2020 Mazda MAZDA3 vs 2019 Nissan Altima

The 2019 Nissan Altima borrowed design cues from its larger sibling, the Maxima, featuring a big trapezoidal grille, sharply raked headlights, and a black stripe in the C-pillar. These elements aimed to inject visual excitement into the Altima. Inside, the Altima's layout was similar to other new cars, with a floating center stack and familiar vents and dials. The interior design was a response to the industry's struggle to integrate evolving technology while maintaining a unique look. Nissan's approach included traditional knobs for volume, tuning, and climate control, making the infotainment system user-friendly.

The Altima came in various trims, from the base S with comfortable Zero Gravity seats and an 8-inch touchscreen, to the range-topping Platinum with 19-inch wheels, memory settings for the driver’s seat, and a 360-degree surround-view monitor. The SV trim offered the best value with features like heated seats, adaptive cruise control, and a power moonroof. The SR trim added sporty elements like 19-inch alloy wheels and a leather-wrapped steering wheel, while the SL trim provided a touch of luxury with leather seating and a Bose premium sound system.

The 2020 Mazda MAZDA3 offered both sedan and hatchback body styles, with the hatchback standing out for its unique curves and silhouette. The sedan, however, was more popular in the U.S. market. The Mazda3's design was special, with a blacked-out mesh front grille and round running lamps. The side profile was sculpted without sharp lines, unlike competitors. The rear design of the sedan felt slightly out of proportion, but the hatchback's rounded shape eliminated this issue.

Inside, the Mazda3 aimed for a premium feel with a minimalist design. The front seats were supportive and adjustable, and the materials used were of high quality. The transmission hump in the rear middle seat was a drawback, but the overall interior was well-designed. The sedan offered 13.2 cubic feet of cargo space, while the hatchback provided 20.1 cubic feet. Despite these compact dimensions, the Mazda3 managed to offer a comfortable driving experience with a focus on simplicity and elegance.

The 2019 Nissan Altima offered two engine options. The base 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine produced 188 horsepower and 180 pound-feet of torque, a slight improvement over the previous model. The SR and Platinum trims had an optional turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine with variable compression technology, aiming to deliver V6 power with 4-cylinder fuel economy. Both engines were paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and offered front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive (AWD). The AWD system was a first for Nissan sedans and performed well in snowy conditions.

The Altima's 2.5-liter engine provided decent power for city driving, but the wide turning radius was a drawback. The 2.0-liter turbocharged engine had an estimated fuel economy of 25 mpg city, 34 highway, and 29 combined. The 2.5-liter engine returned 28 city, 39 highway, and 32 combined, with AWD reducing these numbers slightly. During testing, the Altima achieved 28.9 mpg in mixed driving conditions.

The 2020 Mazda MAZDA3 featured a 2.5-liter SkyActiv four-cylinder engine with 186 horsepower and 186 pound-feet of torque. This was an improvement over the previous generation's 2.0-liter engine. The Mazda3's engine was predictable but lacked the immediate punch of turbocharged engines. Mazda announced a turbocharged version for 2021. The Mazda3 offered a six-speed manual transmission for front-wheel-drive hatchback models with higher trim levels, while most models came with a six-speed automatic transmission.

The Mazda3's handling was precise, with little roll through corners, but the torsion beam rear suspension was a cost-cutting measure that affected ride quality. Enthusiasts might miss the previous generation's multi-link suspension, but everyday drivers were unlikely to notice the difference. The Mazda3's fuel economy was competitive, and the overall driving experience was enjoyable, despite the suspension compromise.

The 2019 Nissan Altima's interior featured extremely comfortable Zero Gravity seats, designed to reduce fatigue on long trips. The car had plenty of storage cubbies and cupholders, but the center console was shallow due to the AWD and transmission tunnel. The back seat was spacious enough for tall adults, and the trunk offered 15.4 cubic feet of cargo space, competitive with other midsize sedans.

The 2020 Mazda MAZDA3 sedan measured 183.5 inches in length with a 107.3-inch wheelbase, while the hatchback was 175.6 inches long. The interior provided ample headroom and supportive front seats with plenty of adjustment options. The rear seat was tight on legroom, but the soft front seatbacks made it more comfortable. The materials used in the interior were high quality, and the upholstery held up well even after 10,000 miles of use. The sedan's trunk had 13.2 cubic feet of cargo space, and the hatchback offered 20.1 cubic feet, both on the smaller side for the segment.

The 2019 Nissan Altima came standard with NissanConnect, featuring a user-friendly infotainment system with large icons and easy-to-read fonts. The system included Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration, and a 7-inch color Drive Assist display between the tachometer and speedometer. This display allowed drivers to monitor various systems and features via a steering-wheel-mounted directional pad.

The 2020 Mazda MAZDA3's 8.8-inch infotainment display was positioned high on the dashboard, blending seamlessly into the design. Mazda eliminated touch functionality, opting for a rotary dial controller between the front seats. The system included dedicated buttons and a volume knob with additional controls. Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth connectivity, and Sirius XM satellite radio were available. The new infotainment software was faster and featured sharp graphics, complementing the minimalist cabin design. The head-up display (HUD) reflected off the windshield, enhancing the premium feel.

The 2019 Nissan Altima included standard safety features like front- and side-impact airbags, traction control, vehicle dynamics control, and a reversing camera. The Platinum trim featured ProPilot Assist, offering partially autonomous driving functions. ProPilot Assist was standard on the SV, SL, and Platinum trims, while forward-collision warning and driver-alertness monitoring were standard across all trims.

The 2020 Mazda MAZDA3 was a Top Safety Pick+ by the IIHS and received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA. It scored top marks in all crash tests and offered advanced driver assistance systems like forward-collision warning, lane-departure warning, adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and dynamic brake support. These features were increasingly common in mass-market vehicles but often optional in luxury cars.