The Toyota Camry has long been one of the most popular cars on sale, which may be surprising, given the trend away from traditional cars. But it attests to the enduring appeal of the Camry—a spacious, reliable, efficient, safe, and affordable choice. On the other side, the 2022 Nissan Altima faces stiff competition in the crowded midsize sedan market. To stay competitive, Nissan revamped the Altima's packaging for 2022, introducing the sporty Midnight Edition to the lineup.
2022 Toyota Camry vs 2022 Nissan Altima: Midsize Sedans Compared
Look and Feel
CarGurus experts rate the 2022 Toyota Camry as a solid 6 out of 10 in terms of aesthetics. One significant change for 2022 is the introduction of the eye-catching Cavalry Blue paint, exclusive to the sporty Camry TRD model. Other updates include heated side mirrors as standard across trims (except TRD), dual-zone automatic climate control, and a new paint option called Ice Edge. There's also the SE Hybrid with a Nightshade Edition package, which blacks out exterior trim and wheels. The 2022 Camry was offered in a staggering 13 different versions, starting at just over $26,000 and going up to just under $37,000. You can choose between a four-cylinder engine, V6, or a fuel-efficient hybrid powertrain.
The Camry TRD, priced at $35,470 when new, boasts a distinctive look with its aerodynamic body kit, 19-inch matte-black wheels, red brake calipers, and polished stainless steel exhaust outlets. While the design might not appeal to everyone, it's certainly far from boring.
CarGurus rates the 2022 Altima a notch higher, with an 8 out of 10 for its look and feel. The Altima's design evolution is noteworthy, going from a bland second-generation to a sportier appearance by the third generation. For 2022, the Altima features Nissan's signature V-Motion grille and a "floating" roofline. Our test car, an SR with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine and AWD, showcases the Midnight Edition package, which includes gloss black accents, LED fog lights, and 19-inch black wheels. This package elevates the Altima's sporty aesthetics.
Inside, the Altima offers comfortable Zero Gravity front seats, an intuitive instrument panel, and quality materials. However, the level of luxury increases with higher trim levels, while the base trims are more modest. Overall, the Altima stands out with its refined design and quality.
Performance
The Camry gets an impressive 8 out of 10 from CarGurus for its performance. The Camry TRD, in particular, packs a punch with its 3.5-liter V6 engine producing 301 horsepower and 267 pound-feet of torque. It comes with an eight-speed automatic transmission and front-wheel drive. The Camry TRD offers a Sport transmission mode and paddle shifters for an engaging driving experience. It boasts a sport-tuned suspension with thicker underbody braces, stiffer sway bars, and TRD shocks, along with larger brakes and 19-inch matte-black alloy wheels. This combination provides remarkable performance and handling for the price.
The Camry TRD impresses with its solid, planted feel, thanks to structural enhancements, suspension tuning, and performance tires. The car offers good driving dynamics and a comfortable ride, while the brakes perform admirably even during spirited driving. The Camry TRD is a well-engineered package that blends style with substance.
CarGurus gives the Altima a respectable 7 out of 10 for its performance. The 2022 Altima offers a choice between two engines: a 2.5-liter naturally aspirated unit with 188 horsepower or a 2.0-liter variable-compression turbo (VC-Turbo) generating 248 hp. Both engines come with Nissan's Xtronic continuously variable transmission (CVT). And while while the base engine provides decent performance and is available with all-wheel drive (AWD), the VC-Turbo (available with only front-wheel drive (FWD)) offers a higher level of power and efficiency.
Acceleration with the base engine can be somewhat lackluster, primarily due to its 188-hp output. However, once on the road, the Altima shines with its smooth and composed suspension, providing a comfortable ride on various surfaces. The cabin remains impressively quiet, offering a refined driving experience. While not a standout in terms of raw power, the Altima excels in delivering a comfortable and serene ride.
Form and Function
CarGurus rates the Camry at 5 out of 10 for form and function. Despite its sporty TRD appearance, the front seats lack significant bolstering improvements over standard Camry models. However, the Camry TRD compensates with its low-slung, sporty driving position and power height-adjustable seats, offering comfort during extended drives. The back seat accommodates two adults comfortably, though rear-seat air vents are notably absent in the TRD model. A drawback is the fixed rear seatback, which doesn't fold down, limiting trunk space to 15.1 cubic feet.
The Altima fares slightly better with a 6 out of 10 rating for form and function. As a midsize sedan, the Altima caters to the needs of commuters and families. It provides comfortable seating for four (or five on short trips), user-friendly controls, and a spacious trunk with 15.4 cubic feet of cargo space—more than the Camry. However, the high rear shelf compromises rear visibility, making it challenging to monitor the surroundings while driving. Additionally, when loading the trunk, beware of the trunk lid supports, which can obstruct items.
