2020 Toyota Camry vs 2020 Nissan Altima

The Toyota Camry of the 1990s built its reputation on quality, reliability, and value, achieving nearly indestructible status and benefiting from engineering shared with the Lexus brand. Recently, though, some felt the Camry lagged behind competitors like the Honda Accord and Hyundai Sonata. However, with the current generation, the Camry managed to recapture its former glory through a pronounced attention to detail.

In terms of styling, the 2020 Camry came across as more expressive than ever before. The TRD model, with its massive wing and aerodynamic body kit, showcased Toyota’s commitment to sportiness. Even the standard model, with its bold front fascia and taut lines, projected a sporty demeanor. Design influences from BMW were notably present, such as a character line running across the doors and the upturned kink in the C-pillar. With 14 exterior color options, including some with a striking black roof, the 2020 Camry definitely sought to be fashion-forward.

Inside, the Camry impressed with uniformly high-quality materials. The driver-focused dashboard had a sweeping design that made even the base trim feel more upscale. The TRD model featured red trim accents and eye-catching red seatbelts, adding to the sporty ambiance. Luxury elements like leather and wood in higher trims provided a taste of Lexus-like opulence. While not quite reaching the level of a genuine luxury or sports sedan, the 2020 Camry certainly aimed to close that gap.

The 2020 Nissan Altima received a significant redesign that cleaned up its styling, resulting in a more contemporary and elegant look. Equipped with 19-inch machined-finish aluminum wheels, the Altima Platinum particularly stood out. However, some questionable details persisted, such as the misaligned door handles and an undesirable black trim on the rear roof pillars.

The interior design of the Altima was a model of ergonomic simplicity. High-placed touchscreen infotainment systems, clearly legible climate controls, and traditional transmission shifters made for intuitive operation. The material quality in the cabin matched the standard for midsize sedans, though color options were limited to black or gray. Matte chrome detailing and striated simulated wood trim added just enough flair to avoid feeling mundane.

Overall, while the Altima’s exterior was good-looking and the interior functional, it lacked the bold, sporty character that the 2020 Camry exuded.

The 2020 Camry offered four distinct powertrains: a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with front-wheel drive (FWD), the same engine with all-wheel drive (AWD), a FWD 3.5-liter V6, and a hybrid variant. For this comparison, we'll focus on the first three.

The 3.5-liter V6 engine, producing 301 horsepower, delivered smooth and powerful performance. This engine was paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, which enhanced the luxury feel of the Camry XLE. While the V6 made the XLE feel like a budget Lexus, it didn't quite bring the excitement to the sporty TRD model, despite a dual exhaust system that added to its low-end rumble.

The 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, with 203 horsepower (206 in the XSE trim), offered impressive output for its size. The eight-speed automatic transmission maximized its performance, making the lighter four-cylinder Camry feel agile, particularly in the sporty XSE trim. The TRD’s stiffer suspension, beefed-up brakes, and high-performance tires further enhanced the driving experience, although the firmness might have been unexpected for those accustomed to the Camry’s traditionally soft ride.

AWD availability was a boon for the Camry, providing better traction in slippery conditions. The AWD system could send up to half of the engine’s 184 pound-feet of torque to the rear wheels, with minimal impact on fuel efficiency. The FWD Camry had a combined EPA fuel economy rating of 31 mpg, dropping to 28 mpg with AWD, and 26 mpg (25 mpg for TRD) for the V6 models.

The 2020 Altima mostly featured a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 188 horsepower, paired with a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) driving the front wheels. AWD availability added appeal, especially for those in colder climates.

A notable highlight was the optional turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine. This exclusive VC-Turbo engine, available only in the SR and Platinum trims, offered variable compression, combining V6-like power with four-cylinder efficiency. It delivered 248 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of torque on premium fuel (236 hp and 267 lb-ft on regular), with a combined fuel economy rating of 29 mpg. However, real-world testing showed an average of 26.2 mpg.

The Altima’s suspension setup – strut front, multi-link rear – along with dual-pinion electric steering and 4-wheel-disc brakes, provided a refined ride and handling. The SR model with sports suspension offered firmer underpinnings, but even without it, the Altima’s ride was comfortable, thanks to technologies like Active Ride Control and Intelligent Trace Control.

The 2020 Camry was designed for ease of use, with familiar controls and an ergonomic layout. The front row featured increased legroom and hip room compared to previous generations. The center console had a well-organized setup, with a shifter, cupholders, a cell phone tray, and a storage bin.

The rear seat space, however, was slightly diminished, making the backseat tighter than competitors like the Accord. The overall passenger volume and trunk size (15.1 cubic feet) were also smaller, aligning more with the Honda Civic rather than the larger Accord.

Despite these constraints, the addition of AWD didn’t compromise the interior space further, as Toyota cleverly modified the floor structure and fuel tank to maintain the trunk and passenger compartment size.

The 2020 Altima boasted NASA-inspired seating designed for comfort, both front and back. However, it lacked some features expected at its price point, such as a front passenger height adjuster and ventilated front seats. For cold climates, the Altima offered heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and a remote engine starter with climate control, though heated rear seats were not available.

The cabin had substantial storage spaces but lacked a wireless smartphone charging pad. Rear air conditioning vents were a welcome addition.

With a trunk capacity of 15.4 cubic feet, the Altima provided a bit more cargo space compared to the Camry. Optional grocery bag hooks and an interior grab handle made the trunk more practical.

For 2020, Toyota finally included Android Auto as standard, alongside Apple CarPlay, Amazon Alexa, and a trial period of SiriusXM satellite radio. While functional, the infotainment system with low-resolution graphics felt outdated compared to competitors. The standard 7-inch and optional 8-inch screens were responsive, but the single USB-A port and lack of USB-C ports were limiting. Optional features like a Qi wireless charging pad and WiFi Connect, along with smartphone-compatible Remote Connect services, added some modern touches.

Higher trims featured a larger 7-inch multi-information display and an optional 10-inch head-up display, enhancing the driving experience with useful information projected within the driver’s line of sight.

Nissan’s infotainment system in the 2020 Altima was nearly perfect, with an 8-inch display, stereo volume and tuning knobs, and physical buttons for easy use. Standard Bluetooth, text-messaging assistant, Siri Eyes Free, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto ensured connectivity. Optional features included satellite radio, a navigation system with smartphone integration, a 9-speaker Bose audio system, and NissanConnect Services.

NissanConnect Services offered connected technology free for the first six months, with various plans providing features like Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, remote access, and emergency notifications.

An exceptional feature was the door-to-door navigation, which aided users from their car to their final destination via a smartphone app. However, the voice recognition system required specific commands for effective operation.

All Camry models came with Toyota Safety Sense, offering a pre-collision system, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, steering assist, automatic high beams, and a one-year trial of Safety Connect. Optional blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert added extra layers of safety. A Bird's Eye View camera system provided a 360-degree view for easier parking on higher trims.

NHTSA awarded the Camry a five-star rating, and the IIHS named it a Top Safety Pick+.

The 2020 Altima featured Nissan Safety Shield 360. Base S trims included forward collision warning and automatic emergency braking, while other trims added pedestrian detection, blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic warning, lane departure warning, rear automatic braking, and automatic high-beam assistance. Additional features included driver monitoring, road-sign recognition, and a surround-view camera. The optional ProPilot Assist offered adaptive cruise control and lane-centering assistance but had mixed reviews regarding reliability and ease of use.

NHTSA rated the Altima with five stars, and the IIHS awarded it a Top Safety Pick with certain headlights.