When shopping for a midsize sedan, the choices can often feel overwhelming. Two outstanding contenders in this competitive segment are the 2023 Nissan Altima and Honda Civic. Each model brings its unique strengths and characteristics to the table, making the decision even more challenging.
In this comprehensive comparison, we delve into the details that set these vehicles apart, from design and performance to comfort and safety. By exploring the nuances of each sedan, we aim to guide potential buyers toward the perfect fit for their needs and preferences.
Exterior Design
The Nissan Altima showcases a sleek and modern design, with its aggressive V-shaped grille, slim LED headlights, and a sloping roofline that gracefully flows into the trunk. The Altima’s design is bold and elegant, offering a sense of sportiness and sophistication.
The Honda Civic also features an updated exterior design, sporting a more mature and refined appearance. The front end is highlighted by a striking, angular grille, and LED headlights that seamlessly integrate into the body lines. The Civic’s rear is equally eye-catching, with distinctive C-shaped taillights that wrap around the trunk.
Interior Design
Inside, the Nissan Altima offers a well-appointed cabin with a clean and uncluttered layout. High-quality materials and soft-touch surfaces provide a sense of luxury, while the available leather-trimmed seats add an extra layer of refinement. The dashboard is intuitively designed, featuring an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system that is easy to use and understand.
The Honda Civic’s interior design is similarly impressive, with an emphasis on functionality and ergonomics. The cabin feels spacious and modern, with ample use of soft-touch materials and a sleek, minimalist design. A 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system comes standard, while an upgraded 9-inch screen is available on higher trim levels.
Seating
The Altima offers seating for up to five passengers, with ample headroom and legroom in both the front and rear. The comfortable Zero Gravity seats provide excellent support on long drives, while available heated front and rear seats ensure all passengers remain cozy in colder weather.
The Honda Civic also seats five passengers comfortably, with generous legroom in the rear, making it an ideal choice for families. The seats are supportive and comfortable, with available heated front seats adding a touch of luxury to the driving experience.
Storage
The Altima boasts a spacious trunk, with 15.4 cubic feet of cargo space, making it suitable for daily errands or weekend road trips. The rear seats can be folded down to accommodate larger items, while additional storage spaces are found throughout the cabin, including cupholders, door pockets, and a center console.
The Civic offers a slightly larger trunk, with 15.8 cubic feet of cargo space. The 60/40 split-folding rear seats allow for even more storage capacity, while numerous storage compartments and pockets can be found throughout the interior.
Performance
The 2023 Altima comes with two engine options: a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 188 horsepower and a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine delivering 248 horsepower. Both engines are paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) for smooth and efficient performance. The Altima provides a comfortable and composed ride, with responsive handling and minimal body roll.
The Civic also offers two engine choices: a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine generating 158 horsepower and a turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 180 horsepower. Both engines are mated to a continuously variable transmission (CVT) as standard, with a six-speed manual transmission available on certain trims. The Civic boasts agile handling and a sporty suspension setup, making it a fun and engaging car to drive.
Fuel Efficiency
The Nissan Altima is quite fuel-efficient, with the base 2.5-liter engine achieving an EPA-estimated 28 mpg city and 39 mpg highway. The more powerful turbocharged 2.0-liter engine still manages impressive fuel economy, with ratings of 25 mpg city and 34 mpg highway.
The Honda Civic shines in terms of fuel efficiency. The base 2.0-liter engine delivers an EPA-estimated 31 mpg city and 40 mpg highway, while the turbocharged 1.5-liter engine offers an even better 33 mpg city and 42 mpg highway, making the Civic one of the most fuel-efficient vehicles in its class.
Safety
The 2023 Altima comes equipped with a variety of safety features, including Nissan’s Safety Shield 360 suite. This includes forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and lane departure warning. Additional safety features such as adaptive cruise control and ProPILOT Assist are available on higher trims.
The 2023 Civic also prioritizes safety, offering the Honda Sensing suite of safety features as standard. This includes collision mitigation braking, road departure mitigation, adaptive cruise control, and lane-keeping assist. Optional safety features like blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert are available on higher trims.
Trim Levels
The Nissan Altima comes in five trim levels: S, SV, SR, SL, and Platinum. The base S trim offers a generous list of standard features, while the range-topping Platinum adds luxurious touches like leather upholstery, a Bose premium audio system, and a surround-view camera system.
The Honda Civic is available in four trim levels: LX, Sport, EX, and Touring. The base LX trim comes well-equipped, while the top-of-the-line Touring trim offers premium features like leather-trimmed seats, a wireless phone charger, and a premium audio system.
Pricing
The 2023 Nissan Altima has a starting price of around $24,500 for the base S trim, with prices increasing for higher trims and additional options. The fully-loaded Platinum trim can reach up to $34,000, depending on optional packages and features.
