2021 Nissan Altima vs 2020 Toyota Prius

The 2020 Toyota Prius retained its iconic jellybean-like shape, a design optimized for aerodynamics. Over the years, Toyota made subtle tweaks to give it a more sedan-like appearance while maintaining its hatchback functionality. The Prius's futuristic style remained contemporary, with a cabin defined by its central instrumentation and gauges, a hallmark since its inception. Trim levels ranged from the entry-level L Eco to the top-tier Limited, each adding more features and luxury as you moved up the lineup.

In contrast, the 2021 Nissan Altima showcased a bold V-Motion grille and a sleek, aerodynamic profile with a sloping roofline. The Altima's design leaned towards a more traditional sedan look, with modern touches like LED lighting and alloy wheels. The fit and finish were exceptional, with a variety of exterior colors and premium options. Inside, the Altima featured an uncluttered dashboard with a standard 8-inch touchscreen, and higher trims offered improved materials and additional tech features.

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 latter using a second electric motor for the rear wheels. The Prius had smooth acceleration and seamless transitions between electric and conventional power. It 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 2021 Nissan Altima offered two powertrains. Most trims came with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine delivering 182 horsepower and 178 pound-feet of torque, paired with a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). This setup provided FWD as standard, with AWD available. The standout was the SR VC-Turbo trim, featuring a 2.0-liter turbocharged engine with variable compression, producing 248 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of torque. This engine offered a more engaging driving experience, though it was only available with FWD. Both engines provided respectable fuel economy, with the VC-Turbo being particularly lively.

The 2020 Toyota Prius made excellent use of its compact platform, offering spacious and comfortable front seats with good visibility. The rear seats were also roomy, though taller passengers needed to be cautious when entering. The Prius excelled in cargo space, providing 50.7 cubic feet with the rear seats folded and up to 27.4 cubic feet with the seats up, depending on the trim. Its hatchback design made loading and unloading easy.

The 2021 Nissan Altima featured Nissan’s Zero Gravity front seats, praised for their comfort on long drives. Higher trims added power adjustments, memory settings, leather, and heating. The Altima's cabin offered ample storage, including a large glovebox, center console bin, and door pockets. The rear seats were spacious enough for two adults comfortably, and the trunk provided 15.4 cubic feet of cargo space. The rear seats could fold flat in a 60/40 split for additional storage flexibility.

The 2020 Toyota Prius came standard with a 7-inch touchscreen, featuring Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, Bluetooth, 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 tech options included satellite radio, HD Radio, a head-up display (HUD), and a 10-speaker JBL audio system. The central instrument panel, a defining feature of the Prius, provided critical readouts and hybrid status information.

The 2021 Nissan Altima included a robust set of standard tech features, such as pushbutton start, remote engine start, Bluetooth, and cruise control. Most trims had an 8-inch NissanConnect touchscreen, while the base S model had a 7-inch display. Higher trims offered additional USB ports, SiriusXM satellite radio, and a Bose audio system. The Platinum trim featured Nissan Door to Door Navigation and NissanConnect Services, providing a range of connected services and a WiFi hotspot.

The 2020 Toyota Prius came 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 lane-tracing 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 some tests.

The 2021 Nissan Altima featured Nissan Safety Shield 360, standard on SV trims and above. This suite included automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, rear automatic braking, rear cross-traffic alert, blind-spot warning, lane-departure warning, and high-beam assist. ProPilot Assist, available on higher trims, offered advanced driver-assist features for highway driving. The Altima also had an Intelligent Around View Monitor for easier parking. It received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick + rating from the IIHS.