2020 Subaru WRX vs 2020 Nissan Altima

The 2020 Nissan Altima came in various trims, including the base S, sporty SR, SV, SL, and Platinum. The test car was an Altima Platinum with a turbocharged engine, extra-cost paint, a rear spoiler, splash guards, floor and trunk mats, grocery bag hooks, and illuminated doorsill kick plates, totaling $37,825 with destination charges. The Altima Platinum featured 19-inch machined-finish aluminum wheels, enhancing its appearance. The redesign from the previous year improved the car's styling, though some details like the door handles' placement and the body-color lower diffuser panel could have been better. The interior was clean and contemporary, with an ergonomic design, high-placed touchscreen infotainment system, and clearly legible climate controls. The materials quality was on par with the midsize sedan segment, with matte chrome detailing and simulated wood trim adding a touch of elegance.

The 2020 Subaru WRX, originally a performance variant of the Subaru Impreza, became its own model in 2015. The 2020 WRX retained its aggressive styling with a wider stance, lower front splitter, rear deck spoiler, and functional air intake. The STI version added a large rear wing and aerodynamic components. Despite its sporty appearance, the non-STI WRX could be a sleeper, surprising those unfamiliar with its performance capabilities. The WRX came in Base, Premium, and Limited trims, with the Base trim featuring 17-inch alloy wheels, automatic climate control, and a 6.5-inch touchscreen infotainment system. The Premium trim added 18-inch wheels, fog lights, heated front seats, and a power moonroof, while the Limited trim included leather upholstery and a 10-way power-adjustable driver’s seat. The WRX STI, available in STI and Limited trims, featured a 2.5-liter turbocharged engine, Brembo brakes, and a stiffer suspension for enhanced performance.

The 2020 Nissan Altima mostly featured a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine producing up to 188 horsepower, paired with a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) powering the front wheels. An all-wheel-drive option was available with this engine. The test car had the optional turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine, known as the VC-Turbo, which provided 248 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of torque on premium fuel. This engine was exclusive to the SR and Platinum trims and came with a CVT and front-wheel drive. The EPA estimated 29 mpg in combined driving, but the test car averaged 26.2 mpg. The Altima featured a strut front, multi-link rear suspension, dual-pinion electric steering, and 4-wheel-disc brakes. The SR and Platinum trims had 19-inch wheels, with the SR also getting sports suspension tuning. The Altima's ride and handling were impressive, thanks to Active Ride Control and Intelligent Trace Control, making it satisfying to drive in various settings.

The 2020 Subaru WRX came with a turbocharged and intercooled 2.0-liter boxer-four engine, producing 268 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. Power was sent to symmetrical all-wheel drive through a standard six-speed manual transmission, with an optional CVT available. The CVT featured Subaru’s SI-DRIVE with multiple drive modes and paddle shifters with six-speed and eight-speed manual-shift modes. The AWD systems varied based on the transmission, with the manual having a continuous all-wheel-drive system and the CVT paired to a planetary gear setup. The manual transmission provided a precise and smooth driving experience, while the CVT system was more responsive. The WRX's power delivery was fantastic, with minimal turbo lag and excellent cornering abilities. The WRX STI featured a 2.5-liter turbocharged engine with 310 horsepower and 290 pound-feet of torque, Brembo brakes, and a stiffer suspension, enhancing its performance but resulting in a rougher ride.

The 2020 Nissan Altima's seats were designed for superior comfort, inspired by NASA's weightlessness concept. However, the front passenger seat lacked height adjustment, and ventilated front seats were not available. The Altima offered heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and a remote engine starter with climate control operation, but heated rear seats were not available. The car had substantial in-cabin storage space, though it lacked a wireless smartphone charging pad. The trunk offered 15.4 cubic feet of space, with optional grocery bag hooks and an interior grab handle for convenience.

The 2020 Subaru WRX's simple sedan layout provided excellent sightlines, with good rear and side visibility. The large windshield, slanted hood, and quarter windows ensured terrific forward visibility. The cabin featured a straightforward dash layout with easy-to-use controls and plenty of storage compartments. The WRX offered ample first-row seating space and adequate rear-seat space for full-size adults on most trips. The cargo space was 12 cubic feet, which was low compared to other compact sedans but similar to other performance cars.

The 2020 Nissan Altima featured an 8-inch infotainment system with a flat display, stereo volume and tuning knobs, and physical and virtual buttons for easy use. It came standard with Bluetooth connectivity, a text-messaging assistant, Siri Eyes Free, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. Available features included satellite radio, a navigation system, a 9-speaker Bose premium audio system, and Nissan Connect Services. NissanConnect Services offered various plans, including the Select Plan with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant, the Premium Plan with automatic collision notification and emergency calling, and the Premium Plus Plan with hands-free 24-hour destination assistance. The door-to-door navigation function was especially helpful in urban settings. The voice recognition technology, however, required specific commands for desired results.

The 2020 Subaru WRX came standard with a 6.5-inch infotainment touchscreen, with an available 7-inch touchscreen. The Starlink infotainment system was easy to use and included Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The WRX also featured a digital display in the instrument panel and a digital information screen atop the dash, providing key driver information in multiple locations. The system was straightforward and did not overdo the tech, making it user-friendly.

The 2020 Nissan Altima included Nissan Safety Shield 360, with forward collision warning and automatic emergency braking standard on the base S trim. Other trims received additional features like pedestrian detection, blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic warning, lane departure warning, rear automatic braking, and automatic high-beam assistance. Optional safety systems included a driver monitoring system, road-sign recognition, and a surround-view camera. ProPilot Assist, a Level 2 semi-autonomous driving aid, was available but proved hard to trust during testing. The Altima received a 5-star overall rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick from the IIHS.

The 2020 Subaru WRX came standard with front- and side-impact airbags, traction control, and a tire-pressure monitoring system. The EyeSight suite of driver-assistance features was available, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, automatic high beams, and adaptive cruise control. Other optional safety features included blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and reverse automatic emergency braking. The WRX earned top marks from the IIHS and a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA.