2020 Nissan Altima vs 2020 Toyota Prius

The 2020 Toyota Prius retained its iconic jellybean-like shape, optimized for aerodynamics. Toyota made subtle changes to give it a more sedan-like appearance while maintaining its hatchback functionality. The Prius continued to look contemporary with its futuristic style, especially with its unique cabin design featuring centrally located instrumentation and gauges. The trim levels ranged from the entry-level L Eco to the top-tier Limited, each adding more features and luxury.

The 2020 Nissan Altima, particularly in the Platinum trim, showcased a clean and contemporary design with ergonomic simplicity. The interior featured high-quality materials, though limited to black or gray colors. The infotainment system was user-friendly, and the climate controls were straightforward. The Altima's exterior design was refined, with 19-inch machined-finish aluminum wheels adding to its appeal. However, some design elements, like the door handles and rear diffuser panel, were less well-received.

The 2020 Toyota Prius was powered by a 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine paired with an electric motor, producing a combined 121 horsepower and 105 pound-feet of torque. It offered both front-wheel drive (FWD) and an all-wheel-drive (AWD) variant, the Prius AWD-e, which used a second electric motor for the rear wheels. The Prius featured three drive modes—EV, Eco, and Power—each catering to different driving needs. The unique shifter design and Engine Braking mode added to its distinctive driving experience. The Prius handled well, with a low center of gravity providing sharper handling than expected for a hybrid.

The 2020 Nissan Altima offered a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with 188 horsepower, paired with a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). An AWD option was available for this engine. The test car featured a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 248 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of torque on premium fuel. The Altima's ride and handling were impressive, thanks to features like Active Ride Control and Intelligent Trace Control. The VC-Turbo engine provided a satisfying driving experience, though the CVT's power surges were noticeable.

The 2020 Toyota Prius made excellent use of its compact platform, offering spacious and comfortable front seats with good visibility. The rear seats also provided ample space, though taller passengers needed to be cautious. The Prius boasted 50.7 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded and up to 27.4 cubic feet with the seats up, making it one of the most versatile hybrids available. The hatchback design facilitated easy loading of large items.

The 2020 Nissan Altima featured NASA-inspired front and back seats for superior comfort, though it lacked a front passenger seat height adjuster and ventilated front seats. Heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and a remote engine starter were available for cold climates. The Altima offered substantial in-cabin storage but lacked a wireless smartphone charging pad. The trunk provided 15.4 cubic feet of space, with optional grocery bag hooks and an interior grab handle for convenience.

The 2020 Toyota Prius came standard with a 7-inch touchscreen, Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, Bluetooth connectivity, a WiFi hotspot, and three USB ports. The Limited trim upgraded to an 11.6-inch screen with a customizable layout, though it lacked Android Auto. Additional features included satellite radio, HD Radio, a head-up display (HUD), and a 10-speaker JBL premium audio system. The top-center instrument panel was a defining feature, providing critical readouts and hybrid drivetrain status.

The 2020 Nissan Altima offered an 8-inch display with an intuitive layout, stereo knobs, and physical and virtual buttons for easy navigation. Standard features included Bluetooth connectivity, a text-messaging assistant, Siri Eyes Free, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. Available upgrades included satellite radio, a navigation system, a 9-speaker Bose premium audio system, and NissanConnect Services. The connected services technology provided various plans for enhanced functionality, though the voice recognition system required specific commands.

The 2020 Toyota Prius came equipped with Toyota Safety Sense 2.0, including automatic emergency braking, forward-collision warning, lane-departure warning, adaptive cruise control, and automatic high beams. Optional features included blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, parking sensors, and active park assist. The Prius earned a five-star rating from the NHTSA and a "Top Safety Pick" from the IIHS, though it fell short of the highest rating due to "average" scores in certain tests.

The 2020 Nissan 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 offered semi-autonomous driving aids, though it was not entirely reliable. The Altima received a five-star rating from the NHTSA and a "Top Safety Pick" from the IIHS.