2021 Nissan Altima vs 2021 Mazda MAZDA3

The 2021 Mazda MAZDA3 had a lot going for it in terms of design. After the redesigned 2019 Mazda3 made its debut, it clinched the prestigious World Car Design of the Year award for 2020. This recognition was well-deserved, as the car's bodywork beautifully combined elements of drama and sophistication. It exhibited a unique blend of daring aesthetics and refined elegance.

The four-door sedan version of the Mazda3 was more conservative, while the five-door hatchback adopted a robust, aggressive stance with its bold lines and minimalist greenhouse. Although our test vehicle was the sedan version of the 2021 Mazda3 2.5 Turbo, it was just as engaging to look at and drive. Positioned at the top of the 2021 Mazda3 lineup, the 2.5 Turbo variant was available in both body styles and featured standard all-wheel drive (AWD).

Our specific model featured the Premium Plus trim and sported extra-cost Machine Gray Metallic paint, bringing its total price to $33,890, including the destination charge. The interior colors and upholstery options varied by trim level. The hatchback offered black or red leather, while the sedan provided choices of black or white leather. Our test car's white leather interior was both visually appealing and luxurious, although there were concerns about its susceptibility to denim stains.

The interior design of the Mazda3 exuded quality with its attention to detail, use of bright metallic accents, and clear gauges. Despite relying on some hard plastics, the overall cabin design was geared towards a premium segment. The asymmetrical Mazda Connect infotainment system seamlessly blended into the dashboard, making the driver feel central to the experience.

On the other hand, the 2021 Nissan Altima shared a strong family identity with its bold V-Motion grille, adorned with chrome accents or dark chrome depending on the trim level. The overall shape of the Altima was sleek, featuring a sloping, coupe-like roofline that gave it a modern, aerodynamic profile. Its body lines conveyed a taut, trim essence, although some might have considered its stance mildly ungainly due to its extended overhangs at the front and rear.

The Altima's fit and finish were exceptional, highlighted by its deep lustrous paint and rich chrome details. It offered a diverse palette of exterior colors, ranging from classic white and black to vibrant shades like Scarlet Ember Tinticoat and Sunset Drift ChromaFlair. Some colors came with an additional cost of $395.

Inside, the Altima's dashboard was thoughtfully laid out with an uncluttered design. The standard 8-inch touchscreen was conveniently positioned at the top of the center stack, enhancing both safety and convenience. While the base trim felt a bit stripped-down, higher trim levels introduced improved materials, adding stitching to the dashboard and seats, creating a more premium feel. Overall, the Altima’s interior was well-appointed, demonstrating the brand’s commitment to offering value at varying trim levels.

The performance of the 2021 Mazda MAZDA3, especially the Turbo variant, was impressive. The turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, also used in the Mazda6, CX-5, and CX-9, was capable of delivering 250 horsepower at 5,000 rpm and 320 pound-feet of torque at 2,500 rpm when fueled with 93-octane gas. Using 87-octane gas, these figures slightly dropped to 227 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque. The car utilized a six-speed automatic transmission with both Sport and Manual modes, which fed power to an advanced i-Activ AWD system. This AWD system could deliver three times more motive force to the rear wheels compared to previous versions, enhancing corner-exit capability.

Mazda made minimal adjustments to the standard suspension for the Turbo variant, yet the driving experience was transformative. The powertrain was tuned specifically for the Mazda3 2.5 Turbo, aiming for smooth, predictable, and consistent performance. This goal was achieved, resulting in a stunningly fast car without the frenetic behavior typical of high-powered compact cars. Sport mode further refined transmission shifts and improved turn-in by downshifting during cornering.

The steering feel and response of all 2021 Mazda3 models were enhanced, while the Turbo variant featured stiffer front suspension springs and dampers to handle the additional weight. Despite lacking a summer tire option, the standard 18-inch wheels with 215/45 Bridgestone Turanza all-season tires offered sufficient grip.

In stark contrast, the 2021 Nissan Altima presented a more versatile powertrain lineup. Most configurations (eight out of nine) featured a naturally aspirated 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with direct gasoline injection, producing 182 horsepower and 178 pound-feet of torque. This engine paired with Nissan’s Xtronic CVT (continuously variable automatic transmission) and came standard with front-wheel drive (FWD). An all-wheel drive (AWD) option was also available, except for the base trim. Fuel economy ratings stood at 28 mpg city/39 mpg highway/32 mpg combined for FWD, and 25 mpg city/35 mpg highway/29 mpg combined for AWD.

