2021 Toyota Corolla vs 2021 Nissan Altima

2021 Toyota Corolla
2021 Toyota Corolla
$20,025MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
2021 Nissan Altima
2021 Nissan Altima
$24,550MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
2021 Toyota Corolla
$20,025MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
2021 Nissan Altima
$24,550MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
Overview

MSRP

$20,025

MSRP

$24,550

Average price

$24,001

Average price

$27,765

Listings

324

Listings

26
Ratings & Reviews
User Reviews
User Reviews

Expert reviews

7.8 out of 10

Expert reviews

7.2 out of 10

2021 Toyota Corolla Reviews Summary

Everybody knows somebody who owns or has owned a Toyota Corolla. Thanks to a deserved reputation for affordability, reliability, and efficiency, the Corolla is what comes to mind when all you want is a cheap, dependable, and thrifty set of wheels.

Over the nameplate’s 55-year history, Toyota built a handful of Corollas that were anything but rolling appliances. But those fun-to-drive gems were relative rarities. Under the tenure of Akio Toyoda, the automaker’s current president and a man who loves to drive, the Corolla has become something more than a bore. It’s a car that makes you want to cruise instead of snooze.

We’re talking about the Corolla SE and XSE, of course. Toyota still makes dull and duller versions of its compact car, but the SE and XSE trim levels add some spice to the basic commuter-car recipe.

This model year, the 2021 Toyota Corolla SE is available in a new limited-production Apex Edition flavour. It’s got a track-tuned sport suspension, a lowered ride height, revised steering calibration, a sport exhaust system, and lightweight 18-inch gloss black aluminum alloy wheels. Unfortunately, it also comes with a “Lookit me, Officer, I like to go fast!” body kit.

Fearing this would be the example Toyota sent to us for review, we instead happily accepted the key fob to a Barcelona Red Corolla XSE and discovered that you don’t need the Apex Edition treatment to enjoy driving this car.

2021 Nissan Altima Reviews Summary

The 2021 Nissan Altima is a popular midsize sedan now in the third year of its sixth generation of production. The Altima debuted as a 1993 model and has spent the decades nudged from the spotlight by the Toyota Camry and Honda Accord, despite continuous evolution and improvement over the years. Don’t feel bad for the Altima—it has a lot of fans, and some innovative features it hopes will allow it to take centre stage someday.
No video found
Popular Features & Specs

Engine

1.8L 139 hp I4

Engine

2.5L 182 hp I4

Drive Train

FWD

Drive Train

FWD

Seating Capacity

5

Seating Capacity

5

Horsepower

Horsepower

182 hp @ 6000 rpm

MPG City

30

MPG City

28

MPG Highway

38

MPG Highway

39
2021 Toyota Corolla
2021 Toyota Corolla
$20,025MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
2021 Nissan Altima
2021 Nissan Altima
$24,550MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
2021 Toyota Corolla
$20,025MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
2021 Nissan Altima
$24,550MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
Overview
MSRP
$20,025
$24,550
Average price
$24,001
$27,765
Listings
Ratings & Reviews
User reviews
4.2
4.8
Expert reviews

7.8 out of 10

Read full review

7.2 out of 10

Read full review
Pros & cons
Summary

Everybody knows somebody who owns or has owned a Toyota Corolla. Thanks to a deserved reputation for affordability, reliability, and efficiency, the Corolla is what comes to mind when all you want is a cheap, dependable, and thrifty set of wheels.

Over the nameplate’s 55-year history, Toyota built a handful of Corollas that were anything but rolling appliances. But those fun-to-drive gems were relative rarities. Under the tenure of Akio Toyoda, the automaker’s current president and a man who loves to drive, the Corolla has become something more than a bore. It’s a car that makes you want to cruise instead of snooze.

We’re talking about the Corolla SE and XSE, of course. Toyota still makes dull and duller versions of its compact car, but the SE and XSE trim levels add some spice to the basic commuter-car recipe.

This model year, the 2021 Toyota Corolla SE is available in a new limited-production Apex Edition flavour. It’s got a track-tuned sport suspension, a lowered ride height, revised steering calibration, a sport exhaust system, and lightweight 18-inch gloss black aluminum alloy wheels. Unfortunately, it also comes with a “Lookit me, Officer, I like to go fast!” body kit.

Fearing this would be the example Toyota sent to us for review, we instead happily accepted the key fob to a Barcelona Red Corolla XSE and discovered that you don’t need the Apex Edition treatment to enjoy driving this car.

The 2021 Nissan Altima is a popular midsize sedan now in the third year of its sixth generation of production. The Altima debuted as a 1993 model and has spent the decades nudged from the spotlight by the Toyota Camry and Honda Accord, despite continuous evolution and improvement over the years. Don’t feel bad for the Altima—it has a lot of fans, and some innovative features it hopes will allow it to take centre stage someday.
Video
No video found
Popular Features & Specs
Engine
1.8L 139 hp I4
2.5L 182 hp I4
Drive Train
FWD
FWD
Seating Capacity
5
5
Horsepower
182 hp @ 6000 rpm
MPG City
30
28
MPG Highway
38
39
CarGurus logo

By: CarGurus + AI

This car comparison has been created with using generative AI. It is based entirely on CarGurus expert review content, ratings and data, and leverages our extensive library of hands-on product tests to create thousands of unique comparisons to help shoppers choose the right car.