2023 Nissan Altima vs 2023 Chrysler 300

The 2023 Nissan Altima continued Nissan's legacy 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 its visual appeal, though 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. However, the variable-compression turbocharged engine was exclusive to the U.S. market. Despite its stylish exterior, the Altima's interior was a mix of appealing design and hard plastics, with simulated wood trim that didn't quite convince.

The 2023 Chrysler 300, introduced in 2005, was often compared to a Bentley due to its bold design and stately proportions. Over the years, it underwent significant updates, yet retained its classic styling. For its final production year, the 300 was available in Touring, Touring L, 300S, and 300C trims. The 300C, limited to 2,000 units, featured a powerful V8 engine and rear-wheel drive. Despite its aging platform, the 300 maintained a strong visual presence with blacked-out appearances and large 20-inch wheels. While the exterior promised luxury, the interior quality didn't quite match, though the 300C offered premium features like carbon-fibre trim and Laguna leather upholstery. The 300's pricing was relatively affordable, with the 300C representing a performance bargain.

The 2023 Nissan Altima in Canada was powered by a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine, producing 182 horsepower and 178 lb-ft of torque, paired with a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). The standard all-wheel-drive 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 included paddle shifters for added 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. Our test vehicle averaged 8.6 L/100 km. The Altima's ride was firm, and rough roads produced noise, while rear visibility was poor, necessitating reliance on the reversing camera.

The 2023 Chrysler 300C revived the spirit of the 300 SRT with a 6.4-litre Hemi V8 engine, delivering 485 horsepower and 475 lb-ft of torque. Power was sent to the rear wheels through an eight-speed automatic transmission with a Sport mode and paddle shifters. Chrysler claimed a 4.5-second sprint to 100 km/h and a top speed of 257 km/h. The 300C featured an adaptive damping suspension, Brembo brakes, and performance tires. Driving modes allowed customization of drivetrain response, steering effort, suspension firmness, and exhaust sound. The 300C's performance was thrilling, with a Germanic sensation in ride and handling. However, cabin noise and fuel economy were trade-offs, with an average of 13.4 L/100 km.

The 2023 Nissan Altima offered a straightforward and comfortable interior, with controls laid out logically and Zero Gravity seats providing exceptional comfort. The test vehicle 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 challenging. Rear seat comfort was good, with ample legroom and headroom. Interior storage was reasonable, though the trunk's 437-litre capacity was smaller than some competitors. The trunk lacked a handle for easy closing, and the floor mats' design was problematic.

The 2023 Chrysler 300, while technically a full-size car, felt spacious only in the front seats. The 300C's front seats offered premium Laguna leather, heating, and ventilation. Rear seats were less comfortable, with hard plastic front seatbacks and a slouch-promoting backrest angle. Storage space was limited, lacking modern smartphone accommodations. The trunk offered a generous 461-litre capacity with enclosed lid hinges. Heated and cooled front cupholders were a highlight, though a heated steering wheel was unavailable.

The 2023 Nissan Altima in Canada came with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, offering Bluetooth, wired Apple CarPlay, wired Android Auto, and SiriusXM satellite radio. A new 12.3-inch touchscreen was available on higher trims, featuring navigation, wireless Apple CarPlay, and a wireless charging pad. The Bose nine-speaker audio system was hit-and-miss, but the new infotainment system was a significant improvement, with a superior user interface and voice recognition.

The 2023 Chrysler 300 featured the previous-generation Uconnect infotainment system with an 8.4-inch touchscreen. It offered Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, SiriusXM radio, and Guardian connected services. The system's graphics were dated, but it delivered on the basics. The 300C included an SRT Dashboard for performance tracking. Volume and tuning controls were conveniently located, and the Harman Kardon audio system provided a bass-heavy experience. A speed warning feature was helpful, though a surround-view camera system was absent.

The 2023 Nissan Altima came with the Nissan Safety Shield 360 suite, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, blind-spot monitoring, and more. ProPilot Assist was available on higher trims, offering adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping assist. The Altima received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ from the IIHS, though it scored poorly in the updated side-impact test.

The 2023 Chrysler 300 offered limited standard safety features, with most advanced technologies optional. The SafetyTec Plus Group included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and more. The adaptive cruise control system was basic, and the lane-keeping assist was non-intrusive. The 300's crash-test ratings were outdated, with a Marginal rating in the IIHS moderate-overlap frontal-impact test and Poor headlight performance.