Compare the2023 Chrysler 300VS 2023 Nissan Altima

The 300 has standard Active Head Restraints, which use a specially designed headrest to protect the driver and front passenger from whiplash. During a rear-end collision, the Active Head Restraints system moves the headrests forward to prevent neck and spine injuries. The Altima doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

Both the 300 and the Altima have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, plastic fuel tanks, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, daytime running lights, rearview cameras, available all wheel drive, crash mitigating brakes, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rear parking sensors and rear cross-path warning.

The Chrysler 300 weighs 553 to 1136 pounds more than the Nissan Altima. The NHTSA advises that heavier cars are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Chrysler 300 is safer than the Nissan Altima:

	300	Altima
	Passenger
STARS	4 Stars	4 Stars
HIC	203	239
Neck Injury Risk	33%	54%
Neck Stress	143 lbs.	280 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 Chrysler 300 is safer than the Nissan Altima:

	300	Altima
	Front Seat
STARS	4 Stars	4 Stars
Chest Movement	1.4 inches	1.4 inches
Hip Force	433 lbs.	511 lbs.
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	134	185
Hip Force	350 lbs.	544 lbs.
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Max Damage Depth	14 inches	16 inches

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

There are over 2 times as many Chrysler dealers as there are Nissan dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the 300’s warranty.

To reliably power the ignition and other systems and to recharge the battery, the 300 has a standard 160-amp alternator (180-amp - 300 S). The Altima’s standard 120-amp alternator and largest (2.0 VC) 150-amp alternator aren’t as powerful.

To reliably start during all conditions and help handle large electrical loads, the 300 has a standard 730-amp battery. The Altima’s 510-amp battery isn’t as powerful.

The battery on the 300 is in the trunk, which protects it from hot underhood temperatures that can degrade battery life. By keeping the 300’s battery 20 to 30 degrees cooler, its life is increased by years. The Altima’s battery is in the hot engine compartment.

The 300 has more powerful engines than the Altima:

	Horsepower	Torque
300 3.6 DOHC V6	292 HP	260 lbs.-ft.
300S 3.6 DOHC V6	300 HP	264 lbs.-ft.
300 5.7 V8	363 HP	394 lbs.-ft.
300C 6.4 V8	485 HP	475 lbs.-ft.
Altima AWD 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	248 HP	273 lbs.-ft.

As tested in Car and Driver the Chrysler 300 V6 is faster than the Altima AWD 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder:

	300	Altima
Zero to 30 MPH	2.6 sec	2.9 sec
Zero to 60 MPH	6.5 sec	7.4 sec
Zero to 100 MPH	16.2 sec	19.7 sec
5 to 60 MPH Rolling Start	6.7 sec	8.3 sec
Passing 30 to 50 MPH	3.7 sec	4.8 sec
Passing 50 to 70 MPH	5 sec	5.6 sec
Quarter Mile	15.1 sec	15.8 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	96 MPH	91 MPH
Top Speed	121 MPH	119 MPH

As tested in Motor Trend the 300S 3.6 DOHC V6 is faster than the Nissan Altima 2.5:

	300	Altima
Zero to 60 MPH	6.4 sec	7.4 sec
Quarter Mile	14.9 sec	15.7 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	97.1 MPH	90.2 MPH

An engine control system that can shut down some of the engine’s cylinders helps improve the 300 V8’s fuel efficiency. The Altima doesn’t offer a system that can shut down part of the engine.

The 300 has 2.5 gallons more fuel capacity than the Altima AWD’s standard fuel tank (18.5 vs. 16 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The 300 has 2.3 gallons more fuel capacity than the Altima FWD’s standard fuel tank (18.5 vs. 16.2 gallons).

The 300 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.

For better stopping power the 300’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Altima:

	300	300C	Altima
Front Rotors	12.6 inches	14.2 inches	11.65 inches
Rear Rotors	12.6 inches	13.8 inches	11.02 inches
Opt Rear Rotors			11.5 inches

The 300 V8/AWD’s standard front and rear disc brakes are vented to help dissipate heat for shorter stops with less fading. The rear discs on the Altima are solid, not vented.

The 300 stops shorter than the Altima:

	300	Altima
70 to 0 MPH	174 feet	176 feet	Car and Driver
60 to 0 MPH	115 feet	119 feet	Motor Trend

For better traction, the 300’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Altima (245/45R20 vs. 235/40R19).

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the 300 Touring has standard 17-inch wheels. Smaller 16-inch wheels are standard on the Altima S. The 300’s optional 20-inch wheels are larger than the 19-inch wheels on the Altima SR/SL.

