2021 Nissan Altima vs 2022 Honda Civic Hatchback

The 2021 Nissan Altima showcased a strong family identity with its bold V-Motion grille, available in chrome or dark chrome, adorned with the Nissan logo. Its overall shape was attractive, featuring a sloping "coupe-like" roofline that contributed to a sleek, aerodynamic profile. The body design leaned more towards folds than curves, giving it a taut appearance, although the stance was somewhat ungainly due to the overhangs at the front and rear. Despite this, modern features like LED lighting and alloy wheels kept the Altima looking contemporary. The interior was well-laid-out, with an uncluttered dashboard and an 8-inch touchscreen display. As one moved up the trim levels, the materials improved, offering a more premium feel.

In contrast, the 2022 Honda Civic Hatchback aimed to capture the remaining market share for hatchbacks, with its production in Indiana marking it as one of the few compact cars still made in North America. The Civic hatchback shared its front design with the sedan but differed from the front doors to the rear, addressing the visual weight distribution common in small hatchbacks. Inside, the Sport Touring trim offered sophisticated digital instrumentation and infotainment displays, with a modern appearance enhanced by metal honeycomb dashboard detailing. The CVT shifter operation was slightly janky, but overall, the Civic hatchback presented a high-quality feel. The car was designed to be practical and enjoyable to drive, with a focus on comfort and functionality.

The 2021 Nissan Altima in Canada was equipped with a naturally aspirated 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine, delivering 182 horsepower and 178 pound-feet of torque. This engine was paired with Nissan’s Xtronic CVT and came with standard all-wheel drive, a feature that set it apart from many mid-size sedans that offered only front-wheel drive. The AWD system was front-biased but could send up to 50% of the torque to the rear wheels when needed. Fuel consumption for the base model was rated at 9.1 L/100 km city, 6.5 highway, and 7.9 combined, with slightly higher figures for the SR and Platinum grades. The Altima featured a four-wheel independent suspension and electric-powered steering, providing decent feedback and feel.

The 2022 Honda Civic Hatchback offered a choice between a 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine with 158 horsepower and a turbocharged 1.5-litre four-cylinder engine producing 180 horsepower and 177 lb-ft of torque. The turbo engine's peak torque was available from 1,700 to 4,500 rpm, making it accessible for most driving conditions. All Civic hatchbacks were front-wheel drive, with no AWD option. The Sport and Sport Touring trims featured 18-inch wheels and a suspension setup that balanced comfort and handling. The CVT worked well with the turbo engine, offering paddle shifters for a more engaging driving experience. The manual transmission was praised for its smooth operation. Fuel efficiency was impressive, with real-world testing nearly matching official estimates of 7.1 L/100 km for the CVT and 7.5 L/100 km for the manual.

The 2021 Nissan Altima boasted Nissan’s Zero Gravity front seats, which were comfortable even on long drives. Standard features included power adjustment and front seat heating, with additional options like leather appointments and a heated steering wheel on higher trims. The front cabin offered ample storage, including a large glovebox, centre console storage, and door pockets. The rear seats were spacious, accommodating two adults comfortably, and could fold flat in a 60/40 split to expand the 436-litre trunk capacity.

The 2022 Honda Civic Hatchback excelled in functionality, with a generous 693-litre trunk and a two-piece cargo shade. The back seat featured a 60/40-split folding design, although the load floor was not flat. Seating was comfortable, with the Sport Touring trim offering an eight-way power-adjustable driver’s seat and heated front and rear seats. The interior materials varied by trim, with the Sport Touring featuring leather upholstery. The centre console and door panels were designed for comfort, and automatic climate control was standard, with dual-zone in higher trims.

The 2021 Nissan Altima came equipped with a range of standard tech features, including keyless entry, pushbutton start, remote engine start, and an 8-inch NissanConnect touchscreen infotainment system. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, along with Bluetooth connectivity and a rear-view camera. Higher trims offered additional features like a Bose audio system and Nissan Door to Door Navigation.

The 2022 Honda Civic Hatchback introduced a new infotainment system, with a 7-inch touchscreen on lower trims and a 9-inch display on the Sport Touring. The latter included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM, and a 12-speaker Bose audio system. The inclusion of physical knobs for sound system controls was a welcome improvement. Digital instrumentation was standard, with a more comprehensive display on the Sport Touring. The voice recognition system was effective, and the infotainment systems were a significant upgrade from previous models.

The 2021 Nissan Altima featured Nissan Safety Shield 360, a comprehensive suite of safety features including automatic emergency braking, rear cross-traffic alert, and blind-spot warning. The Platinum grade added ProPilot Assist, which helped with highway driving by maintaining a set distance from the car in front and providing lane-keeping assistance. The Altima received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ from the IIHS.

The 2022 Honda Civic Hatchback was equipped with Honda Sensing, an improved safety system offering adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, and lane-departure warning. New features included low-speed following and Traffic Jam Assist, although these were only available with the CVT. The Civic hatchback earned a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS, thanks to its advanced safety engineering and new frontal-impact airbags. The driver aids worked well, although some functions were not entirely seamless.