2021 Mazda MAZDA3 vs 2022 Nissan Altima

The 2021 Mazda MAZDA3, following its 2019 redesign, continued to impress with its dramatic and sophisticated bodywork. The sedan version, which was tested, offered a conservative yet elegant appearance, while the hatchback variant was noted for its aggressive and forward-leaning stance. The 2.5 Turbo model, available in both body styles, featured all-wheel drive and a range of trims, with the Premium Plus trim providing a luxurious feel. The interior, especially with the white Nappa leather, exuded a premium vibe, supported by meticulous design details and high-quality materials, despite some use of hard plastics.

In contrast, the 2022 Nissan Altima maintained a sporty and sharp design, a significant evolution from its earlier, more bland iterations. Available in five trims, the Altima featured Nissan's V-Motion grille and a low, wide stance. The Midnight Edition package on the SR trim added a host of blacked-out elements, enhancing its sporty look. Inside, the Altima offered comfortable Zero Gravity front seats and a well-laid-out instrument panel. However, the quality of materials varied significantly across trims, with higher trims offering a more premium feel.

The 2021 Mazda MAZDA3 Turbo was powered by a turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 250 horsepower and 320 pound-feet of torque with 93-octane fuel, or 227 hp and 310 lb-ft with 87-octane. This engine was paired with a six-speed automatic transmission and Mazda's i-Activ AWD system. The Turbo model featured stiffer front suspension springs and dampers, enhancing its sporty character. Despite the added weight, the turbocharged engine significantly improved performance, delivering smooth and predictable power. The Mazda3 Turbo averaged 20.4 mpg during testing, below the EPA estimate of 27 mpg, likely due to spirited driving.

The 2022 Nissan Altima offered two engine options: a 2.5-liter four-cylinder with 188 horsepower and 180 pound-feet of torque, and a 2.0-liter VC-Turbo engine with 248 hp and 273 lb-ft. The base engine was available with FWD or AWD, while the VC-Turbo was limited to the SR trim with FWD. Both engines were paired with Nissan's Xtronic CVT. The VC-Turbo engine, capable of changing its compression ratio for performance or efficiency, provided a unique driving experience. However, the base engine's performance was underwhelming, with mediocre acceleration and noticeable engine noise. The Altima's suspension and ride quality were commendable, offering a smooth and quiet ride.

The 2021 Mazda MAZDA3 2.5 Turbo's interior, lined with Nappa leather and equipped with heated front seats and a heated steering wheel, felt luxurious. However, it lacked some premium features like ventilated seats and rear-seat amenities such as air conditioning vents and USB ports. Storage space was adequate but limited, especially with the optional wireless smartphone charging. The sedan's trunk offered 13.2 cubic feet of space, while the hatchback provided more utility with 20.1 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 47.1 cubic feet with them folded down.

The 2022 Nissan Altima, designed as a practical midsize sedan, offered comfortable seating for four to five passengers, easy-to-use controls, and a decent-sized trunk at 15.4 cubic feet. Its dimensions placed it in the middle of its class, neither excelling nor falling short in any specific area. However, the high rear shelf and sloping roofline compromised rear visibility. The trunk's metal bar supports also posed a risk of crushing items when closing the lid, requiring careful packing.

The 2021 Mazda MAZDA3 featured the Mazda Connect infotainment system with an 8.8-inch display, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a three-year trial of Mazda Connected Services. However, the lack of a touchscreen and subpar voice-recognition technology were significant drawbacks. The system was paired with a 12-speaker Bose premium sound system, which delivered excellent audio quality, especially with FLAC files. The Active Driving Display (HUD) was a useful feature, providing essential information without distracting the driver.

The 2022 Nissan Altima's entry-level S trim came with a basic 7-inch touchscreen and a 5-inch multi-function display. Higher trims featured an 8-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a nine-speaker Bose premium audio system starting from the SL trim. The advanced drive-assist display offered various functionalities, including text message handling and navigation assistance. The Altima also offered advanced technologies like active noise cancellation, traffic sign recognition, and the ProPilot Assist system, which provided semi-autonomous driving assistance.

The 2021 Mazda MAZDA3 was equipped with the i-ActiveSense suite of advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS), designed to support rather than replace the driver. The system included adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability, automatic high-beam LED headlights, and an Adaptive Front Lighting System. The Premium Plus trim added features like a high-definition surround-view camera, front and rear parking sensors, low-speed reverse automatic braking, and Traffic Jam Assist. The Mazda3 received top safety ratings from the NHTSA and was expected to retain its IIHS "Top Safety Pick+" rating.

The 2022 Nissan Altima came with a comprehensive set of standard safety features, including automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane-departure warning, and forward-collision warning. The Safety Shield 360 suite, standard from the SV trim, added rear automatic braking, blind-spot warning, and rear cross-traffic alert. The Altima received five-star ratings from the NHTSA for overall crash protection and was awarded the IIHS "Top Safety Pick+" designation, with high ratings in crashworthiness and crash avoidance.