2021 Nissan Altima vs 2021 Lexus IS

The 2021 Lexus IS made a bold statement about its driver with its athletic proportions and great stance. Its design captured motion even while standing still, exuding elegance with a well-measured distance between the front axle and dashboard. The fast roofline and the kick-up of the window base at the back of the passenger door added to its sporty and compact look. The new spindle grille with diamond mesh and narrow headlights gave the IS an assertive squint, while the flawless paint, chrome, and panel gaps were expected of a Lexus. Inside, the dash was tastefully simple, with a retro hi-fi feel to the center stack. The interior matched the exterior with bold, assertive choices, authentic lines, and modern aesthetics. However, the analog clock felt like an anachronism in this modern context.

The 2021 Nissan Altima featured a strong family identity with its bold V-Motion grille, available in chrome or dark chrome, adorned with the Nissan logo. Its overall shape was attractive, with a sloping “coupe-like” roofline that gave it a sleek, aerodynamic profile. The body had more folds than curves, giving it a taut, trim essence, though the short dash-to-axle distance made it look slightly old-fashioned. Modern features like standard LED lighting and a range of wheel options from 16-inch steel to 19-inch alloy kept the look contemporary. The fit and finish were exceptional, with deep lustrous paint and rich chrome details. The Altima offered nine exterior colors, some with premium pricing. Inside, the dashboard was uncluttered and intelligently laid out, with a standard 8-inch touchscreen display and a shrouded instrument panel for easy readability. The base model felt stripped-down, but higher trims improved with better materials and added features.

The 2021 Lexus IS was developed with a focus on delivering a luxury sports sedan experience. It introduced the “Lexus Driving Signature,” emphasizing linear operation faithful to the driver’s intentions. The IS 300 RWD featured a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline four-cylinder engine with 241 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. The IS 300 AWD had a 3.5-liter V6 engine producing 260 hp and 236 lb-ft of torque. The IS 350 models, both AWD and RWD, used the same V6 but tuned to 311 hp and 280 lb-ft of torque. RWD models had an eight-speed automatic transmission, while AWD models had a six-speed automatic. The IS had a top speed of 143 mph, with 0-60 mph times ranging from 6.9 seconds for the IS 300 RWD to 5.6 seconds for the IS 350 RWD. Fuel efficiency varied, with the IS 300 RWD rated at 21 mpg city, 31 mpg highway, and 25 mpg combined, while the IS 350 AWD was rated at 19/26/22.

The 2021 Nissan Altima offered two distinct powertrains. Most models had a naturally aspirated 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with 182 horsepower and 178 pound-feet of torque, paired with Nissan’s Xtronic CVT. FWD was standard, with AWD available on most trims. Fuel economy for the 2.5-liter engine was 28 mpg city, 39 mpg highway, and 32 mpg combined with FWD, and 25/35/29 with AWD. The standout was the SR VC-Turbo trim, featuring a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine with variable compression, producing 248 hp and 273 lb-ft of torque. This engine was FWD only, with fuel economy rated at 25/34/29. The Altima’s suspension included McPherson struts in front and a multi-link rear, with the VC-Turbo model having a sport-tuned suspension. The electric-powered steering provided decent feedback and feel.

The 2021 Lexus IS focused on a driver-centered experience with a great driving position and comfortable, supportive seats. The F Sport trim's bolstered seat was standard in IS 350 models, with heating and ventilation. The IS used perforated NuLuxe fabric, a synthetic upholstery that mimicked leather. Storage space was ample, with an open cubby, twin cupholders, big door pockets, a decent glovebox, and an under-armrest compartment. The second row was comfortable for two but cramped for three, with legroom negotiable with front-seat occupants. The trunk offered 10.8 cubic feet of space, with a temporary spare stored beneath the load floor.

The 2021 Nissan Altima featured Nissan’s Zero Gravity front seats, praised for their comfort on long drives. Upper trims offered power adjustment, position memory, leather appointments, and heated seats. The front cabin had ample storage, including a big glovebox, center console storage bin, cupholders, an open cubby, and big door pockets. The second row had door pockets, cupholders in the center armrest, and map pockets in the front seatbacks. The second row folded flat in a 60/40 split for trunk access. The trunk had a capacity of 15.4 cubic feet.

The 2021 Lexus IS offered a touchscreen infotainment system with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. Lexus Enform services included Safety Connect with a three-year trial, Service Connect with a 10-year subscription, WiFi with a 4GB/three-month trial, and Remote with a three-year trial. The Navigation Package included Dynamic Navigation and Destination Assist for three years. The Mark Levinson 17-speaker, 1,800-watt premium surround-sound audio system was a recommended option, providing superb audio quality.

The 2021 Nissan Altima included standard tech features like Nissan Intelligent Key with pushbutton start, remote engine start, Bluetooth, cruise control, HomeLink, rear-view camera, Siri Eyes Free, Google Assistant Voice Recognition, and streaming audio/hands-free phone with Bluetooth. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard on all but the S model. The base touchscreen was 7 inches, with an 8-inch NissanConnect touchscreen on other models. Higher trims had additional USB ports, SiriusXM satellite radio, and a Bose audio system. Nissan Door to Door Navigation was standard on Platinum and optional on other trims. NissanConnect Services included a three-year trial to Select and a six-month trial to Premium and Premium Plus packages.

The 2021 Lexus IS came with Lexus Safety System+ 2.5, including a pre-collision system with pedestrian detection, lane-departure warning with steering assist, road-sign recognition, lane-tracing assist, adaptive cruise control, and intelligent high beams. Additional features included blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, a backup camera, LED lighting, and Lexus Enform Safety Connect with a three-year trial. The IS had four-channel/four-sensor anti-lock braking with power-assisted disc brakes.

The 2021 Nissan Altima featured Nissan Safety Shield 360, standard on SV and above, including 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 was available, offering features like intelligent forward collision warning, lane intervention, traffic sign recognition, driver alertness, and adaptive cruise control. The Intelligent Around View Monitor was available on upper trims. The Altima received a five-star overall safety rating from NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick + rating from IIHS.