2020 Nissan Altima vs 2020 Toyota Corolla

The 2020 Toyota Corolla, with its redesigned look, was not considered particularly attractive, resembling other modern Toyotas with their aggressive styling. However, the SE or XSE trims, especially in the Celestite paint color, improved its appearance significantly. The interior quality of the Corolla saw a notable upgrade, with soft-touch surfaces replacing the previously cheap, hard plastics. Despite these improvements, the transmission shifter still felt subpar, reminding drivers of the Corolla's economy car status. The base price started at $19,600, with the top XSE trim costing around $28,800.

The 2020 Nissan Altima, particularly in the Platinum trim with the optional turbocharged engine, presented a more refined and attractive design. Equipped with 19-inch machined-finish aluminum wheels, the Altima's styling was mostly praised, though some details like the door handle placement and rear diffuser panel were less favored. Inside, the Altima's design was clean and ergonomic, with a user-friendly infotainment system and quality materials. The test car's price was $37,825, reflecting its premium features and options.

The 2020 Toyota Corolla offered a 1.8-liter 4-cylinder engine with 139 horsepower for the L, LE, and XLE trims, paired with a CVT. The SE and XSE trims featured a more powerful 169-hp, 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine, also with a CVT but with paddle shifters and a physical launch gear. The Corolla XSE's driving dynamics were well-tuned, providing a smooth and stable ride thanks to the independent rear suspension. However, the car struggled with acceleration, especially in dynamic driving situations, and lacked adequate sound insulation. The EPA-rated fuel economy for the XSE was 31 mpg city, 38 highway, and 34 combined, with an observed average of 29.8 mpg.

The 2020 Nissan Altima came with a standard 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine producing up to 188 horsepower, with an optional AWD. The test car featured the optional turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine, delivering 248 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of torque on premium fuel. The Altima's ride and handling were impressive, aided by Active Ride Control and Intelligent Trace Control. The CVT mimicked a traditional automatic transmission but could produce sudden power surges. The EPA-rated fuel economy for the VC-Turbo engine was 29 mpg combined, with an observed average of 26.2 mpg.

The 2020 Toyota Corolla, despite being classified as a compact car, offered a roomy interior. However, the lack of rear air-conditioning vents, USB charging ports, and privacy-tinted rear glass made it less comfortable for rear passengers. The front seats were comfortable, but the low seating position and lack of a front seat height adjuster were drawbacks. Storage space was limited, and the trunk offered 13.1 cubic feet of space.

The 2020 Nissan Altima featured NASA-inspired seats for superior comfort, though it lacked a front passenger seat height adjuster and ventilated front seats. The Altima provided heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and rear air conditioning vents. In-cabin storage was substantial, and the trunk offered 15.4 cubic feet of space, with useful features like grocery bag hooks and an interior grab handle.

The 2020 Toyota Corolla came with the Entune 3.0 infotainment system, featuring Apple CarPlay but not Android Auto. The system was user-friendly, with a high-mounted touchscreen, stereo knobs, and main menu buttons. Higher trims offered additional features like advanced voice recognition, HD Radio, and a JBL premium sound system. Various connected services were available with free trial periods.

The 2020 Nissan Altima's infotainment system was nearly perfect, with an 8-inch display, physical and virtual buttons, and standard features like Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. Available upgrades included satellite radio, a navigation system, a Bose premium audio system, and NissanConnect Services. The system's voice recognition technology could be improved, but the door-to-door navigation function was particularly helpful.

The 2020 Toyota Corolla was equipped with Toyota Safety Sense (TSS) 2.0, including features like low-light pedestrian detection, daytime cyclist detection, road-sign recognition, and Lane Tracing Assist. The system generally operated with refinement and accuracy, though the lane-departure warning alert was irritating. The Corolla received a 5-star frontal-impact rating from the NHTSA and was named a Top Safety Pick by the IIHS.

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. Additional safety systems included a driver monitoring system, road-sign recognition, and ProPilot Assist. The Altima received a 5-star overall rating from the NHTSA and was named a Top Safety Pick by the IIHS.