2021 Nissan Altima vs 2022 Toyota Corolla

The 2021 Nissan Altima had a striking presence on the road, showcasing Nissan’s signature V-Motion grille prominently on its façade. The grille was offered in both chrome and dark chrome finishes, adorned tastefully with the Nissan logo at its center. The Altima’s sleek and aerodynamic design was enhanced by its sloping "coupe-like" roofline, contributing to its modern and appealing profile. The sheet metal featured more folds than curves, creating a taut and streamlined appearance, though its stance was somewhat traditional with noticeable overhangs ahead of the front and behind the rear wheels. Despite this slightly old-fashioned look, the Altima featured modern touches like standard LED lighting and an array of wheel choices ranging from 16-inch steel to 19-inch alloy.

The 2022 Toyota Corolla, in contrast, focused on breaking away from Toyota’s old reputation for unadventurous design by adopting a more audacious exterior style. Introduced as a hatchback in 2019 and followed by the sedan in 2020, the Corolla featured expressive LED headlights and a wide grille. The SE and XSE trims sported an aggressive front fascia, and the Nightshade Editions added blacked-out trim for a bolder look. The Apex Editions went further with bronze-accented body kits and lightweight 18-inch alloy wheels designed to reduce vehicle weight. While not as radical as some competitors, the Corolla’s design was decidedly more adventurous than previous models.

Inside, the Altima’s cabin was well-organized and user-friendly. The dashboard layout was uncluttered, with a standard 8-inch touchscreen mounted at the top of the center stack for optimal viewing, complete with a cowl to reduce glare. The base models felt utilitarian, but higher trims featured upgraded materials such as stitched upholstery, adding a touch of luxury.

The Corolla’s interior, while less imaginative, maintained a straightforward and appealing design. Fit and finish were commendable, though the piano black plastic trim was prone to attracting dust and fingerprints. The layout was familiar and functional, but sportier trims did not receive interior upgrades to match their exterior flair. Despite this, the Corolla aimed to balance functionality with its slightly less conventional design cues.

The 2021 Nissan Altima offered two distinct powertrains, adding depth to its performance profile. Most configurations came with a naturally aspirated 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 182 horsepower and 178 pound-feet of torque, mated to Nissan’s Xtronic CVT. This engine was available with either front-wheel drive (FWD) or all-wheel drive (AWD), boasting impressive fuel efficiency rates of 28 mpg city/39 mpg highway/32 mpg combined for the FWD, and 25 mpg city/35 mpg highway/29 mpg combined for the AWD.

For thrill-seekers, the SR VC-Turbo trim provided a unique driving experience with its turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 248 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of torque. This engine employed a variable compression ratio system for optimized performance and efficiency, making it a standout in the Altima lineup. Despite its boosted performance, it maintained a respectable fuel economy of 25 mpg city/34 mpg highway/29 mpg combined. The VC-Turbo’s lively performance and FWD configuration made it a compelling option for enthusiasts.

The 2022 Toyota Corolla offered a more straightforward approach with two engine choices. The base L, LE, and XLE trims were powered by a 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine delivering 139 horsepower and 126 pound-feet of torque, paired exclusively with a CVT. The sportier SE and XSE trims received a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine generating 169 horsepower and 151 pound-feet of torque, with the option of a six-speed manual transmission for those seeking a more engaging drive.

The SE Apex Edition, with its sport exhaust system and model-specific suspension tweaks, aimed to provide a sportier experience. The lowered suspension, solid stabilizer bars, and increased spring rate significantly improved handling, albeit at the expense of ride comfort. This sportier variant did not gain extra power or performance upgrades beyond its suspension enhancements, underscoring its limitations despite its lively handling characteristics.

The 2021 Nissan Altima excelled in providing comfort and convenience within its cabin. The much-lauded Zero Gravity front seats offered exceptional support, ensuring comfort during long drives. Higher trims featured power adjustments, memory functions, leather upholstery, and heated seats. Storage compartments were ample, including a large glovebox, center console bin, cubby space, and door pockets. The rear seats were spacious enough for two adults comfortably, with a foldable center armrest doubling as cupholders. The 60/40 split-folding rear seats expanded the 15.4 cubic feet of trunk space, making the Altima a practical midsize sedan.

The 2022 Toyota Corolla’s interior, while functional, was somewhat constrained by its design. The low beltline improved outward visibility, but the deep dashboard and steeply raked windshield compromised forward visibility. Despite Toyota’s efforts to optimize the driver’s seating position, the front seats could be confining for taller individuals. The front and rear seats were cushy but lacked firm support. The Corolla’s 13.1 cubic feet of cargo space was less than its rivals, but it did offer a 60/40 split-folding rear bench for added versatility. However, limited smaller item storage and a thin center console made interior practicality less robust compared to the Altima.

The 2021 Nissan Altima was well-equipped with technology from the base model up. Features like Nissan Intelligent Key with pushbutton start, remote engine start, Bluetooth, cruise control, and voice recognition were standard. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were available on all but the base S trim. The Altima featured either a 7-inch or 8-inch touchscreen, with two USB ports, two USB-C ports, and an auxiliary audio input on higher trims. Advanced audio and navigation systems, including Bose audio and NissanConnect Services, were available on higher trims, enhancing the infotainment experience.

The 2022 Toyota Corolla lagged slightly in terms of infotainment advancements. While Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, WiFi connectivity, and Amazon Alexa integration were standard, the interface felt outdated compared to newer competitors. The Corolla featured a 7-inch touchscreen on the base L model, while other trims received an 8-inch display. The JBL audio system was available on higher trims, but the lack of wireless connectivity options and novel tech features kept the Corolla from matching the innovation seen in more recent models.

The 2021 Nissan Altima prioritized safety with the comprehensive Nissan Safety Shield 360 suite, standard on SV trims and above. This included automatic emergency braking, rear automatic braking, rear cross-traffic alert, blind-spot warning, lane-departure warning, and high-beam assist. ProPilot Assist, an advanced driver-assist system, was available for enhanced highway driving safety and comfort. The Altima also offered an Intelligent Around View Monitor for easier parking. It achieved top safety ratings, earning a five-star overall rating from NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick + from IIHS.

The 2022 Toyota Corolla also excelled in safety, achieving a Top Safety Pick+ award from IIHS and a five-star overall rating from NHTSA. The Corolla came with Toyota Safety Sense 2.0 as standard, featuring forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning with steering assist, automatic high beams, lane-keeping assist, adaptive cruise control, and traffic-sign recognition. Blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert was available but not standard across all trims.