The 300 offers an available 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 300’s wheelbase is 8.8 inches longer than on the Altima (120 inches vs. 111.2 inches).

The 300’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (52% to 48%) than the Altima’s (59.6% to 40.4%). This gives the 300 more stable handling and braking.

The 300S handles at .85 G’s, while the Altima SV AWD pulls only .84 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The 300S executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1 seconds quicker than the Altima SV AWD (26.7 seconds @ .66 average G’s vs. 27.7 seconds @ .61 average G’s).

As tested by Car and Driver, the interior of the 300S is quieter than the Altima SR AWD:

	300	Altima
At idle	39 dB	45 dB
70 MPH Cruising	69 dB	70 dB

Because it has more passenger and cargo room, the EPA rates the 300 a Large car, while the Altima is rated a Mid-size.

The 300 has 5.7 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Altima (106.3 vs. 100.6).

The 300 has 1.5 inches more front hip room, 1.3 inches more front shoulder room, 1 inch more rear headroom, 4.9 inches more rear legroom, 1.6 inches more rear hip room and .6 inches more rear shoulder room than the Altima.

The 300 has a larger trunk than the Altima (16.3 vs. 15.4 cubic feet).

To allow full utilization of available cargo room, the 300’s trunk lid uses gas strut supported hinges that don’t intrude into the trunk. Its intrusive beam hinge reduces the Altima’s useful trunk space.

A standard locking glovebox keeps your small valuables safer in the 300. The Altima doesn’t offer locking storage for small valuables.

The 300 has a 1000 lbs. towing capacity. The Altima has no towing capacity.

Standard Trailer Sway Mitigation on the 300 uses the Electronic Stability Control sensors to detect trailer sway, then uses individual brakes to counteract any swaying and help keep the tow vehicle and trailer steady. The Altima doesn’t offer electronic trailer sway control.

The 300 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.

The engine in the 300 is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the Altima. This makes it easier to service and maintain, because the accessory belts are in front.

When two different drivers share the 300 S/Touring L, the optional memory system makes it convenient for both. Each keyless remote activates different, customized memories for the driver’s seat position, steering wheel position, outside mirror angle and radio stations. The Altima doesn’t offer a memory system.

The 300 (except Base)’s optional easy entry system raises the steering wheel and glides the driver’s seat back when the door is unlocked or the ignition is switched off, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The Altima doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

The power windows standard on both the 300 and the Altima have locks to prevent small children from operating them. When the lock on the 300 is engaged the driver can still operate all of the windows, for instance to close one opened by a child. The Altima prevents the driver from operating the other windows just as it does the other passengers.

The 300’s front power windows 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. The Altima SL’s rear windows don’t close automatically.

On a hot day the 300’s driver can lower the front windows from a distance using the keyless remote. The driver of the Altima can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The 300’s optional 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.

Heated windshield washer nozzles are standard on the 300 to prevent washer fluid and nozzles from freezing and help continue to keep the windshield clear in sub-freezing temperatures. The Altima doesn’t offer heated windshield washer nozzles.

To help drivers see further while navigating curves, the 300 S/Touring L offers optional adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle. The Altima doesn’t offer cornering lights.

A power rear sunshade is optional in the 300 S/Touring L to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. The Altima doesn’t offer a rear sunshade.

The 300’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 300 S/Touring L with available tilt-down mirrors 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 300’s standard rear view mirror and optional side view mirrors have an automatic dimming feature. These mirrors can be set to automatically darken quickly when headlights shine on them, keeping following vehicles from blinding or distracting the driver. The Altima offers an automatic rear view mirror, but its side mirrors don’t dim.

Both the 300 and the Altima offer available heated front seats. The 300 S/Touring L also offers optional 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 300 S/Touring L 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 300 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/SR VC-Turbo.

Both the 300 and the Altima offer rear vents. For greater rear passenger comfort, the 300 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.

Insurance will cost less for the 300 owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the 300 will cost $655 less than the Altima over a five-year period.

The 300 will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the 300 will retain 45.05% to 46.14% of its original price after five years, while the Altima only retains 41.82% to 43.68%.

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the 300 is less expensive to operate than the Altima because it costs $328 less to do the manufacturer’s suggested maintenance for 50,000 miles. Typical repairs cost less on the 300 than the Altima, including $101 less for a starter and $116 less for fuel injection.

Consumer Reports® recommends both the Chrysler 300 and the Nissan Altima, based on reliability, safety and performance.