The standout powertrain, however, was the VC-Turbo engine available only in the Altima SR VC-Turbo trim. This 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine featured a unique mechanical system for variable compression, delivering 248 hp and 273 lb-ft of torque using premium fuel. Despite the increased power, it maintained a commendable fuel economy rating of 25 mpg city/34 mpg highway/29 mpg combined.

The Altima featured an independent suspension system with McPherson struts at the front and a multi-link setup at the rear. Although the VC-Turbo variant had a “sport-tuned” suspension, the difference in performance was not markedly noticeable.

The 2021 Mazda MAZDA3 2.5 Turbo offered a luxurious feel with its Nappa leather upholstery, heated front seats, and heated steering wheel. However, it lacked key features like ventilated front seats and a power-adjustable passenger seat. Rear-seat passengers had to make do without air conditioning vents and USB charging ports, adding to the sense of cramped accommodations in the back.

Storage within the cabin was just adequate, and opting for wireless smartphone charging reduced the center console bin's capacity for storage. On a practical note, the sedan provided 13.2 cubic feet of trunk space. For those seeking more utility, the hatchback variant offered better cargo capacity, with 20.1 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 47.1 cubic feet with the seats folded down.

In comparison, the 2021 Nissan Altima prioritized comfort and practicality. It featured Nissan’s well-regarded Zero Gravity front seats, which lived up to their reputation for providing comfort even on long drives. Higher trims included power adjustments, seating memory, leather upholstery, and seat heating.

The Altima's cabin boasted ample storage options, including a sizable glovebox, a large center console bin, door pockets, and cupholders. The rear seats were roomy enough for two adults and could accommodate a third person for short journeys. Additionally, the second-row seats could be folded flat in a 60/40 split, expanding the 15.4 cubic feet of trunk space.

The 2021 Mazda MAZDA3 came equipped with the Mazda Connect infotainment system, featuring an 8.8-inch display, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a three-year trial subscription to Mazda Connected Services. A WiFi hotspot was available, free for six months or 2GB of data, and the MyMazda smartphone app allowed remote operation of door locks and the engine.

However, the lack of a touchscreen magnified the shortcomings of Mazda Connect’s voice-recognition technology, leading to frustration. The system struggled to accurately respond to standard voice commands, making it difficult to change radio stations or navigate presets without using the control knob. Despite pairing with a 12-speaker Bose premium sound system, the overall infotainment experience could be disappointing due to these usability issues.

Conversely, the 2021 Nissan Altima excelled in offering an array of standard tech features. The Nissan Intelligent Key with pushbutton start, remote engine start, Bluetooth, and various voice recognition systems were standard across all models. The base touchscreen display measured 7 inches, while other trims featured an 8-inch NissanConnect touchscreen.

Most models included Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, multiple USB ports, and a 7-inch advanced Drive-Assist display. SiriusXM satellite radio was standard on all but the base trim, with a three-month subscription included. Higher trims offered a Bose audio system, Active Noise Cancellation with the VC-Turbo engine, and Nissan Door to Door Navigation with various trial packages.

Mazda adhered to its philosophy that technology should support, rather than replace, the driver with its i-ActiveSense suite of advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS). The suite included adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability and automatic high-beam LED headlights. Premium Plus trim models featured low-speed reverse automatic braking, Traffic Jam Assist, and a high-definition surround-view camera.

Traffic Jam Assist, while not a Level 2 ADAS, provided lane-centering assistance at speeds below 40 mph. The ADAS operated smoothly and efficiently, encouraging drivers to utilize the systems rather than disable them. The Mazda3 earned top safety ratings from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and a coveted “Top Safety Pick+” rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).

Nissan’s Safety Shield 360 suite was standard on every Altima SV and above, encompassing features like automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, rear automatic braking, rear cross-traffic alert, blind-spot warning, lane-departure warning, and high-beam assist.

ProPilot Assist further enhanced highway driving safety by providing intelligent forward collision warning, intelligent lane intervention, traffic sign recognition, intelligent driver alertness, and adaptive cruise control. An Intelligent Around View Monitor was available on upper trims, offering a 360-degree view to aid with parking.

The 2021 Nissan Altima garnered a five-star overall safety rating from NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick + rating from IIHS, reflecting its comprehensive safety features and commitment to occupant protection.