2021 Nissan Altima vs 2020 Honda Accord

The 2020 Honda Accord was recognized for its stylish design, which was considered one of the most attractive in the model's history. Despite some mixed opinions on its front styling and rounded roofline, the Accord's upscale appearance was undeniable, especially when equipped with the 19-inch alloy wheels available on the Touring, Sport 2.0, and Touring 2.0 trims. These wheels enhanced the sedan's visual presence, although the 17-inch wheels offered on other trims were a more economical choice for long-term ownership. The Accord was available in several trims, including LX, Sport, EX-L, and Touring, with prices ranging from $28,705 to $40,405. Inside, the Accord boasted high-quality materials, with soft touchpoints, premium leather, and realistic matte-finish simulated wood, making it a comfortable and luxurious environment.

The 2021 Nissan Altima featured a strong family identity with its bold V-Motion grille, available in chrome or dark chrome, depending on the trim. Its sleek, aerodynamic profile was accentuated by a sloping "coupe-like" roofline and taut body lines, although its stance was slightly old-fashioned due to the overhangs and short dash-to-axle distance. Modern touches like standard LED lighting and alloy wheels ranging from 17 to 19 inches kept the Altima contemporary. The fit and finish were exceptional, with deep paint and rich chrome details. The Altima offered six exterior colours with creative names, most of which were premium options. Inside, the dashboard was uncluttered, featuring a standard 8-inch touchscreen display and a well-designed instrument panel. As you moved up the trim levels, the interior materials improved, offering a more premium feel.

The 2020 Honda Accord offered a range of powertrains, starting with a turbocharged 1.5-litre four-cylinder engine producing 192 horsepower and 192 lb-ft of torque, paired with a CVT and front-wheel drive. For those seeking fuel efficiency, the Accord's 212-horsepower hybrid powertrain was impressive, averaging 5.5 litres per 100 kilometres. The performance-oriented option was the turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine, delivering 252 horsepower and 273 lb-ft of torque, mated to a ten-speed automatic transmission. The Accord 2.0T was quick and fun to drive, with adaptive dampers and sticky 19-inch tires enhancing its handling. However, the powerful front-wheel-drive setup struggled to put all the power to the ground, and the brakes could use some improvement. The Accord's steering was accurate, and the ride was compliant, making it a versatile and enjoyable car to drive.

The 2021 Nissan Altima in Canada came with a naturally aspirated 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine, producing 182 horsepower and 178 lb-ft of torque, paired with Nissan's Xtronic CVT. The standout feature was the standard all-wheel drive, which provided better traction and stability compared to the front-wheel-drive setups of most competitors. The AWD system was front-biased but could send up to 50% of the torque to the rear wheels when needed. Fuel consumption ratings were competitive, with the base model achieving 9.1 L/100 km city, 6.5 highway, and 7.9 combined. The Altima's suspension setup included four-wheel independent suspension with stabilizer bars, and the electric-powered steering offered decent feedback and feel.

The 2020 Honda Accord was essentially a full-size car, offering more rear-seat legroom and cargo space than its competitors. The standard 12-way power driver's seat was comfortable, with plenty of thigh support and standard heating, while the Touring trim added ventilation. The rear seats were exceptionally comfortable, with wide doors for easy access and ample thigh support. The trunk offered 473 litres of space, accommodating full-size suitcases with ease. Inside, the Accord provided plenty of storage space, clear instrumentation, and ergonomic controls, making it a pleasant place to spend time.

The 2021 Nissan Altima featured Nissan's Zero Gravity front seats, which were praised for their comfort on long drives. Power adjustment and front seat heating were standard, with additional features like position memory and leather available on higher trims. The front cabin offered ample storage, including a large glovebox, centre console storage, and door pockets. The rear seats were roomy, with enough headroom and legroom for two adults, and the trunk provided 436 litres of space. The rear seats folded flat in a 60/40 split, allowing for additional cargo flexibility.

The 2020 Honda Accord's 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system was highly regarded, featuring volume and tuning knobs, main menu shortcut buttons, and sensible steering wheel controls. It included Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and text-messaging support. A ten-speaker premium audio system was standard on Sport trim and above, with additional features like HondaLink, a Wi-Fi hotspot, navigation, and wireless charging available on the Touring trim. However, the system lacked natural voice recognition, requiring specific prompts for accurate responses. A head-up display was exclusive to the Touring trim, and the Accord offered excellent visibility with a reversing camera.

The 2021 Nissan Altima came with a comprehensive suite of standard tech features, including keyless entry, pushbutton start, remote engine start, Bluetooth, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. All models featured an 8-inch NissanConnect touchscreen infotainment system and a 7-inch advanced Drive-Assist display. Higher trims included SiriusXM satellite radio, a Bose audio system, and Nissan Door to Door Navigation. NissanConnect Services offered additional features like a WiFi hotspot and emergency crash notification, enhancing the Altima's tech offerings.

The 2020 Honda Accord was named a Top Safety Pick by the IIHS and received five stars from the NHTSA. It came standard with Honda Sensing, a suite of safety features including forward collision warning, collision mitigation braking, lane departure warning, lane-keeping assist, adaptive cruise control, and traffic sign recognition. However, blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert was reserved for the Touring trim. Some systems, like adaptive cruise control and lane departure warning, could use refinement to reduce false alerts.

The 2021 Nissan Altima featured Nissan Safety Shield 360, a comprehensive suite of safety features standard on all models. It included automatic emergency braking, rear automatic braking, rear cross-traffic alert, blind-spot warning, lane-departure warning, and high-beam assist. The Platinum grade offered ProPilot Assist, which helped with highway driving, and an Intelligent Around View Monitor for easier parking. The Altima received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick + rating from the IIHS.