2023 Nissan Altima vs 2023 Nissan Versa

The 2023 Nissan Altima continued Nissan's legacy in the family car segment with notable updates. It featured a refreshed front styling, a revised grille design, and new wheel designs, enhancing its visual appeal, especially in higher trims with 19-inch wheels. Despite the stylish appearance, the wheels on the Altima SL trim were prone to curb damage. The Altima SL, one of the upscale trims, offered a luxurious feel with options like all-wheel drive, though the interior had a mix of appealing elements and hard plastics. The new simulated wood dashboard trim and double-stitched seams added a touch of sophistication, but the overall interior reminded drivers of the Altima's competitive pricing.

The 2023 Nissan Versa adopted design cues from its larger siblings, the Sentra and Altima, giving it a more upscale appearance. The Versa's sleek profile and wide stance, along with the V-Motion grille, made it recognizable as a modern Nissan. For 2023, the Versa received styling updates, including a new front end and wheel design for the SR model. The interior showcased creativity with large air vents and an elaborate dashboard, providing character despite the economy car status. The SR trim added red stitching and upholstery inserts, enhancing the interior's appeal. The Versa's ride comfort and handling were impressive for an entry-level model, offering a more substantial feel than typical subcompact stereotypes.

The 2023 Nissan Altima offered a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine across most trims, delivering 188 horsepower in front-wheel-drive models and slightly less in all-wheel-drive versions. The CVT was programmed to mimic a traditional automatic transmission, and the SR trim included paddle shifters for added engagement. Fuel economy varied from 30 to 32 mpg, with the SL AWD averaging 27.4 mpg. The SR VC-Turbo trim provided a more powerful turbocharged engine, offering up to 248 horsepower with premium fuel. The Altima's ride was firm, with some noise at highway speeds, and rear visibility was limited. Despite its adequate performance, the Altima's driving dynamics were less engaging compared to rivals.

The 2023 Nissan Versa featured a 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine with 122 horsepower, paired with a five-speed manual or CVT, depending on the trim. The CVT-equipped Versa SR felt satisfactory in traffic, and the manual transmission likely offered better power utilization. The Versa's handling was characterized by body roll but maintained grip, providing a reassuring feel. The steering was responsive, and the ride comfort was notable for an entry-level model. The Versa's refinement and handling felt a class above its subcompact status, making daily commuting more pleasant.

The 2023 Nissan Altima's interior was straightforward and comfortable, with controls laid out logically. The Zero Gravity seats were exceptionally comfortable, though the leather upholstery was somewhat sticky. The Altima SL offered features like dual-zone climate control and a power sunroof, but the front passenger seat lacked height adjustment. Rear seat comfort was good, with ample legroom and headroom, though rear air vents were limited to higher trims. Interior storage was reasonable, but the trunk, at 15.4 cubic feet, was smaller than some competitors.

The 2023 Nissan Versa, available only as a sedan, offered 14.7 to 15 cubic feet of trunk space, depending on the trim. The Versa provided more cargo space than similar-sized competitors. Front-seat occupants enjoyed more headroom and legroom compared to rivals, though rear-seat space was less generous. The front row felt spacious, with good outward visibility. Storage for small items was limited, but the optional wireless charging pad was conveniently placed.

The 2023 Nissan Altima's base S trim had limited infotainment features, while SV and SR trims offered an 8-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. A new 12.3-inch touchscreen was available, providing navigation, wireless Apple CarPlay, and a Wi-Fi hotspot. The Bose nine-speaker audio system was available on higher trims, though performance varied. The 12.3-inch system represented a significant improvement, with a superior user interface and voice recognition.

The 2023 Nissan Versa S trim included a 7-inch touchscreen, Bluetooth, and Siri Eyes Free. 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 and NissanConnect Services. The touchscreens were small, and the graphics were dated, but the digital instrument cluster added a touch of sophistication.

The 2023 Nissan Altima came standard with Nissan Safety Shield 360, including features like forward-collision warning and blind-spot monitoring. ProPilot Assist, available on higher trims, added adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping assist. The Altima received a five-star overall safety rating from NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ from IIHS, though it had a Poor rating in the updated side-impact test.

The 2023 Nissan Versa offered impressive standard driver-assist features, including automatic emergency braking and lane-departure warning. Higher trims added blind-spot monitoring and adaptive cruise control. The Versa received a five-star overall safety rating from NHTSA, with high marks in side-impact testing.