2019 Honda Civic vs 2019 Nissan Altima

The 2019 Nissan Altima borrowed design elements from its larger sibling, the Maxima, to stand out in a competitive market. It featured a bold trapezoidal grille, sharply raked headlights, and a black stripe in the C-pillar, adding a touch of visual excitement. Inside, the Altima's layout was similar to other contemporary cars, with a floating center stack and familiar controls, making it user-friendly. The inclusion of infotainment systems was a welcome change, with Nissan opting for traditional knobs for volume and climate control, ensuring ease of use. The Altima offered various trims, from the base S with comfortable Zero Gravity seats to the luxurious Platinum, which included features like a 360-degree surround-view monitor and interior accent lighting.

The 2019 Honda Civic, while not as stylish as the Mazda3, brought its own upscale flair with a gloss-black grille, revised bumper, and larger wheels. Its silhouette was compared to an Audi A7, with a balanced design featuring wraparound LED lights. The Civic offered a new Sport trim with performance-inspired elements at a lower cost. The interior maintained a high-tech yet simplified theme, with a central LCD screen and minimal buttons. The Civic's fit and finish were of high quality, and despite its affordable price, it offered durable switchgear and fabrics. The Civic Hatchback provided additional cargo space, making it a practical choice for those needing more room.

The 2019 Nissan Altima came with two engine options. The standard 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine produced 188 horsepower and 180 pound-feet of torque, offering a slight power increase over the previous model. The SR and Platinum trims featured a turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine with variable compression technology, aiming to deliver V6 power with 4-cylinder efficiency. Both engines were paired with a CVT, and the Altima was the first Nissan sedan to offer AWD. The 2.5-liter engine achieved 28 city/39 highway mpg, while the turbocharged engine returned 25 city/34 highway mpg. The Altima's AWD system provided confidence in snowy conditions, though its wide turning radius was a drawback.

The 2019 Honda Civic offered a range of engines, starting with a 2.0-liter inline 4-cylinder engine producing 158 horsepower. The EX and higher trims featured a turbocharged 1.5-liter engine with 174 horsepower, while the Si and Type R models delivered 205 and 306 horsepower, respectively. The Civic's engines were praised for their smoothness and refinement, with the turbo engine offering better mid-range acceleration. The Civic's handling was impressive, with superb steering feel and a suspension that balanced comfort and sportiness. The brakes were strong, and the Civic's performance was enjoyable even without opting for the Si or Type R models.

The 2019 Nissan Altima's interior was highlighted by its Zero Gravity seats, designed to reduce fatigue on long trips. The seats were comfortable for both short and long journeys. The Altima offered ample storage with cubbies and cupholders, though the center console was shallow due to the AWD system. The back seat provided enough space for tall adults, and the trunk offered 15.4 cubic feet of cargo space, competitive within its class.

The 2019 Honda Civic's interior featured a touchscreen with a volume knob and shortcut buttons, improving usability. The steering wheel controlled the central display, providing quick access to various functions. The rear seat was surprisingly roomy, with optional heated seats, though it lacked air vents. The Civic offered significant cargo space, with the sedan providing up to 15.1 cubic feet and the hatchback offering up to 46.2 cubic feet with the seats folded. The center console provided versatile storage options, and visibility was good in all directions.

The 2019 Nissan Altima came with NissanConnect, a user-friendly infotainment system with large icons and easy navigation. It included standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration, ensuring seamless smartphone connectivity. The Altima featured a 7-inch color Drive Assist display, allowing drivers to monitor various systems and features through a steering-wheel-mounted pad.

The 2019 Honda Civic's infotainment system, while once competitive, had become dated compared to newer Honda models. However, it still offered standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Civic's Garmin-based navigation was a standout feature, with quick and accurate voice input. The Touring trim's stereo system was improved, and Honda's LaneWatch provided a live feed of the blind spot, enhancing safety.

The 2019 Nissan Altima included standard safety features such as airbags, traction control, and a reversing camera. The Platinum trim featured ProPilot Assist, offering partially autonomous driving functions like adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping assistance. Forward-collision warning and driver-alertness monitoring were standard across all trims.

The 2019 Honda Civic came with Honda Sensing, a suite of safety features including forward-collision alert, lane-keep assist, and adaptive cruise control. The Civic received top safety ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA, with the exception of a four-star rating for the coupe's passenger-side frontal crash. The Civic's crash-prevention features were rated as Superior.