Volkswagen Golf GTI vs Nissan Altima

The eighth-generation Volkswagen Golf GTI was introduced for the 2022 model year and enters 2024 essentially unchanged. The main news is that 2024 marks the last year a manual transmission will be available in this classic hot hatchback. Volkswagen is making a 380 special edition package standard on all stick-shift GTIs to commemorate that. A more substantial update is expected for the 2025 model year.

Verdict: The GTI is a great all-rounder held back by poor interior design choices and a staid personality.

There simply aren’t as many sedans on sale today as there once were. Crossover SUVs offer more space and for many shoppers, better value. But for those who still want a sedan, there are plenty of familiar names available. The Altima, now in its sixth year since a noteworthy redesign, continues on in 2024 as a staple of the segment.

Verdict: With an attractive starting price and an impressive array of standard safety tech, the 2024 Nissan Altima looks like a good value. Standard all-wheel drive in Canada and an upgraded touchscreen display on higher trims only further the appeal.