Compare the2022 Acura TLXVS 2022 Nissan Altima

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Servicing Ease
Ergonomics
Recommendations

Safety

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Both the TLX and the Altima have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear seatbelt pretensioners, front wheel drive, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, lane departure warning systems, rearview cameras, driver alert monitors, available all wheel drive, blind spot warning systems, around view monitors and rear cross-path warning.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Acura TLX is safer than the Nissan Altima:

	TLX	Altima
OVERALL STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
	Driver
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	143	171
Neck Injury Risk	20%	30%
Neck Stress	175 lbs.	343 lbs.
Neck Compression	27 lbs.	78 lbs.
	Passenger
STARS	4 Stars	4 Stars
Neck Injury Risk	32%	54%
Neck Stress	186 lbs.	280 lbs.
Neck Compression	66 lbs.	110 lbs.

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a flat barrier at 38.5 MPH and into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the Acura TLX is safer than the Nissan Altima:

	TLX	Altima
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
HIC	128	187
Chest Movement	.8 inches	1.4 inches
Hip Force	279 lbs.	511 lbs.
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	181	185
Hip Force	539 lbs.	544 lbs.
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Max Damage Depth	12 inches	16 inches
Spine Acceleration	33 G’s	42 G’s
Hip Force	484 lbs.	769 lbs.

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

For its top level performance in IIHS driver and passenger-side small overlap frontal, moderate overlap frontal, side impact, roof strength and head restraint tests, its standard front crash prevention system, and its headlight’s “Good” rating, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the TLX its highest rating: “Top Pick Plus” for 2019, a rating granted to only 116 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The Altima is only a standard “Top Pick” for 2019.

Warranty

The TLX comes with a full 4-year/50,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire car and includes 24-hour roadside assistance. The Altima’s 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty expires 1 year or 14,000 miles sooner.

Acura’s powertrain warranty covers the TLX 1 year and 10,000 miles longer than Nissan covers the Altima. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 6 years or 70,000 miles. Coverage on the Altima ends after only 5 years or 60,000 miles.

Reliability

The battery on the TLX is in the trunk, which protects it from hot underhood temperatures that can degrade battery life. By keeping the TLX’s battery 20 to 30 degrees cooler, its life is increased by years. The Altima’s battery is in the hot engine compartment.

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the TLX’s reliability 41 points higher than the Altima.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2021 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Acura vehicles are more reliable than Nissan vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Acura 10th in reliability, above the industry average. With 20 more problems per 100 vehicles, Nissan is ranked 21st.

Engine

The TLX has more powerful engines than the Altima:

	Horsepower	Torque
TLX 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder	272 HP	280 lbs.-ft.
TLX Type S 3.0 turbo V6	355 HP	354 lbs.-ft.
Altima 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder	182 HP	178 lbs.-ft.
Altima 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder	188 HP	180 lbs.-ft.
Altima SR 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder	236 HP	267 lbs.-ft.

As tested in Car and Driver the Acura TLX turbo 4 cyl. is faster than the Nissan Altima 4 cyl.:

	TLX	Altima
Zero to 60 MPH	5.9 sec	7.4 sec
Zero to 100 MPH	15.3 sec	19.7 sec
5 to 60 MPH Rolling Start	6.5 sec	8.3 sec
Quarter Mile	14.5 sec	15.8 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	97 MPH	91 MPH
Top Speed	131 MPH	119 MPH

As tested in Motor Trend the TLX Type S 3.0 turbo V6 is faster than the Nissan Altima 2.5:

	TLX	Altima
Zero to 60 MPH	5.1 sec	7.4 sec
Quarter Mile	13.7 sec	15.7 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	101.8 MPH	90.2 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

An engine control system that can shut down some of the engine’s cylinders helps improve the TLX Type S’ fuel efficiency. The Altima doesn’t offer a system that can shut down part of the engine.

In heavy traffic or at stop lights the TLX’s engine automatically turns off when the vehicle is stopped, saving fuel and reducing pollution. The engine is automatically restarted when the driver gets ready to move again. If the conditions warrant or the driver wishes, the system can be manually disabled at any time for the duration of a trip. The Altima doesn’t offer an automatic engine start/stop system.

The TLX has a standard cap-less fueling system. The fuel filler is automatically opened when the fuel nozzle is inserted and automatically closed when it’s removed. This eliminates the need to unscrew and replace the cap and it reduces fuel evaporation, which causes pollution. The Altima doesn’t offer a cap-less fueling system.

Brakes and Stopping

For better stopping power the TLX’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Altima:

	TLX	TLX Type S	Altima
Front Rotors	13 inches	14.3 inches	11.65 inches
Rear Rotors	13 inches	13 inches	11.02 inches
Opt Rear Rotors			11.5 inches

The TLX stops much shorter than the Altima:

	TLX	Altima
70 to 0 MPH	165 feet	176 feet	Car and Driver
60 to 0 MPH	112 feet	119 feet	Motor Trend

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the TLX has larger standard tires than the Altima (235/50R18 vs. 215/60R16). The TLX Type S’ tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Altima (255/35R20 vs. 235/40R19).

