2023 Toyota Prius vs 2024 Nissan Altima

The 2023 Toyota Prius underwent a significant transformation, shedding its previous utilitarian image for a more stylish and modern appearance. This redesign was a response to increasing competition from electric vehicles and other hybrids, prompting Toyota to create a car that was both efficient and visually appealing. The new Prius featured a sleek exterior with a blend of curves and edges, giving it a futuristic look while maintaining appeal for traditional buyers. The car's dimensions were altered, making it longer, lower, and wider, with wheels pushed to the corners for improved handling and a more athletic stance. Inside, the Prius offered a high-quality feel with top-notch materials and a solid build, providing a comfortable driving experience. The cabin design focused on functionality, with a pair of screens for the driver and a dashboard-mounted infotainment system, moving away from the previous centre-mounted display.

The 2024 Nissan Altima, while familiar in its design, received a new grille in 2023, giving it a more imposing look. In Canada, the Altima was available in four trim levels, all featuring standard all-wheel drive, setting it apart from its midsize sedan competitors. The Altima's styling was conservative, but it included features like LED projector headlights and dual exhaust pipes for a touch of flair. Inside, the Altima's design felt somewhat outdated, with elements reminiscent of older vehicles. However, the seats were notably comfortable, and the layout was practical, with easy-to-reach controls and storage options. The Altima's interior space was competitive, offering more front-seat space than some rivals, though it fell short in rear-seat legroom compared to others. The trunk was spacious, with a wide opening for easy loading, and the 60/40-split folding rear seat allowed for additional cargo space.

The 2023 Toyota Prius featured a new hybrid powertrain with a 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine, an upgrade from the previous 1.8-litre unit. This, combined with a more powerful electric motor and lithium-ion battery, delivered 196 total horsepower in all-wheel drive models, a significant increase from the previous 121 horsepower. The Prius's fuel economy was impressive, with ratings of 4.8 litres per 100 kilometres in the city, 4.7 on the highway, and 4.8 combined. The car's acceleration improved, with a 0-100 km/h time of just over seven seconds, down from more than 10.5 seconds in the older model. The Prius handled well, with agile and athletic dynamics, though engine noise could intrude during hard acceleration. The brakes had a minor squishiness typical of hybrids, but overall, the Prius provided a comfortable and engaging driving experience.

The 2024 Nissan Altima was equipped with a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine, producing 182 horsepower and 178 pound-feet of torque. While not exhilarating, the performance was adequate for most drivers, with a 0-96 km/h time of approximately 7.5 seconds. The Altima's intelligent all-wheel drive system monitored wheel traction and delivered power to the rear wheels as needed, contributing to its fuel efficiency. The Altima achieved fuel economy ratings of 9.1 litres per 100 kilometres in the city, 6.5 on the highway, and 7.9 combined. The car's steering was light, but its low centre of gravity minimized body roll in corners. The continuously variable transmission managed power well, though engine noise was noticeable during acceleration. Overall, the Altima offered a balanced driving experience, with predictable brakes and decent noise insulation.

The 2023 Toyota Prius, despite its larger exterior, had a slightly smaller interior in some dimensions compared to its predecessor. Headroom was reduced due to the sloping roofline, but legroom increased, accommodating taller passengers comfortably in the rear seats. The cabin featured SofTex leatherette upholstery, with heated front seats and a heated steering wheel standard in Canada. The Limited trim included a fixed glass roof, enhancing the cabin's openness. Cargo space was reduced to 575 litres, and rear visibility was somewhat compromised by the loss of the split rear window. The interior offered practical touches, such as multiple cupholders, a wireless charging pocket, and USB-C ports in both front and rear seats. The cargo area included small underfloor storage cubbies and a flexible cargo cover.

The 2024 Nissan Altima provided impressive interior space, with front seats offering more room than some competitors, though rear-seat legroom was less than others. The trunk offered 437 litres of space, with a wide opening for easy loading and a 60/40-split folding rear seat for additional cargo capacity. The Altima's interior was designed for comfort and practicality, with well-placed cupholders and storage options. The seats were notably comfortable, and the layout was user-friendly, making the Altima an easy car to live with.

The 2023 Toyota Prius offered an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen on XLE models, with a larger 12.3-inch screen standard on the Limited trim. The larger screen was recommended for its responsiveness and intuitive menus. The navigation system required a subscription to Toyota's Drive Connect for real-time updates. All models featured a 7-inch digital instrument cluster, though it was criticized for being too busy. The Limited trim included wireless smartphone charging, an 8-speaker JBL audio system, and a digital rearview mirror. Toyota offered subscription-based connectivity bundles, including Remote Connect, Safety Connect, and Drive Connect, providing various remote and safety features.

The 2024 Nissan Altima came with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, with a 12.3-inch display available on higher trims. The larger screen offered crisp graphics and an organized interface, though the lack of a physical tuning knob was noted. Android Auto and Apple CarPlay were standard, with wireless versions available only with the larger screen. The available nine-speaker Bose stereo was underwhelming, and the SiriusXM interface appeared cluttered. NissanConnect telematics features were standard on higher trims, allowing remote access and vehicle monitoring through the MyNissan app.

The 2023 Toyota Prius was equipped with Toyota Safety Sense 3.0, including adaptive cruise control, pre-collision braking, lane-departure alerts, and Proactive Driving Assist. The system was praised for its minimal intrusion and ease of use. All safety features were standard across all trims, and the Prius received a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS. The NHTSA had not yet rated the 2023 Prius.

The 2024 Nissan Altima received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA, though it scored four stars in frontal crash tests. The IIHS had not awarded the 2024 model a Top Safety Pick+ designation due to poor side-impact test results. The Altima featured standard advanced driver assist systems, including forward collision warning, blind-spot monitoring, and lane-departure warning. Higher trims included a 360-degree surround-view monitor and traffic-sign recognition. ProPilot Assist was standard on all trims except the base S, offering semi-autonomous driving capabilities.