Technology
CarGurus experts rate the 2022 Toyota Camry at 7 out of 10 in terms of technology. The Camry TRD, for instance, comes with a standard 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system. While this screen may seem small by modern standards, it compensates with user-friendly stereo volume and tuning knobs, harkening back to a simpler time. Shortcut buttons flanking the screen enhance accessibility.
Despite its size, the Camry's infotainment system packs a punch, offering Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, and SiriusXM satellite radio. It also includes Safety Connect and Wi-Fi Connect subscription services, with complimentary trial periods for all subscription-based features. An optional 9-inch touchscreen upgrade is available, along with additional subscription plans and a 9-speaker JBL premium audio system.
However, it's worth noting that the Camry TRD lacks dynamic connected navigation and voice recognition technology, which can be circumvented by using Apple CarPlay or Android Auto.
The 2022 Nissan Altima holds its own in the technology department, earning an 8 out of 10 rating from CarGurus experts. The entry-level Altima S boasts a 5-inch multi-function information display and a 7-inch color touchscreen audio display with Bluetooth connectivity, voice recognition, and more. All other Altima models step it up with a 7-inch advanced drive-assist display and an 8-inch color touchscreen infotainment system featuring Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, SiriusXM satellite radio, and more.
Additionally, the Altima offers advanced safety technologies such as traffic sign recognition, an Around View Monitor, and the impressive ProPilot Assist system, which provides advanced driver assistance features like adaptive cruise control, lane centering, and even the ability to bring the car to a complete stop.
Safety
When it comes to safety, the 2022 Toyota Camry scores a solid 9 out of 10 from CarGurus experts. Every Camry comes equipped with Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+, a comprehensive suite of driver-assist and collision avoidance features. Notable highlights include adaptive cruise control and lane-centering assistance, which provide a semi-autonomous driving experience on the highway.
The Camry also offers a blind-spot monitoring system with rear cross-traffic alert. Safety Connect is standard, offering automatic collision notification, emergency assistance, and more. The Camry excels in safety ratings, earning a "Top Safety Pick+" from the IIHS and outstanding scores from the NHTSA.
The 2022 Nissan Altima matches the Camry's safety prowess with a stellar 9 out of 10 rating from CarGurus experts. It comes equipped with a range of standard safety features, including automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane-departure warning, and forward-collision warning. Plus, every Altima has automatic high-beam headlights, driver-attention warning, Rear View Monitor, rear door alert, and hill-start assist.
For even more safety, the Altima offers the Safety Shield 360 package, adding rear automatic braking, blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic warning, and a rear sonar system. The Altima excels in crash tests, earning five-star ratings from the NHTSA and the coveted "Top Safety Pick+" designation from the IIHS.
Cost Effectiveness
In terms of cost-effectiveness, the 2022 Toyota Camry shines, earning an 8 out of 10 rating from CarGurus experts. It checks all the boxes for a midsize sedan, offering comfort, affordability, reliability, safety, and efficiency. The Camry even includes complimentary scheduled maintenance for the first two years of ownership and free trial subscriptions for satellite radio and connected services plans.
The Camry TRD, while adding a sporty edge, remains cost-effective, especially when based on the SE trim level. In summary, the 2022 Toyota Camry is an attractive choice for those seeking an all-around midsize car.
The 2022 Nissan Altima is also a cost-effective option, though it earns a slightly lower rating of 7 out of 10 from CarGurus experts. Its pricing aligns with competitors like the Toyota Camry and Honda Accord. However, the Altima faces challenges in terms of resale value due to its popularity in rental car fleets.
On the bright side, the Altima offers commendable fuel economy, although it can't compete with hybrid versions of its rivals. It excels in dealer service according to J.D. Power, making it a practical choice for those valuing a hassle-free ownership experience.
Verdict
According to CarGurus experts, the overall rating for the 2022 Toyota Camry is 7.2 out of 10, while the 2022 Nissan Altima scores 7.5 out of 10. Based on these ratings, the 2022 Nissan Altima emerges as the slightly better choice.
Choose 2022 Toyota Camry if:
- You prefer a user-friendly infotainment system with physical knobs and buttons.
- The availability of a midsize sedan in a sporty TRD trim appeals to you.
- You prioritize complimentary scheduled maintenance and trial subscriptions.
Search for a 2022 Toyota Camry on CarGurus
Choose 2022 Nissan Altima if:
- Safety is your top concern, with features like ProPilot Assist and Safety Shield 360.
- You want advanced driver-assist features as standard.
- Competitive pricing and dealer service satisfaction are crucial considerations.
Search for a 2022 Nissan Altima on CarGurus
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