2023 Nissan Altima vs 2024 Subaru Impreza

The 2023 Nissan Altima continued Nissan's long-standing tradition in the family car segment, offering a sizable four-door sedan even as the Maxima faced discontinuation. The Altima's updated front styling, featuring a revised grille and new wheel designs, enhanced its visual appeal, particularly in higher trims with 19-inch wheels. However, the stylish wheels were prone to curb damage due to their flush design. In Canada, the Altima was available in four trims: S, SR, SR Premium, and Platinum, and stood out as the only mid-size sedan with standard all-wheel drive. Despite its appealing interior, the Altima's use of hard plastics and simulated wood trim reminded consumers of its mainstream status.

The 2024 Subaru Impreza showcased a more aggressive and sporty style compared to its predecessor, with a larger, angular grille and narrower headlights. The RS trim added side skirts for a low-slung appearance, while flared fenders suggested a wider stance. Inside, the Impreza featured a modern look with an 11.6-inch infotainment touchscreen standard on higher trims, while the RS trim added red stitching and upholstery accents. The materials quality was commendable, with soft-touch materials in key areas, though the rear seats opted for hard plastics for durability. The Impreza's design was an evolution rather than a revolution, with the infotainment system playing a significant role in its interior appeal.

The 2023 Nissan Altima in Canada was equipped with a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine producing 182 horsepower and 178 pound-feet of torque, paired with a continuously variable 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 power was adequate, with torque arriving at 3,600 rpm, and the CVT was programmed to mimic a traditional automatic transmission. 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, though its ride was firm, and road noise was noticeable at highway speeds. Rear visibility was poor, necessitating reliance on the reversing camera and rear cross-traffic alert system.

The 2024 Subaru Impreza offered two engine choices in Canada: a 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine with 152 horsepower and 145 pound-feet of torque for the Convenience and Touring trims, and a 2.5-litre engine with 182 horsepower and 178 pound-feet of torque for the RS and Sport-tech models. Both engines were paired with a CVT, and all-wheel drive with active torque vectoring was standard. The RS model, the sportiest in the lineup, offered responsive acceleration and sporty handling, aided by the AWD system. The Impreza's ride quality was comfortable, with bumps well smoothed over, and road noise was quieter than the previous generation. The Impreza's performance was comparable to the Honda Civic Si and Mazda 3, with the AWD system providing a traction advantage.

The 2023 Nissan Altima's interior was simple and comfortable, with controls laid out logically and analog gauges providing clarity. Nissan's 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 more challenging. Rear seat comfort was good, with ample legroom and headroom, though the seatbelt buckle anchor could be uncomfortable. Interior storage was reasonable, with various trays and bins, though the trunk's 437-litre capacity was smaller than some competitors.

The 2024 Subaru Impreza offered a spacious cabin with logically placed controls and good outward visibility. The RS trim included a wireless charging pad, though the hard plastic surface didn't hold phones securely. The rear seats provided ample headroom and legroom, and the cargo area offered 578 litres of space, expandable to 1,586 litres with the seatbacks folded. The Impreza was compatible with various roof racks, though it wasn't rated for heavier overlanding tent platforms. The design included flat sections in the door jambs for easier roof access.

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. A new 12.3-inch touchscreen was available on higher trims, offering wireless Apple CarPlay, wired Android Auto, and a wireless charging pad. The system included NissanConnect Services, requiring a SiriusXM subscription, and a Bose nine-speaker audio system was available. The 12.3-inch system represented a significant improvement, with a superior user interface and voice recognition technology.

The 2024 Subaru Impreza featured an 11.6-inch touchscreen multimedia system with large on-screen buttons and physical knobs for volume, tuning, and temperature. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, with wireless connectivity on higher trims. A native navigation system was not available, but phone integration provided access to Google Maps. The Subaru Starlink system offered monitoring and control through a smartphone app, and a 10-speaker Harman Kardon audio system was included with higher trims. The infotainment system prioritized usability, with intuitive menus and no need for the owner's manual.

The 2023 Nissan Altima included the Nissan Safety Shield 360 suite, featuring forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and a driver monitoring system. ProPilot Assist was available on higher trims, adding adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and lane-centring. 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 Subaru Impreza's crash-test results were not yet available, but it was expected to achieve high scores. All Imprezas came with the EyeSight suite, including frontal collision warning, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, and lane-centring. Higher trims added a blind-spot monitor, rear cross-traffic alert, and automatic emergency steering. The safety features performed well, with no false alarms or intrusive actions, and the adaptive cruise control maintained a consistent gap smoothly.