2023 Nissan Altima vs 2023 Toyota Crown

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 trims, 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 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. The interior, while stylish, was marred by hard plastics, though the new double-stitched seams added a touch of sophistication.

The 2023 Toyota Crown, a full-size sedan, replaced the Avalon with a higher ride height, reminiscent of crossover vehicles. Its bold styling included a massive grille, angular headlights, and large wheels, giving it a sporty yet elegant look. The Crown's rear featured a distinctive taillight strip, and the Platinum trim offered a two-tone colour option. Inside, the Crown boasted a modern digital instrument panel and a large touchscreen, though the 1980s-era LED displays for climate control were a nostalgic touch. The cabin combined sturdy plastics with cushioned touchpoints, offering a near-luxury feel. Despite some hard plastics, the Crown's interior was spacious and comfortable, making it a compelling choice for those seeking a stylish and modern sedan.

The 2023 Nissan Altima in Canada was powered by 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 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, and the CVT mimicking a traditional automatic transmission. 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, with poor rear visibility and some noise at highway speeds. In mountainous areas, it displayed commendable grip but lacked engaging dynamics.

The 2023 Toyota Crown offered two hybrid powertrains: a 2.5-litre four-cylinder with a hybrid electric motor, producing 236 horsepower, and a turbocharged 2.4-litre four-cylinder with a more powerful rear electric motor, delivering 340 horsepower. The base hybrid used a CVT, while the Hybrid Max had a six-speed automatic transmission. The Crown's ride was tuned for comfort, with the Platinum trim adding an adaptive suspension. The cabin remained quiet, though the engine drone was noticeable. The Crown's electronic driver aids were sometimes intrusive, but overall, it provided a smooth and enjoyable driving experience.

The 2023 Nissan Altima's interior was simple and comfortable, with controls laid out logically. The Zero Gravity seats were exceptionally comfortable, though the leather upholstery was somewhat sticky. The Altima offered dual-zone climate control, a power sunroof, and heated front seats. However, the front passenger seat lacked height adjustment, making entry and exit challenging. Rear seat comfort was good, with ample legroom and headroom. The trunk offered 437 litres of cargo space, though it lacked a handle for easy closing.

The 2023 Toyota Crown's interior featured fabric upholstery in the XLE trim and full leather in the Platinum trim. The front seats were comfortable for long trips, though firm cushioning could cause discomfort over time. The Crown offered ample storage space, with large cupholders and door pockets. The rear seats provided plenty of legroom and headroom, though the tapering roofline limited headroom. The trunk had a capacity of 360 litres, smaller than some competitors, but still useful for everyday needs.

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 SR Premium and Platinum trims featured a 12.3-inch touchscreen with 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 new infotainment system was a significant improvement, with a superior user interface and voice recognition technology.

The 2023 Toyota Crown featured a 12.3-inch multimedia infotainment touchscreen as standard, with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The base audio system was adequate, but the 11-speaker JBL premium system was available for audiophiles. The infotainment system supported over-the-air updates and a new voice-recognition system. A digital key feature was standard on the Platinum trim, allowing smartphone access to the vehicle.

The 2023 Nissan Altima included the Nissan Safety Shield 360 suite, featuring 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 received a Poor rating in the updated side-impact test.

The 2023 Toyota Crown's safety features included collision warning, adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, and more, as part of the Toyota Safety Sense 3.0 suite. The Platinum trim added a semi-automated parallel parking system. The adaptive cruise control and lane-keep assist systems were well-tuned, though some new features were intrusive.