In the competitive midsize sedan market, two vehicles consistently rise to the top of the list: the Toyota Camry and the Nissan Altima. Both vehicles have earned their reputations for offering a blend of style, performance, and reliability that appeals to a wide range of drivers.
As the 2023 models hit the market, potential buyers are eager to see how these two popular sedans stack up against each other.
In this comprehensive comparison, we will delve into the key features, trim levels, performance, and other factors that set these vehicles apart, ultimately helping you make an informed decision on which sedan is the perfect fit for your needs and preferences. So, without further ado, let’s dive into the ultimate showdown between the 2023 Toyota Camry and the 2023 Nissan Altima.
Exterior Design
The 2023 Camry features a sleek, sporty appearance with an aggressive front fascia, slim LED headlights, and a bold grille. The side profile is characterized by sharp, sculpted lines that flow into the rear, showcasing a modern and dynamic stance. The taillights are connected by a thin LED strip, adding a touch of elegance to the overall design.
The 2023 Altima boasts a striking, futuristic design with a prominent V-motion grille, LED headlights with signature daytime running lights, and a floating roofline. The sedan’s overall shape is aerodynamic, with a low, wide stance that conveys a sense of motion even when stationary. The rear end features distinct taillights and a chrome-accented rear bumper for added sophistication.
Interior and Features
The Camry’s cabin is spacious and well-appointed, with soft-touch materials and available leather seating. The standard infotainment system features a 7-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto integration. Upgrades include a larger 9-inch touchscreen, JBL premium audio, and wireless charging.
The Altima’s interior features a refined layout with high-quality materials and available leather seating. The standard infotainment system comes with an 8-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto integration. Optional upgrades include a 9-inch touchscreen, Bose premium audio, and wireless charging.
Seating
Comfortable and spacious seating is crucial for any midsize sedan, and both the Toyota Camry and Nissan Altima deliver in this department.
The 2023 Camry offers seating for up to five passengers, with ample headroom and legroom in both the front and rear seats. The seats are supportive and comfortable, with available power-adjustable driver and front passenger seats. Higher trims come with leather upholstery, heated and ventilated front seats, and heated rear seats for added comfort.
The 2023 Altima also accommodates up to five passengers, with a focus on comfort and space. The front seats feature Nissan’s Zero Gravity design, providing excellent support for long drives. The rear seats offer ample legroom, and the cabin feels open and airy. Optional features include power-adjustable front seats, leather upholstery, heated front and rear seats, and a heated steering wheel.
Both sedans provide comfortable seating options for drivers and passengers, with the Camry and Altima offering various upgrades to enhance comfort further.
Storage and Cargo Space
Midsize sedans need to offer practical storage solutions and ample cargo space for everyday use. The Toyota Camry and Nissan Altima both provide competitive storage capacities and clever storage features.
The 2023 Camry offers a sizable trunk with 15.1 cubic feet of cargo space, which can be expanded using the 60/40-split folding rear seats. The cabin also features multiple storage compartments, including cupholders, door pockets, and a center console storage bin. Additionally, the Camry Hybrid models maintain the same cargo space, thanks to the strategic placement of the battery pack.
The 2023 Altima provides a spacious trunk with 15.4 cubic feet of cargo capacity, slightly edging out the Camry. The rear seats also feature a 60/40-split folding design, allowing for increased storage when needed. The interior offers various storage spaces, including cupholders, door pockets, and a center console storage compartment.
Both vehicles deliver ample cargo space and practical storage solutions, making them excellent choices for families and daily commuters alike. The Altima does offer slightly more trunk space, which may be a deciding factor for those in need of extra storage capacity.
Performance and Efficiency
Both the Toyota Camry and Nissan Altima offer a range of powertrain options, catering to different driver preferences.
The 2023 Camry comes with three powertrain options: a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine producing 203 horsepower, a 3.5-liter V6 with 301 horsepower, and a hybrid powertrain that combines a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine with an electric motor for a total output of 208 horsepower.
The base engine achieves an EPA-estimated fuel economy of 28 MPG city and 39 MPG highway, while the V6 delivers 22 MPG city and 33 MPG highway. The hybrid powertrain is the most efficient, with an impressive 51 MPG city and 53 MPG highway.
The 2023 Altima offers two engine choices: a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine generating 188 horsepower and a turbocharged 2.0-liter VC-Turbo engine producing 248 horsepower. The base engine has an EPA-estimated fuel economy of 28 MPG city and 39 MPG highway, while the VC-Turbo variant achieves 25 MPG city and 34 MPG highway.
