2023 Acura TLX vs 2023 Nissan Altima

The 2023 Nissan Altima continued Nissan's long-standing tradition in the family car segment, building on over 50 years of experience. With the Maxima's impending discontinuation, the Altima aimed to fill the gap with its updated front styling, featuring a revised grille and new wheel designs. The higher trim levels, equipped with 19-inch wheels, enhanced the Altima's visual appeal, although the wheels' flush design made them susceptible to damage. In Canada, the Altima was available in four trims: S, SR, SR Premium, and Platinum, and it stood out as the only mid-size sedan offering standard all-wheel drive (AWD). However, the variable-compression turbocharged engine was exclusive to the U.S. market. The Altima's interior, while visually appealing, was marred by hard plastics, though the new double-stitched seams provided a touch of sophistication.

The 2023 Acura TLX faced challenges due to the consumer shift towards SUVs and supply chain constraints. Despite these hurdles, the TLX remained a rare sight on the road. The TLX Type S, with its striking Tiger Eye Pearl paint and performance enhancements, was priced at approximately $67,500 in Canada. The TLX's design, inspired by a concept vehicle, featured a long, low, and lean profile, though this impacted rear-seat headroom and cargo space. Inside, the TLX's layered dashboard emphasized width, but the control layout required a learning curve. The Type S model, with its turbocharged V6 engine and Super Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD), offered a thrilling driving experience, though the brake-by-wire system left room for improvement.

The 2023 Nissan Altima in Canada was equipped with a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine producing 182 horsepower and 178 pound-feet of torque, paired with a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). The AWD system could deliver 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 featured paddle shifters for added driver engagement. Fuel economy ratings were 9.1 L/100 km in the city, 6.5 on the highway, and 7.9 combined for the base trim. The Altima's ride was firm, and road noise was noticeable at highway speeds. Rear visibility was poor, necessitating reliance on the reversing camera and rear cross-traffic alert system. In mountainous terrain, the Altima displayed commendable grip, though the steering felt lifeless.

The 2023 Acura TLX offered a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine with 272 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission and standard SH-AWD in Canada. The TLX's fuel economy was rated at 11.3 L/100 km in the city, 8.1 on the highway, and 9.8 combined. The TLX's SH-AWD system provided mechanical torque vectoring, enhancing power, grip, and control. The Type S model featured a turbocharged 3.0-litre V6 engine with 355 horsepower and 354 pound-feet of torque, along with performance enhancements like adaptive dampers and Brembo brakes. The Type S could accelerate to 60 mph in five seconds and had a top speed of 250 km/h. Fuel efficiency for the Type S was 12.3 L/100 km in the city, 9.4 on the highway, and 11.0 combined. The TLX Type S offered an engaging driving experience, though the brake-by-wire system required adjustment.

The 2023 Nissan Altima's interior was straightforward and user-friendly, with controls laid out logically. The Zero Gravity seats provided exceptional comfort, though the leather upholstery was somewhat sticky. The Altima featured dual-zone automatic climate control, a power sunroof, heated front seats, and a heated steering wheel. However, the front passenger seat lacked height adjustment, making entry and exit challenging. Rear seat comfort was good, with ample legroom and headroom. Interior storage was reasonable, though the floor mats' design was problematic. The Altima's trunk offered 437 litres of cargo space, smaller than some competitors, but the space was well-shaped.

The 2023 Acura TLX Type S featured an Ebony interior with Milano leather and artificial suede inserts. The flat-bottom sport steering wheel and analog gauges added a sporty touch, though the low-contrast markings were challenging to read. The Type S offered 16-way power-adjustable front sport seats with heating and ventilation. Rear seat comfort was limited due to narrow doors and limited legroom. The TLX's trunk provided 382 litres of cargo space, more akin to a compact car, but the flat floor and enclosed hinges maximized usability.

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

The 2023 Acura TLX's True Touchpad Interface (TTI) infotainment system was a source of frustration. The 10.2-inch display was not touch-sensitive, requiring use of the TTI touchpad, steering wheel controls, and voice recognition. The TTI's one-to-one relationship with the display proved distracting. Standard features included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, SiriusXM, a wireless charging pad, and a 17-speaker ELS Studio 3D audio system. The TLX lacked wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, limiting its functionality.

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 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.

The 2023 Acura TLX included standard driver aids like forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and adaptive cruise control. The Type S added rain-sensing wipers and a surround-view camera. The TLX's Advanced Engineering Compatibility body structure and eight airbags contributed to its safety. The TLX received a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA, with a four-star rating for front passenger frontal impact safety.