2022 Nissan Altima vs 2021 BMW 2 Series

The 2021 BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe, introduced as a new model the previous year, marked a departure from BMW's traditional rear-wheel-drive setup by offering standard front-wheel drive in the U.S. market. Despite its name, the Gran Coupe was a four-door sedan with a conventional trunk, lacking the utility of its five-door sportback sibling, the 4 Series Gran Coupe. It was positioned as an affordable entry-level BMW, appealing to those aspiring to own a vehicle with the iconic kidney-shaped grille and blue-and-white roundel. The 2 Series Gran Coupe was available in 228i and M235i models, with the xDrive all-wheel-drive system optional for the 228i and standard for the M235i. The 2021 model year saw the addition of standard equipment, a sport automatic transmission limited to the M Sport Package or M235i, and a new adaptive damping suspension. The test car, a 228i xDrive Gran Coupe, came equipped with the M Sport Package, Premium Package, M double-spoke alloy wheels, extra-cost paint, leather upholstery, and wireless smartphone charging, with an MSRP of $48,595.

The design of the 2 Series Gran Coupe faced challenges due to its front-drive platform, but BMW employed visual tricks like large LED headlights, grilles, and air intakes to mitigate the perception of excessive front overhang. The cabin was pulled back to improve the dashboard-to-axle ratio, and the tapering roofline extended the car's appearance, culminating in a busy rear end inspired by BMW's Sports Activity Coupes. Inside, the Gran Coupe adhered to modern BMW design with geometric shapes, a touchscreen infotainment system, and digital instrumentation. The materials were upscale, with metallic trim adding contrast, and the optional leather was appealing. Despite being an entry-level model, the 2 Series Gran Coupe, when equipped with features like those in the test car, did not look or feel like a basic BMW.

The 2022 Nissan Altima continued to build on its legacy since its introduction in 1993, evolving from its original bland styling to a sharper, sportier look with the third-generation model in 2002. The sixth-generation Altima maintained this successful formula, offering five trim levels: S, SV, SR, SL, and Platinum. The Altima featured Nissan's V-Motion grille, a low, wide stance, tall doors, creased body lines, and a sharply sloped "floating" roofline. While the floating roof was a stylistic choice, it was deemed unnecessary by some. The test car, an SR with the base 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine and AWD, included the Midnight Edition package, which added a gloss black painted sport grille, LED fog lights, gloss black-painted 19-inch aluminum-alloy wheels, a single panel moonroof, and more. The Midnight Edition package enhanced the Altima's sporty appearance, and the test car's Gun Metallic paint complemented the package well.

Inside, the Altima offered comfortable Zero Gravity front seats, a well-laid-out instrument panel, and high-quality materials that gave it a premium feel. However, lower trims did not offer the same level of refinement. The Altima's dimensions placed it in the middle of its competition, with a trunk size of 15.4 cubic feet and a 16.2-gallon fuel tank, the largest among its peers. While the Altima was competent, it had some drawbacks, such as a high rear shelf that compromised rear visibility and trunk lid supports that could crush items when closing the trunk. Despite these issues, the Altima remained a well-put-together car with a refined interior.

The 2021 BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe posed the question of whether a front-drive platform could credibly serve as an "ultimate driving machine." While some, like George Kennedy, were skeptical, others found the 228i xDrive Gran Coupe comparable to the revered Volkswagen GTI, with both featuring a 228-horsepower turbocharged four-cylinder engine. The BMW offered xDrive AWD, enhancing its performance on various road surfaces. The 228i xDrive Gran Coupe accelerated from zero to 60 mph in six seconds, powered by a turbocharged inline-four paired with an eight-speed sport automatic transmission and performance-enhancing technology. The M Sport Package equipped the car with M Sport steering, providing a swift, sharp, and direct driving experience. The suspension was firm but provided a glued-to-the-road feel, though the all-season run-flat tires squealed at the limit of adhesion. The 228i xDrive Gran Coupe averaged 27.9 mpg, surpassing the EPA's estimate of 27 mpg in combined driving.

