2021 Honda Civic vs 2022 Nissan Altima

The 2021 Honda Civic had a legacy of segment-defining versions arriving every ten years, with dramatic designs that made bold statements. The 2021 model continued to offer the four-door Civic sedan, five-door Civic hatchback, and the performance-tuned Civic Type R format. However, the two-door Civic coupe was discontinued, and the sporty Civic Si took a break until the next-gen Civic’s arrival. Our test car, the Touring sedan in Cosmic Blue Metallic paint, came equipped with numerous upgrades, embodying a sleek yet occasionally polarizing design. The blend of Honda’s distinctive 18-inch wheels and striking blue color provided an eye-catching appeal, albeit one that was subject to personal taste.

Inside, the Civic exhibited quality materials and thoughtful design, though the cabin's aging could be seen, particularly with the maximum infotainment screen size of 7 inches. Despite some elements looking dated, the interior retained a sense of adventure and quality that kept it true to its trend-setting roots.

In contrast, the 2022 Nissan Altima had evolved significantly since its inception in 1993. By the sixth-generation, it sported a low, wide stance with bold, sharp lines and a "floating" roofline. The popular V-Motion grille took center stage, a design element shared with other Nissan sedans and SUVs. Our test car featured the Midnight Edition package, adding gloss black accents, a moonroof, and 19-inch wheels for an extra dose of sportiness. The Gun Metallic paint complemented the package, creating a visually compelling vehicle that stood out more confidently than its predecessors.

The interior of the Altima was highlighted by comfortable Zero Gravity front seats, a well-laid-out instrument panel, and high-quality materials that emphasized a premium feel. However, the sophistication of the interior materials varied depending on the trim level, with higher trims offering more luxurious touches.

For the 2021 Honda Civic, the choice between two engines profoundly impacted the driving experience. The base LX and Sport trims came with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 158 horsepower and 138 pound-feet of torque. While adequate for daily driving, the true star was the turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine available on EX, EX-L, and Touring trims. This powertrain delivered 174 hp and 162 lb-ft of torque and provided a spirited driving experience, thanks to its broad torque range from 1,700 to 5,500 rpm.

Equipped with a continuously variable transmission (CVT), the Civic's performance had its highs and lows. The turbocharged engine paired well with the car’s sophisticated suspension, offering a quick and composed ride. However, the CVT's drawbacks included a sloppy gear shift feel and a droning noise. Despite these, the fuel economy was a significant benefit, with our tests revealing an average of 34.8 mpg, outperforming the EPA estimate.

On the other side, the 2022 Nissan Altima presented a choice between a naturally aspirated 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 188 hp and 180 lb-ft of torque and a 2.0-liter variable-compression turbo (VC-Turbo) generating 248 hp and 273 lb-ft of torque. Both engines featured direct injection, with the base engine available in both FWD and AWD configurations. Notably, the VC-Turbo was exclusive to the SR trim with FWD.

The technologically advanced VC-Turbo engine, known for its ability to shift compression ratios for either high performance or efficiency, provided a competitive edge similar to V6 engines of rivals. However, our test car sported the base engine, which delivered a mixed performance. Despite AWD capabilities, the acceleration was average, and engine noise was prevalent as the CVT worked to get the Altima up to speed. Once at cruising speeds, the Altima excelled with a smooth, comfortable ride and excellent sound insulation, thanks to Active Ride Control and active noise cancellation available on higher trims.

The 2021 Honda Civic sedan, despite sitting low to the ground, offered a spacious and comfortable interior. Entry and exit required some effort, but the driver's seat provided an excellent range of adjustments to find a comfortable position. The front passenger's seat lacked height adjustment, a minor inconvenience. Leather upholstery became standard from the EX-L trim upwards. Surprisingly roomy, the Civic’s back seat accommodated adults comfortably, though the absence of rear air conditioning vents was noticeable on hot days.

The center console was a highlight, filled with practical storage, cupholders, and a deep bin with a padded armrest. The Civic sedan's trunk was another strong point, offering 15.1 cubic feet of space, though the Touring trim’s premium sound system slightly reduced the available cargo capacity to 14.7 cubic feet.

Meanwhile, the 2022 Nissan Altima catered to its role as a midsize sedan with balanced dimensions that ensured adequate space for passengers and cargo. The Altima’s trunk provided a reasonable 15.4 cubic feet of storage space, slightly outclassing the Civic. However, its design—the high rear shelf and sloped roofline—posed visibility issues, creating challenges in rearward sight lines. Despite this, the interior’s overall comfort and simplicity in controls made it a suitable option for daily use and family hauls.

Technologically, the 2021 Honda Civic showed its age, particularly with its infotainment offerings. The base LX trim came with a modest 5-inch LCD screen, Bluetooth, and a 1.0-amp USB port. Upgrading to the Sport trim brought a 7-inch touchscreen, an eight-speaker sound system, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, text-messaging support, and improved USB charging. Higher trims, like the EX, added HD Radio and SiriusXM, while the Touring boasted navigation, voice recognition, digital traffic, and a 10-speaker premium audio system. However, voice recognition on the Touring was rudimentary, and Apple CarPlay or Android Auto often outperformed the native system in usability.

The 2022 Nissan Altima, even at the base S level, offered better technology integration with a 5-inch multi-function display in the instrument panel, a 7-inch touchscreen, Bluetooth, and a basic six-speaker audio system. Models above the S trim featured a 7-inch advanced drive-assist display, an 8-inch color touchscreen, wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM, and additional USB ports. Higher trims like the SL came with a nine-speaker Bose audio system, navigation, and remote engine start with intelligent climate control. Notably, the Altima also featured advanced options like ProPilot Assist and active noise cancellation, adding convenience and driving assistance that elevated the midsize sedan's technological appeal.

The 2021 Honda Civic was equipped with Honda Sensing, a suite of ADAS that included adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane departure warning. It also featured Road Departure Mitigation and lane-keeping assistance. The unique LaneWatch feature, available starting with EX trim, helped monitor the right side but had limitations and did not provide comprehensive blind-spot monitoring. The Civic earned top safety ratings from IIHS and NHTSA, with the Touring trim specifically achieving the IIHS Top Safety Pick designation due to its superior LED headlights.

Safety-wise, the 2022 Nissan Altima came well-prepared. Standard driver aids included automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane-departure warning, and forward-collision warning. The SV trim and above gained Safety Shield 360, which added rear automatic braking, blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic alert, and a rear sonar system. Optional packages further enhanced safety features. The Altima also secured excellent safety ratings, earning a five-star overall rating from NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ designation from IIHS, making it one of the safest midsize sedans available.