but the 2024 Altima fell short due to poor side-impact test performance. Its suite of standard advanced driver assist systems (ADAS), branded Nissan Safety Shield 360, included forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear automatic braking, and lane-departure warning. Higher trims added features like a 360-degree monitor and traffic-sign recognition. ProPilot Assist, available on higher trims, provided semi-autonomous driving, merging adaptive cruise control and steering assistance.

The 2024 E-Class included numerous safety features, with the Driver Assistance Package adding 15 advanced technologies for $1,950. It enhanced pre-collision features and included Active Emergency Stop Assist, adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping, lane-centering, and lane-change systems. Despite some issues with lane-centering on curves, the package's Automatic Lane Change function proved useful, though it might be less trustworthy in dense, fast-moving traffic. The E-Class's features, such as Active Speed Limit Assist and Route-based Speed Adaptation, sometimes interfered unexpectedly but could be deactivated if needed. Overall, the ADAS systems were practical for daily driving situations.