The 2022 Nissan Altima offered a choice of four-cylinder engines: a 2.5-liter unit producing 188 horsepower and 180 pound-feet of torque, or a 2.0-liter variable-compression turbo (VC-Turbo) making 248 hp and 273 lb-ft. The base engine was available with FWD or AWD, while the VC-Turbo was only available on the SR trim with FWD. All Altimas featured Nissan's Xtronic CVT, with paddle shifters on the sporty SR trim. The VC-Turbo engine, capable of changing its compression ratio for performance or efficiency, offered power comparable to some V6 engines. However, the test car featured the base 2.5-liter engine, resulting in mediocre acceleration and engine noise. Despite this, the Altima impressed with its road manners, smooth ride, and quiet cabin, thanks to Nissan's Active Ride Control. The Altima provided a refined driving experience, though it lacked strong performance.

The 2021 BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe was practical for transporting two young and limber people, with sport-bolstered, 10-way power-adjustable front seats that were snug but comfortable. Entry and exit were not effortless due to the car's low-slung design. The Gran Coupe's body style, with two extra doors and a back seat, was not entirely convincing, as rear-seat access was challenging, and space was limited. The trunk offered 15.2 cubic feet of space, including a generous storage compartment under the load floor, and the 40/20/40-split folding rear seat added utility. However, the car lacked the full sportback treatment of BMW's other Gran Coupe models.

The 2022 Nissan Altima, as a midsize sedan, provided comfortable seating for four (five for short distances), easy-to-use controls, and a decent-sized trunk. Its dimensions placed it in the middle of its competition, with a trunk size of 15.4 cubic feet and a 16.2-gallon fuel tank. The Altima's rear shelf compromised rear visibility, and the trunk lid supports could crush items when closing the trunk. Despite these issues, the Altima remained a competent and well-put-together car, offering a refined interior.

The 2021 BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe came with Live Cockpit Plus, featuring a 5.1-inch display between traditional round analog gauges. The Premium Package upgraded to Live Cockpit Pro with a fully digital 10.25-inch display, paired with an 8.8-inch touchscreen infotainment system using BMW's iDrive 7.0 technology. The system included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, satellite radio, a navigation system, and connected services. The infotainment system was user-friendly, with responsive software and multiple control options. The test car also had a premium sound system with ten speakers and a full-color head-up display.

The 2022 Nissan Altima's entry-level S trim featured a 5-inch multi-function information display and a 7-inch color touchscreen audio display with Bluetooth connectivity. Higher trims had a 7-inch advanced drive-assist display and an 8-inch color touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and SiriusXM satellite radio. The SL trim and above included a nine-speaker Bose premium audio system, navigation, and connected services. The Altima offered active noise cancellation, traffic sign recognition, and an Around View Monitor. ProPilot Assist, available on higher trims, provided advanced driver assistance features. The test vehicle had the 7-inch drive-assist display and 8-inch infotainment system, which worked flawlessly during testing.

The 2021 BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe offered a Driving Assistance Package with adaptive cruise control and a parking-assistant feature, though the test car did not have this upgrade. It included advanced driving-assistance systems under the Active Driving Assistant umbrella, such as forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assistance, active blind-spot warning, and a speed limit information system. The IIHS rated the Gran Coupe highly for crash protection but noted issues with headlights and vehicle-to-pedestrian tests.

The 2022 Nissan Altima came with standard driver-assist technology, including automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane-departure warning, and forward-collision warning. Safety Shield 360, available on higher trims, added rear automatic braking, blind-spot warning, and rear cross-traffic warning. The NHTSA awarded the FWD Altima five stars for overall crash protection, while the IIHS gave it a "Top Safety Pick+" designation. The Altima received high ratings for crashworthiness and crash avoidance, with some room for improvement in headlights and vehicle-to-pedestrian front crash prevention.