2024 Toyota Prius vs 2023 Nissan Altima

The 2023 Nissan Altima continued Nissan's long-standing tradition in the family car segment, offering a sizable four-door sedan even as other models like the Maxima faced discontinuation. The Altima featured updated front styling with a revised grille and new wheel designs, particularly enhancing its visual presence in higher trims with 19-inch wheels. However, these stylish wheels were prone to curb rash due to their flush design with the tire sidewalls. 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. Despite its appealing interior, the Altima's use of hard plastics and simulated wood trim reminded consumers of its mainstream status.

The 2024 Toyota Prius retained its iconic wedge-shaped profile but introduced distinctive styling for its aerodynamically optimized bodywork. The 19-inch aluminum wheels added to its appeal. Inside, the Prius maintained its quirky nature, with instrumentation moved in front of the driver, though visibility could be an issue depending on seating position. The interior was marred by hard plastics, leading to creaks and a flimsy feel, though the components were expected to be durable. The 2024 model saw no changes from the previous year, continuing in XLE and Limited trims in Canada, with prices ranging from $40,645 to $46,785. The U.S.-spec XLE test vehicle featured options like Supersonic Red paint and a 12.3-inch touchscreen, exclusive to the Limited model in Canada.

The 2023 Nissan Altima in Canada was equipped with a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine paired with a CVT, producing 182 horsepower and 178 pound-feet of torque. The AWD system could deliver up to half of the engine's output to the rear wheels. The CVT was programmed to mimic a traditional automatic transmission, and the SR Premium trim included paddle shifters for added engagement. Fuel economy ratings were 9.1 L/100 km city, 6.5 highway, and 7.9 combined for the base trim, with the SR, SR Premium, and Platinum trims slightly less efficient. The Altima's performance was adequate, though the 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. In mountainous areas, the Altima demonstrated good grip and cornering, but the steering felt lifeless, and the brakes heated up easily.

The 2024 Toyota Prius, following its redesign, boasted a significant power boost, achieving 0 to 96 km/h in seven seconds. It featured a 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine, an 83-kilowatt electric motor, and a lithium-ion battery, with a second 30-kW motor powering the rear wheels for electric AWD. The hybrid system's combined output was 196 horsepower, with fuel economy ratings of 4.8 L/100 km city, 4.7 highway, and 4.8 combined. The Prius averaged 4.9 L/100 km on a mountainous testing loop. The latest Prius improved driving enjoyment, though the steering felt artificial, and the CVT could groan under hard acceleration. The ride lacked smoothness on rough roads, and visibility was hindered by dramatic windshield pillars and small windows.

The 2023 Nissan Altima's interior was straightforward and comfortable, with controls laid out logically and clear 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, but the front passenger seat lacked height adjustment. Rear seat comfort was good, with ample legroom and headroom, though the seatbelt buckle anchor could be uncomfortable. Interior storage was reasonable, but the trunk offered only 437 litres of cargo space, smaller than some competitors.

The 2024 Toyota Prius's interior felt snug, with a distant windshield base and gauges. The 7-inch display panel was too small and cluttered, with visibility issues depending on seating position. The windshield pillars created a claustrophobic feel, and rear seats were cramped but comfortable for two. Storage was adequate, with a wireless charging slot that could collect dirt. The Prius offered 575 litres of cargo space, but the cargo cover limited capacity. An optional digital rearview mirror provided a panoramic view when the cargo hold was full.

The 2023 Nissan Altima came standard with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, offering Bluetooth, wired Apple CarPlay, wired Android Auto, and SiriusXM satellite radio. A 12.3-inch touchscreen was available on higher trims, featuring wireless Apple CarPlay, wired Android Auto, and a wireless charging pad. The Bose nine-speaker audio system was available on SR Premium and Platinum trims, though performance varied. The 12.3-inch system represented a significant improvement, with a superior user interface and voice recognition.

The 2024 Toyota Prius featured an 8-inch or 12.3-inch touchscreen, with Bluetooth, wireless Apple CarPlay, wireless Android Auto, and SiriusXM. It offered four connected services plans, with varying trial lengths. The Limited trim included an eight-speaker JBL sound system, which was bass-heavy but left something to be desired. The Prius Limited also offered a 360-degree camera system and semi-autonomous parking assistance.

The 2023 Nissan Altima included the Nissan Safety Shield 360 suite, with features like forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. ProPilot Assist was available on SR Premium and Platinum trims, adding adaptive cruise control and lane-centring 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 Toyota Prius came with Toyota Safety Sense 3.0, including adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and more. The Prius earned five-star ratings from the NHTSA, except for a four-star rollover resistance rating, and a Top Safety Pick+ from the IIHS.