2021 Nissan Altima vs 2021 Mazda MAZDA3

The 2021 Mazda MAZDA3, following its 2019 redesign, continued to impress with its award-winning design, capturing the World Car Design of the Year and Canadian Car of the Year awards for 2020. Its exterior styling was a blend of drama and sophistication, with the sedan offering a more conservative look compared to the aggressive stance of the hatchback. The Mazda3 2.5 Turbo sedan, with its Premium Package and Machine Gray Metallic paint, was priced at $36,881 Canadian, showcasing a high-contrast two-tone interior with white leather that elevated its premium appeal. Despite some use of hard plastics, the interior design was driver-focused, with a seamless integration of the Mazda Connect infotainment system into the dashboard.

In contrast, the 2021 Nissan Altima featured a bold V-Motion grille and a sleek, aerodynamic profile with a sloping roofline. Its design was modern, with standard LED lighting and alloy wheels, though its stance was somewhat traditional. The Altima's fit and finish were exceptional, with deep paint and chrome details. Inside, the dashboard was uncluttered, with an 8-inch touchscreen display and a cowl-shrouded instrument panel for easy readability. The Altima offered a range of exterior colours, each with unique names, and its interior materials improved with higher trim levels, providing a comfortable and well-equipped cabin.

The 2021 Mazda MAZDA3 2.5 Turbo was powered by a turbocharged 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine, delivering 250 horsepower with 93-octane fuel and 227 horsepower with 87-octane. Paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission and i-Activ AWD, the Mazda3 Turbo offered a transformative driving experience, with smooth and predictable engine and transmission response. The car's Sport mode enhanced driving dynamics, while improved steering feel and stiffer suspension added to its sporty character. Despite its performance focus, the Mazda3 Turbo averaged 11.5 litres per 100 kilometres during testing, slightly higher than the estimated 8.8 L/100 km.

The 2021 Nissan Altima, available in Canada with a naturally aspirated 2.5-litre engine, produced 182 horsepower and 178 pound-feet of torque. Its Xtronic CVT and standard AWD provided a balanced driving experience, with the ability to send up to 50% of torque to the rear wheels. The Altima's fuel consumption ratings were competitive, with the base model achieving 9.1 L/100 km city and 7.9 L/100 km combined. The Altima's suspension and steering offered decent feedback, though it lacked the turbocharged power of the Mazda3.

The Mazda3 2.5 Turbo's interior was lined with leather and featured heated front seats and a heated steering wheel, though it lacked some premium features like ventilated seats and rear-seat amenities. Trunk space was 374 litres, with the hatchback offering more utility at 569 litres behind the rear seats. In-cabin storage was adequate, but not exceptional.

The Nissan Altima boasted Zero Gravity front seats, praised for their comfort on long drives. Power adjustment and heating were standard, with leather and memory functions available on higher trims. The Altima's cabin offered ample storage, with a large glovebox, centre console, and door pockets. Rear seats were spacious, with a 60/40 split for trunk access, and the trunk itself provided 436 litres of space.

Mazda Connect, the infotainment system in the Mazda3, featured an 8.8-inch display with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, though it lacked a touchscreen and had subpar voice recognition. The system was paired with a 12-speaker Bose audio system, offering good sound quality. A head-up display was included in the Premium Package, providing useful driving information.

The Nissan Altima came equipped with an 8-inch NissanConnect touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a 7-inch Drive-Assist display. Standard tech features included keyless entry, remote start, and Bluetooth. Higher trims offered a Bose audio system and Nissan Door to Door Navigation. NissanConnect Services provided additional connectivity and safety features.

The Mazda3's safety philosophy focused on supporting the driver with a comprehensive suite of ADAS, including adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability and Traffic Jam Assist. The Mazda3 earned top safety ratings from NHTSA and IIHS, highlighting its crashworthiness.

Nissan's Safety Shield 360 was standard on the Altima, offering features like automatic emergency braking, blind-spot warning, and lane-departure warning. ProPilot Assist, available on the Platinum grade, enhanced highway driving safety. The Altima also received top safety ratings from NHTSA and IIHS.