2023 Nissan Altima vs 2022 Mercedes-Benz S-Class

The 2022 Mercedes-Benz S-Class retained its stunning design from the previous year, continuing to impress with its sleek and elegant appearance. Despite the growing popularity of SUVs, the S-Class stood as a testament to the enduring appeal of luxury sedans. Its lineage traced back to the 1954 "Ponton" models, and the 2022 version, part of the seventh generation, maintained its status as Mercedes-Benz's flagship sedan. The exterior was characterized by a long, low profile, with a significant distance between the front axle and dashboard, adding to its elegance. Inside, the S-Class featured a luxurious cabin with high-quality materials, highlighted by a 12.8-inch touchscreen and a separate 12.3-inch digital instrument panel, offering a sophisticated and functional design.

The 2023 Nissan Altima, building on a legacy that included the Datsun 510 and Nissan Stanza, aimed to continue its presence in the family car market. The updated front styling and new wheel designs enhanced its visual appeal, especially in higher trims with 19-inch wheels. However, the wheels' flush design made them susceptible to curb damage. In Canada, the Altima offered four trims, with standard all-wheel drive, a unique feature in its class. The interior, while featuring some hard plastics, was comfortable and user-friendly, with Nissan's Zero Gravity seats providing exceptional comfort. The Altima's design updates and features aimed to keep it competitive in the mid-size sedan segment.

The 2022 Mercedes-Benz S-Class was designed for both executive commuting and weekend driving pleasure. The S500 model featured a turbocharged 3.0-litre inline-six-cylinder engine with EQ Boost, providing 429 horsepower and 384 lb-ft of torque, with an additional 21 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque from the electric motor. The S580 model offered a twin-turbocharged 4.0-litre V8 engine, also with EQ Boost. Both models used a nine-speed automatic transmission and standard 4Matic AWD. Despite their weight, the S500 and S580 were quick, with 0-100 km/h times of 4.9 and 4.4 seconds, respectively. The S-Class delivered a smooth and responsive driving experience, with fuel consumption rated at 11.4 L/100 km city/8.0 highway/9.9 combined for the S500 and 14.3 L/100 km city/9.5 highway/12.2 combined for the S580.

The 2023 Nissan Altima in Canada came with a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine, producing 182 horsepower and 178 lb-ft of torque, paired with a CVT. The AWD system could send up to half of the engine's output to the rear wheels. The Altima's performance was adequate, with torque arriving at 3,600 rpm. The CVT was programmed to mimic a traditional automatic transmission, and the SR Premium trim included paddle shifters for added engagement. Fuel economy ratings were 9.1 L/100 km city, 6.5 highway, and 7.9 combined for the base trim, with the SR, SR Premium, and Platinum trims slightly higher. The Altima's ride was firm, with some noise at highway speeds, and its steering lacked engagement. The brakes, while feeling good underfoot, showed signs of heating up under certain conditions.

The 2022 Mercedes-Benz S-Class excelled as an executive sedan, offering a spacious and comfortable cabin with luxury features. Second-row passengers enjoyed powered sun blinds and a Panorama Sunroof, while the 510-litre trunk provided ample storage. The cabin included six USB-C ports and a 115-volt power supply. The front seats featured rapid-heating active multicontour seats with memory and lumbar support, with options for ventilated seats and rear-seat heating. The Executive Rear Seating package in the S580 catered to chauffeured passengers with reclining seats and additional controls. The S-Class's soft-close doors added convenience, and the vehicle was covered by a four-year/80,000-kilometre warranty.

The 2023 Nissan Altima offered a straightforward and comfortable interior, with controls laid out logically and clear analog gauges. The Zero Gravity seats provided exceptional comfort, though the leather upholstery could be sticky. The Altima 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, making entry and exit more challenging. Rear seat comfort was good, with ample legroom and headroom, though the seatbelt buckle anchor could be uncomfortable. Interior storage was reasonable, with door panel trays and a centre armrest bin. The 437-litre trunk was smaller than some competitors but usefully shaped.

The 2022 Mercedes-Benz S-Class was equipped with cutting-edge technology, featuring a 12.8-inch OLED touchscreen with the latest MBUX infotainment system. The OLED screen offered superior image quality and energy efficiency, with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The 12.3-inch LED virtual instrument panel provided crisp imagery, with an optional 3D instrument cluster adding depth. The augmented video for navigation and available augmented reality HUD enhanced the driving experience. The Burmester 3D Surround sound system delivered high-fidelity audio, with an optional 4D system adding headrest speakers. The S-Class also featured EQ Boost and rear-axle steering for improved performance and maneuverability.

The 2023 Nissan Altima in Canada came with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, including Bluetooth, wired Apple CarPlay, wired Android Auto, and SiriusXM satellite radio. A new 12.3-inch touchscreen was available on higher trims, offering navigation, wireless Apple CarPlay, and a wireless charging pad. NissanConnect Services required a subscription, providing remote engine start and SOS calling. The Bose nine-speaker audio system was available on SR Premium and Platinum trims, performing well for some music types. The new infotainment system represented a significant improvement, with a better user interface and voice recognition, though climate control adjustments were not voice-activated.

The 2022 Mercedes-Benz S-Class was equipped with a comprehensive suite of safety and driver assistance features. Magic Vision Control optimized windshield spray, while driver assistance included adaptive cruise control, active steering assist, and active brake assist. The Pre-Safe systems prepared the vehicle for imminent collisions, and car-to-x communication shared road condition warnings. Rear-passenger airbags and seat belt bags were available for added safety.

The 2023 Nissan Altima featured the Nissan Safety Shield 360 suite, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. ProPilot Assist, available on higher trims, added adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping assist. The Altima received a five-star overall rating from NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ from IIHS, though it received a Poor rating in the updated side-impact test.