2020 Dodge Charger vs 2020 Nissan Altima

The 2020 Nissan Altima, available in Canada in S, SV, and Platinum trims, presented a sleek and modern design, especially in its Platinum variant. The car's exterior was enhanced by 19-inch machined-finish aluminum wheels, although some design elements, like the door handle placement and rear diffuser panel, were less appealing. Inside, the Altima boasted a clean and contemporary design with an intuitive layout. The infotainment system was user-friendly, featuring stereo knobs and clear climate controls. The interior materials were on par with the midsize sedan segment, with matte chrome detailing and simulated wood trim adding a touch of elegance.

The 2020 Dodge Charger, with its roots in the muscle car era, maintained a bold and aggressive look. The 2015 facelift introduced a thin inlet grille and more menacing headlights, aligning with Dodge's performance identity. Inside, the Charger combined retro elements with modern technology, featuring large bezels housing digital displays. The cabin offered a cockpit-like feel due to the raised transmission tunnel. The Charger was available in multiple trims, including SXT, GT, R/T, Scat Pack, and SRT Hellcat, each offering unique features and performance enhancements. The GT trim added visual flair with 20-inch wheels and a hood scoop, while the SRT Hellcat featured a widebody kit and luxurious interior appointments.

The 2020 Nissan Altima in Canada was powered by a 2.5-litre 4-cylinder engine producing up to 188 horsepower, paired with a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) and standard all-wheel drive. This setup aimed to make the Altima more competitive against SUVs. The car featured a strut front, multi-link rear suspension, dual-pinion electric steering, and 4-wheel-disc brakes. Intelligent Ride Control and Intelligent Trace Control technologies enhanced ride quality and handling. The CVT mimicked a traditional automatic transmission, though it could produce sudden power surges.

The 2020 Dodge Charger offered a range of powertrains, starting with the 3.6-litre Pentastar V6 engine in the SXT and GT trims, producing 292 to 300 horsepower. The R/T trim featured a 5.7-litre Hemi V8 with 370 horsepower, while the Scat Pack boasted a 6.4-litre Hemi V8 with 485 horsepower. The SRT Hellcat topped the lineup with a supercharged 6.2-litre V8, delivering 707 horsepower. The Charger excelled in performance, with Brembo brakes, adaptive suspension, and Performance Pages for detailed monitoring and customization. Despite its weight, the Charger handled well, especially in widebody variants with Bilstein adaptive suspension.

The 2020 Nissan Altima's interior was designed for comfort, with NASA-inspired seats providing a sensation of weightlessness. However, the lack of a front passenger seat height adjuster and ventilated front seats was a drawback. Heated front seats, side mirrors, and an optional heated steering wheel were available. The Altima offered ample in-cabin storage and a 436-litre trunk with optional grocery bag hooks. Rear air conditioning vents and dual-zone climate control were also available.

The 2020 Dodge Charger excelled in interior space, offering generous legroom for rear passengers. The front bucket seats were well-bolstered, providing ample head- and legroom. The Charger featured practical storage solutions, including door trays and cup holders. Its trunk capacity of 467 litres was impressive, surpassing many performance sedans and large family sedans. The 60/40 split-fold rear bench added versatility for additional storage.

The 2020 Nissan Altima featured an 8-inch infotainment system with Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. Available upgrades included SiriusXM, navigation, a Bose audio system, and NissanConnect Services. The system was user-friendly, with physical and virtual buttons for easy navigation. However, the voice recognition technology required specific commands. NissanConnect Services offered connected features like collision notification and remote access, with a free trial period.

The 2020 Dodge Charger came with an 8.4-inch touchscreen running the Uconnect infotainment system. It included Bluetooth, USB connectivity, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The system's simplicity and logical menu layout made it easy to use, with docked icons for quick access to functions. The digital display screen in the instrument panel provided essential information and navigation directions. Uconnect's integration with mobile devices was seamless, enhancing the overall user experience.

The 2020 Nissan Altima offered a comprehensive suite of safety features, including forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and a driver attention monitor. Higher trims added pedestrian detection, blind-spot monitoring, and ProPilot Assist, a Level 2 semi-autonomous system. However, ProPilot Assist was not entirely reliable, with irritating alerts and inconsistent lane-centring. The Altima received a 5-star NHTSA rating and an IIHS Top Safety Pick.

The 2020 Dodge Charger included standard safety features like airbags, traction control, and rear parking sensors. Advanced features such as forward-collision warning, adaptive cruise control, and blind-spot monitoring were also standard. Optional features included lane-departure warning and rain-sensing wipers. The Charger's crash prevention technology earned a Superior rating from the IIHS.