2023 Subaru WRX vs 2023 Nissan Altima

The 2023 Nissan Altima continued Nissan's long-standing tradition in the family car segment, offering a sizable four-door option even as the Maxima faced discontinuation. The Altima featured updated front styling with a revised grille, new wheel designs, and two new paint colors, enhancing its visual appeal, especially in higher trims with 19-inch wheels. However, the SL trim's stylish wheels were prone to curb damage. The Altima lineup included the base S, popular SV, sporty SR, and luxurious SL trims, with the SR VC-Turbo offering a more powerful engine. The SL trim, priced at $34,755 with AWD, showcased an appealing interior with Gray leather and double-stitched seams, though hard plastics and simulated wood trim detracted from its overall feel.

The 2023 Subaru WRX, distinct from its Impreza roots, embraced a bold design with wide-body styling, functional hood scoop, and body cladding reminiscent of the Subaru Crosstrek and Outback. The WRX's exterior conveyed its performance-oriented nature, aligning with Subaru's design theme. Inside, the WRX maintained Subaru's reputation for durability with a basic yet functional interior. The GT model featured Recaro Performance Design front seats with red contrast stitching and Ultrasuede upholstery, adding a touch of sportiness to the mostly black cabin. The WRX's interior, while not luxurious, offered comfort and practicality for daily driving.

The 2023 Nissan Altima, except for the SR VC-Turbo, was equipped with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine paired with a CVT, producing 188 horsepower in FWD models and 182 hp with AWD. The CVT mimicked a traditional automatic transmission, and the SR trim included paddle shifters for added engagement. Fuel economy ranged from 30 to 32 mpg, with the SL AWD averaging 27.4 mpg. The SR VC-Turbo offered a turbocharged 2.0-liter engine with up to 248 hp on premium fuel, providing a more spirited driving experience. The Altima's ride was firm, with some noise at highway speeds, and its steering lacked engagement. In mountainous terrain, the Altima demonstrated good grip but exhibited brake fade under certain conditions.

The 2023 Subaru WRX, powered by a 2.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder boxer engine, delivered 271 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. It offered more horsepower than a Volkswagen Golf GTI but less than a Golf R. The WRX featured AWD and a standard six-speed manual transmission, with an optional CVT branded as the Subaru Performance Transmission (SPT). The SPT provided quick throttle responses, simulating a conventional automatic transmission. GT models included electronically controlled dampers and multiple drive modes, enhancing the driving experience. The WRX excelled in grip and confidence on twisty roads, though its muted exhaust and laid-back steering reduced the sense of urgency.

The 2023 Nissan Altima's interior, despite its inexpensive fittings, was user-friendly and comfortable. Controls were logically arranged, and the Zero Gravity seats provided exceptional comfort. The SL trim included dual-zone climate control, a power sunroof, and heated front seats, though the front passenger seat lacked height adjustment. Rear seat comfort was good, with ample legroom and headroom, but rear air vents were limited to higher trims. Interior storage was reasonable, with a 15.4-cubic-foot trunk offering useful space, though lacking a handle for easy closure.

The 2023 Subaru WRX, as a compact sedan, offered practicality with slightly more front headroom and legroom than a Honda Civic Si. However, the Civic provided more rear-seat space. The WRX's trunk measured 12.5 cubic feet, smaller than competitors like the Civic Si and Hyundai Elantra N. A 60/40 split-folding rear seat was standard, and roof-rack mounts were included. The WRX maintained good outward visibility with low window-sill lines and thin roof pillars. However, the cabin lacked a suitable place for a smartphone, with limited space under the touchscreen and in cupholders.

The 2023 Nissan Altima's infotainment system varied by trim. The base S trim had a basic radio with a 5-inch display, while SV and SR trims featured an 8-inch touchscreen with wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. A new 12.3-inch touchscreen was available, offering wireless Apple CarPlay, a navigation system, and a Wi-Fi hotspot. The Bose nine-speaker audio system, standard on SL and SR VC-Turbo trims, delivered mixed performance. The 12.3-inch system represented a significant improvement, with a superior user interface and effective voice recognition.

The 2023 Subaru WRX's Starlink infotainment system included standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Base models had dual 7-inch touchscreens, while higher trims featured an 11.6-inch portrait-oriented touchscreen. The larger screen offered clear icons and text, though physical buttons were missed. The interface was generally user-friendly, but SiriusXM required multiple steps and took time to load. Voice recognition for channel selection was not available, and the system's startup delay was notable.

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

The 2023 Subaru WRX featured Subaru's EyeSight safety system, available with the CVT, offering adaptive cruise control, lane-centering, and more. Additional safety features included blind-spot monitoring and reverse automatic braking. The WRX received top "Good" scores in IIHS crash tests and a five-star overall rating from NHTSA.