2021 Subaru Impreza vs 2020 Nissan Altima

The 2020 Nissan Altima, available in S, SR, SV, SL, and Platinum trims, offered a sleek and modern design. The Platinum trim, equipped with a turbocharged engine, 19-inch machined-finish aluminum wheels, and various additional features, was priced at $37,825. The redesign from the previous year improved the car's styling, though some details like the door handle placement and rear diffuser panel were questionable. The interior was clean and contemporary, with an ergonomic layout that included a high-mounted touchscreen infotainment system, clearly legible climate controls, and traditional transmission shifter. The materials quality was on par with the midsize sedan segment, with matte chrome detailing and simulated wood trim adding a touch of elegance.

In contrast, the 2021 Subaru Impreza adopted a more conservative design compared to its predecessors. Both the sedan and hatchback versions featured sleek headlights and taillights, a nicely-tapered front end, and toned-down wheel arch sheetmetal. The Impreza Sport models had specific styling touches, including 18-inch alloy wheels. Built on the Subaru Global Platform, shared with models like the Legacy and Outback, the Impreza benefited from overall refinement. The interior, while not the most exciting, was functional with a split dashboard housing the infotainment touchscreen. The Sport trim added contrast stitching, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, and aluminum pedals, while the Limited trim offered leather upholstery and LED headlights.

The 2020 Nissan Altima came with a standard 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine producing up to 188 horsepower, paired with a CVT and front-wheel drive, with an optional all-wheel drive. The test car featured the optional turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder VC-Turbo engine, delivering 248 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of torque on premium fuel. This engine, available only in SR and Platinum trims, provided a balance of power and efficiency. The Altima's ride and handling were enhanced by Active Ride Control and Intelligent Trace Control, making it responsive and satisfying to drive. The CVT was programmed to mimic a traditional automatic, though it could produce sudden power surges.

The 2021 Subaru Impreza was powered by a 2.0-liter four-cylinder boxer engine, generating 152 horsepower and 145 pound-feet of torque. Most models came with a CVT, while a five-speed manual transmission was available on the base sedan and hatchback, and the Impreza Sport hatchback. The Sport trim also featured model-specific suspension tuning and torque vectoring for the AWD system. The Impreza provided a solid and refined ride, though it lacked the engagement of competitors like the Honda Civic or Mazda 3. The Sport's suspension offered a good balance between ride quality and handling, but the steering and engine power were less impressive.

The 2020 Nissan Altima's seats were designed for superior comfort, inspired by NASA's weightlessness concept. However, the lack of a front passenger seat height adjuster and ventilated front seats was a drawback. The Altima offered heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and a remote engine starter with climate control, but no heated rear seats. In-cabin storage was substantial, though a wireless smartphone charging pad was missing. The trunk provided 15.4 cubic feet of space, with optional grocery bag hooks and an interior grab handle.

The 2021 Subaru Impreza sedan and hatchback offered reasonable legroom, though headroom was below average. The sedan's trunk space was limited to 12.3 cubic feet, but the 60/40 split-folding rear seat helped accommodate longer items. The hatchback provided 20.8 cubic feet of cargo space, expanding to 55.3 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. The Impreza's All-Weather Package included heated front seats, a heated windshield, and heated exterior mirrors. The Sport trim added keyless entry with pushbutton start, while the Limited trim featured a six-way power driver's seat and automatic climate control. A power moonroof was available on most trims.

The 2020 Nissan Altima featured an 8-inch infotainment system with Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. Available upgrades included satellite radio, navigation, a 9-speaker Bose audio system, and NissanConnect Services. The connected services offered various plans, including Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, and remote door lock access. The door-to-door navigation was particularly useful for urban parking situations. However, the voice recognition system required specific commands, limiting its effectiveness.

The 2021 Subaru Impreza's base and Premium trims had a 6.5-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay/Android Auto and Bluetooth, while higher trims featured an 8-inch touchscreen. The Limited trim offered an option package with TomTom-based navigation and a Harman Kardon audio system. A secondary display above the main touchscreen provided additional information, though it seemed redundant. The infotainment system was user-friendly, with large icons and easy access to important functions, though it lacked advanced features for tech-savvy users.

The 2020 Nissan Altima came with Nissan Safety Shield 360, including forward collision warning and automatic emergency braking on the base S trim, and additional features like pedestrian detection, blind-spot warning, and lane departure warning on higher trims. ProPilot Assist, a Level 2 semi-autonomous driving aid, was available but proved difficult to trust. The Altima received a 5-star overall rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick from the IIHS with specific headlights.

The 2021 Subaru Impreza received a Top Safety Pick award from the IIHS, with the Limited trim's headlights earning a "Good" rating. The NHTSA awarded the Impreza a five-star overall safety rating. Subaru's EyeSight safety tech was standard on CVT-equipped models, offering features like automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, and lead vehicle start alert. Additional options included blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and steering-responsive headlights.