2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class vs 2020 Nissan Altima

The 2020 Nissan Altima, available in S, SR, SV, SL, and Platinum trims, offered a sleek design with 19-inch machined-finish aluminum wheels on the Platinum model. The redesign from the previous year improved its styling, though some details like the door handle placement and rear diffuser panel were questionable. The interior was clean and contemporary, featuring a high-mounted touchscreen infotainment system, legible climate controls, and traditional transmission shifter. 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 Mercedes-Benz E-Class, redesigned from its 2017 model, featured a more fluid and curvier form, aligning with the S-Class and C-Class. The new bumpers, exhaust tips, and wheels added to its elegant appearance. The standing hood ornament was removed, making way for a sportier look with a giant star emblem in the grille. The interior was a blend of rich woods, aluminum, and carbon fiber, with metal speaker grilles, elaborate stitching, and incredible ambient lighting. The dual 12-inch screens provided crisp detail and brilliant color, with the instrument panel now fully digital.

The 2020 Nissan Altima came with 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 featured a turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine, known as the VC-Turbo, delivering 248 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of torque on premium fuel. The EPA estimated 29 mpg in combined driving, though the test car averaged 26.2 mpg. The Altima's ride and handling were impressive, thanks to Active Ride Control and Intelligent Trace Control, making it quick, sharp, and responsive.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class saw a switch from V6 engines to electrified inline-six powertrains for the E450 model, producing 362 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque. The AMG E53 added a second turbo, delivering 429 horsepower and 384 pound-feet of torque. The AMG E63 S featured a 4.0-liter V8 engine with 603 horsepower and 627 pound-feet of torque. The E-Class offered a smooth and powerful driving experience, with the AMG models providing brisk acceleration and a healthy exhaust note. Fuel economy varied, with the E53 sedan rated at 25 mpg combined and the E63 sedan at 18 mpg combined.

The 2020 Nissan Altima's seats were designed for superior comfort, though it lacked a front passenger's seat height adjuster and ventilated front seats. Heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and a remote engine starter were available, but heated rear seats were not. The cabin offered substantial storage space, though it lacked a wireless smartphone charging pad. The trunk measured 15.4 cubic feet, with optional grocery bag hooks and an interior grab handle.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class featured a redesigned infotainment system with a touchscreen, making everyday tasks easier. The cabin was spacious for four adults, with ample headroom and legroom. The E53 model lacked rear USB ports, a separate climate zone, and heated rear seats, despite its high price. The coupe and convertible models had less rear seat space, while the wagon offered more cargo space with a stowable rear-facing jump seat. The sedan's trunk measured 13 cubic feet, with the two-door models offering 10 cubic feet or less with the roof down.

The 2020 Nissan Altima's infotainment system featured an 8-inch display with physical and virtual buttons, making it user-friendly. Standard features included Bluetooth connectivity, Siri Eyes Free, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. Available features included satellite radio, a navigation system, a 9-speaker Bose audio system, and NissanConnect Services. The door-to-door navigation function was particularly helpful, though the voice recognition technology needed improvement.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class introduced MBUX, a touchscreen interface with better organization and natural voice processing. The system featured live feed overlays for navigation, massaging seats, and seat kinetics. While it didn't update over-the-air, it offered standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with optional wireless phone charging. The number of ways to display information on the instrument cluster was impressive, providing a customizable and modern experience.

The 2020 Nissan Altima included Nissan Safety Shield 360, with features like forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, blind-spot warning, and more. ProPilot Assist, a Level 2 semi-autonomous driving aid, was available but proved hard to trust. The Altima received a 5-star overall rating from NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick from IIHS.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class was one of the safest cars, with a five-star overall rating from NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ from IIHS for the sedan. The coupe and cabriolet models were expected to be equally safe. Standard safety features included forward automatic emergency braking, a driver-attention monitor, and blind-spot monitoring, with 14 optional driver-assist features.