2021 Nissan Altima vs 2021 Hyundai Elantra

The 2021 Hyundai Elantra was a standout in the compact sedan category, thanks to its bold and distinctive design. It embraced Hyundai’s Sensuous Sportiness design language, featuring sharp creases and dramatic angles that gave it a unique and appealing look. The Z-shaped dent in the car’s doors, a controversial design cue, was intended to break conventional automotive design rules and add character. The Elantra's interior varied in quality depending on the trim level, with the Ultimate trim offering a modern and upscale look with light gray seats and contrasting black cabin elements. However, lower-grade interiors were less impressive, with drab black finishes and noticeable cheaper plastic panels.

The 2021 Nissan Altima, on the other hand, sported a strong family identity with its bold V-Motion grille and sleek, aerodynamic profile. Its coupe-like roofline and taut body gave it a contemporary look, although its stance was somewhat old-fashioned due to the overhangs and short dash-to-axle distance. The Altima's fit and finish were exceptional, with deep lustrous paint and rich chrome details. Inside, the Altima featured an uncluttered dashboard with a standard 8-inch touchscreen display, providing a user-friendly interface. The interior materials improved with higher trim levels, offering a more premium feel.

The 2021 Hyundai Elantra offered a range of powertrain options, including a standard 2.0-litre 4-cylinder engine producing 147 horsepower and 132 pound-feet of torque, paired with a CVT. This setup provided adequate power for city driving but felt underwhelming on the highway. The Elantra Hybrid, with a 1.6-litre Atkinson-cycle engine and electric motor, delivered 139 horsepower and impressive fuel efficiency, although it fell short of expected numbers in mountainous terrain. The Elantra N Line, with a turbocharged 1.6-litre engine producing 201 horsepower, offered a sportier driving experience, while the high-performance Elantra N, with a turbocharged 2.0-litre engine generating 276 horsepower, delivered exhilarating performance and precise handling.

The 2021 Nissan Altima featured a naturally aspirated 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine with 182 horsepower and 178 pound-feet of torque, paired with Nissan’s Xtronic CVT. The standout feature was its standard all-wheel drive, providing enhanced traction and stability. The Altima's fuel consumption ratings were competitive, with the base model achieving 9.1 L/100 km city and 6.5 L/100 km highway. The Altima's four-wheel independent suspension and electric-powered steering offered decent feedback and a comfortable ride, although it lacked the sporty edge of the Elantra N Line and N models.

The 2021 Hyundai Elantra was classified as a midsize car by Natural Resources Canada, offering a spacious interior with best-in-class rear-seat legroom. The driver’s seat was height-adjustable, and the tilt/telescopic steering wheel made it easy to find a comfortable driving position. However, the lack of a height-adjustable front passenger seat and hard plastic upper door panels were drawbacks. The Elantra's trunk offered 402 litres of space, with a 60/40-split folding rear seat for added utility.

The 2021 Nissan Altima boasted Nissan’s Zero Gravity front seats, providing exceptional comfort for long drives. The front cabin featured ample storage, including a large glovebox, centre console storage bin, and door pockets. The rear seats were roomy, accommodating two adults comfortably, and the trunk offered 436 litres of space. The 60/40-split folding rear seats allowed for easy access to the trunk from the cabin, enhancing its practicality.

The 2021 Hyundai Elantra came equipped with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, offering wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. Higher trims featured a 10.25-inch touchscreen with navigation and a digital instrumentation screen, providing a premium feel. The Elantra also offered a Bose premium audio system and a 64-colour ambient lighting system, adding to its tech appeal.

The 2021 Nissan Altima included an 8-inch NissanConnect touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard. The Platinum trim featured a Bose audio system and Nissan Door to Door Navigation. The Altima also offered a range of connectivity options, including USB and USB-C ports, and NissanConnect Services with a WiFi hotspot and emergency crash notification.

The 2021 Hyundai Elantra featured Hyundai’s SmartSense suite of advanced driving assistance systems, including forward collision-avoidance assist, lane-keeping assist, and blind-spot warning. Higher trims offered additional safety features like adaptive cruise control and Highway Drive Assist, providing a high level of safety and convenience.

The 2021 Nissan Altima came standard with Nissan Safety Shield 360, which included automatic emergency braking, rear cross-traffic alert, and blind-spot warning. The Platinum trim offered ProPilot Assist, enhancing highway driving safety with features like intelligent lane intervention and adaptive cruise control. The Altima received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick + rating from the IIHS.