2022 Nissan Altima vs 2023 Nissan Versa

The 2022 Nissan Altima had evolved significantly since its inception, adopting a sportier and sharper design that continued into its sixth generation. Available in five trim levels, the Altima showcased Nissan's signature V-Motion grille and a low, wide stance with a sloped "floating" roofline. The Midnight Edition package added a gloss black sport grille, 19-inch wheels, and other blacked-out features, enhancing its sporty appeal. Inside, the Altima offered comfortable Zero Gravity front seats and a well-organized instrument panel, though the quality varied across trims.

The 2023 Nissan Versa borrowed design elements from its larger siblings, the Sentra and Altima, giving it a more upscale appearance. It featured a sleek profile and a prominent V-Motion grille, with wheel options ranging from 15 to 17 inches. The Versa received styling updates, including a new front end and wheel design for the SR trim. Inside, the Versa's creative design included large air vents and a dashboard that wrapped around the central touchscreen. While mostly plastic, the fit and finish were commendable, and the SR trim added red stitching and upholstery inserts for a touch of flair.

The 2022 Nissan Altima offered two four-cylinder engine options: a 2.5-liter engine with 188 horsepower and a 2.0-liter VC-Turbo engine producing 248 horsepower. The base engine was available with FWD or AWD, while the VC-Turbo was limited to the SR trim with FWD. Both engines featured direct injection and were paired with a CVT. The VC-Turbo engine could adjust its compression ratio for performance or efficiency, offering power comparable to some V6 engines. However, the base engine's performance was lackluster, with mediocre acceleration and noticeable engine noise. Despite this, the Altima impressed with its smooth ride and quiet cabin.

The 2023 Nissan Versa was powered by a 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine producing 122 horsepower and 114 pound-feet of torque, paired with FWD. The base Versa S came with a five-speed manual transmission, while a CVT was optional on the S and standard on the SV and SR trims. The Versa's performance was satisfactory, with the CVT providing adequate responsiveness. Handling was characterized by body roll but also impressive grip, making it a nimble and pleasant commuter. The Versa delivered a comfortable ride, with a suspension that absorbed bumps well and a surprisingly quiet cabin.

The 2022 Nissan Altima served as a competent midsize sedan, offering comfortable seating for four to five passengers, easy-to-use controls, and a decent-sized trunk. Its dimensions placed it in the middle of its class, with a 15.4 cubic feet trunk and a 16.2-gallon fuel tank. However, rear visibility was compromised by a high rear shelf and sloping roofline. The trunk's metal bar supports could crush items if not packed carefully.

The 2023 Nissan Versa, available only as a sedan, offered 14.7 cubic feet of trunk space in the base S trim and 15 cubic feet in the SV and SR trims. It provided more cargo space than competitors like the Kia Rio and Mitsubishi Mirage G4. Front-seat occupants enjoyed more headroom and legroom than in rival sedans, though rear-seat space was less generous. The front row felt spacious, with good outward visibility, but storage for small items was limited. The shifter's raised platform looked stylish but wasn't the most efficient use of space.

The 2022 Nissan Altima's entry-level S trim featured a 5-inch multi-function display and a 7-inch touchscreen with Bluetooth connectivity. Higher trims offered an 8-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a nine-speaker Bose audio system, and navigation. Active noise cancellation and ProPilot Assist were available on select trims, enhancing the driving experience with advanced driver aids and noise reduction.

The 2023 Nissan Versa's base S trim included a 7-inch touchscreen, Bluetooth, and three USB ports. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were available with the S Plus Package or higher trims. The SV trim added a 7-inch driver information display and wireless charging, while the SR trim featured an 8-inch touchscreen, six-speaker audio, and Wi-Fi hotspot. Despite the tech features, the Versa's touchscreens were small, and the graphics appeared outdated. The digital instrument cluster added a touch of sophistication, displaying vital information alongside an analog speedometer.

The 2022 Nissan Altima came equipped with a robust suite of standard driver-assist technologies, including automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane-departure warning, and forward-collision warning. Higher trims added features like blind-spot warning and rear cross-traffic alert. The Altima received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA and a "Top Safety Pick+" designation from the IIHS, with high marks in crashworthiness and crash prevention.

The 2023 Nissan Versa also offered impressive standard driver-assist features for an entry-level model, including automatic emergency braking and lane-departure warning. The SV trim added blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert, while the SR trim included adaptive cruise control. The Versa received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA, though updated IIHS ratings were not available.