2019 Nissan Altima vs 2019 Toyota Camry

The 2019 Nissan Altima borrowed design cues from its bigger sibling, the full-size Maxima sedan. This included a prominent trapezoidal grille, sharply raked headlights, and a distinctive black stripe on the C-pillar, which was a trend seen in several modern cars at the time. These Maxima-inspired elements aimed to inject some visual excitement into the Altima’s design. Inside, the Altima's interior adopted a layout common to many modern cars of that era. The floating center stack with vents and dials resembled those in models like the Honda Accord and Kia Forte. This interior design was ubiquitous across various brands, which could be attributed to automakers attempting to integrate evolving technology seamlessly while maintaining a unique interior look. Nissan struck a balance by incorporating a touchscreen with navigation, Bluetooth, and other features, paired with traditional knobs for volume, tuning, and climate controls. This design choice made the interface intuitive for all drivers, regardless of their familiarity with modern infotainment systems. The Altima ranged from the base S trim to the premium Platinum trim. The S trim came with features like Zero Gravity seats, push-button start, an 8-way power driver’s seat, four USB ports, satellite radio, and an 8-inch touchscreen supporting Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The SR trim added 19-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights, a rear spoiler, and a sporty interior with paddle shifters and carbon grain door trim. The SV trim focused on value with 17-inch alloy wheels, adaptive cruise control, and heated front seats. The SL trim introduced luxury elements like leather seating, a Bose premium sound system, and navigation with live traffic updates. The Platinum trim topped the range with 19-inch wheels, 2-mode memory settings for the driver’s seat, a 360-degree surround-view monitor, and subtle yet classy interior accent lighting. In contrast, the 2019 Toyota Camry presented a choice between standard and sporty styling, alongside three powertrain options: a 4-cylinder, a V6, and a hybrid. The trims varied according to the engine, including L, LE, XLE, SE, and XSE. This review focused on the Camry XSE with a V6 engine. This model featured Toyota's Driver Assist package, carpeted floor mats, and a striking two-tone Blue Streak paint with a Midnight Black roof. Despite being quick and entertaining to drive, experts recommended sticking to the standard 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine, preferably in the LE trim for better value. The Camry Hybrid offered excellent fuel economy, but the higher initial cost made the savings at the pump negligible over a decade. The Camry's design was a significant departure from its traditionally conservative looks, especially in XSE trim. This daring look received mixed reviews due to its oversized and unresolved proportions. While larger Toyota models like the Avalon and more affordable ones like the Corolla succeeded with similar designs, the Camry struggled to find a cohesive aesthetic appeal. Inside, the Camry XSE utilized high-quality soft-touch surfaces and upgraded upholstery. However, some elements, like the windshield pillars and certain switchgear, felt out of place and lacking in refinement for a nearly $40,000 car. Additionally, minor build quality issues, like creaky front fascia and side mirrors, and thin-sounding doors, detracted from its overall perceived quality.

The 2019 Nissan Altima offered two engine options. The standard engine across all trims was a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder, producing 188 horsepower and 180 pound-feet of torque. This was a slight power increase from the previous model’s 4-cylinder engine. An alternative was the turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine available in the SR and Platinum trims, replacing the former V6 option. This new engine featured variable compression technology, enabling it to produce power akin to a V6 while maintaining 4-cylinder fuel economy levels. Both engines in the Altima were paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT), driving either the front wheels or an available all-wheel-drive (AWD) system. This marked the first time Nissan offered AWD in a sedan, enhancing its performance on varied terrain. The AWD system operated seamlessly, providing added traction without altering the driving experience significantly. While the Altima's cornering abilities were adequate, they lacked the athleticism of competitors like the new Camry. The 2.5-liter engine delivered reasonable power for city driving. However, the car's wide turning radius limited maneuverability in tight spaces. Fuel economy for the 2.0-liter turbocharged engine was estimated at 25 mpg city, 34 highway, and 29 combined, whereas the 2.5-liter engine achieved 28 mpg city, 39 highway, and 32 combined for the FWD model, dropping slightly for the AWD version. On the other hand, the 2019 Toyota Camry offered a standard 203-horsepower, 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine, widely regarded as sufficient for everyday use. The available 301-hp, 3.5-liter V6 engine provided a thrilling driving experience rarely associated with the Camry, delivering 267 pound-feet of torque. The increased weight of the V6 engine at the front did not hinder handling, allowing the car to perform impressively. The 8-speed automatic transmission in the V6-powered Camry excelled in selecting the right gear, and paddle shifters offered quick, satisfying shifts in Sport mode. The Camry XSE, equipped with a sport-tuned suspension and 19-inch aluminum wheels, balanced responsive handling with everyday comfort, making it a versatile option for both daily commutes and spirited drives. Steering effort in the Camry XSE felt firm in normal mode and heavy in Sport mode, providing a natural, engaging driving experience. The brakes performed well under stress tests, although a "thunk" noise when releasing the pedal diminished the overall sense of refinement. Real-world fuel economy for the V6 engine fell short of the EPA’s 26-mpg combined rating, with observed results at 21.9 mpg.

