2021 Toyota Camry vs 2022 Nissan Altima

The 2021 Toyota Camry aimed to break away from its traditionally bland design, incorporating more dynamic styling elements. The flared wheel arches and slim headlights and taillights gave the car a wider appearance, while the SE and XSE trims added fake vents that cluttered the design. The LE and XLE trims featured a cleaner, albeit large, grille. Built on the TNGA-K platform, shared with other Toyota models, the Camry's design updates for 2021 were subtle, with the TRD performance package offering unique styling elements like a larger rear spoiler. The Nightshade Edition, based on the SE trim, included blacked-out exterior trim and wheels. Inside, the Camry's chaotic styling continued, with a mix of trim elements and materials that felt low-rent, lacking a cohesive design theme.

The 2022 Nissan Altima continued its evolution from its original bland design to a sportier look, maintaining the successful formula introduced in the third generation. Available in three trims in Canada—SE, SR Midnight Edition, and Platinum—the Altima featured Nissan's V-Motion grille, a low, wide stance, and a sharply sloped "floating" roofline. The SR Midnight Edition, with its gloss black accents and 19-inch wheels, enhanced the Altima's sporty appearance. Inside, the Altima offered comfortable Zero Gravity front seats, a well-organized instrument panel, and high-quality materials, providing a premium feel. However, lower trims lacked the same level of refinement, with material quality improving as you moved up the trim levels.

The 2021 Toyota Camry offered a range of powertrains, starting with a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine producing 203 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque with FWD, and slightly less with AWD. The XSE trim's dual-exhaust system increased output slightly. A 3.5-litre V6 engine, delivering 301 hp and 267 lb-ft of torque, was available, as was a hybrid option with a total system output of 208 hp. The Camry's chassis tuning balanced handling and ride quality, offering a surprisingly engaging driving experience, even without the sporty TRD package. The AWD system, derived from the RAV4, could send up to 50% of torque to the rear wheels, enhancing traction without compromising space.

In Canada, the 2022 Nissan Altima came with a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine producing 188 horsepower and 180 pound-feet of torque, paired with a CVT and standard AWD. While acceleration was mediocre, the Altima impressed with its smooth, composed ride, thanks to Nissan's Active Ride Control. The cabin remained quiet, with bumps and vibrations muted, offering a refined driving experience. However, the engine noise and uninspiring acceleration detracted from the overall performance.

The 2021 Toyota Camry provided generous rear headroom and legroom, though front space was below average. The front seats were adjustable and comfortable, with excellent visibility. Cargo space was average at 428 litres, with limited in-cabin storage. The Camry featured analog controls for essential functions, improving ease of use, though some controls were a long reach from the driver's seat.

The 2022 Nissan Altima offered comfortable seating for four, with easy-to-use controls and a decent-sized trunk at 437 litres. Its dimensions placed it in the middle of its competitors, with a large fuel tank at just under 61 litres. However, rear visibility was compromised by the high rear shelf and sloping roofline. The trunk's metal bar supports could crush items when closing the lid, requiring careful packing.

The 2021 Toyota Camry's standard infotainment system included a 7-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Bluetooth. Higher trims offered a 9-inch touchscreen, navigation, and a nine-speaker JBL audio system. A 10-inch HUD was available on the XSE and XLE trims. The system was functional but lacked standout features, with plain graphics and limited USB ports.

The 2022 Nissan Altima featured a 7-inch advanced drive-assist display and an 8-inch touchscreen with Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. Higher trims offered navigation, remote engine start, and a nine-speaker Bose audio system. The Altima's tech included traffic sign recognition, an Around View Monitor, and ProPilot Assist, enhancing driver convenience and safety. The system performed flawlessly, handling voice commands and connectivity with ease.

The 2021 Toyota Camry earned top safety ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA, with the TSS 2.5+ package offering adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, and more. New features included enhanced forward-collision warning and a Rear Seat Reminder. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were available on higher trims.

The 2022 Nissan Altima also received high safety ratings, with standard features like automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and blind spot monitoring. The NHTSA awarded the FWD version five stars, while the IIHS gave it a "Top Safety Pick+" designation. The Altima's crash avoidance and mitigation features received high ratings, with child-seat anchors rated "Good+".