2021 Nissan Altima vs 2020 Toyota Camry

The 2020 Toyota Camry had a renewed focus on quality and appeal, aiming to reclaim its status as a top contender in the sedan market. Its expressive styling, with a bold front fascia and taut lines, marked it as the sportiest Camry yet. The design borrowed cues from luxury brands, offering 13 exterior colour options, including a fashionable black roof. Inside, the Camry featured high-quality materials and a driver-focused dashboard, elevating even the base trims. While it wasn't a luxury car, the Camry's attention to detail and sportiness made it a compelling choice for those seeking a stylish and reliable sedan.

The 2021 Nissan Altima showcased a strong family identity with its bold V-Motion grille and sleek, aerodynamic profile. Its design featured a sloping "coupe-like" roofline and modern elements like LED lighting and alloy wheels. Despite a slightly old-fashioned stance, the Altima's fit and finish were exceptional, with deep lustrous paint and rich chrome details. Inside, the Altima offered an uncluttered dashboard with a standard 8-inch touchscreen display, providing convenience and safety. The interior materials improved with higher trims, offering a comfortable and well-appointed cabin for drivers and passengers alike.

The 2020 Toyota Camry offered a range of powertrains, including a 3.5-litre V6 engine producing 301 horsepower, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. This engine provided smooth and powerful performance, enhancing the Camry's luxury aspirations. The 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine, with 203 horsepower (206 in XSE trim), delivered a lively driving experience, especially in the sporty XSE trim. The Camry's AWD system, similar to the RAV4's, improved traction in slippery conditions without significantly impacting fuel efficiency. The front-drive Camry achieved a combined fuel consumption rating of 7.6 L/100 km, while AWD models rated at 8.4 L/100 km.

The 2021 Nissan Altima featured a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine with 182 horsepower and 178 pound-feet of torque, paired with Nissan's Xtronic CVT. AWD was standard, providing enhanced traction by sending up to 50% of torque to the rear wheels when needed. The Altima's fuel consumption ratings were 9.1 L/100 km city, 6.5 highway, and 7.9 combined for the base model. The Altima's suspension setup included four-wheel independent suspension with stabilizer bars, offering a comfortable ride. While the VC-Turbo engine was not available in Canada, the Altima's performance remained respectable for a mid-size sedan.

The 2020 Toyota Camry provided a user-friendly driving experience with intuitive controls and ample front-seat space. The centre console housed a shifter, cupholders, a cell phone tray, and a storage bin. However, rear-seat legroom and trunk space were slightly reduced compared to competitors, with a trunk capacity of 428 litres. The addition of AWD did not compromise interior space, maintaining the same rear seats and trunk as front-drive versions.

The 2021 Nissan Altima boasted Nissan's Zero Gravity front seats, offering exceptional comfort for long drives. Standard features included power adjustment and front seat heating, with leather and memory options on higher trims. The Altima's cabin provided ample storage, including a large glovebox, centre console bin, and door pockets. The rear seats offered generous headroom and legroom, accommodating two adults comfortably. The trunk capacity was 436 litres, with a 60/40 split-folding rear seat for added versatility.

The 2020 Toyota Camry introduced Android Auto compatibility alongside Apple CarPlay, enhancing its infotainment system. While the standard system felt dated, it was functional and responsive, with hard buttons for major functions. The base models featured a 7-inch screen, with an optional 8-inch upgrade. USB-A ports were standard, with an optional Qi wireless charging pad available. Higher trims offered a 7-inch multi-information display and an optional 10-inch head-up display.

The 2021 Nissan Altima came equipped with a comprehensive suite of tech features, including keyless entry, pushbutton start, and remote engine start. The standard 8-inch NissanConnect touchscreen infotainment system supported Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Altima also featured a 7-inch advanced Drive-Assist display, multiple USB ports, and SiriusXM satellite radio. Higher trims included a Bose audio system and Nissan Door to Door Navigation with a five-year trial of Premium Traffic.

The 2020 Toyota Camry included Toyota Safety Sense, featuring a pre-collision system, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, and automatic high beams. Blind-spot monitoring was optional, and higher trims offered Bird's Eye View for enhanced parking safety. The Camry received a five-star NHTSA rating and a Top Safety Pick+ from the IIHS. A recall affected some models due to leaking engine coolant.

The 2021 Nissan Altima featured Nissan Safety Shield 360, offering automatic emergency braking, rear cross-traffic alert, blind-spot warning, and lane-departure warning. ProPilot Assist, available on the Platinum grade, provided advanced highway driving assistance. The Altima also offered an Intelligent Around View Monitor for easier parking. It received a five-star NHTSA rating and a Top Safety Pick+ from the IIHS.