2023 Nissan Altima vs 2023 Mercedes-Benz S-Class

The 2023 Mercedes-Benz S-Class continued to impress with its elegant design and luxurious features. The S 580e model, with its plug-in hybrid powertrain and 4Matic all-wheel drive, showcased a blend of sophistication and modernity. The exterior, enhanced with optional high-gloss black trim and 20-inch AMG wheels, maintained a refined appearance, while the interior offered a choice of 15 leather upholstery colours and five trim materials. The panoramic sunroof and superb fit and finish added to the opulence, making it a haven of comfort with its soft headrests and sumptuous leather.

In contrast, the 2023 Nissan Altima aimed to maintain its presence in the family car segment with updated styling and practicality. The revised grille design and new wheel options, especially the 19-inch wheels on higher trims, gave the Altima a more assertive look. Despite the stylish appearance, the wheels were prone to damage due to their flush design. The Altima's interior, while functional and comfortable, was marred by hard plastics and a simulated wood dashboard trim. However, the Zero Gravity seats provided exceptional comfort, and the layout of controls was intuitive and user-friendly.

The 2023 Mercedes-Benz S-Class S 580e combined a 3.0-litre turbocharged inline-six engine with a 28.6-kWh battery and electric motor, delivering 510 horsepower and 553 lb-ft of torque. It offered an impressive 90 kilometres of all-electric range and a combined fuel efficiency rating of 4.6 Le/100 km, which testers managed to improve to 4.4 Le/100 km. The S 580e accelerated from 0 to 100 km/h in about 4.4 seconds, matching the performance of the S 580 with its twin-turbo V8. The air suspension provided a smooth ride, and rear-wheel steering enhanced manoeuvrability. The nine-speed automatic transmission offered seamless shifts, though a slight jerk was noted when downshifting to first gear.

The 2023 Nissan Altima, equipped with a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine and CVT, produced 182 horsepower and 178 lb-ft of torque. The AWD system distributed power effectively, but the performance was deemed adequate. The CVT mimicked a traditional automatic transmission, and paddle shifters on the SR Premium trim 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 tester averaging 8.6 L/100 km. The Altima's ride was firm, and road noise was noticeable at highway speeds. The steering lacked feedback, and the brakes showed signs of overheating during testing.

The 2023 Mercedes-Benz S-Class was packed with luxury features, including massaging, heated, and ventilated seats, a heated steering wheel, and soft-closing doors. Ambient lighting with 64 colours and the Energizing Comfort wellness program added to the opulence. However, the trunk space was limited to 350 litres, less than the standard S-Class's 550 litres. Interior storage was ample, with various cubbies and a spacious centre armrest.

The 2023 Nissan Altima offered a straightforward and comfortable interior, with controls laid out logically. The Zero Gravity seats were exceptionally comfortable, though the leather upholstery was somewhat sticky. The Altima featured dual-zone climate control, a power sunroof, and heated front seats. However, the front passenger seat lacked height adjustment, and the floor mats were difficult to remove. The trunk provided 437 litres of cargo space, smaller than some competitors, but the shape was practical for storage.

The 2023 Mercedes-Benz S-Class featured a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster and a 12.8-inch OLED touchscreen with the MBUX infotainment system. The system included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a native navigation system with augmented reality, and a variety of games. The Burmester sound system provided excellent audio quality, and USB-C ports were available for charging.

The 2023 Nissan Altima came with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, offering Bluetooth, wired Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The SR Premium and Platinum trims featured a 12.3-inch touchscreen with navigation, wireless Apple CarPlay, and NissanConnect Services. The Bose nine-speaker audio system was available, though performance varied. The new infotainment system was a significant improvement, with a better user interface and voice recognition.

The 2023 Mercedes-Benz S-Class was equipped with a comprehensive suite of ADAS features, including lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, and automatic emergency braking. The hands-on highway driver-assist system used adaptive cruise control and lane-centring technology. Crosswind Assist and Speed Limit Assist added to the safety features, though rear cross-traffic alert was an extra-cost option in Canada. Crash test ratings were not available for the S-Class.

The 2023 Nissan Altima included the Nissan Safety Shield 360 suite, with forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and blind-spot monitoring. ProPilot Assist, available on SR Premium and Platinum trims, added adaptive cruise control and lane-centring assist. The Altima received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ from the IIHS, though it received a Poor rating in the updated side-impact test.