2021 Hyundai Sonata vs 2020 Nissan Altima

The 2020 Altima came in various trims, including the base S, sporty SR, SV, SL, and Platinum. The test car was a Platinum model with a turbocharged engine, extra-cost paint, rear spoiler, splash guards, floor and trunk mats, grocery bag hooks, and illuminated doorsill kick plates, totaling $37,825 with destination charges. The Altima Platinum, with its 19-inch machined-finish aluminum wheels, looked impressive. The redesign from the previous year improved the car's styling, though some details like the door handles' placement and the body-color lower diffuser panel could have been better. The interior was clean and contemporary, with an ergonomic design featuring a high-mounted touchscreen infotainment system, clear climate controls, and a traditional transmission shifter. The materials quality was on par with the midsize sedan segment, with matte chrome detailing and simulated wood trim adding a touch of elegance.

The 2021 Sonata, redesigned for the 2020 model year, had a distinctive look that was either loved or hated. The N Line treatment enhanced the Sonata's appeal with functional and stylistic changes, such as larger air intakes, gloss black side mirrors, bold 19-inch aluminum alloy wheels, and a reworked bumper with a four-outlet exhaust system. The result was a more appealing and stealthy Sonata. Inside, the Sonata N Line featured sport front seats with Nappa leather bolsters and Dinamica suede inserts, red stitching, aluminum pedal covers, and dark chrome accents. A standard panoramic sunroof added to the car's spacious feel. The interior design balanced comfort and lateral support, making it suitable for both spirited driving and everyday use.

The 2020 Altima mostly featured a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine producing up to 188 horsepower, paired with a CVT and front-wheel drive, with an optional all-wheel drive. The test car had the optional turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine, known as the VC-Turbo, delivering 248 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of torque on premium fuel. This engine, available only in SR and Platinum trims, provided a balance of power and efficiency. The Altima's ride and handling were impressive, thanks to features like Active Ride Control and Intelligent Trace Control. The car averaged 26.2 mpg in combined driving, slightly below the EPA's estimate of 29 mpg. The CVT was programmed to mimic a traditional automatic, though it could produce sudden power surges.

The 2021 Sonata N Line was equipped with a turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 290 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque. It featured an eight-speed wet dual-clutch automatic transmission with paddle shifters, rev-matching, and a launch control system. Drivers could choose between Normal, Sport, Sport+, and Custom driving modes. The Sonata N Line's performance was enhanced by stiffer engine and transmission mounts, faster steering, larger brakes, and a sport-tuned suspension. The car's handling was impressive, with minimal body roll and excellent road grip. The Sonata N Line averaged 23.7 mpg in combined driving, slightly below the EPA's estimate of 27 mpg, but this included spirited driving and heavy traffic.

The 2020 Altima's seats were designed for superior comfort, inspired by NASA. However, the lack of a front passenger seat height adjuster and ventilated front seats was a drawback. The Altima offered heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and a remote engine starter with climate control, but no heated rear seats. The car had substantial in-cabin storage space, though it lacked a wireless smartphone charging pad. The trunk offered 15.4 cubic feet of space, with optional grocery bag hooks and an interior grab handle.

The 2021 Sonata N Line's heated front sport seats provided a balance of comfort and lateral support, with manual height adjustment for the front passenger seat. The rear seats were less accommodating, with limited legroom and thigh support, though rear air conditioning vents and a USB port were included. The Sonata's interior storage was generous, though the center console design was inelegant. The trunk offered 16 cubic feet of space, with a 60/40-split folding rear seat and Hyundai’s Smart Trunk hands-free release feature. However, there was no interior handle to close the trunk.

The 2020 Altima featured an 8-inch infotainment system with Bluetooth, text-messaging assistant, Siri Eyes Free, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. Available features included satellite radio, navigation, a 9-speaker Bose audio system, and Nissan Connect Services. The connected services technology was free for the first six months, with various plans available afterward. The door-to-door navigation function was particularly helpful. The voice recognition technology, however, required specific commands for desired results.

The 2021 Sonata N Line came with a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation panel and a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system. Standard features included navigation, wireless smartphone charging, a Bose premium sound system, HD Radio, SiriusXM, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a three-year subscription to Blue Link connected services. The lack of a tuning knob and the placement of the volume control knob were frustrating. The voice recognition technology was mostly accurate but not perfect. The Sonata N Line also offered Sounds of Nature for stress relief and Hyundai Digital Key, though it only worked with Android devices.

The 2020 Altima included Nissan Safety Shield 360, with features like forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic warning, lane departure warning, rear automatic braking, and automatic high-beam assistance. Additional safety systems included a driver monitoring system, road-sign recognition, and a surround-view camera. ProPilot Assist, a Level 2 semi-autonomous driving aid, was available but proved hard to trust. The Altima received a 5-star rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick from the IIHS.

The 2021 Sonata N Line featured Hyundai’s SmartSense, including adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assistance, lane-centering assistance, blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic warning, driver-attention warning, and automatic high-beam headlights. Additional features included Rear Occupant Alert, Safe Exit Warning, and Highway Drive Assist. The Sonata N Line's ADAS worked smoothly and accurately, reducing driver stress. The standard Sonata received high safety ratings, though the N Line had not been specifically rated by the NHTSA or IIHS at the time of the review.