When comparing the two sedans, the Camry holds the advantage with its more powerful V6 and hybrid options. However, the Altima’s VC-Turbo engine offers an exciting balance of power and efficiency.
Safety
The 2023 Camry comes standard with Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+, which includes advanced driver-assistance features such as Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection, Lane Departure Alert with Steering Assist, Full-Speed Range Dynamic Radar Cruise Control, and Road Sign Assist.
The Camry has also earned a 5-star overall safety rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and a Top Safety Pick+ designation from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).
The 2023 Altima is equipped with Nissan’s ProPILOT Assist suite of safety features, which includes Automatic Emergency Braking with Pedestrian Detection, Lane Departure Warning, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, and Blind Spot Warning. Additionally, the Altima has been awarded a 5-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick designation from the IIHS.
Both sedans offer comprehensive safety packages, ensuring a high level of protection for drivers and passengers alike.
Trim Levels
Both the Toyota Camry and Nissan Altima offer various trim levels to cater to different preferences and budgets. Each trim level comes with a unique combination of features, allowing buyers to choose the model that best suits their needs.
Toyota Camry:
The 2023 Camry is available in six trim levels: L, LE, SE, XLE, XSE, and TRD. The hybrid variant is offered in three trims: Hybrid LE, Hybrid SE, and Hybrid XLE.
- L: The base trim comes with standard features such as a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto integration, and Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+.
- LE: This trim adds features like an 8-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, 60/40-split folding rear seats, and an integrated car alarm.
- SE: The SE trim adds a sporty touch with a sport-tuned suspension, 18-inch alloy wheels, and a rear spoiler, in addition to upgraded interior materials.
- XLE: This luxury-oriented trim offers features like a 9-inch touchscreen, leather-trimmed seats, heated front seats, and dual-zone automatic climate control.
- XSE: Building on the XLE, the XSE trim adds a more aggressive exterior design, sport-tuned suspension, and available V6 engine.
- TRD: This performance-focused trim features a track-tuned suspension, TRD-specific exterior styling, and upgraded brakes.
Nissan Altima:
The 2023 Altima is available in five trim levels: S, SV, SR, SL, and Platinum. The VC-Turbo engine is offered in the SR and Platinum trims.
- S: The base trim includes standard features like an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, and Nissan’s ProPILOT Assist safety suite.
- SV: This trim adds features such as 17-inch alloy wheels, dual-zone automatic climate control, and adaptive cruise control.
- SR: The sporty SR trim offers a sport-tuned suspension, 19-inch alloy wheels, and a dark chrome V-motion grille, along with the option to upgrade to the VC-Turbo engine.
- SL: This luxury-focused trim includes leather-appointed seats, a Bose premium audio system, and a heated steering wheel.
- Platinum: The range-topping Platinum trim features a 9-inch touchscreen, a 360-degree camera, and the option to upgrade to the VC-Turbo engine.
Both the Toyota Camry and Nissan Altima offer a diverse range of trim levels to suit various preferences and budgets. Comparing the available features and options in each trim will help buyers find the perfect balance of luxury, performance, and value for their needs.
Pricing
The base 2023 Camry starts at $25,295, with the top-of-the-line XSE V6 trim priced at $36,545. The hybrid models range from $28,495 for the base Hybrid LE to $33,595 for the Hybrid XLE.
The base 2023 Altima has a starting price of $25,525, with the range-topping Platinum VC-Turbo trim starting at $36,975.
While both vehicles have similar starting prices, the Camry’s hybrid option adds another layer of choice for buyers seeking fuel efficiency.
Key Differences
While the Toyota Camry and Nissan Altima share similarities as popular midsize sedans, there are several key differences to consider when making a decision between these two vehicles:
Powertrain Options:
The Toyota Camry offers a wider range of powertrain options, with a standard 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine, an available 3.5-liter V6 engine, and a hybrid powertrain for those seeking greater fuel efficiency. The Nissan Altima offers a standard 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine and an optional 2.0-liter VC-Turbo engine, which provides a unique balance of performance and fuel efficiency but lacks a hybrid option.
Performance:
The Camry offers sportier performance in its SE, XSE, and TRD trims, which come with sport-tuned suspensions. The Altima offers a sport-tuned suspension in its SR trim only. The Camry’s TRD trim, in particular, is track-tuned for a more performance-oriented driving experience, which the Altima doesn’t offer.
