Compare the2024 Volkswagen ArteonVS 2024 Nissan Altima

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

Safety

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The Arteon has a standard Automatic Post-Collision Braking System, which automatically applies the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The Altima doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, All-Wheel Drive is standard on the Arteon. But it costs extra on the Altima.

Both the Arteon 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 seatbelt pretensioners, 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 and available around view monitors.

The Volkswagen Arteon weighs 450 to 676 pounds more than the Nissan Altima. The NHTSA advises that heavier cars are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts.

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 Arteon its highest rating: “Top Safety Pick Plus” for 2019, a rating granted to only 126 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The Altima is only a standard “Top Safety Pick” for 2019.

Warranty

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

The Arteon’s corrosion warranty is 2 years longer than the Altima’s (7 vs. 5 years).

Volkswagen pays for scheduled maintenance on the Arteon for 2 years and 20,000 miles. Volkswagen will pay for oil changes, tire rotations, air filter replacements, brake fluid replacement, inspections, and any other required maintenance. Nissan doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the Altima.

Reliability

The Volkswagen Arteon’s engine uses a cast iron block for durability, while the Altima’s engines use an aluminum block. Aluminum engine blocks are much more prone to warp and crack at high temperatures than cast iron.

Engine

The Arteon’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 118 more horsepower (300 vs. 182) and 117 lbs.-ft. more torque (295 vs. 178) than the Altima AWD’s optional 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder. The Arteon’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 112 more horsepower (300 vs. 188) and 115 lbs.-ft. more torque (295 vs. 180) than the Altima’s standard 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder. The Arteon’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 52 more horsepower (300 vs. 248) and 22 lbs.-ft. more torque (295 vs. 273) than the Altima SR’s optional 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder.

Fuel Economy and Range

In heavy traffic or at stoplights the Arteon’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 Arteon has 1.4 gallons more fuel capacity than the Altima AWD’s standard fuel tank (17.4 vs. 16 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The Arteon has 1.2 gallons more fuel capacity than the Altima FWD’s standard fuel tank (17.4 vs. 16.2 gallons).

Brakes and Stopping

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

	Arteon	Altima
Front Rotors	13.4 inches	11.65 inches
Rear Rotors	12.2 inches	11.02 inches
Opt Rear Rotors		11.5 inches

The Arteon’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 Arteon stops shorter than the Altima:

	Arteon	Altima
70 to 0 MPH	167 feet	176 feet	Car and Driver
60 to 0 MPH	125 feet	131 feet	Consumer Reports
60 to 0 MPH (Wet)	129 feet	140 feet	Consumer Reports

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the Arteon has larger tires than the Altima (245/35R20 vs. 215/60R16). The Arteon’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Altima (245/35R20 vs. 235/40R19).

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

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Arteon has standard 20-inch wheels. Smaller 16-inch wheels are standard on the Altima S. The Altima’s largest wheels are only 19-inches.

The Arteon SEL Premium has a standard full size spare tire so a flat doesn’t interrupt your trip. A full size spare isn’t available on the Altima; it requires you to depend on a temporary spare, which limits mileage and speed before replacement.

Suspension and Handling

The Arteon has a standard 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 Arteon SEL Premium R-Line handles at .90 G’s, while the Altima SL AWD pulls only .89 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The Arteon SEL Premium R-Line executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1 seconds quicker than the Altima SV AWD (26.7 seconds @ .64 average G’s vs. 27.7 seconds @ .61 average G’s).

Passenger Space

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

The Arteon has .2 inches more rear headroom and 5 inches more rear legroom than the Altima.

Cargo Capacity

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

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

To make loading and unloading groceries and cargo easier when your hands are full, the Arteon’s power liftgate can be opened or closed just by kicking your foot under the back bumper, leaving your hands completely free. The Altima doesn’t offer a power or hands-free opening trunk.

Towing

The Arteon has a 2000 lbs. towing capacity. The Altima has no towing capacity.

Servicing Ease

The Arteon 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.

Ergonomics

When two different drivers share the Arteon, the memory seats and mirrors make it convenient for both. Each setting activates different, customized memories for the driver’s seat position and outside mirror angle. The Altima doesn’t offer a memory system.

The Arteon’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 Arteon’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 passenger windows don’t open or close automatically.

The Arteon’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 Arteon’s rain-sensitive wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically based on the amount of rainfall on the windshield. This allows the driver to concentrate on driving without constantly adjusting the wipers. 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 Arteon 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.

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 Arteon’s headlights were rated “Good” by the IIHS, while the Altima’s headlights are rated “Acceptable.”

To help drivers avoid possible obstacles, the Arteon has standard cornering lights to illuminate around corners when the turn signals are activated. The Altima doesn’t offer cornering lights. The Arteon also has standard adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle.

The Arteon’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 Arteon 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.

The Arteon’s standard rear and 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.

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

Standard air-conditioned seats in the Arteon SEL Premium 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 Arteon has a standard heated steering wheel to take the chill out of steering on extremely cold winter days before the car heater warms up. A heated steering wheel is only available on the Altima SL/SR 2.0.

The Arteon SEL Premium has standard massaging front seats in order to maximize comfort and eliminate fatigue on long trips. Massaging seats aren’t available in the Altima.

The Arteon 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 Arteon and the Altima offer rear vents. For greater rear passenger comfort, the Arteon 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 Volkswagen Arteon has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. Wireless charging costs extra on the Altima and isn’t available on the Altima S.

The Arteon SEL Premium’s Park Assist can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, with the driver only controlling speed with the brake pedal. The Altima doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

Recommendations

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