The Nissan Altima and the Toyota Camry are veteran players in the midsize sedan market segment. Neither is the newest on the block. However, their respective carmakers have kept them fresh by continually adding features, tech, and executing minor styling tweaks.
For the 2023 model year, the Altima boasts new front-end styling, an expanded list of standard safety features, and a larger infotainment display. The Camry, meanwhile, counters with an all-new infotainment system. The Altima and Camry prove that a solid market for midsize sedans remains in an overall market that continues to slant toward crossover SUVs.
The midsize sedan segment, which one might also describe as the "family sedan segment," has always been conservative. For example, it is one of the last bastions of the normally aspirated V6 engine. But the conservatism seems to be ending as the Altima and Camry present buyers with more innovative powertrain choices.
The Altima SR trim features the unique variable-compression turbocharged (VC-Turbo) engine that produces the horsepower of a V6 while delivering the fuel economy of a 4-cylinder. Nissan equips the remainder of the Altima lineup with a solidly conventional 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine. The most innovative of the Camry powertrains is the hybrid, which offers a slight horsepower advantage over the base 4-cylinder engine plus significantly enhanced fuel economy.
Regarding passenger space and cargo area, the Nissan Altima and Toyota Camry could almost be clones of one another. And the similarities don't end there. Both the Camry and Altima ride on front-wheel-drive (FWD) platforms and offer all-wheel-drive (AWD) versions. And both 5-passenger sedans feature impressive lists of standard electronic systems and driver-assistance gear.
Whether you want a family sedan with tried-and-true mechanicals or one that dares to be different, the Nissan Altima and Toyota Camry can fill the bill. This detailed comparison of the 2023 Nissan Altima versus the 2023 Toyota Camry should tell you what you need to know about these two longtime competitors.
2023 Nissan Altima SR
Nissan makes the 2023 Altima in five trim levels: S, SV, SR, SL, and SR VC-Turbo. The automaker equips all but the SR VC-Turbo with a normally aspirated 4-cylinder engine. The sporty SR VC-Turbo features a higher-performance variable-compression engine. Nissan's Intelligent AWD system is available on the SV, SR, and SL trims, but to the chagrin of driving enthusiasts, not on the performance-oriented SR VC-Turbo.
With a base manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP) of $26,585, including the $1,095 destination charge, the Altima S is the lowest-priced trim for 2023. With larger alloy wheels, a bigger digital display screen, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration, the SV is a more mainstream value with a base price of $27,385. Nissan gears the Altima SR (base price $28,785) toward enthusiasts with a sport-tuned suspension, paddle shifters, and 19-inch alloy wheels. With a base price of $33,285, the SL brings a raft of luxury features.
The SR VC-Turbo separates itself from the rest of the 2023 Nissan Altima lineup with its higher-horsepower turbocharged engine. Including standard wireless Apple CarPlay, wireless Android Auto, and the ProPilot Assist semi-autonomous driving system, it has a base MSRP of $36,285.
The 2023 Toyota Camry offers buyers a choice of three powertrains, giving customers the option of 18 standard configurations. The 4-cylinder Camry comes in LE, XLE, SE, SE Nightshade, and XSE trims in either FWD or AWD. The V6 comes in XLE, XSE, and TRD trims. And the Camry Hybrid comes in LE, XLE, SE, SE Nightshade, and XSE trims.
The 4-cylinder LE and Hybrid LE are the most value-oriented. The three XLE trims emphasize luxury, while enthusiast-oriented styling is the strong suit of the XSEs. The Camry TRD adds extra muscle to that styling. Available only with a V6 engine, it includes some significant mechanical upgrades.
For 2023, the LE is the least expensive Camry trim. It carries an MSRP of $27,315, including the $1,095 destination charge. The least costly Camry Hybrid is also an LE. It has an MSRP of $29,450. The performance-oriented Camry TRD is the lowest-priced of the three V6-powered models at $34,380. The Camry XSE Hybrid is the highest-priced of the five hybrid trims, with a base price of $34,890. With leather seats and a panoramic sunroof among its features, the XSE V6 tops the Camry range with the highest base price ($37,740).
Advantage: Nissan Altima
2023 Toyota Camry Hybrid SE
The Nissan Altima does not rank among the top three models in the Midsize Car segment in the JD Power 2023 U.S. Vehicle Dependability Study (VDS), which assesses owner-reported problems during the third year of ownership. The Altima ranks second (in a tie) in its segment in the JD Power 2022 U.S. Initial Quality Study (IQS), which tracks problems experienced by owners during the first 90 days.
The 2023 Nissan Altima has the following warranty, roadside assistance, and scheduled maintenance coverage:
The Toyota Camry does not rank among the top three models in its segment in either the 2023 VDS or the 2022 IQS.
The 2023 Toyota Camry has the following warranty, roadside assistance, and scheduled maintenance coverage:
Advantage: Toyota Camry
2023 Nissan Altima
Nissan equips most 2023 Altimas with a direct-injection 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine rated at 188 horsepower and 180 pound-feet of torque. The automaker matches it to a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). Other midsize sedans, including the Toyota Camry, offer more base horsepower. On the other hand, the engine and CVT provide excellent fuel economy.