The TLX’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 50 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Altima S’ standard 60 series tires. The TLX Type S’ tires have a lower 35 series profile than the Altima SR/Platinum’s 40 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the TLX has standard 18-inch wheels. Smaller 16-inch wheels are standard on the Altima S. The TLX Type S’ 20-inch wheels are larger than the 19-inch wheels on the Altima SR/Platinum.

Suspension and Handling

The TLX offers an optional driver-adjustable suspension system. It allows the driver to choose between an extra-supple ride, reducing fatigue on long trips, or a sport setting, which allows maximum control for tricky roads. The Altima’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the TLX’s wheelbase is 1.8 inches longer than on the Altima (113 inches vs. 111.2 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the TLX is .8 inches wider in the front and 1.4 inches wider in the rear than the average track on the Altima.

The TLX Type S handles at .97 G’s, while the Altima SV AWD pulls only .84 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The TLX Type S executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 2.7 seconds quicker than the Altima SV AWD (25 seconds @ .75 average G’s vs. 27.7 seconds @ .61 average G’s).

Passenger Space

The TLX has 1.1 inches more front hip room and .1 inches more rear hip room than the Altima.

Cargo Capacity

To allow full utilization of available cargo room, the TLX’s trunk lid uses concealed beam hinges that don’t intrude into the trunk. The Altima’s useful trunk space is reduced by its intrusive beam hinge.

With its sedan body style, valet key, locking rear seatbacks and remote trunk release lockout, the TLX offers cargo security. The Altima’s non-lockable folding seat and non-lockable remote release defeat cargo security.

Servicing Ease

The TLX uses gas struts to support the hood for easier service access. The Altima uses a prop rod to support its heavy hood. It takes two hands to open the hood and set the prop rod, the prop rod gets in the way during maintenance and service, and the prop rod could be knocked out, causing the heavy hood to fall on the person maintaining or servicing the car.

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Acura service is better than Nissan. J.D. Power ranks Acura 6th in service department satisfaction (above the industry average). With a 13% lower rating, Nissan is ranked 17th.

Ergonomics

The TLX Advance has a standard heads-up display that projects speed, warning and navigation instruction readouts in front of the driver’s line of sight, allowing drivers to view information without diverting their eyes from the road. The Altima doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

The TLX’s power parking brake sets with one touch and releases with one touch or automatically. The Altima’s parking brake has to be released manually.

The TLX’s front and rear power windows all open or close fully with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside the car. The Altima’s standard passenger windows don’t open or close automatically. With the Altima SL/Platinum’s power windows, only the front windows open or close automatically.

The TLX’s power window, power lock and cruise control switches are lit from behind, making them plainly visible and easier to operate at night. The Altima’s power window (except driver window) switches are unlit, making them difficult to find at night and operate safely.

The TLX Advance/Type S’ standard wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically according to the amount of rainfall on the windshield. The Altima’s intermittent wipers change speed with vehicle speed, but can’t turn on and off or change speed based on changing rainfall.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) conducts detailed tests on headlights for their range both straight ahead and in curves and to be certain they don’t exceed acceptable amounts of glare to oncoming drivers. The TLX’s headlights were rated “Good” by the IIHS, while the Altima’s headlights are rated “Acceptable.”

The TLX’s standard outside mirrors include heating elements to clear off the mirrors for better visibility. Heated mirrors cost extra on the Altima and aren’t offered on the Altima S.

When the TLX is put in reverse, both rearview mirrors tilt from their original position. This gives the driver a better view of the curb during parallel parking maneuvers. Shifting out of reverse puts the mirrors into their original positions. The Altima’s mirrors don’t automatically adjust for backing.

The TLX has standard heated front seats. Heated front seats cost extra on the Altima, and aren’t available on the Altima S. The TLX Advance also has standard heated rear seats to keep those passengers extremely comfortable in the winter. Heated rear seats aren’t available in the Altima.

Optional air-conditioned seats in the TLX keep the driver and front passenger comfortable and take the sting out of hot seats in Summer. The Altima doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats.

The TLX has a standard dual zone air conditioning allows the driver and front passenger to choose two completely different temperatures so people with different temperature preferences won’t have to compromise. This makes both the driver and front passenger as comfortable as possible. Dual zone air conditioning is only available on the Altima SL/Platinum.

Both the TLX and the Altima offer rear vents. For greater rear passenger comfort, the TLX has standard rear air conditioning vents to keep rear occupants cool in summer or warm in winter. The Altima doesn’t offer rear air conditioning vents, only heat vents.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Acura TLX A-Spec/Advance/Type S has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. The Altima doesn’t offer wireless personal charging.

Recommendations

Consumer Reports® recommends both the Acura TLX and the Nissan Altima, based on reliability, safety and performance.