2020 Nissan Altima vs 2021 Volkswagen Passat

The 2020 Nissan Altima sported a range of trim levels: S, SR, SV, SL, and Platinum. The test car in question was the Platinum trim, equipped with a turbocharged engine and other additional features like extra-cost paint, a rear spoiler, splash guards, and illuminated doorsill kick plates, summing up to $37,825 including destination charges. The 19-inch machined-finish aluminum wheels were a standout, enhancing the Altima Platinum's visual appeal. The redesign from the previous year streamlined the vehicle's aesthetics, though some elements still drew scrutiny.

From a side view, the uneven placement of the door handles created an almost disjointed look. The rear end had a body-color lower diffuser panel that might have been better in a dark gray shade, and the black trim on the rear roof pillars appeared unnecessary. Nevertheless, the interior design was praised for its cleanliness and contemporary touch. The infotainment system’s touchscreen was strategically placed high on the dashboard, accompanied by user-friendly stereo and climate control knobs. The simplicity extended to the PRNDL transmission shifter, making the car's controls easily navigable without constant reference to the owner's manual.

Materials quality within the Altima met midsize sedan standards, but the color options were limited to black and gray. Matte chrome accents and simulated wood trim added enough sophistication to avoid feeling subpar.

The 2021 Volkswagen Passat closely mirrored its 2020 predecessor due to a significant facelift it received that year—the first in nearly a decade. While the fundamental shell remained unchanged, every panel except the roof was updated, thereby aligning it closely with the smaller Jetta. This gave the Passat an understated, yet sophisticated appearance, standing in contrast to more dynamically styled rivals like the Hyundai Sonata, Kia K5, and Toyota Camry.

Sporting rounded edges similar to '90s jellybean sedans, the Passat boasted a drag coefficient of 0.28, promoting better aerodynamic efficiency. LED headlights and taillights came standard, with wheel options ranging from 17-inch alloys on base models to 19-inch on the R-Line trim, the latter also featuring an Adaptive Front-lighting System. The R-Line added sporty exterior cues, including unique front and rear bumpers and a rear spoiler. Notably, the Passat's color palette lacked vibrance, even on the sportier R-Line.

Inside, the Passat maintained a clean and functional design ethos. Analog controls were prominently positioned for ease of use, bucking the trend of cramming oversized screens into dashboards. The short dashboard and low beltline improved visibility, although the flat-bottomed steering wheel felt out of place in such a sedate car. Material choices were basic, mostly plastic with cloth upholstery on base models and V-Tex leatherette on higher trims. Despite this, fit and finish were top-notch.

The majority of 2020 Altimas were fitted with a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine producing up to 188 horsepower, paired with a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) driving the front wheels. Buyers could opt for all-wheel drive, enhancing the car's appeal in colder regions. However, the test car featured Nissan's novel VC-Turbo engine—a turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder with variable compression technology. This engine delivered 248 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of torque on premium fuel (236 hp and 267 lb-ft on regular), paired exclusively with FWD and a CVT. This setup achieved an EPA rating of 29 mpg in combined driving, though real-world tests yielded 26.2 mpg.

The Altima's handling and ride quality benefited immensely from its thoughtful engineering: a strut front, multi-link rear suspension, dual-pinion electric steering, and 4-wheel-disc brakes. Active Ride Control and Intelligent Trace Control further smoothed the ride and enhanced handling. The VC-Turbo engine provided a quick and sharp driving experience, appreciable in diverse driving environments. The CVT mimicked a traditional automatic but with unique power surges during ratio changes.

Volkswagen simplified its powertrain options for the 2021 Passat, equipping every model with a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine paired with a six-speed automatic transmission and FWD. This engine produced 174 horsepower and 206 pound-feet of torque. While the performance figures were modest compared to competitors' base powertrains, the Passat managed pretty well, especially in terms of torque. However, power delivery felt uneven at high speeds, although shifting into Sport mode or using manual gear selection improved response.