The VC-Turbo engine in its own unique SR trim is a technical tour de force. Its superpower is the ability to switch between an 8:1 compression ratio for high performance and a 14:1 compression ratio for exceptional fuel efficiency. The engine delivers 248 hp and 273 pound-feet of torque when using premium gas, yet it delivers fuel economy of 29 mpg in combined city/highway driving. Like the base engine, the VC-Turbo teams with a CVT. In the SR trims, Nissan fits the CVT with paddle shifters so drivers can take it through simulated gearshifts.
According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the 2023 Nissan Altima with the base engine will deliver an estimated 32 mpg combined fuel economy. With AWD, that figure drops to 30 mpg combined. The Altima SR VC-Turbo, with its trick variable-compression engine, gets 29 mpg combined.
Toyota gives 2023 Camry buyers several powertrain options. The most potent of these is the 3.5-liter V6 engine—one of the increasingly rare V6s offered in the segment. It produces 301 hp and 267 pound-feet of torque. That's a significant power boost over the 4-cylinder and hybrid models.
The 2023 Toyota Camry's hybrid system doesn't add much horsepower versus the base 4-cylinder engine, but it does increase fuel economy. It combines a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder gasoline engine with an electric drive motor for a total system output of 208 hp.
The base engine is a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder that delivers 203 hp and 184 pound-feet of torque. Toyota teams the 4-cylinder and V6 engines with an 8-speed automatic transmission. The hybrids use a CVT. In the SE and XSE trims, drivers can "shift" the CVT using paddle shifters. The standard Camry configuration is FWD, but the 4-cylinder trims allow customers to choose AWD.
The Toyota Camry's fuel economy varies with the drivetrain. The Camry Hybrid LE rates 52 mpg combined from the EPA. The remaining hybrid trims deliver a 46-mpg combined fuel-economy rating. The EPA rates the base 2.5-liter 4-cylinder at 32 mpg combined. With AWD, that rating dips to 29 mpg combined. According to the EPA, the 301-hp V6-equipped Camry will deliver an estimated 26 mpg overall. And the agency rates the performance-oriented TRD trim at 25 mpg combined.
Advantage: Toyota Camry
2023 Toyota Camry Hybrid SE
For the 2023 model year, Nissan adds to the already robust list of standard advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) for the Altima. The Nissan Safety Shield 360 roster of safety and drive-assist tech includes all the systems now offered on many midsize cars. One bonus is rear automatic braking, which is not as commonly offered as standard equipment by competitors.
The SR VC-Turbo adds Active Ride Control and Intelligent Lane Intervention to the ADAS list. Active Ride Control automatically applies braking and engine torque when necessary to "smooth out" small bumps in the road. Intelligent Lane Intervention is a form of lane-keeping assistance that detects when the vehicle threatens to leave its intended lane. First, it sounds a warning and then applies braking force to each wheel, helping to return the car to its lane.
For the 2023 model year, a driver monitoring system and forward-collision warning are standard on all Altima trims. Nissan made traffic-sign recognition and a surround-view camera standard on the SL and SR VC-Turbo. And the brand's ProPilot Assist partial autonomous driving system is standard on SL and SR VC-Turbo and optional on SV. It uses a forward-facing camera, radar, sensors, and an electronic control module to help the driver maintain lane positioning, speed, and the interval between it and the vehicle in front. It can stop the Altima completely and hold the car motionless during traffic jams.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) gave the 2023 Nissan Altima the highest-possible 5-star overall safety rating. Meanwhile, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) awarded the 2023 Nissan Altima a Top Safety Pick+, the Institute's highest rating.
Toyota has been out front in equipping its vehicles with sophisticated electronic safety equipment across the lineup. The automaker fits the 2023 Toyota Camry with standard Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+, which includes all the commonly installed ADAS offered by mass-market brands. In addition to those systems, the 2023 Camry offers blind-spot warning and rear cross-traffic warning standard on the TRD, XLE, and XSE trims. Both of those features are also available on some LE and SE trims. Toyota also equips all 2023 Camrys with a rear-seat reminder system.
In crash tests, the NHTSA gave 5-star overall safety ratings to all versions of the 2023 Camry. Additionally, the IIHS designated the 2023 Camry as a Top Safety Pick+.
Advantage: Nissan Altima
2023 Nissan Altima SR VC-Turbo
A wave of larger digital display screens is splashing over the midsize car segment. Nissan is staying in the swim by installing a 12.3-inch display in the 2023 Altima. In addition to a high-definition display, the up-level infotainment system features multi-touch control, an integrated navigation system, a wireless phone charging pad, and a Wi-Fi hotspot. The system also includes wireless Android Auto and wireless Apple CarPlay. Owners can customize the Home screen, and Nissan simplified destination search compared with the previous system, which had an 8-inch display. The uprated system is standard equipment on the SL and SR VC-Turbo and is available on the SV. The base system in the S trim has a 7-inch display, and an 8-inch display with multi-touch control is optional on some trims.
The 2023 Nissan Altima S has a single USB-A port, but other trims have two USB-A and two USB-C ports. Hands-free phone service and hands-free text messaging are standard across the lineup. A 6-speaker audio system is the most common stereo setup. A 9-speaker Bose audio system is standard on SL and SR VC-Turbo trims. Most trims offer the availability of a Wi-Fi hotspot. Nissan Door-to-Door Navigation and Nissan Connect connected services, powered by SiriusXM satellite radio, give Altima owners five-year trials.
For the 2023 model year, the Toyota Camry offers buyers an all-new infotainment system that solves many of the issues for which buyers criticized the previous system. To solve its infotainment issues, Toyota created a Texas-based infotainment and tech design arm that produced the new system. The base unit features a 7-inch touchscreen display mounted high in the center of the dash. Toyota includes Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, Amazon Alexa compatibility, AM/FM, Bluetooth, SiriusXM, and hands-free phone capability.
The Camry XLE and XSE feature an enhanced version called Toyota Audio Plus with a 9-inch touchscreen display. Buyers can purchase a JBL 800-watt 9-speaker premium audio system on the XLE and XSE V6. The top-of-the-line Premium Audio with integrated navigation includes the JBL audio system plus the ability to receive over-the-air software updates.
In terms of connectivity, the optional Wi-Fi Connect allows up to five mobile devices to hook up using 4G LTE. Available Remote Connect provides remote engine start and door unlock capability, vehicle status notifications, a guest driver monitor, and a vehicle finder. Two USB ports are standard across the Camry lineup. Rear-seat USB ports are optionally available on some trims.
Advantage: Toyota Camry
2023 Toyota Camry Hybrid SE
The 2023 Nissan Altima boasts one of the best-looking, best-designed interiors in the midsize sedan segment. Even though the Altima isn't new, its look, feel, and comfort compare well to more expensive models. The Altima's dashboard places the customizable digital display above the other controls, making it easy to see and use while driving. Vents lie below the screen; under them are easy-to-use two-knob climate controls. The Altima's center console houses a traditional shift lever close to the driver, accompanied by two cupholders. Nissan upped the sporty quotient in the SR's interior with new dual-stitch interior fabric trim.
Nissan continues to win praise for its NASA-inspired Zero Gravity seats with dual-density foam and bolstering. They contribute to the Altima's excellent driving position and overall comfort. Leather seats are available in some trims, as is an 8-way power-adjustable driver's seat.
As measured by the EPA, the new Altima's passenger cabin offers 100.6 cubic feet of interior space—virtually the same as the Camry but less than the 2023 Honda Accord. The room is ample for five adults. The Altima's trunk offers its owners 15.4 cubic feet of cargo volume.
With its wide variety of trims and configurations, the 2023 Toyota Camry allows buyers to choose a grade and equipment level that matches their taste and budget. The Camry's interior is about as conventional as one can imagine, although the designers gave the central area some swoopy modern curves. While the base Camry trims are plain, Toyota designers added dark wood, patterned metal, and multi-toned fabrics to add life and style to mid- and upper-level trims.
A centrally mounted infotainment screen dominates the dash, with climate controls below. The conventional instruments find a home in an arc-shaped nacelle immediately before the driver. Two cupholders between the two front seats accompany the traditional gearshift lever.
Heated leather seats are standard on all XLE and XSE trims, and ventilated front seats are optional. The sporty Camry TRD gets attention with a red-stitched instrument panel, red-stitched black leather shift knob, and aluminum pedals. Automatic dual-zone climate control is standard throughout the lineup.
The 2023 Toyota Camry has 100.4 cubic feet of passenger volume, a near dead-heat with the Altima. And the similarities extend to the trunk, where the Camry offers 15.1 cubic feet of space.
Advantage: Nissan Altima
If you'd like to learn more about these midsize sedans, be sure to read our expert reviews of the 2023 Nissan Altima and the Toyota Camry. To find out how people like you rate models in this segment, check out our ratings from verified vehicle owners.
Also, please keep in mind that while the information in this article was accurate and valid on March 23, 2023, it may have changed since that date. Always confirm product details and availability with the automaker's website or your local dealership.
Jack R. Nerad has reviewed cars, trucks, vans, and sport utilities for over three decades. He managed the editorial efforts of Motor Trend magazine and Kelley Blue Book and is currently the host of the SportsMap Radio Network program America on the Road , available on Apple Podcasts, iHeart Radio, Spotify, Stitcher, and other outlets.
The Ford Transit is the automaker’s full-size cargo and passenger van offering, designed to serve a wide range of commercial and lifestyle applications. With 37 available configurations, the platform ...See More
Read the Full Article
The Chevrolet Tahoe is a full-size, three-row SUV with a standard V8 engine and available diesel power. Built on the same platform as the Chevrolet Silverado 1500 pickup, the Tahoe benefits from its ...See More
Read the Full Article
It is the end of the line for the Ford Escape. After 25 years as a fixture of Ford’s lineup, 2026 will be the compact SUV’s last model year.
Read the Full Article
The Colorado is Chevrolet’s midsize pickup. It ranks among the segment’s most capable trucks for payload and towing, and can be configured for both work and off-road adventures. For 2026, the ...See More
Read the Full Article