2023 Nissan Altima vs 2024 Mazda MAZDA3

The 2023 Nissan Altima continued Nissan's long-standing tradition in the family car segment, building on a legacy that dates back over 50 years. 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 that didn't quite convince.

The 2024 Mazda MAZDA3, despite its last redesign in 2019, maintained a modern and luxurious appearance, aligning itself with higher-end vehicles. Its design featured squinting LED headlights and a dramatic front end, contributing to its expensive look. Available in both sedan and hatchback forms, the Mazda3 offered a range of trims, with the hatchback providing more storage and powertrain options. The test model, akin to a Canadian Mazda3 Sport GT hatchback with AWD and a turbocharged engine, impressed with its material quality and value, rivaling luxury brands. The interior boasted a striking red leather option, with leather trimmings throughout, offering a premium feel. The Mazda3's design and furnishings were both beautiful and functional, making it a standout in its class.

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 AWD system could deliver up to half of the engine's output to the rear wheels. While the power was adequate, the CVT was programmed to mimic a traditional automatic transmission, and paddle shifters on the SR Premium trim added some driver engagement. Fuel economy ratings were 9.1 L/100 km city, 6.5 highway, and 7.9 combined for the base trim, with slightly higher figures for other 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 steering felt lifeless, though the car handled well in corners.

The 2024 Mazda MAZDA3 offered two engine options: a standard 2.5-litre four-cylinder with 191 horsepower and 186 pound-feet of torque, and an optional turbocharged version with 250 horsepower and 320 pound-feet of torque. The turbo engine, paired with AWD, provided a delightful driving experience. Fuel economy varied depending on the configuration, with the turbocharged AWD hatchback achieving 10.1 L/100 km city, 7.5 highway, and 8.9 combined. The Mazda3 excelled on back roads, with its chassis handling corners well despite a torsion beam suspension. The steering was tight and precise, and the car's stiff suspension appealed to enthusiastic drivers. The Mazda3's performance was engaging and satisfying, offering a more dynamic driving experience than many competitors.

The 2023 Nissan Altima's interior was straightforward and comfortable, with controls laid out logically and easy-to-read analog gauges. The Zero Gravity seats were exceptionally comfortable, though the leather upholstery was somewhat sticky. The Altima 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, but the seatbelt buckle anchor could be uncomfortable. Interior storage was reasonable, though some design choices, like the floor mats, were problematic. The trunk offered 437 litres of cargo space, smaller than some competitors, but usefully shaped.

The 2024 Mazda MAZDA3, while compact, offered 569 litres of cargo space in the hatchback, competitive with some rivals. However, rear passenger space was limited, with tight legroom and headroom. The sedan's trunk space was even more limited at 374 litres. The Mazda3's design created significant blind spots, affecting rearward visibility. Despite these limitations, the Mazda3's interior was beautifully designed, with high-quality materials and a premium feel.

The 2023 Nissan Altima 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 available on SR Premium and Platinum trims, though its performance varied. The new infotainment system was a significant improvement, with a better user interface and graphics, and effective voice recognition technology.

The 2024 Mazda MAZDA3 featured a rotary controller for its infotainment system, which some found safer than a touchscreen. The system included an 8.8-inch display, with a new 10.25-inch screen available. The larger screen offered touchscreen functionality only with Android Auto or Apple CarPlay. The Mazda3 included standard CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, with wireless options on upper trims. A wireless charging pad and Mazda Connect system with remote services were also available. The Bose stereo in higher trims performed well, and the system was feature-rich, though it required some acclimation.

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 higher 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 2024 Mazda MAZDA3 earned five stars from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ from the IIHS. Standard safety features included blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert, with additional features like automatic emergency braking and lane-keeping assist available on higher trims. Adaptive Cruise Control with stop-and-go was included from the GS trim, with Traffic Jam Assist on the GT trim.