The Passat's overall driving experience was unremarkable. Despite being a competent midsize sedan, it didn't stand out for either sportiness or comfort, contrasting sharply with more dynamically tuned rivals like the Honda Accord and Mazda 6. The ride quality and cabin noise levels were acceptable for highway driving but did not excel in any particular aspect.

The Altima's front and rear seats, styled with a NASA-inspired design, aimed to offer a feeling of weightlessness and largely succeeded. However, two notable features were absent: a height adjuster for the front passenger seat and ventilated front seats. On the plus side, the Altima provided heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and a remote engine starter, though heated rear seats were unavailable. Rear passengers did benefit from air conditioning vents.

In-cabin storage was generous, though a wireless smartphone charger was missing. Connectivity options included USB-A and USB-C ports. The trunk offered 15.4 cubic feet of space, which is average for the segment. Optional grocery bag hooks and an interior grab handle added convenience.

Volkswagen emphasized the Passat’s rear legroom, quoting 39.1 inches, which is slightly less than the Honda Accord or Subaru Legacy. However, front legroom was relatively restricted, making the driving position uncomfortable for many. The front seats offered inadequate thigh support, and the rear seats felt flat and hard.

Cargo space in the Passat measured 15.9 cubic feet, outperforming the Camry, Legacy, and Altima, but falling short of the Accord and Sonata. Interior storage was limited, a common sedan issue, but door bottle holders were poorly designed for large bottles. VW's controls layout was impeccably intuitive, with large buttons and knobs within easy reach, and the analog gauges aligned well with the interior's aesthetic.

Nissan's infotainment system in the Altima was nearly perfect. The 8-inch display, despite seeming small by modern standards, featured easily navigable physical and virtual controls. Standard features included Bluetooth, a text-messaging assistant, Siri Eyes Free, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. Available upgrades encompassed satellite radio, a navigation system with door-to-door directions, a 9-speaker Bose premium audio system, and NissanConnect Services.

NissanConnect Services came free for the first six months, with extended plans offering features like automatic collision notification, emergency calling, and smartphone alerts for speed, curfew, and geofencing. Voice recognition, although functional, required specific commands for optimal results.

The 2021 Passat featured Volkswagen’s MIB2 infotainment system on a 6.3-inch touchscreen. While smaller than competitors, it included crucial functionalities such as Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, and SiriusXM satellite radio. The R-Line trim level added HD Radio, built-in navigation, and an eight-speaker Fender premium audio system. Keyless entry was standard on higher trims.

Connectivity was limited to USB-A ports, with no support for the newer USB-C standard. The system’s smaller screen was offset by the ease of using analog controls for most basic functions, a feature likely to appeal to less tech-savvy drivers. However, it lacked advanced features like VW’s Digital Cockpit and newer MIB3 infotainment system found in other models.

For 2020, the Altima included Nissan Safety Shield 360, with forward collision warning and automatic emergency braking standard on the base S trim. Higher trims received a full suite of features such as pedestrian detection, blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic warning, lane departure warning, rear automatic braking, and automatic high-beam assistance. Further safety features included a driver monitoring system, road-sign recognition, and a surround-view camera. The ProPilot Assist added adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go functionality and lane-centering assistance, though it was found to be less trustworthy.

The Altima earned a 5-star overall rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick designation from the IIHS, bolstering its credentials as a safe vehicle.

The 2021 Passat earned top ratings from the IIHS in all crash tests, though its standard headlights were rated "marginal." The NHTSA had yet to publish its ratings for the 2021 model. Volkswagen made adaptive cruise control standard across all trim levels, a feature already common among competitors. Additional driver assistance features included forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-keep assist, and automatic high beams.

Noteworthy safety features included VW’s Automatic Post-Collision Braking System and the Intelligent Crash Response System, both designed to mitigate post-accident risks.