Fuel Efficiency:
While both vehicles boast competitive fuel efficiency, the Camry’s hybrid option offers a significant advantage for those looking to maximize fuel savings. The Altima’s VC-Turbo engine does provide a balance of performance and fuel efficiency, but it doesn’t match the Camry Hybrid’s overall economy.
Interior Comfort:
Both sedans offer comfortable interiors, but the Altima features Nissan’s Zero Gravity front seats, providing exceptional support for long drives. The Camry, on the other hand, offers available heated and ventilated front seats and heated rear seats in higher trims, adding an extra layer of comfort for passengers.
Cargo Space:
The Nissan Altima has a slightly larger trunk, offering 15.4 cubic feet of cargo capacity compared to the Camry’s 15.1 cubic feet. While this difference may not be significant for some, it could be a deciding factor for those in need of extra storage capacity.
Trim Levels:
The Toyota Camry comes in six trim levels, along with three hybrid variants, providing a wider range of choices for buyers. The Nissan Altima, on the other hand, offers five trim levels, with the VC-Turbo engine available in two of those trims.
Final Thoughts
The 2023 Toyota Camry and Nissan Altima are both excellent choices for those seeking a stylish, comfortable, and reliable midsize sedan. Each vehicle offers a range of trim levels, powertrain options, and advanced features to cater to different preferences and budgets. The Camry holds an edge in terms of powertrain variety and fuel efficiency with its hybrid option, while the Altima’s unique VC-Turbo engine provides a balance of performance and economy.
When it comes to interior comfort, cargo space, and technology, both vehicles deliver competitive offerings, making the choice between them a matter of personal preference. We recommend taking the time to test drive both the Camry and Altima, comparing their key differences, and considering your priorities to determine which vehicle best suits your needs and lifestyle. Ultimately, either option will provide a satisfying driving experience and reliable transportation for years to come.
Features Breakdown
Here’s a detailed breakdown of the key features available for the 2023 Toyota Camry and Nissan Altima across their respective trim levels:
2023 Toyota Camry:
- Infotainment:
- Standard 7-inch touchscreen (L trim)
- Upgraded 9-inch touchscreen (XLE, XSE trims)
- Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration (All trims)
- JBL premium audio system (XLE, XSE, TRD trims)
- Interior Comfort and Convenience:
- Cloth upholstery (L, LE, SE trims)
- Leather-trimmed seats (XLE, XSE trims)
- Power-adjustable driver and front passenger seats (LE, SE, XLE, XSE, TRD trims)
- Heated and ventilated front seats (XLE, XSE, TRD trims)
- Heated rear seats (XLE, XSE trims)
- Dual-zone automatic climate control (XLE, XSE, TRD trims)
- Safety:
- Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+ (All trims)
- Blind Spot Monitor with Rear Cross Traffic Alert (LE, SE, XLE, XSE, TRD trims)
- Adaptive headlights (XLE, XSE, TRD trims)
- Performance:
- 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine (Standard for L, LE, SE, XLE, XSE trims)
- 3.5-liter V6 engine (Optional for XSE trim)
- Hybrid powertrain (Hybrid LE, Hybrid SE, Hybrid XLE trims)
- Sport-tuned suspension (SE, XSE, TRD trims)
- Track-tuned suspension (TRD trim)
2023 Nissan Altima:
- Infotainment:
- Standard 8-inch touchscreen (S, SV, SR, SL trims)
- Upgraded 9-inch touchscreen (Platinum trim)
- Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration (All trims)
- Bose premium audio system (SL, Platinum trims)
- Interior Comfort and Convenience:
- Cloth upholstery (S, SV, SR trims)
- Leather-appointed seats (SL, Platinum trims)
- Zero Gravity front seats (All trims)
- Power-adjustable driver and front passenger seats (SV, SR, SL, Platinum trims)
- Heated front and rear seats (SL, Platinum trims)
- Heated steering wheel (SL, Platinum trims)
- Dual-zone automatic climate control (SV, SR, SL, Platinum trims)
- Safety:
- Nissan ProPILOT Assist (All trims)
- Blind Spot Warning (All trims)
- Rear Cross Traffic Alert (All trims)
- Lane Departure Warning (All trims)
- Performance:
- 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine (Standard for S, SV, SL, Platinum trims)
- 2.0-liter VC-Turbo engine (Optional for SR, Platinum trims)
- Sport-tuned suspension (SR trim)
This features breakdown showcases the key offerings of the 2023 Toyota Camry and Nissan Altima across their respective trim levels. Comparing the available features in each vehicle can help you find the perfect combination of comfort, technology, safety, and performance to meet your needs.
