2023 Subaru WRX vs 2022 Nissan Altima

The 2022 Nissan Altima had evolved significantly since its inception in 1993. Initially characterized by its bland, rounded styling, the Altima underwent a transformation with its third generation in 2002, adopting a sportier and sharper look. By 2022, the sixth-generation Altima continued this trend, featuring a distinctive V-Motion grille, a low and wide stance, and a sharply sloped "floating" roofline. The SR Midnight Edition, with its gloss black accents and Gun Metallic paint, further enhanced the Altima's sporty appearance, making it one of the more appealing "black-out" packages available. Inside, the Altima boasted comfortable Zero Gravity front seats and a well-organized instrument panel, though the quality varied across trim levels.

The 2023 Subaru WRX, no longer sharing its design with the Impreza, presented a unique and aggressive exterior. It featured a wide-body look with box fender flares and body cladding reminiscent of the Subaru Crosstrek and Outback. The WRX retained its signature hood scoop, functional for feeding air to the intercooler. While the WRX's styling was bold and performance-oriented, it maintained Subaru's design language. Inside, the WRX offered a basic yet durable interior, with the top Sport-Tech trim featuring Ultrasuede upholstery and red stitching. However, the absence of Recaro Performance Design seats in Canada was a notable omission.

The 2022 Nissan Altima, available in Canada with a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine, delivered 188 horsepower and 180 pound-feet of torque. While the engine's performance was modest, the inclusion of standard all-wheel drive was a standout feature for a midsize sedan. The Altima's Xtronic CVT, paired with paddle shifters on the SR trim, provided a smooth ride, though acceleration was uninspiring. The Altima excelled in ride comfort and cabin quietness, thanks to its Active Ride Control and refined suspension.

The 2023 Subaru WRX, powered by a 2.4-litre turbocharged four-cylinder boxer engine, produced 271 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque. This placed it between competitors like the Volkswagen Golf GTI and Golf R. The WRX offered a choice between a 6-speed manual transmission and the Subaru Performance Transmission (SPT) CVT. The SPT/CVT provided quick throttle responses, though the simulated shift shock was unnecessary. The WRX's AWD system and summer tires contributed to its confident handling, but the driving experience felt muted, lacking the exuberance expected from a performance car.

The 2022 Nissan Altima, as a midsize sedan, offered comfortable seating for four adults and a spacious trunk with 437 litres of cargo capacity. While it didn't excel in any particular dimension compared to competitors, it provided a balanced package. However, rear visibility was compromised by the high rear shelf and sloping roofline. The trunk's metal bar supports required careful packing to avoid crushing items.

The 2023 Subaru WRX, as a compact sedan, provided practicality with slightly more front headroom and legroom than the Honda Civic Si. Its 354-litre trunk was smaller than some competitors, but the 60/40 split-folding rear seat added versatility. The WRX excelled in outward visibility, thanks to low window-sill lines and thin roof pillars. However, the lack of a suitable phone storage area was a surprising ergonomic flaw.

The 2022 Nissan Altima featured a 7-inch advanced drive-assist display and an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The SR trim added navigation and remote engine start, while the Platinum trim offered a Bose premium audio system. ProPilot Assist, available on higher trims, provided advanced driver assistance features, enhancing safety and convenience.

The 2023 Subaru WRX came with the Subaru Starlink infotainment system, offering Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration. Base models had dual 7-inch touchscreens, while higher trims featured an 11.6-inch portrait-oriented touchscreen. The larger screen was appreciated for its readability, though physical controls were missed. The top Sport-Tech trim included an 11-speaker Harman Kardon audio system, though SiriusXM took time to load.

The 2022 Nissan Altima was equipped with a comprehensive suite of standard safety features, including automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and blind spot monitoring. It received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA and a "Top Safety Pick+" designation from the IIHS, with high ratings in crash tests and crash avoidance.

The 2023 Subaru WRX offered Subaru's EyeSight driver assist technology, available with the CVT, which included adaptive cruise control and automatic emergency braking. Additional safety features included blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. The WRX received top "Good" scores in IIHS crash tests and a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA.