2019 Hyundai Elantra vs 2020 Nissan Altima

The 2019 Hyundai Elantra underwent a significant redesign, featuring new styling elements forward of the windshield and front doors, along with updated wheels, trunk lid, taillights, and rear bumper. The design was described as kaleidoscopic, with a focus on geometric patterns, which some found less appealing than previous models. Inside, the Elantra received subtle improvements, such as redesigned air vents, carbon-texture finishes on some plastic housings, new gauges, and revised dashboard controls. These changes added excitement to the interior, which was previously considered dull. The interior quality was high, with a robust shifter feel, although some materials felt inexpensive, which was expected in a compact car. The Elantra was available in various trims, with the Ultimate trim offering features like adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, and a larger touchscreen display.

The 2020 Nissan Altima, sold in Canada in S, SV, and Platinum trims, featured a clean and contemporary design with ergonomic simplicity. The Altima Platinum, equipped with 19-inch machined-finish aluminum wheels, looked impressive, although some design details were questionable. The interior was praised for its clean design, with a high-mounted touchscreen infotainment system, stereo knobs, and clearly legible climate controls. The materials quality was 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 was designed for comfort, with NASA-inspired seats, although it lacked a front passenger's seat height adjuster and ventilated front seats.

The 2019 Hyundai Elantra was equipped with a 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine producing 147 horsepower and 132 lb-ft of torque, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission powering the front wheels. It offered Normal, Sport, and Smart driving modes, with Sport mode adding liveliness but also weight to the steering. The Elantra's fuel efficiency was rated at 7.4 litres per 100 kilometres in combined driving, with a test loop returning 8.0 L/100 km. Handling was decent, with no significant praise or criticism for the steering and brakes. The ride quality was busy due to the torsion-beam rear-axle suspension, making the Elantra a reliable but not particularly exciting drive.

The 2020 Nissan Altima featured a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine with 188 horsepower, paired with a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) and standard all-wheel drive. The Altima's ride and handling impressed, thanks to Intelligent Ride Control and Intelligent Trace Control technologies. The CVT was programmed to mimic a traditional automatic, with sudden power surges during ratio changes. The Altima's suspension included a strut front and multi-link rear setup, with dual-pinion electric steering and four-wheel disc brakes. The Altima's ride quality was smooth, and its handling was precise, making it appealing to discerning drivers.

The 2019 Hyundai Elantra offered good front-seat comfort, with height-adjustable seats and heated front seats standard across all trims. The backseat comfort was less impressive, with hard plastic front seatbacks and no air conditioning vents or USB ports. Interior storage was decent, with a centre-console storage bin, glove box, and door panel bins. The Elantra's trunk offered 408 litres of cargo space, with a hands-free trunk release feature on most trims.

The 2020 Nissan Altima's seats were designed for comfort, with NASA-inspired design, although it lacked a front passenger's seat height adjuster and ventilated front seats. Heated front seats and side mirrors were standard, with a heated steering wheel optional. The Altima offered substantial in-cabin storage, with USB-A and USB-C connections but no wireless charging pad. The trunk provided 436 litres of cargo space, with optional grocery bag hooks and an interior grab handle.

The 2019 Hyundai Elantra came with a rear-view camera and Bluetooth connectivity as standard. Most trims featured a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Ultimate trim offered an 8-inch display, Infinity premium sound system, and navigation. The infotainment system was user-friendly, with quality switchgear and impressive sound quality. The Elantra also provided a five-year trial of Hyundai Bluelink services on Limited and Ultimate trims.

The 2020 Nissan Altima's infotainment system featured an 8-inch display, Bluetooth connectivity, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. Available features included SiriusXM satellite radio, navigation, a Bose premium audio system, and NissanConnect Services. The system was easy to use, with physical and virtual buttons for shortcuts. NissanConnect Services offered a free six-month trial, with additional plans available. The Altima's voice recognition technology required specific commands, which could be improved.

The 2019 Hyundai Elantra included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-departure warning with lane-keeping assist on most trims. Higher trims offered adaptive cruise control and pedestrian detection. The Elantra received top marks from the IIHS, except for an Acceptable rating for LATCH anchors. The NHTSA gave it a four-star overall rating.

The 2020 Nissan Altima offered forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and a driver attention monitor as standard. Higher trims included pedestrian detection, blind-spot monitoring, and ProPilot Assist. The Altima received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick from the IIHS with automatic high-beam LED headlights.