2021 Nissan Altima vs 2022 Honda Civic

The 2021 Nissan Altima showcased a strong family identity with its bold V-Motion grille, which varied between chrome and dark chrome depending on the trim level. Its overall shape was attractive, featuring a sloping, coupe-like roofline that contributed to a sleek, aerodynamic profile. The body design leaned more towards folds than curves, giving it a taut and trim essence. However, the Altima's stance appeared slightly ungainly due to the extended overhangs and short dash-to-axle distance, which lent it a somewhat old-fashioned look. Despite this, modern features like standard LED lighting and a range of wheel options kept its appearance contemporary. The Altima boasted exceptional fit and finish, with deep, lustrous paint and rich chrome details. It offered nine exterior colors, some with premium pricing. Inside, the dashboard was uncluttered and intelligently laid out, with an 8-inch touchscreen display positioned for optimal safety and convenience. As one moved up the trim levels, the interior materials improved, offering a more luxurious feel.

The 2022 Honda Civic, available in LX, Sport, EX, and Touring trims, presented a more conservative and plain appearance compared to its predecessor. It resembled the larger Accord sedan, offering a more tailored and mature look. The Civic's interior embraced simplicity, with a minimalistic approach to controls and layout. A metal honeycomb mesh elegantly concealed the air vents, and the interior materials, especially in the Touring trim, reflected a newfound maturity. The Civic's design changes aimed to appeal to those who preferred a more grown-up aesthetic, though it might have seemed a bit boring to fans of the previous model's styling. The Civic's interior improvements were notable, with a focus on comfort and support, particularly in the redesigned front seats.

The 2021 Nissan Altima offered a dual personality with its powertrains. Most configurations featured a naturally aspirated 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, delivering 182 horsepower and 178 lb-ft of torque, paired with Nissan's Xtronic CVT. Front-wheel drive was standard, with all-wheel drive available on most trims. This engine provided fuel economy ratings of 28 mpg city/39 mpg highway/32 mpg combined with FWD, and 25 mpg city/35 mpg highway/29 mpg combined with AWD. The standout was the VC-Turbo engine, exclusive to the Altima SR VC-Turbo trim, offering 248 hp and 273 lb-ft of torque. This turbocharged 2.0-liter engine used variable compression technology for power on demand while maintaining efficiency. It was available only with FWD and achieved 25 mpg city/34 mpg highway/29 mpg combined. The Altima's suspension and steering provided a decent driving experience, with the VC-Turbo offering a more engaging ride.

The 2022 Honda Civic featured two engine options, both improved from the previous generation. The LX and Sport trims came with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 158 horsepower and 138 lb-ft of torque. The EX and Touring trims offered a turbocharged 1.5-liter engine with 180 horsepower and 177 lb-ft of torque, providing a satisfying blend of performance and efficiency. Both engines were paired with CVTs, featuring Step Shift programming for a more traditional automatic feel. The Civic's Sport and Touring trims included a Sport transmission mode, enhancing responsiveness. The Civic's improved structural rigidity, suspension tuning, and steering feel contributed to a fun driving experience. However, the Civic Touring's fuel economy fell short of expectations during testing, achieving 30.4 mpg compared to the EPA's estimate of 34 mpg.

The 2021 Nissan Altima featured Nissan's Zero Gravity front seats, praised for their comfort on long drives. Upper trims offered power adjustments, memory settings, leather appointments, and heated seats. The front cabin provided ample storage, including a large glovebox, center console storage, and door pockets. The second row was roomy for two adults, with a 60/40 split-folding design for trunk access. The trunk offered 15.4 cubic feet of cargo space.

The 2022 Honda Civic prioritized comfort with redesigned front seats, offering excellent support. The Touring trim featured a power-adjustable driver's seat, though the front passenger seat lacked height adjustment. The Civic's low seating position made entry and exit challenging for some, but the rear seat offered generous legroom. The Civic's interior redesign included a new center console with less storage space but more accessible cupholders. The trunk provided 14.8 cubic feet of space, or 14.4 cubes with Touring trim, accommodating full-size suitcases and offering a split-folding backseat for added utility.

The 2021 Nissan Altima came equipped with standard tech features, including Nissan Intelligent Key with pushbutton start, remote engine start, Bluetooth, and more. The base model featured a 7-inch touchscreen, while other trims had an 8-inch NissanConnect display. The Altima offered various USB ports, SiriusXM satellite radio, and a Bose audio system on higher trims. Advanced features like Nissan Door to Door Navigation and NissanConnect Services were available on select trims.

The 2022 Honda Civic boasted digital instrumentation, with the Touring trim featuring a 10-inch display. The Civic's Vehicle Activity display provided valuable information about the car's lighting and signaling status. The standard infotainment setup included a 7-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Touring trim offered a 9-inch display with wireless connectivity, a 12-speaker Bose audio system, and a navigation system. The Civic's infotainment system was praised for its performance and voice recognition technology.

The 2021 Nissan Altima featured Nissan Safety Shield 360, a comprehensive suite of driver-assist and safety features, standard on SV and above trims. It included automatic emergency braking, rear automatic braking, blind-spot warning, and more. ProPilot Assist was available for highway driving assistance. The Altima received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS.

The 2022 Honda Civic offered an upgraded Honda Sensing suite of advanced driver assistance systems. It included features like Traffic Jam Assist, forward collision warning, and Lane Keeping Assist. The Civic replaced its LaneWatch system with a proper blind-spot warning system on EX and Touring trims. The Civic's architecture was strengthened for improved collision protection, and it featured new airbag designs and a rear-seat reminder system.