2022 Audi A4 vs 2022 Nissan Altima

The 2022 Audi A4 presented a clean and conservative design, serving as an ideal backdrop for its striking Tango Red paint and Black Edition package. The vehicle's exterior was further enhanced by 19-inch wheels with a classic five-arm rotor design, which added a touch of automotive elegance. Inside, the A4 maintained a restrained aesthetic with black interiors complemented by aluminum trim and metallic accents, ensuring it didn't feel overly dark. The dashboard featured seamlessly integrated air vents and well-labelled controls, while high-quality materials and a 12.3-inch Audi Virtual Cockpit digital instrumentation panel added to the premium feel. However, the tablet-style touchscreen infotainment system seemed somewhat out of place, appearing more as an afterthought than a cohesive part of the design.

In contrast, the 2022 Nissan Altima continued its evolution from its original bland styling to a sharper, sportier look. The Altima's design was characterized by a low, wide stance, tall doors, and a sharply sloped "floating" roofline. The SR Midnight Edition, our test model, featured a gloss black sport grille, LED fog lights, and 19-inch aluminum-alloy wheels, enhancing its sporty appearance. The interior boasted comfortable Zero Gravity front seats and a well-organized instrument panel, offering a premium feel with high-quality materials. However, the Altima's rear visibility was compromised by its high rear shelf and sloping roofline, making it challenging to see out the back.

The 2022 Audi A4 offered two engine options. The 40 TFSI model featured a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine producing 201 horsepower and 236 pound-feet of torque, paired with a seven-speed S-tronic dual-clutch automatic transmission and Quattro Ultra all-wheel-drive system. It achieved a fuel economy rating of 8.2 litres per 100 kilometres in combined driving and accelerated to 100 km/h in approximately 6.5 seconds. The 45 TFSI model, which we tested, delivered 261 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of torque, with a lowered sport suspension as part of the S-line package. It reached 100 km/h in about 5.4 seconds, with a fuel economy of 8.8 L/100 km. Despite the impressive specs, the A4 didn't feel as fast as expected, possibly due to a recent experience with a more powerful electric vehicle. The A4's Quattro Ultra AWD system provided a refined driving experience, with the engine delivering a solid punch of torque and the S-tronic DCT offering smooth shifts. The brakes performed flawlessly, and the car remained quiet and composed, even at high speeds.

The 2022 Nissan Altima, available in Canada with a naturally aspirated 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine, produced 188 horsepower and 180 pound-feet of torque. It came standard with all-wheel drive and a continuously variable transmission (CVT). While the Altima's acceleration was mediocre, the suspension provided a smooth and comfortable ride, thanks to Nissan's Active Ride Control. The cabin was impressively quiet, with bumps and vibrations effectively muted. However, the engine noise was noticeable during acceleration, and the CVT struggled to get the car up to speed. Despite these performance limitations, the Altima offered a refined driving experience, akin to that of an Infiniti.

The 2022 Audi A4, with its low-slung design, posed challenges for entry and exit, compounded by small door openings and a snug cabin. However, once inside, the front seats offered exceptional comfort, with soft leather, power adjustments, and a thigh-support cushion. The A4 featured a three-zone automatic climate control system, separate from the infotainment screen, ensuring ease of use. The rear seats, while supportive and heated, provided limited legroom and were best suited for shorter trips. Interior storage was limited, with the centre console bin housing the wireless charging pad and Audi Phone Box signal booster. The A4's 340-litre cargo space was well-finished, with enclosed hinges and storage nets, offering ample room for luggage.

The 2022 Nissan Altima, as a midsize sedan, provided comfortable seating for four, with easy-to-use controls and an accessible back seat. Its dimensions placed it in the middle of its class, with a 437-litre trunk larger than the Camry but smaller than the Accord and Sonata. However, the Altima's high rear shelf and sloping roofline compromised rear visibility. The trunk's metal bar supports posed a risk of crushing items when closing the lid, requiring careful packing. Despite these minor drawbacks, the Altima offered a practical and comfortable interior for daily commuting and family use.

The 2022 Audi A4 featured the next-generation MIB3 version of Audi Multi-Media Interface (MMI) with a 10.1-inch touchscreen display. The screen supported common smartphone functions and provided acoustic feedback for menu selections. The A4 included Bluetooth, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM satellite radio, and Audi Connect services. The test car also had a navigation system, wireless smartphone charging, and a 19-speaker Bang & Olufsen audio system. The MMI was intuitive, with a Home button for easy navigation, and the voice recognition technology, though slow, was accurate. The Bang & Olufsen stereo delivered satisfying sound, but quality degraded at high volumes. The A4 also featured a head-up display, though it was difficult to see with polarized sunglasses.

The 2022 Nissan Altima came equipped with a 7-inch advanced drive-assist display and an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system. It offered Bluetooth, wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM satellite radio, and two USB ports. Starting at the SR trim, the Altima included navigation, connected services, and a nine-speaker Bose audio system on the Platinum trim. The advanced drive-assist display allowed for convenient handling of text messages, audio streaming, and navigation. Additional technologies included traffic sign recognition, an Around View Monitor, and Nissan's ProPilot Assist system, which assisted with acceleration, steering, and braking. The Altima's tech performed flawlessly, accurately handling voice commands and delivering quality sound through the audio system.

The 2022 Audi A4 offered a range of safety features, with availability increasing with higher trims. The A4 Technik included Audi Pre Sense, with front and rear collision preparation, forward-collision warning, and automatic emergency braking. The test vehicle also had lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and lane-centring assist. Additional features included adaptive cruise control with Traffic Jam Assist, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, a safe exit warning system, and a surround-view camera. The A4's Matrix-design LED headlights provided excellent visibility. The A4 received a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA.

The 2022 Nissan Altima came with a comprehensive suite of standard safety features, including automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane-departure warning, blind spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and forward-collision warning. It also featured automatic high-beam headlights, driver-attention warning, rear door alert, and hill-start assist. The Altima received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ designation from the IIHS. The Altima's crash avoidance and mitigation systems received high ratings, with "Superior" for vehicle-to-vehicle front crash prevention and "Acceptable" for vehicle-to-pedestrian front crash prevention.