2019 Nissan Altima vs 2020 Nissan Maxima

The 2019 Nissan Altima had a striking design that borrowed elements from its larger sibling, the Maxima. It featured a large trapezoidal grille, sharply raked headlights, and a black stripe in the C-pillar—all characteristics that aimed to inject a sense of excitement into its appearance, albeit not universally popular. Inside, the Altima's layout was quite modern, drawing inspiration from models like the Honda Accord and Kia Forte. The floating center stack, along with its vents and dials, created a user-friendly environment while housing advanced technology.

One standout feature was the Altima’s Zero Gravity seats, praised for their long-distance comfort despite the misleading name suggesting an astronomical connection. Standard across all trims, including the base S, these seats made any journey feel considerably shorter. The Altima offered multiple trim levels—S, SR, SV, SL, and Platinum—all bringing a diverse range of amenities. From the 8-inch touchscreen supporting Apple CarPlay and Android Auto in the base model to the luxurious interior accent lighting in the Platinum trim, each version aimed to cater to various budget points and preferences.

The 2020 Nissan Maxima took on a familiar aesthetic, holding the signature V-Motion grille. Its jewel-like LED headlights and prominent beltline added to its sporty vibes, especially with the floating-roof design and available dual-pane panoramic moonroof. For those ditching the sedan's rear, quad-tip exhaust finishers and sporty rear spoilers in SR models ramped up the sporty edge.

The Maxima continued to set a trend with trim options mirroring the Altima’s—S, SV, SL, SR, and Platinum. The Maxima Platinum’s cabin resembled high-end polish, incorporating semi-aniline leather and unique Satin Bronze finishers that were more commonplace in luxurious vehicles. The substantial center console added a sense of separation in the front row but preserved user-friendly roominess.

The 2019 Nissan Altima's performance revolved around two engine options—a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine producing 188 horsepower and a turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine with variable compression technology. This innovative turbo offered V6 power levels while maintaining 4-cylinder fuel efficiency. Both engines paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT), introducing AWD for the first time in a Nissan sedan. The AWD system effectively navigated snowy Boston streets, albeit subtly enhancing the driving experience. Despite its lighter steering feel, the Altima had sufficient power for city driving. However, the wide turning radius affected its maneuverability in tight spaces.

In terms of fuel economy, the turbocharged engine delivered 25 mpg city, 34 mpg highway, and 29 mpg combined, while the base engine achieved 28 city, 39 highway, 32 combined. With AWD, the numbers slightly dropped to 25 city, 35 highway, and 29 combined. Real-world driving returned a respectable 28.9 mpg in mixed conditions.

The 2020 Nissan Maxima, on the other hand, packed a robust 3.5-liter V6 engine delivering 300 horsepower and 261 pound-feet of torque. This engine, paired with a CVT, positioned the Maxima as a strong performer within its class. Despite being marketed as a "four-door sports car," the Maxima excelled more as a comfortable cruiser rather than a sporty performer. The Sport drive mode and paddle shifters in the SR trim added a hint of dynamism but ultimately underscored its comfort-oriented nature.

Active noise cancellation (SL and up) and noise enhancement (SR) ensured a quiet cabin. The Maxima managed decent fuel economy, particularly for a V6 engine. It achieved EPA estimates of 20 mpg city, 30 mpg highway, and 24 mpg combined. Even though an AWD option was absent, the Maxima remained fairly planted in most situations, with occasional instability when pressing the throttle aggressively.

In terms of interior comfort, the 2019 Nissan Altima offered supportive Zero Gravity seats that substantially reduced travel fatigue. While the AWD and transmission tunnel compromised the center console’s depth, the vehicle nonetheless provided commendable interior space, managing to accommodate four tall adults comfortably. The trunk's 15.4 cubic feet cargo capacity kept the Altima competitive, though it wasn't class-leading, falling slightly behind rivals like the Accord and Sonata.

The 2020 Nissan Maxima focused on a spacious cabin, richly appointed with modern features and comfortable seating. The front was dominated by a thick center console, creating a well-divided yet roomy front-row experience. Despite having extensive real estate, the console’s layout didn’t efficiently capitalize on space for larger items like smartphones. Nonetheless, the Maxima delivered excellent front and rear passenger comfort, even if it trailed competitors in legroom.

When equipped with a sunroof or moonroof, headroom remained ample, although comparable to rivals. The Maxima’s trunk presented 14.3 cubic feet of storage, less than what competitors like the Sonata offered. Passenger space was also slightly less, with 98.5 cubic feet as compared to the Avalon’s 104.3 cubic feet. However, practical elements such as 20-ounce bottle holders in the door panels offered daily usability benefits.

The 2019 Nissan Altima excelled in technology with its NissanConnect infotainment system, featuring an 8-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto across all trims. The interface was clear and straightforward, supported by physical dials and buttons for easy menu navigation. A 7-inch color Drive Assist display between the tachometer and speedometer kept drivers informed, controlled via steering-wheel-mounted directional pads.

The 2020 Nissan Maxima, while not state-of-the-art, sported a functional 8-inch infotainment touchscreen and standard 7-inch driver information display. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, enhancing connectivity. The Platinum trim’s NissanConnect Services offered concierge-style support for an extra monthly fee. Premium options like the Bose Audio system and Around View Monitor set the Maxima apart in terms of overall convenience and user experience.

When it came to safety, the 2019 Nissan Altima boasted robust offerings, including front- and side-impact airbags, traction control, vehicle dynamics control, and a reversing camera. The ProPilot Assist system provided partially autonomous driving functions, helping the car match traffic speed while offering small steering inputs without heavily altering driver interaction. This system enhanced safety with features like forward-collision warning and driver-alertness monitoring standard across all trims.

The 2020 Nissan Maxima included Nissan’s Safety Shield 360 package as a standard across all trims, integrating advanced driver-assist systems like blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic alert, and automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection. Additional features like lane-departure warning and traffic sign recognition showcased its comprehensive safety approach. The LATCH system facilitated child seat installation, adding to the practical safety features.

The Maxima's excellent performance in IIHS and NHTSA tests further certified its safety credentials, elaborating its reliability with superior ratings in front crash prevention.