2020 Nissan Altima vs 2021 Hyundai Elantra

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 handles and rear roof pillar trim, were less appealing. Inside, the Altima boasted a clean and contemporary design with an ergonomic layout. The infotainment system was user-friendly, with stereo knobs and clearly legible climate controls. The interior materials were on par with the midsize sedan segment, featuring matte chrome detailing and simulated wood trim, though colour options were limited to black or gray.

In contrast, the 2021 Hyundai Elantra stood out with its Sensuous Sportiness design language, characterized by sharp creases and dramatic angles. The Z-shaped dent in the doors was a bold design choice that added to its unique character. The Elantra was available in Essential, Preferred, N Line, and Ultimate trims, with hybrid options in the Preferred and Ultimate grades. The interior of the Elantra, especially in the Ultimate trim, offered a modern and upscale look with light gray seats and contrasting black cabin elements. The design was driver-focused, with a clear delineation between driver and passenger areas, and the use of gray colour helped to hide some of the cheaper plastic panels.

The 2020 Nissan Altima in Canada was powered by a 2.5-litre 4-cylinder engine producing up to 188 horsepower, paired with a CVT and standard all-wheel drive. The Altima's ride and handling were enhanced by Intelligent Ride Control and Intelligent Trace Control, providing a smooth and controlled driving experience. The CVT was designed to mimic a traditional automatic transmission, though it could produce sudden power surges during ratio changes.

The 2021 Hyundai Elantra offered a variety of powertrain options, including a standard 2.0-litre 4-cylinder engine with 147 horsepower and a CVT. The Elantra's CVT was noted for its responsiveness and sound, making it one of the better options in a compact car. The Elantra Hybrid combined a 1.6-litre Atkinson-cycle engine with an electric motor, producing 139 horsepower and offering impressive fuel efficiency. The Elantra N Line featured a turbocharged 1.6-litre engine with 201 horsepower, while the high-performance Elantra N boasted a turbocharged 2.0-litre engine with 276 horsepower. The Elantra N's driving experience was exhilarating, with a range of customizable performance settings and a dynamic driving character.

The 2020 Nissan Altima's interior was designed for comfort, with NASA-inspired seats and standard heated front seats. However, it lacked a front passenger seat height adjuster and ventilated front seats. The Altima offered substantial in-cabin storage and a 436-litre trunk, with optional grocery bag hooks and an interior grab handle.

The 2021 Hyundai Elantra was classified as a midsize car, offering ample interior space and best-in-class rear-seat legroom. The driver's seat was height-adjustable, and the steering wheel was tilt/telescopic, but the front passenger seat height adjuster was removed for 2021. The Elantra's trunk measured 402 litres, with a 60/40-split folding rear seat for added utility. Some versions included a hands-free trunk lid release, though the interior grab handle was no longer available.

The 2020 Nissan Altima featured an 8-inch infotainment system with Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. Available upgrades included a Bose premium audio system and NissanConnect Services, offering connected services and navigation. The system was user-friendly, though the voice recognition technology required specific commands.

The 2021 Hyundai Elantra offered an 8-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Higher trims featured a 10.25-inch touchscreen with navigation and a digital instrument cluster. The Elantra's infotainment system included a dynamic natural voice recognition system and a Sounds of Nature function. A Bose premium audio system was available, providing impressive sound quality.

The 2020 Nissan Altima came with standard forward collision warning and automatic emergency braking. Higher trims included a comprehensive suite of safety features, such as blind-spot monitoring and ProPilot Assist, a Level 2 semi-autonomous driving system. The Altima received a 5-star safety rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick from the IIHS.

The 2021 Hyundai Elantra featured SmartSense, a suite of advanced driving assistance systems, on all but the base model. These included forward collision-avoidance assist, lane-keeping assist, and a driver attention warning system. Additional safety features included blind-spot warning and Highway Drive Assist, a Level 2 ADAS. The Elantra's safety systems were praised for their smoothness and accuracy.