The midsize car category continues to thrive in a segment crowded with SUVs and crossovers, as there are still buyers who aren’t swayed by the higher ride height of an SUV. Some want a car rather than a pseudo-off-roader. That's why models such as the 2023 Hyundai Sonata and the 2023 Nissan Altima enjoy strong sales and show no signs of slowing down.
The 2023 Sonata is based on the eighth generation of the nameplate, which debuted in 2019, while the 2023 Altima comes from the sixth generation, which also debuted in 2019. So how can we find out which one is ahead in the best midsize car race? Let's compare the Sonata vs. Altima in terms of their interior, performance, and safety offerings to find out. And if you want to see the new Sonata in the metal, contact the sales associates of Tuscaloosa Hyundai in Tuscaloosa, AL, to arrange a viewing.
Interior space and trunk volume are key selling points for a midsize car, and the 2023 Sonata convincingly wins on both metrics. It's got 105 cubic feet of passenger space and 16 cubic feet of cargo space. Meanwhile, the 2023 Altima can only offer 101 cubic feet for passengers and 15 cubic feet for cargo. This is impressive, given that the 2023 Sonata is the same overall length as the 2023 Altima and only slightly wider.
It’s a similar story when you compare the two cars’ dashboards. While the 2023 Sonata’s dash looks futuristic and offers an optional 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster, the 2023 Altima's dash is too similar to smaller Nissan products. It doesn't offer a digital gauge cluster, either. What it does offer is dual-zone climate control which the 2023 Sonata also comes with.
The 2023 Sonata and the 2023 Altima feature 8-inch touch-screen infotainment systems with standard Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™ support. Even though the Altima does offer an optional 12.3-inch screen, its infotainment interface has been noted to be a tad laggy. Furthermore, the 2023 Sonata offers Hyundai's Digital Key, which uses your NFC-compatible smartphone as a remote key fob. You can lock or unlock your 2023 Sonata with it, as well as adjust vehicle settings via an app. There's nothing of this ilk for the 2023 Altima.
The 2023 Sonata comes with a choice of four powertrains. The base offering is a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder with 190 horsepower and an eight-speed automatic transmission. Then, there's a turbocharged 1.6-liter 4-cylinder with 178 horsepower but more torque earlier down in the rev range. Coupled with the same gearbox, it was enough for a 7.3-second sprint to 60 from rest, as per Car and Driver.
Next up is the Sonata Hybrid, which sees a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine plus electric motor combo send 192 horsepower to the front wheels via a six-speed automatic transmission. However, if you want ultimate performance, step up to the 2023 Sonata N-Line. This sees a 2.5-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder delivering 290 horsepower via an eight-speed automatic transmission. Zero to 60 takes just 5 seconds flat, according to Car and Driver.
In contrast, the 2023 Altima comes with just two powertrains. The base engine is a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine with 188 horsepower, driving the front wheels via a CVT gearbox. Then, there's a turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder with 248 horsepower coupled to the same CVT gearbox. However, it's nowhere near as peppy as the 2023 Sonata, taking 7.4 seconds to sixty from rest as per Car and Driver. There's no hybrid variant, either.
The 2023 Sonata comprehensively beats the 2023 Altima in terms of safety features. Common features across both cars include eight airbags, stability control, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, forward collision warning, and automated emergency braking. Additionally, the 2023 Sonata also comes with adaptive cruise control and a driver attention monitoring system, which aren't standard on the 2023 Altima.
The verdict is in, and it’s a resounding victory for the 2023 Sonata in this Hyundai vs. Nissan matchup. It has a nice cabin, a solid set of features, and some thrilling powertrain options. It is even safer than the 2023 Altima. Now it’s time to drop by Tuscaloosa Hyundai in Tuscaloosa, AL, and take a 2023 Sonata for a test drive.
