Certified Benz & Beemer Compares 2013 Nissan Altima VS 2013 Acura ILX Near Scottsdale, AZ

The Altima Sedan SL’s optional lane departure warning system alerts a temporarily inattentive driver when the vehicle begins to leave its lane. The ILX doesn’t offer a lane departure warning system.

To help make backing safer, the Altima Sedan SL’s optional cross-path warning system uses wide-angle radar in the rear bumper to alert the driver to vehicles approaching from the side, helping the driver avoid collisions. The ILX doesn’t offer a cross-path warning system.

Both the Altima Sedan and the ILX have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, front-wheel drive, height-adjustable front shoulder belts, plastic fuel tanks, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control and electronic stability systems to prevent skidding.

There are almost 4 times as many Nissan dealers as there are Acura dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Altima Sedan’s warranty.

To reliably power the ignition and other systems and to recharge the battery, the Altima Sedan has a standard 110-amp alternator (130-amp - Altima Sedan V6). The ILX’s standard 95-amp alternator and largest (2.4L) 105-amp alternator aren’t as powerful.

The Altima Sedan has more powerful engines than the ILX:

On the EPA test cycle the Altima Sedan 2.5 gets better fuel mileage than the ILX 2.0L (27 city/38 hwy vs. 24 city/35 hwy).

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Nissan Altima Sedan uses regular unleaded gasoline. The ILX requires premium for maximum efficiency, which can cost 20 to 55 cents more per gallon.

The Altima Sedan has 4.8 gallons more fuel capacity than the ILX (18 vs. 13.2 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

For better stopping power the Altima Sedan’s standard brake rotors are larger than those on the ILX:

For better traction, the Altima Sedan has larger standard tires than the ILX (215/60R16 vs. 205/55R16). The Altima Sedan 3.5’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the ILX (235/45R18 vs. 215/45R17).

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Altima Sedan 3.5 has standard 18-inch wheels. The ILX’s largest wheels are only 17-inches.

The Altima Sedan has a standard easy tire fill system. When inflating the tires, the vehicle’s integrated tire pressure sensors keep track of the pressure as the tires fill and tell the driver when the tires are inflated to the proper pressure. The ILX doesn’t offer vehicle monitored tire inflation.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Altima Sedan’s wheelbase is 4.2 inches longer than on the ILX (109.3 inches vs. 105.1 inches).

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the Altima Sedan is 2.8 inches wider in the front and 1.9 inches wider in the rear than the track on the ILX.

The Altima Sedan 2.5 SL handles at .85 G’s, while the ILX 2.4L pulls only .81 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

To almost totally eliminate engine vibration in the passenger area, the Altima Sedan V6 has an electronically controlled liquid-filled front engine mount and conventional liquid-filled engine mounts (standard liquid front mount on other versions of the Altima Sedan). A computer-controlled electric current in the liquid changes its viscosity, allowing the mount to dampen the engine completely at all RPMs. The ILX uses conventional solid rubber engine mounts.

Because it has more passenger and cargo room, the Altima Sedan is rated a Mid-size car by the EPA, while the ILX is rated a Compact.

The Altima Sedan has 12.6 cubic feet more passenger volume than the ILX (101.9 vs. 89.3).

The Altima Sedan has 2.1 inches more front headroom, 2.7 inches more front legroom, 3.8 inches more front hip room, .8 inches more front shoulder room, 1.2 inches more rear headroom, 2.1 inches more rear legroom, .5 inches more rear hip room and 2.6 inches more rear shoulder room than the ILX.

The Altima Sedan has a much larger trunk than the ILX (15.4 vs. 12.4 cubic feet).

A low lift-over trunk design makes loading and unloading the Altima Sedan easier. The Altima Sedan’s trunk lift-over height is 26.9 inches, while the ILX’s liftover is 28.7 inches.

The Altima Sedan’s standard rear seats fold to accommodate long and bulky cargo. The ILX 1.5L Hybrid doesn’t offer folding rear seats, only a ski pass-through.

The Altima Sedan’s standard folding rear seats are split to accommodate bulky cargo. The ILX’s standard single piece folding rear seat is not as flexible; long cargo and a passenger can’t share the rear seat.

To shield the driver and front passenger’s vision over a larger portion of the windshield and side windows, the Altima Sedan (except 2.5 Base/S) offers optional extendable sun visors. The ILX doesn’t offer extendable visors.

Both the Altima Sedan and the ILX offer rear vents. For greater rear passenger comfort, the Altima Sedan SV/SL offers optional rear air conditioning vents to keep rear occupants cool in summer or warm in winter. The ILX doesn’t offer rear air conditioning vents, only heat vents.