2020 Volkswagen Passat vs 2020 Nissan Altima

The 2020 Volkswagen Passat bore a striking resemblance to its predecessors from 2012 to 2019, as well as the recently redesigned VW Jetta. The exterior design borrowed heavily from the Jetta, giving it a familiar yet refreshed look. Inside, the Passat retained the architectural T-square dashboard of the previous model, featuring a modest 6.3-inch touchscreen infotainment screen. The interior was dominated by cheap, glossy plastic, which, while easy to clean, did not exude a premium feel. However, the Passat was designed to be user-friendly, with easy access, simple controls, and a comfortable driving experience. It was available in four trims: the base S, the mid-range SE, the sporty R-Line, and the top-tier SEL.

In contrast, the 2020 Nissan Altima offered a more modern and ergonomic interior design. The Altima Platinum, equipped with a turbocharged engine and various optional features, was priced at $37,825. The exterior design was sleek, with 19-inch machined-finish aluminum wheels enhancing its appearance. However, some design elements, such as the door handles and rear diffuser panel, were less appealing. Inside, the Altima featured a clean and contemporary design with a high-mounted touchscreen infotainment system, clearly legible climate controls, and traditional transmission shifter. The materials used were on par with the midsize sedan segment, with matte chrome detailing and simulated wood trim adding a touch of elegance.

The 2020 Volkswagen Passat was powered by a turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine, producing 174 horsepower and 206 pound-feet of torque. It used regular gasoline and was paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission driving the front wheels. The Passat's powertrain was simple, with a Sport transmission setting and paddle shifters for a more engaging drive. Despite its modest power, the Passat's torque allowed it to accelerate smoothly, though the transmission occasionally upshifted too eagerly. The car averaged 26 mpg in combined driving, close to the EPA's 27-mpg rating. The Passat's steering was light yet precise, and its brakes were effective, though the suspension tuning was less than ideal, resulting in a stiff ride over sharp bumps and a floaty feel over undulations.

The 2020 Nissan Altima, on the other hand, offered a more powerful and advanced powertrain. Most Altimas came with a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine producing up to 188 horsepower, paired with a CVT and available all-wheel drive. The test car featured the optional VC-Turbo 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine, delivering 248 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of torque on premium fuel. This engine provided the power of a V6 with the efficiency of a 4-cylinder, averaging 26.2 mpg in combined driving. The Altima's suspension, steering, and brakes were well-tuned, offering a smooth and responsive driving experience. The car's Active Ride Control and Intelligent Trace Control further enhanced ride quality and handling.

The 2020 Volkswagen Passat was designed with American consumers in mind, offering a spacious interior with wide, comfortable seats and ample room for five passengers. The car featured large door openings, sizable cupholders, and plenty of storage bins and trays. Cloth upholstery was standard on the base S trim, while higher trims offered V-Tex leatherette or genuine leather seats. The Passat's trunk provided 15.9 cubic feet of space, with a flat load floor and easy access via the key fob. The car's size and utility made it a practical choice, though it lacked all-wheel drive and big-box cargo capability.

The 2020 Nissan Altima's interior was designed for comfort, with NASA-inspired seats providing a sensation of weightlessness. 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 operation for cold weather. Rear air conditioning vents were also available, though heated rear seats were not. The car provided substantial in-cabin storage space, though it lacked a wireless smartphone charging pad. The trunk offered 15.4 cubic feet of space, with optional grocery bag hooks and an interior grab handle for convenience.

The 2020 Volkswagen Passat's infotainment system was basic but functional, featuring a 6.3-inch touchscreen display with App Connect, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, HD and SiriusXM satellite radio, a CD player, and Bluetooth. The standard 6-speaker sound system was adequate, while the SEL trim offered navigation and a Fender premium sound system. The Passat's infotainment system was simple and user-friendly, with physical buttons and knobs for easy operation. The car also offered an optional remote engine start system and a parking steering-assist system on the SEL trim.

The 2020 Nissan Altima boasted a nearly perfect infotainment system with an 8-inch display, stereo volume and tuning knobs, and physical and virtual buttons for easy navigation. Standard features included Bluetooth connectivity, a text-messaging assistant, Siri Eyes Free, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. Available features included satellite radio, a navigation system with door-to-door directions, a 9-speaker Bose premium audio system, and NissanConnect Services. The connected services technology offered various plans, including Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, remote door lock access, automatic collision notification, emergency calling, and smartphone alerts. The door-to-door navigation function was particularly useful for navigating urban areas. However, the Altima's voice recognition technology required specific commands for optimal performance.

The 2020 Volkswagen Passat came equipped with a comprehensive suite of safety features, including forward-collision warning with pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot warning, and rear cross-traffic warning. An automatic post-collision braking system was also standard, helping to reduce the risk of secondary collisions. The SE trim added adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping assist, while the SEL trim included parking assist sensors and adaptive headlights. The Passat earned the top rating of Good in crash-test assessments conducted by the IIHS.

The 2020 Nissan Altima featured Nissan Safety Shield 360, with forward collision warning and automatic emergency braking standard on the base S trim. Higher trims included pedestrian detection, blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic warning, lane departure warning, rear automatic braking, and automatic high-beam assistance. Additional safety systems included a driver monitoring system, road-sign recognition, and a surround-view camera. ProPilot Assist, a Level 2 semi-autonomous driving aid, offered adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability and lane-centering assistance. However, the system's audible alerts and lane-centering functionality were less than ideal. The Altima received a 5-star overall rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick from the IIHS.