2023 Nissan Altima vs 2023 Mercedes-Benz S-Class

The seventh generation of the Mercedes-Benz S-Class, which debuted in 2021, continued to impress in 2023 with its S 500, S 580, Maybach S 580, and Maybach S 680 trims. The 2023 model year saw the introduction of the S 580e, a plug-in hybrid with 4Matic all-wheel drive. The S-Class maintained its reputation for calm sophistication with clean lines and a sculpted front end. Our tester, the S 580e, featured optional high-gloss black trim, 20-inch AMG wheels, and AMG-style bumpers and side skirts, adding a touch of sportiness to its otherwise stately appearance.

Inside, the S-Class offered a luxurious experience with eight different colors of leather upholstery and five trim materials. Our tester featured Sienna Brown and Black leather, costing an additional $3,110. The panoramic sunroof and superb fit and finish were highlights, along with the incredibly soft headrests. The interior was designed for comfort, making it easy for passengers to relax and even take naps during long drives.

Nissan has been a significant player in the family car market for over 50 years, and the 2023 Altima aimed to continue that legacy. The 2023 model featured updated front styling with a revised grille, new wheel designs, and two new paint colors. Higher trim levels, like the Altima SL, came with 19-inch wheels, enhancing its visual presence. However, the stylish wheel design on the SL trim appeared vulnerable to curb rash and damage.

The Altima SL represented one of the two upscale trims for 2023, with the lineup including the base S, popular SV, sporty SR, and the SL. The SR VC-Turbo trim offered a more powerful turbocharged engine. Prices ranged from $25,290 to $34,990, plus a $1,095 destination charge. Our SL AWD test vehicle, priced at $34,755, featured a set of floor mats and the optional AWD system. The interior was appealing, though the presence of hard plastic reminded us of its lower base price. The Gray leather option provided a high-contrast two-tone appearance, but the new simulated wood dashboard trim was less convincing.

The 2023 Mercedes-Benz S 580e combined a 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six engine with a 28.6-kWh battery and an electric motor, offering 56 miles of all-electric range. Charging the battery at home took about two hours and 20 minutes, costing $8.93 in California. The S 580e also supported DC fast charging at 60 kW. The EPA rated it at 51 MPGe combined, but our test achieved 53.9 mpg over nearly 400 miles, with 223 miles driven on electric power alone.

The gas engine produced 510 horsepower and 553 lb-ft of torque, managed by a nine-speed automatic transmission. The S 580e accelerated from 0 to 62 mph in about 4.4 seconds, matching the S 580 with its twin-turbo V8. The air suspension provided a smooth ride, and rear-wheel steering improved maneuverability. The car transitioned seamlessly between electric and gas power in Hybrid mode, though there was a slight jerk when downshifting into first gear at lights. Brake regeneration could be adjusted, and a creep function was available for one-pedal driving.

The 2023 Nissan Altima, except for the SR VC-Turbo, featured a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). The engine produced 188 horsepower and 180 lb-ft of torque in FWD models and 182 hp and 178 lb-ft with AWD. The AWD system, available with SV, SR, and SL trims, delivered up to half of the engine's output to the rear wheels. The CVT was programmed to mimic a traditional automatic transmission, and the SR trim included paddle shifters for added engagement. EPA fuel economy ratings ranged from 30 to 32 mpg combined, but our SL AWD averaged 27.4 mpg.

The Altima SR VC-Turbo offered a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with a paddle-shifted CVT and FWD. It produced 236 hp and 267 lb-ft of torque on regular gas, increasing to 248 hp and 273 lb-ft with premium fuel. The SR and SR VC-Turbo trims featured a sport-tuned suspension, Active Ride Control, Intelligent Trace Control, and Active Understeer Control. Our SL AWD test vehicle, with the least powerful drivetrain, delivered adequate performance but disappointing fuel economy. The CVT performed well, but the ride was firm, and road noise was noticeable at highway speeds. Rear visibility was poor, and the brakes showed signs of heating up during spirited driving.

The 2023 Mercedes-Benz S-Class was packed with standard features, including massaging, heated, and ventilated seats for both front and rear passengers. The heated steering wheel and armrests added to the comfort. Power sunshades on the rear and side-rear windows and soft-closing doors enhanced the luxury experience. The ambient lighting offered 64 colors, and the Energizing Comfort wellness program combined lighting, massage, audio, fragrance, and climate controls for a mood-boosting experience. Interior storage was ample, but the trunk space was limited to 8.1 cubic feet, compared to 12.9 cubic feet in the standard S-Class.

The 2023 Nissan Altima's interior was simple, easy to use, and comfortable. The controls were logically laid out, and the analog gauges were clear. Nissan's Zero Gravity seats were exceptionally comfortable, though the leather upholstery was somewhat sticky. Our Altima SL test vehicle featured dual-zone automatic climate control, a power sunroof, heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and a 10-way power-adjustable driver's seat. However, the front passenger seat offered only four-way power adjustment, making it harder to get in and out of the car. Rear seat comfort was good, with plenty of legroom, foot room, and headroom. Interior storage was reasonable, but the floor mats were difficult to release from the carpeting. The trunk measured 15.4 cubic feet, smaller than some competitors but usefully shaped.

The 2023 Mercedes-Benz S-Class featured a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster and a 12.8-inch OLED touchscreen center display with the latest MBUX infotainment system. The home screen displayed a map, with tiles that could be overlaid or laid out on a black background. The system included games like Sudoku for entertainment during charging. The natural-language AI assistant was effective, and the augmented reality navigation system was particularly useful. The optional large color head-up display also featured augmented reality. Wireless charging and USB-C ports were available, and the standard Burmester sound system pleased audiophiles.

The 2023 Nissan Altima's base S trim had a 5-inch display with Bluetooth and streaming audio. The SV and SR trims featured an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wired Apple CarPlay, wired Android Auto, and SiriusXM satellite radio with 360L service. The new 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system, available with SV and SR trims and standard with SL and SR VC-Turbo trims, included navigation, wireless Apple CarPlay, wired Android Auto, a Wi-Fi hotspot, and a wireless smartphone charging pad. NissanConnect Services required a SiriusXM subscription. The Bose nine-speaker premium audio system was available with SL and SR VC-Turbo trims. The new 12.3-inch infotainment system offered a superior user interface and graphics, and the voice recognition technology performed well.

The 2023 Mercedes-Benz S-Class was equipped with a comprehensive suite of ADAS safety features, including lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, automatic emergency braking, and rear cross-traffic alert. The hands-on highway driver-assist system used adaptive cruise control and lane-centering. Crosswind Assist kept the car straight in windy conditions, and Speed Limit Assist adjusted the cruising speed based on traffic signs. The S-Class had not yet been rated by NHTSA or IIHS.

The 2023 Nissan Altima came standard with Nissan Safety Shield 360, which included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and a driver monitoring system. The lane-departure warning system used a steering wheel vibration, and the blind-spot monitoring system employed a light on the trim near the windshield pillar. The Altima also had a rear-seat reminder system and Easy Fill Tire Alert. The SV trim added rear automatic braking, and the SR trim included automatic high-beam headlights. ProPilot Assist, available with SV trim and standard on SL and SR VC-Turbo trims, added adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and lane-centering assist. The SL and SR VC-Turbo trims also featured a surround-view camera system. The Altima received a five-star overall rating from NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ from IIHS for the 2022 calendar year, though it received a Poor rating in the updated IIHS side-impact test.