2022 Honda Civic vs 2023 Nissan Altima

The 2022 Honda Civic sedan was available in familiar trim levels: LX, EX, Sport, and Touring. In Canada, the pricing started at an MSRP of $24,465 for the LX and went up to $30,265 for the Touring, excluding a $1,700 destination charge. The Civic Touring, our primary evaluation vehicle, was finished in the extra-cost Morning Mist Blue, which added $300 to the price, bringing it to $32,396, including destination charges. The Civic Sport, with its Platinum White Pearl paint and Honda Performance Development appearance package, was estimated at $31,467 in Canada. The redesigned 2022 Civic had a more conservative and plain appearance compared to its predecessor, resembling the larger Accord sedan. The interior featured a minimalistic design with improved materials, especially in the Touring trim, reflecting a more mature look.

The 2023 Nissan Altima, with its updated front styling and new wheel designs, aimed to maintain its presence in the family car segment. In Canada, the Altima was offered in four trims: S, SR, SR Premium, and Platinum, with prices ranging from $31,198 to $37,398, excluding a $1,855 destination charge. The Altima stood out as the only mid-size sedan in Canada with standard all-wheel drive. The interior, while appealing, had its share of hard plastics, and the new simulated wood dashboard trim was not entirely convincing. The Altima's stylish alloy wheels, though visually appealing, were vulnerable to curb rash. Despite these drawbacks, the Altima's interior was comfortable, with Nissan's Zero Gravity seats providing exceptional support.

The 2022 Honda Civic offered two engine options: a 2.0-litre DOHC four-cylinder engine with 158 horsepower and 138 lb-ft of torque for the LX, EX, and Sport trims, and a turbocharged 1.5-litre DOHC four-cylinder engine with 180 horsepower and 177 lb-ft of torque for the Touring trim. Both engines were paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT), featuring new Step Shift programming for a more traditional automatic feel. The Civic's handling was enjoyable, with improved structural rigidity and suspension tuning. However, the Civic Touring's fuel efficiency fell short of expectations, averaging 7.7 litres per 100 kilometres on a 150-kilometre loop.

The 2023 Nissan Altima, equipped with a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine producing 182 horsepower and 178 lb-ft of torque, was paired with a CVT. The standard all-wheel-drive system could deliver up to half of the engine's output to the rear wheels. The Altima's fuel economy ratings were 9.1 litres per 100 kilometres in the city, 6.5 on the highway, and 7.9 combined for the base trim. Our test vehicle averaged 8.6 L/100 km. The Altima's performance was adequate, but the ride was firm, and road noise was noticeable at highway speeds. The steering was lifeless, and the brakes showed signs of heating up during testing.

The 2022 Honda Civic's interior was redesigned for improved comfort, with better front seat support and a power-adjustable driver's seat in the Touring trim. The back seat offered more legroom than most in the segment, but the lack of air conditioning vents was a notable oversight. The trunk provided 419 litres of cargo space, or 408 litres in the Touring trim due to the premium sound system components. The new centre console had less storage space but more accessible cupholders.

The 2023 Nissan Altima's interior was simple and easy to use, with controls laid out logically. The Zero Gravity seats were exceptionally comfortable, though the sticky leather upholstery was a minor drawback. The Altima featured dual-zone automatic climate control, a power sunroof, and heated front seats. However, the front passenger's seat lacked a height adjuster, making entry and exit more challenging. The trunk offered 437 litres of cargo space, but the lack of a grip or handle made closing the lid difficult.

The 2022 Honda Civic featured digital instrumentation, with a 10-inch display in the Touring trim offering greater customization and a Vehicle Activity display. The infotainment system included a 7-inch touchscreen with Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto, while the Touring trim added a 9-inch touchscreen with wireless connectivity and a 12-speaker Bose audio system. The voice recognition technology was a significant improvement over the previous generation.

The 2023 Nissan Altima came with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, including Bluetooth, wired Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The SR Premium and Platinum trims offered a 12.3-inch touchscreen with navigation, wireless Apple CarPlay, and a wireless smartphone charging pad. The Bose nine-speaker audio system was available with these trims, though its performance varied. The new infotainment system represented a significant improvement, with a superior user interface and voice recognition technology.

The 2022 Honda Civic featured the upgraded Honda Sensing suite, including Traffic Jam Assist, adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keeping assist. The Civic also had a proper blind-spot warning system and rear cross-traffic alert. The vehicle's architecture was stronger, with new airbag designs and rear side-impact airbags. A rear-seat reminder system was standard.

The 2023 Nissan Altima included the Nissan Safety Shield 360 suite, with forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. ProPilot Assist, available on SR Premium and Platinum 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.