Compare the2023 Acura IntegraVS 2023 Nissan Altima

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

Safety

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Both the Integra and the Altima have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front and rear 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, plastic fuel tanks, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, driver alert monitors and available rear parking sensors.

Side impacts caused 23% of all road fatalities in 2018, down from 29% in 2003, when the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety introduced its side barrier test. In order to continue improving vehicle safety, the IIHS has started using a more severe side impact test: 37 MPH (up from 31 MPH), with a 4180-pound barrier (up from 3300 pounds). The results of this newly developed test demonstrates that the Acura Integra is much safer than the Altima:

	Integra	Altima
Overall Evaluation	GOOD	POOR
Structure	ACCEPTABLE	POOR
	Driver Injury Measures
Head/Neck	GOOD	MARGINAL
Head Injury Criterion	160	562
Head Peak Forces	no contact	109 G’s
Neck Tension	201 lbs.	625 lbs.
Torso	ACCEPTABLE	POOR
Shoulder Deflection	1.14 in	2.09 in
Shoulder Force	268 lbs.	402 lbs.
Torso Max Deflection	1.26 in	2.2 in
Torso Deflection Rate	8 MPH	11 MPH
Pelvis	ACCEPTABLE	POOR
Pelvis Force	959 lbs.	1339 lbs.
Head Protection	GOOD	MARGINAL
	Passenger Injury Measures
Neck Tension	112 lbs.	201 lbs.
Shoulder Deflection	1.02 in	1.06 in
Shoulder Force	201 lbs.	290 lbs.
Pelvis	GOOD	GOOD
Pelvis Force	602 lbs.	892 lbs.
Head Protection	GOOD	GOOD

For its performance in IIHS driver-side and passenger-side small overlap frontal, moderate overlap frontal, updated side impact, headlight, daytime pedestrian crash prevention, and nighttime pedestrian crash prevention testing, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the Integra its highest rating: “Top Safety Pick Plus” for 2023, a rating granted to only 29 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The Altima was last a “Top Safety Pick Plus” in 2022 but no longer qualifies.

Warranty

The Integra 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 Integra 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.

Acura pays for scheduled maintenance on the Integra for 2 years and 24,000 miles. Acura will pay for oil changes, lubrication and any other required maintenance. Nissan doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the Altima.

Reliability

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2023 Auto Issue reports that Acura vehicles are more reliable than Nissan vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Acura 7 places higher in reliability than Nissan.

Engine

The Integra’s 1.5 turbo 4-cylinder produces 18 more horsepower (200 vs. 182) and 14 lbs.-ft. more torque (192 vs. 178) than the Altima’s optional 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder. The Integra’s 1.5 turbo 4-cylinder produces 12 more horsepower (200 vs. 188) and 12 lbs.-ft. more torque (192 vs. 180) than the Altima’s standard 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder.

Fuel Economy and Range

On the EPA test cycle the Integra gets better mileage than the Altima:

			MPG
Integra
FWD	Manual	1.5 turbo 4-cyl.	26 city/36 hwy
	Auto	1.5 turbo 4-cyl.	30 city/37 hwy
		A-Spec 1.5 turbo 4-cyl.	29 city/36 hwy
Altima
	Auto	S 2.5 DOHC 4-cyl.	27 city/39 hwy
		SV/SL/SR 2.5 DOHC 4-cyl.	27 city/37 hwy
		2.0 turbo 4-cyl.	25 city/34 hwy
AWD	Auto	SV/SL 2.5 DOHC 4-cyl.	26 city/36 hwy
		SR 2.5 DOHC 4-cyl.	25 city/35 hwy

In heavy traffic or at stoplights the Integra’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 Integra 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 Integra’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Altima:

	Integra	Altima
Front Rotors	12.3 inches	11.65 inches
Rear Rotors	11.1 inches	11.02 inches

The Integra stops shorter than the Altima:

	Integra	Altima
60 to 0 MPH	129 feet	131 feet	Consumer Reports
60 to 0 MPH (Wet)	137 feet	140 feet	Consumer Reports

Tires and Wheels

The Integra’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.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Integra has standard 17-inch wheels. Smaller 16-inch wheels are standard on the Altima S.

Suspension and Handling

The Integra 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.

The Integra A-Spec Technology handles at .87 G’s, while the Altima SV AWD pulls only .84 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The Integra A-Spec Technology executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the Altima SV AWD (27.2 seconds @ .63 average G’s vs. 27.7 seconds @ .61 average G’s).

Chassis

The Integra is 7.1 inches shorter than the Altima, making the Integra easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

Passenger Space

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

Cargo Capacity

To allow full utilization of available cargo room, the Integra’s hatch uses gas strut supported hinges that don’t intrude into the cargo area. The Altima’s useful trunk space is reduced by its intrusive beam hinge.

Servicing Ease

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 22% lower rating, Nissan is ranked 18th.

Ergonomics

When two different drivers share the Integra A-Spec with Technology Package, the memory seats make it convenient for both. Each setting activates different, customized memories for the driver’s seat position. The Altima doesn’t offer memory seats.

The Integra’s standard easy entry system glides the driver’s seat back, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The Altima doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

The Integra A-Spec with Technology Package has a standard heads-up display that projects speed and warning 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 Integra’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 Integra’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 Integra’s driver can lower all the windows from a distance with the keyless remote or at the outside door handle. The driver of the Altima can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The Integra’s power window, power lock, power mirror 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 Integra A-Spec’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.

The Integra’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 Integra A-Spec with Technology Package is put in reverse, the passenger rearview mirror tilts from its original position. This gives the driver a better view of the curb during parallel parking maneuvers. Shifting out of reverse puts the mirror into its original position. The Altima’s mirror doesn’t automatically adjust for backing.

Recommendations

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

A group of representative automotive journalists from North America selected the Integra as the 2023 North American Car of the Year. The Altima was last chosen in 2002.