The 2023 Honda Civic starts at approximately $22,000 for the base LX trim and increases in price with each trim level and additional options. The top-of-the-line Touring trim can reach up to $29,000, depending on the chosen packages and features.
Key Differences
Exterior Design:
The Nissan Altima features a sleek, bold design with an aggressive V-shaped grille and a flowing roofline, giving it a sporty and sophisticated look. In contrast, the Honda Civic boasts a more mature and refined appearance, characterized by its angular grille and distinctive C-shaped taillights.
Interior Space:
Although both sedans offer comfortable seating for up to five passengers, the Honda Civic has slightly more rear legroom, making it a better choice for those who frequently transport taller passengers in the back seat.
Performance:
The Altima offers two engine options, with its turbocharged 2.0-liter engine producing 248 horsepower. The Civic, on the other hand, also has two engine choices, with its turbocharged 1.5-liter engine generating 180 horsepower. While both vehicles offer engaging driving experiences, the Altima has a more powerful engine option for those seeking extra performance.
Fuel Efficiency:
The Honda Civic stands out in terms of fuel efficiency, with its turbocharged 1.5-liter engine achieving an impressive EPA-estimated 33 mpg city and 42 mpg highway. The Altima’s base 2.5-liter engine still delivers commendable fuel economy, with 28 mpg city and 39 mpg highway, but falls short compared to the Civic.
Trim Levels:
The Nissan Altima is available in five trim levels (S, SV, SR, SL, and Platinum), while the Honda Civic comes in four trim levels (LX, Sport, EX, and Touring). The Altima’s additional trim level provides more options for customization and feature availability.
Pricing:
The base Honda Civic LX starts at a lower price point, around $22,000, compared to the Nissan Altima S, which starts at approximately $24,500. However, the fully-loaded Altima Platinum trim offers more luxury features and a more powerful engine compared to the Civic Touring, but comes with a higher price tag of around $34,000.
Final Thoughts
After examining the 2023 Nissan Altima and Honda Civic across various categories, it’s clear that both vehicles have much to offer. The Altima captivates with its bold design, luxurious interior, and powerful engine options, while the Civic impresses with its fuel efficiency, sporty driving dynamics, and refined appearance.
Ultimately, the choice between these two sedans comes down to personal preferences and specific requirements. Taking the time to test drive both vehicles and carefully considering their unique features will ensure that you make the best decision for your lifestyle and priorities.
Features Breakdown
Nissan Altima Features
- Exterior Design:
- Sleek and modern design
- Aggressive V-shaped grille
- Slim LED headlights
- Flowing roofline
- Interior Design:
- Clean and uncluttered layout
- High-quality materials and soft-touch surfaces
- Available leather-trimmed seats
- 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system
- Seating:
- Seating for up to five passengers
- Comfortable Zero Gravity seats
- Available heated front and rear seats
- Storage:
- 15.4 cubic feet of trunk space
- Foldable rear seats
- Additional storage compartments throughout the cabin
- Performance:
- 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine (188 hp)
- Turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine (248 hp)
- Continuously variable transmission (CVT)
- Fuel Efficiency:
- 28 mpg city / 39 mpg highway (2.5-liter engine)
- 25 mpg city / 34 mpg highway (turbocharged 2.0-liter engine)
- Safety:
- Nissan Safety Shield 360 suite
- Available adaptive cruise control and ProPILOT Assist
- Trim Levels:
- S, SV, SR, SL, and Platinum
- Pricing:
- Starting at around $24,500 (base S trim)
- Up to $34,000 (fully-loaded Platinum trim)
Honda Civic Features
- Exterior Design:
- Mature and refined design
- Angular grille
- LED headlights
- Distinctive C-shaped taillights
- Interior Design:
- Spacious and modern cabin
- Soft-touch materials and minimalist design
- 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system (standard)
- 9-inch touchscreen infotainment system (available)
- Seating:
- Seating for up to five passengers
- Generous rear legroom
- Available heated front seats
- Storage:
- 15.8 cubic feet of trunk space
- 60/40 split-folding rear seats
- Multiple storage compartments and pockets
- Performance:
- 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine (158 hp)
- Turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine (180 hp)
- Continuously variable transmission (CVT) or six-speed manual transmission
- Fuel Efficiency:
- 31 mpg city / 40 mpg highway (2.0-liter engine)
- 33 mpg city / 42 mpg highway (turbocharged 1.5-liter engine)
- Safety:
- Honda Sensing suite of safety features
- Available blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert
- Trim Levels:
- LX, Sport, EX, and Touring
- Pricing:
- Starting at around $22,000 (base LX trim)
- Up to $29,000 (fully-loaded Touring trim)
