2023 Toyota Prius 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 curb 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 elements and hard plastics, with simulated wood trim and double-stitched seams attempting to elevate the cabin's feel.

The 2023 Toyota Prius underwent a complete transformation, finally embracing a stylish design that had been absent in previous models. The new Prius featured a sleek exterior with a blend of curves and edges, giving it a futuristic look while maintaining appeal for conservative buyers. The wheels were pushed further into the corners, enhancing handling and giving the Prius a more athletic stance. The car was longer, lower, and wider than its predecessor, with 19-inch alloy wheels standard on the XLE and Limited models in Canada. The interior boasted top-notch materials and fit and finish, with a pair of screens mounted beside the driver's seat and a dashboard-mounted infotainment screen. While the cabin prioritized function over form, the new Prius offered a comfortable driving experience, making it a compelling choice for those seeking both efficiency and style.

The 2023 Nissan Altima in Canada was powered by a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine paired with a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT), delivering 182 horsepower and 178 pound-feet of torque. The standard all-wheel-drive system could send up to half of the engine's output to the rear wheels, depending on driving conditions. 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, with slightly higher figures for the SR, SR Premium, and Platinum trims. The Altima's performance was adequate, but its ride was firm, and road noise was noticeable at highway speeds. Rear visibility was poor, and the brakes showed signs of heating up under certain conditions, raising concerns about their performance.

The 2023 Toyota Prius featured a new 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine, combined with a more powerful electric motor and lithium-ion battery, producing 196 total horsepower in all-wheel-drive models, standard in Canada. This was a significant improvement over the previous model's 121 horsepower. The Prius's fuel economy ratings were impressive, at 4.8 L/100 km in the city, 4.7 on the highway, and 4.8 combined. The new Prius felt more athletic and eager, with improved acceleration and handling. The revised suspension and longer wheelbase contributed to its agile and comfortable ride. While road and wind noise were generally well-isolated, the engine's droning was noticeable during hard acceleration. Overall, the Prius offered a more engaging driving experience than its predecessors, making it a strong contender in the hybrid market.

The 2023 Nissan Altima's interior was straightforward and user-friendly, with controls laid out logically and analog gauges providing clear information. The Zero Gravity seats were exceptionally comfortable, 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, and rear air conditioning vents were standard in Canada. The trunk offered 437 litres of cargo space, smaller than some competitors, but the space was well-shaped. Interior storage was reasonable, though some design choices, like the floor mats, were less practical.

The 2023 Toyota Prius's interior was slightly smaller in some dimensions than its predecessor, with reduced headroom due to the sloping roofline. However, legroom increased, and taller passengers could fit comfortably in the rear seats. SofTex leatherette upholstery was standard in Canada, with heated front seats and a heated steering wheel. The Limited trim featured a fixed glass roof, enhancing the cabin's openness. Cargo space decreased to 575 litres, and rear visibility was somewhat hampered by the loss of the split rear window. The cabin included thoughtful storage solutions, such as cupholders, a wireless charging pocket, and USB-C ports. The cargo area had small underfloor storage cubbies, and a flexible cargo cover was built into the rear window.

The 2023 Nissan Altima came with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system as standard, featuring Bluetooth, wired Apple CarPlay, wired Android Auto, and SiriusXM satellite radio with the expanded 360L service. A 12.3-inch touchscreen was available on SR Premium and Platinum trims, offering a navigation system, wireless Apple CarPlay, and wired Android Auto. The Bose nine-speaker premium audio system was available on higher trims, though its performance varied. The new infotainment system represented a significant improvement, with a superior user interface and voice recognition technology. However, climate control adjustments could not be made using voice commands.

The 2023 Toyota Prius's XLE models featured an 8-inch colour infotainment touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Limited trim came with a 12.3-inch touchscreen, offering a more responsive and intuitive experience. The navigation system required a subscription to Toyota's Drive Connect system. All models had a 7-inch digital instrument cluster, though it was somewhat cluttered. The Limited trim included wireless smartphone charging, an 8-speaker JBL audio system, and a digital rearview mirror. Subscription-based connectivity bundles offered features like remote vehicle access, safety assistance, and cloud navigation.

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-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 Prius included Toyota Safety Sense 3.0, with adaptive cruise control, pre-collision braking, lane-departure alerts, and Proactive Driving Assist. The system was praised for its minimal intrusion and adaptability. Other safety features included stability control, traction control, eight airbags, and blind-spot monitoring. The Limited trim offered hands-free automatic parallel parking. The Prius received a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS, but the NHTSA had not yet issued a rating.