2021 Nissan Altima vs 2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class, part of the W213 generation, was a refined evolution from its predecessor, adopting a more fluid and curvaceous design akin to the 2014 S-Class and 2015 C-Class. This design philosophy, termed "sensual purity" by Mercedes' chief designer Gorden Wagener, was evident in its elegant yet slightly edgier front with squinted headlights and an inverted trapezoid grille. The rear design echoed the W212 with horizontal taillights cutting into the trunk lid. The E-Class was available in various body styles, including sedan, wagon, coupe, and convertible, each maintaining a handsome and sophisticated appearance. However, the standing hood ornament, a classic Mercedes hallmark, was no longer available, replaced by a more popular but less tasteful Sport style with a large star emblem in the grille. The interior of the E-Class was a luxurious haven, featuring rich woods, aluminum, and carbon fibre accents, along with advanced ambient lighting and intricate details like metal speaker grilles and elaborate stitching. The dual 12-inch screens provided a modern touch, with the instrument panel transitioning to a digital display for 2021, enhancing the car's contemporary appeal.

The 2021 Nissan Altima showcased a strong family identity with its bold V-Motion grille, available in chrome or dark chrome, and adorned with the Nissan logo. Its overall shape was sleek and aerodynamic, with a sloping "coupe-like" roofline and taut body lines. Despite a slightly old-fashioned stance due to its short dash-to-axle distance, the Altima maintained a contemporary look with standard LED lighting and alloy wheels ranging from 17 to 19 inches. The fit and finish were exceptional, with deep lustrous paint and rich chrome details. Inside, the Altima featured an uncluttered dashboard with an 8-inch touchscreen display, intelligently laid out for safety and convenience. While the base model felt somewhat stripped-down, higher trims offered improved interior materials, including stitching on the dash and seats. The Altima's interior was a testament to getting what you pay for, with comfort and convenience features enhancing the driving experience.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class introduced significant changes under the hood, transitioning from conventional V6 engines to electrified inline-six powertrains for its high-volume models. The E450 became a hybrid, utilizing a 48-volt electrical system to supplement the traditional 12-volt system. This setup included a small lithium-ion battery powering an electric starter-generator, providing up to 21 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque for brief moments. The system allowed the engine to shut off more frequently, theoretically saving fuel and reducing emissions. The E450's 3.0-litre inline-six engine produced 362 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque, with additional power from the battery's overboost. The AMG E53 model added a second turbo, technically a supercharger, powered by the 48-volt battery, resulting in 429 horsepower and 384 pound-feet of torque. The AMG E63 S, with its hand-built 4.0-litre V8 engine, delivered a staggering 603 horsepower and 627 pound-feet of torque. Despite its performance capabilities, the E-Class maintained a comfortable ride, with the AMG models offering variable-rate air suspension and rear-biased all-wheel drive for enhanced stability.

The 2021 Nissan Altima in Canada featured a naturally aspirated 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine with direct gasoline injection, producing 182 horsepower and 178 pound-feet of torque. Paired with Nissan's Xtronic CVT, the Altima offered a smooth driving experience. Notably, all-wheel drive was standard in Canada, providing enhanced traction and stability. The AWD system was front-wheel biased but could send up to 50% of the torque to the rear wheels when needed. Fuel consumption ratings were competitive, with the base model achieving 9.1 litres per 100 kilometres city, 6.5 highway, and 7.9 combined. The Altima's suspension setup included four-wheel independent suspension with stabilizer bars, providing a comfortable and controlled ride. While the VC-Turbo engine was not available in Canada, the Altima's performance was respectable for a mid-size sedan.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class featured a redesigned infotainment system with a touchscreen interface, simplifying everyday tasks. The touchpads on the steering wheel were reshaped, slightly inhibiting menu navigation. Despite the absence of an analog clock, the E-Class offered separate climate controls, drive mode switches, and seat controls on the doors for user convenience. The cabin was spacious, accommodating four adults comfortably, with ample headroom and legroom. The E-Class Coupe provided usable rear seats, while the convertible's rear seats were less accommodating due to the folding soft top. The wagon variant offered a stowable rear-facing jump seat and substantial cargo space, with 640 litres available, expanding to 1,820 litres with seats folded. The sedan's trunk measured 540 litres, while the two-door models offered 405 litres of space.

The 2021 Nissan Altima boasted Nissan's acclaimed Zero Gravity front seats, providing exceptional comfort on long drives. Power adjustment and front seat heating were standard, with additional features like position memory and leather appointments available on higher trims. The Altima's cabin offered ample storage, including a large glovebox, centre console storage bin, and door pockets. The rear seats were spacious, accommodating two adults comfortably, with a 60/40 split-folding design for increased trunk access. The trunk itself provided 436 litres of cargo space, making the Altima a practical choice for families.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class featured the MBUX infotainment system, offering a touch-responsive main screen with improved organization and shortcut buttons for major functions. Gesture control and natural voice processing enhanced user interaction, while features like live camera feeds and augmented reality navigation provided advanced functionality. Optional extras included massaging seats and seat kinetics, although the system lacked over-the-air updates and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Standard features included a wireless phone charger, 4G WiFi, and connected services. The instrument cluster offered customizable displays, allowing drivers to choose between traditional analog gauges or modern digital graphics.

The 2021 Nissan Altima came equipped with a range of standard tech features, including Nissan Intelligent Key keyless entry, remote engine start, Bluetooth, and a rear-view camera. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, along with an 8-inch NissanConnect touchscreen infotainment system and a 7-inch advanced Drive-Assist display. Higher trims offered additional features like SiriusXM satellite radio, a Bose audio system, and Nissan Door to Door Navigation. NissanConnect Services provided access to features like a WiFi hotspot and emergency crash notification, enhancing the Altima's connectivity and convenience.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class was renowned for its safety, earning a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and a "Top Safety Pick+" designation from the IIHS. Standard safety features included forward automatic emergency braking, a driver-attention monitor, and blind-spot monitoring. Optional features included Pre-Safe Sound, which played a "pink noise" during a crash to protect eardrums, and side bolsters that shifted occupants away from doors in a side collision. The E-Class also offered advanced driver-assist features, with 14 optional systems available.

The 2021 Nissan Altima featured Nissan Safety Shield 360, a comprehensive suite of safety features standard on all models. This included automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, rear automatic braking, rear cross-traffic alert, blind-spot warning, lane-departure warning, and high-beam assist. The Platinum grade offered ProPilot Assist, a suite of highway driving aids, and an Intelligent Around View Monitor for easier parking. The Altima received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS.