Nissan altima vs ford focus: which sedan reigns supreme in 2023?

In the competitive automotive landscape, sedans continue to hold their own, offering a blend of practicality, comfort, and performance. Two prominent players in this segment are the Nissan Altima and the Ford Focus. This comprehensive comparison dives deep into the features, specifications, and performance of these two popular sedans to help you make an informed decision.

Exterior Design and Dimensions

The Nissan Altima exudes a sleek and sophisticated presence with its sharp lines and sculpted body panels. Its V-Motion grille and boomerang-shaped headlights give it a distinctive and modern look. The Ford Focus, on the other hand, sports a more understated and sporty appearance with its hexagonal grille, sleek headlights, and a sloping roofline.

In terms of dimensions, the Altima is slightly larger than the Focus. The Altima measures 192.4 inches in length, 72.4 inches in width, and 57.1 inches in height, while the Focus comes in at 177.1 inches in length, 68.1 inches in width, and 56.3 inches in height. This difference in size translates to a more spacious cabin and larger trunk in the Altima.

Interior Comfort and Features

Step inside the Nissan Altima, and you’ll be greeted by a well-appointed cabin with high-quality materials and a user-friendly layout. The seats are supportive and comfortable, even on long journeys. The infotainment system, powered by NissanConnect, offers a wide range of features, including navigation, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto.

The Ford Focus also offers a comfortable and modern interior, but it feels slightly more cramped than the Altima. The materials used are not as premium as those in the Altima, but the overall design is still stylish and functional. The infotainment system, called SYNC 3, provides similar features to the NissanConnect system, including smartphone integration and voice control.

Powertrain and Performance

The Nissan Altima is available with two engine options: a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 188 horsepower and 180 lb-ft of torque, and a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 248 horsepower and 273 lb-ft of torque. Both engines are paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT).

The Ford Focus offers a wider range of engine options, including a 1.6-liter naturally aspirated four-cylinder engine producing 123 horsepower and 115 lb-ft of torque, a 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 181 horsepower and 190 lb-ft of torque, and a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 252 horsepower and 270 lb-ft of torque. The 1.6-liter engine is paired with a five-speed manual transmission, while the other two engines are mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission.

In terms of performance, the Nissan Altima with the 2.5-liter engine provides adequate power for daily driving, but it can feel sluggish when fully loaded or during overtaking maneuvers. The turbocharged engine, however, offers significantly more power and acceleration, making it a better choice for those seeking a more spirited driving experience.

The Ford Focus, with its 1.6-liter engine, is quite underpowered, especially when paired with the manual transmission. The 1.5-liter turbocharged engine offers a good balance of power and fuel economy, while the 2.0-liter turbocharged engine provides the most exhilarating performance.

Fuel Economy and Emissions

Fuel economy is an important consideration for many sedan buyers. The Nissan Altima with the 2.5-liter engine returns an EPA-estimated 28 mpg in the city and 39 mpg on the highway, while the turbocharged engine gets 25 mpg in the city and 34 mpg on the highway.

The Ford Focus with the 1.6-liter engine offers the best fuel economy, with an EPA-estimated 27 mpg in the city and 41 mpg on the highway. The 1.5-liter turbocharged engine gets 26 mpg in the city and 36 mpg on the highway, while the 2.0-liter turbocharged engine returns 23 mpg in the city and 31 mpg on the highway.

Safety Features and Ratings

Both the Nissan Altima and the Ford Focus come standard with a comprehensive suite of safety features, including airbags, anti-lock brakes, electronic stability control, and traction control. The Altima also offers a range of advanced safety features, such as lane departure warning, automatic emergency braking, and adaptive cruise control.

The Ford Focus offers similar advanced safety features, including lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. Both sedans have received high safety ratings from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).

Price and Value

The Nissan Altima has a starting price of $24,500 for the base S trim, while the top-of-the-line Platinum trim starts at $34,200. The Ford Focus has a lower starting price of $19,995 for the base S trim, but the top-of-the-line Titanium trim starts at $26,350.

In terms of value, the Nissan Altima offers a more spacious cabin, higher-quality materials, and a more powerful engine in its upper trims. The Ford Focus, on the other hand, is more affordable, especially in its lower trims, and offers comparable safety features and fuel economy.

The Verdict: Which Sedan is Right for You?

The Nissan Altima and the Ford Focus are both solid choices in the sedan segment. The Altima offers a more spacious and luxurious cabin, a more powerful engine, and a wider range of advanced safety features. However, it comes with a higher price tag. The Focus is more affordable, especially in its lower trims, and offers comparable safety features and fuel economy. It is also more compact and sporty, making it a better choice for city driving and those who prefer a more agile vehicle.

Ultimately, the best sedan for you depends on your individual needs and preferences. If you prioritize space, luxury, and performance, the Nissan Altima is a great choice. If you’re looking for a more affordable, compact, and fuel-efficient sedan, the Ford Focus is worth considering.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Which sedan has a more powerful engine?
The Nissan Altima with the 2.0-liter turbocharged engine produces 248 horsepower and 273 lb-ft of torque, while the Ford Focus with the 2.0-liter turbocharged engine produces 252 horsepower and 270 lb-ft of torque.

2. Which sedan is more fuel-efficient?
The Ford Focus with the 1.6-liter engine offers the best fuel economy, with an EPA-estimated 27 mpg in the city and 41 mpg on the highway.

3. Which sedan has a more spacious cabin?
The Nissan Altima has a more spacious cabin than the Ford Focus, with more legroom, headroom, and shoulder room.

4. Which sedan has a more advanced infotainment system?
The Nissan Altima‘s NissanConnect infotainment system offers a wider range of features than the Ford Focus’s SYNC 3 system, including navigation, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto.

5. Which sedan has a higher safety rating?
Both the Nissan Altima and the Ford Focus have received high safety ratings from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).