The 2019 Nissan Altima’s interior stood out primarily due to its Zero Gravity seats, which were designed to relieve discomfort during long drives. Inspired by the natural spinal position observed in astronauts during extended space travel, these seats minimized fatigue, making lengthy trips less strenuous. The Altima was equipped with various storage solutions, although the center console was somewhat shallow due to the presence of the AWD system and transmission tunnel. Nonetheless, it offered sufficient space for daily necessities like a wallet, keys, and phone. Rear-seat passengers enjoyed ample legroom, making the Altima comfortable for tall adults. The trunk capacity was 15.4 cubic feet, competitive but not class-leading when compared to the Honda Accord's 16.7 cubic feet or the Hyundai Sonata's 16.3 cubic feet. In comparison, the 2019 Toyota Camry provided a thoughtful array of storage options within the cabin, including a large center console bin and a hidden compartment under the wireless charging pad. The glove box was smaller and less accessible, and the narrow door pockets limited storage flexibility. The Camry's trunk space measured 15.1 cubic feet, slightly less than the Altima's capacity and notably smaller than the Accord's. This limited storage made it challenging to fit larger items like strollers alongside full-size suitcases. Additionally, the absence of a trunk lid grab handle was a minor inconvenience. The Camry’s front seats featured 8-way power adjustment and heating, ensuring driver comfort. However, the lack of ventilated seats was a drawback. Rear passengers experienced less spaciousness, and narrow door openings combined with a low seating position hampered easy entry and exit. Upper trims offered rear air-conditioning vents, enhancing rear-seat comfort.

The 2019 Nissan Altima came with NissanConnect, an infotainment system known for its straightforward and contemporary interface. It featured a responsive touchscreen with large, colorful icons and easy-to-read fonts. Traditional dials and buttons below the screen facilitated smooth navigation through various menus. Standard across all trims were Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, ensuring seamless smartphone integration. The Altima also boasted a 7-inch color Drive Assist display located between the tachometer and speedometer. This display allowed drivers to monitor different aspects of the vehicle, from fuel economy to driver-assistance systems, all controlled via a steering-wheel-mounted directional pad. The 2019 Toyota Camry's dashboard was dramatic in appearance and well-organized, making it easy to find and use controls. The Entune 3.0 infotainment system felt intuitive, enhanced by a mix of stylish buttons and large volume and tuning knobs. Apple CarPlay was available, but Android Auto was not included in the 2019 model, though it was anticipated for future releases. A Qi-compatible wireless smartphone charging pad ensured phones remained securely in place during dynamic driving. The navigation system was reliable but occasionally slow in loading real-time traffic data. The 9-speaker JBL premium sound system, despite its high volume capability, provided a muddy, bass-heavy audio experience lacking clarity. The Camry featured a 10-inch head-up display, aiding drivers in referencing critical information without distractions. Unlike many HUDs, it remained visible even when wearing polarized sunglasses.

The 2019 Nissan Altima came equipped with various standard safety features, including front- and side-impact airbags, traction control, vehicle dynamics control, and a reversing camera. The Platinum trim also included ProPilot Assist, a suite of driver-assistance systems offering semi-autonomous driving functions. This system adeptly matched speeds with traffic and provided steering inputs to keep the car within its lane. Although the driver needed to maintain contact with the steering wheel, ProPilot Assist significantly reduced driving strain on long journeys. Forward-collision warning and driver-alertness monitoring were standard across all trims, enhancing safety regardless of the chosen model. The 2019 Toyota Camry excelled in safety, earning top ratings in crash tests. It achieved 5-star ratings from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) in every assessment, including rollover resistance. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) also awarded the Camry a Top Safety Pick+ rating, with only the standard lamps in lower trims rated as Acceptable rather than Good. While the Camry’s Toyota Safety Sense suite was not the latest version, it still included adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning with pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and automatic high-beam headlights. These systems operated accurately, though the lane-departure warning’s persistent beeping could become bothersome. Toyota also offered a standard Safety Connect subscription for the first three years, providing automatic collision notification, SOS emergency calling, roadside assistance, and more.