2019 Honda Civic vs 2020 Nissan Altima

The 2019 Honda Civic, while not as stylish as the 2019 Mazda3, still offered a unique upscale style with its gloss-black upper grille, revised lower bumper, and available 18-inch alloy wheels. Its silhouette was graceful, reminiscent of an Audi A7, with a long hood balancing a sizable cabin and short tail featuring distinctive wraparound LED lights. The Civic Touring model boasted chrome door handles and LED headlights that resembled tiny crystals, adding to its aesthetic appeal. The introduction of the Honda Civic Sport trim brought a centre-mounted exhaust and exterior flair similar to the Si trim, but at a more affordable price. The Civic Hatchback, with its tall and aggressive rear end, and the Coupe model, offered unique paint options that stood out in traffic. Inside, the Civic maintained a high-tech yet simplified theme with a central LCD screen, minimal buttons, and high-quality fit and finish, despite some hard plastic surfaces in the rear doors.

The 2020 Nissan Altima, particularly in the Platinum trim, impressed with its 19-inch machined-finish aluminum wheels and a clean, contemporary design. The redesign from the previous year refined its styling, though some details like the door handle placement and rear diffuser panel could have been improved. The interior was a model of ergonomic simplicity, with a high-mounted touchscreen infotainment system, stereo knobs, and clearly legible climate controls. The materials used were on par with the midsize sedan segment, with matte chrome detailing and simulated wood trim adding a touch of elegance. However, the colour options were limited to black or gray. The Altima's interior design was practical and user-friendly, making it easy to operate without consulting the owner's manual.

The 2019 Honda Civic offered a range of engine options, starting with a 2.0-litre inline four-cylinder engine producing 158 horsepower and 138 pound-feet of torque, available in the DX, LX, EX, and Sport sedans, as well as the LX and Sport coupes. In Canada, these models came standard with a six-speed manual transmission. The Touring models featured a turbocharged 1.5-litre inline-four engine with 174 horsepower and 162 pound-feet of torque, paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT). The hatchback models exclusively used the turbocharged engine, delivering 180 horsepower in the Hatchback Sport trim. The Si and Type R models offered even more power, with the Si boosting the 1.5-litre engine to 205 horsepower and 192 pound-feet of torque, while the Type R produced an impressive 306 horsepower and 295 pound-feet from a re-engineered 2.0-litre engine. The Civic's engines were praised for their smoothness and refinement, with the turbo engine offering better mid-range acceleration. The manual transmissions were highly regarded, and the CVT was noted for its impressive performance. The Civic's handling, steering feel, and suspension were all commended, making it a fun and engaging car to drive.

The 2020 Nissan Altima in Canada came with a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine producing up to 188 horsepower, paired with a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) and standard all-wheel drive (AWD). The Altima's ride and handling were enhanced by Intelligent Ride Control and Intelligent Trace Control, which adjusted engine torque and applied brakes to improve ride quality and handling. The CVT was designed to mimic a traditional automatic transmission, though it could produce sudden power surges. The Altima's suspension setup included a strut front and multi-link rear suspension, dual-pinion electric steering, and four-wheel disc brakes. The Altima's performance was tailored to provide a comfortable and controlled driving experience, with the AWD system making it more appealing compared to its SUV competition.

The 2019 Honda Civic's interior featured a touchscreen with a volume knob and shortcut buttons, improving usability compared to previous models. The three-spoke steering wheel allowed control of the central display, providing quick access to various functions. The rear seat offered surprising roominess, with optional heated seats and standard heated front seats. Cargo space was generous, with the sedan offering 428 litres in the trunk, while the coupe had 343 litres. The hatchback provided the most space, with up to 727 litres and 1,308 litres with the rear seats folded. The centre console offered ample storage, and visibility was good in all directions.

The 2020 Nissan Altima's seats were designed for comfort, though it lacked a front passenger seat height adjuster and ventilated front seats. Heated front seats and side mirrors were standard, with an optional heated steering wheel. The Altima offered substantial in-cabin storage, though it lacked a wireless smartphone charging pad. The trunk provided 436 litres of space, with optional grocery bag hooks and an interior grab handle. The Altima's interior was practical and comfortable, with features designed to enhance the driving experience.

The 2019 Honda Civic's infotainment system, while once impressive, had become dated compared to newer Honda models. It featured standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, along with Bluetooth connectivity. The Garmin-based navigation system was a standout, offering quick and accurate voice-based input. The Civic also included LaneWatch, a camera system that displayed a live feed of the blind spot on the touchscreen.

The 2020 Nissan Altima boasted a nearly perfect infotainment system with an 8-inch display, stereo volume and tuning knobs, and physical and virtual buttons for easy navigation. It came standard with Bluetooth, a text-messaging assistant, Siri Eyes Free, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. Available features included SiriusXM satellite radio, a navigation system with door-to-door directions, a 9-speaker Bose audio system, and NissanConnect Services. The Altima's connected services technology offered various plans, including features like automatic collision notification and emergency calling. The door-to-door navigation function was particularly useful in urban settings.

The 2019 Honda Civic came with the Honda Sensing suite of safety features, including forward-collision alert, emergency braking, lane-keep assist, lane departure warning, and adaptive cruise control. The Civic received top ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA, with the exception of a four-star rating for the coupe's passenger-side frontal crash test.

The 2020 Nissan Altima offered a comprehensive suite of safety features, including forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, blind-spot monitoring, and more. ProPilot Assist, a Level 2 semi-autonomous driver assistance technology, was available but had mixed reviews. The Altima received a 5-star overall rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick from the IIHS.