2024 Nissan Sentra vs 2024 Nissan Altima

The 2024 Nissan Altima, a familiar name since 1993, retained much of its sixth-generation design from 2019, with a notable grille update in 2023. This change gave the Altima a more imposing look, though the overall styling remained conservative. In Canada, the Altima was available in four trims: S, SR, SR Premium, and Platinum, all featuring standard all-wheel drive. The U.S. specification model, similar to the Canadian Platinum trim, showcased a red exterior and 19-inch alloy wheels, adding a touch of elegance. The LED projector headlights and dual exhaust pipes contributed to its appeal, while the optional rear spoiler added a sporty touch. Inside, the Altima felt somewhat outdated, with soft yellow lights and wood trim reminiscent of older vehicles. However, the seats were notably comfortable, and the layout was practical, with easy-to-reach controls and a wireless phone charger.

The 2024 Nissan Sentra, refreshed for the model year, featured updated styling with a wider grille and chrome trim, creating a more dynamic appearance. The design changes aimed to enhance the car's width and presence, blending well with existing features like the black roof and pronounced rear-quarter panels. The Sentra lineup in Canada included five trims: S, S Plus, SV, SR, and SR Premium. The SR trims offered 18-inch wheels and unique styling elements, with options for vibrant colours like Electric Blue Metallic. Inside, the Sentra boasted large round air vents inspired by the Z sports car and a well-framed central touchscreen. The SR models featured red-orange accent stitching and a flat-bottom steering wheel, adding a sporty flair. While material quality was typical for an entry-level car, the design elements provided a distinctive look.

The 2024 Nissan Altima was equipped with a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine, delivering 182 horsepower and 178 pound-feet of torque. This setup provided adequate performance, with a 0 to 96 km/h time of approximately 7.5 seconds. The Altima's intelligent all-wheel-drive system, standard in Canada, offered enhanced traction by distributing power to the rear wheels when needed. This system contributed to fuel efficiency, with consumption rates of 9.1 litres per 100 km in the city, 6.5 on the highway, and 7.9 combined. The Altima's steering was light, but its low centre of gravity minimized body roll. The continuously variable transmission (CVT) managed power well, though it produced a droning noise under heavy acceleration.

The 2024 Nissan Sentra featured a 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine, producing 149 horsepower and 146 pound-feet of torque, with front-wheel drive. In Canada, a six-speed manual transmission was available on the S and SR grades, while a reengineered CVT aimed to improve fuel efficiency. The Sentra's steering offered good feedback and precision, with a balanced suspension providing a comfortable ride. However, the CVT exhibited an unexpected surge of acceleration around 70 km/h. Despite this, the Sentra was pleasant to drive, focusing on efficiency rather than performance.

The 2024 Nissan Altima offered impressive interior space, with front seats providing more room than several competitors. The rear seat offered 895 millimetres of legroom, surpassing some rivals. Trunk space was 437 litres, with a wide opening for easy loading. The Altima's interior was user-friendly, with comfortable seats and well-placed storage options.

The 2024 Nissan Sentra provided decent interior space, particularly in the front. First-row headroom was competitive, but rear-seat legroom was less generous compared to rivals. The Zero Gravity seats were comfortable, and the low dashboard offered excellent forward visibility. The Sentra included practical features like heated front seats and mirrors, with a trunk capacity of 404 litres and a 60/40 split-folding rear seat for added versatility.

Most 2024 Nissan Altimas in Canada featured an 8-inch touchscreen, but the SR Premium and Platinum trims boasted a 12.3-inch display with crisp graphics. The larger screen supported wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, though the Bose stereo was underwhelming. NissanConnect offered remote features via the MyNissan app.

The 2024 Nissan Sentra's tech felt a bit dated. The base model had a 7-inch touchscreen, while SV and SR trims upgraded to an 8-inch screen. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, but not wireless. The SR Premium offered an eight-speaker Bose system. The infotainment system was functional, but graphics appeared outdated compared to competitors.

The 2024 Nissan Altima received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA, with strong side-impact and rollover results. However, it scored four stars in frontal crash tests. The Altima came with a comprehensive suite of standard safety features, including ProPilot Assist on most trims.

The 2024 Nissan Sentra's safety ratings were incomplete, with mixed results from the IIHS. It received a "Good" rating in the original side-impact test but only "Acceptable" in the updated version. The Sentra included standard safety features like Nissan Safety Shield 360, with adaptive cruise control on higher trims.