2019 Toyota Prius vs 2020 Nissan Altima

The 2019 Toyota Prius was not known for its aesthetic appeal. Its design, which had evolved since the second-generation model, aimed to make a statement with its boomerang-shaped profile and split rear glass. However, by 2019, the fourth-generation Prius's extroverted design seemed to hinder its sales more than help them. Despite its unconventional looks, the Prius offered a practical solution for daily driving, with a new lineup that included L Eco, LE, XLE, and Limited trims. The XLE AWD model, painted in Electric Storm Blue, featured an Advanced Technology Package and various upgrades, bringing its price to $32,146. Inside, the Prius's centralized controls and gloss black interior trim required some acclimation but functioned well overall.

In contrast, the 2020 Nissan Altima presented a more refined and contemporary design. The Altima Platinum, equipped with a turbocharged engine and various extras, was priced at $37,825. Its 19-inch machined-finish aluminum wheels and cleaned-up styling from the previous redesign made it visually appealing, despite a few minor design quirks. The interior was clean and ergonomic, with a high-mounted touchscreen infotainment system, clearly legible climate controls, and a traditional transmission shifter. The materials quality was on par with the midsize sedan segment, with matte chrome detailing and simulated wood trim adding a touch of sophistication.

The 2019 Toyota Prius featured a 1.8-liter 4-cylinder gasoline engine paired with an electric motor, producing a combined 121 horsepower. The optional AWD-e system added a 5-kilowatt rear electric motor and a nickel-metal hydride battery, powering the rear wheels up to 43 mph. The AWD-e system resulted in slightly lower fuel economy, with a combined 50 mpg compared to the standard front-drive Prius's 52 mpg. The Prius's CVT handled power to the front wheels, with the rear wheels running off a separate electric motor. The Prius offered a good ride and decent handling, with a quiet urban and suburban driving experience, though road noise was more prominent on the freeway. The car's aerodynamic bodywork and modest tires contributed to its efficiency and pleasant driving dynamics.

The 2020 Nissan Altima, on the other hand, offered a more powerful performance with its optional turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine, producing 248 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of torque on premium fuel. The VC-Turbo engine, paired with a CVT and front-wheel drive, provided a balance of power and efficiency, averaging 26.2 mpg in combined driving. The Altima's ride and handling were impressive, thanks to its strut front, multi-link rear suspension, dual-pinion electric steering, and 4-wheel-disc brakes. The car's Active Ride Control and Intelligent Trace Control technologies further enhanced its driving dynamics, making it satisfying to drive in various settings. The CVT was programmed to mimic a traditional automatic, though it could produce sudden surges in power.

The 2019 Toyota Prius offered comfortable seating for four adults, with manual height adjustment for the driver's seat and heated front seats and steering wheel. Rear passengers enjoyed good thigh support and decent legroom, though air conditioning vents were missing in the second row. The Prius's trunk provided up to 27.4 cubic feet of luggage space, expandable to 65.5 cubic feet with the rear seats folded down. The AWD-e model had slightly reduced cargo space. The Prius's hatchback design made it a practical alternative to small crossover SUVs, though it lacked the ground clearance for more challenging terrain.

The 2020 Nissan Altima featured NASA-inspired front and back seats for superior comfort, though it lacked a front passenger's seat height adjuster and ventilated front seats. The Altima offered heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and a remote engine starter with climate control operation, but no heated rear seats. Rear passengers had air conditioning vents, and the car provided substantial in-cabin storage space, though it lacked a wireless smartphone charging pad. The Altima's trunk measured 15.4 cubic feet, with optional grocery bag hooks and an interior grab handle for convenience.

The 2019 Toyota Prius's most impressive infotainment system was limited to the Limited trim, featuring an 11.6-inch touchscreen, navigation, and a premium JBL sound system. The XLE AWD-e test car had a standard 6.1-inch touchscreen, Bluetooth, and a CD player, with wireless smartphone charging. The Prius's instrumentation was housed in a horizontal strip below the windshield, with some displays looking outdated. The Advanced Technology Package included a head-up display, adaptive headlights, and a Hybrid System Indicator. The Prius lacked Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, though it offered Safety Connect subscription services on the Limited trim.

The 2020 Nissan Altima offered a nearly perfect infotainment system with an 8-inch display, stereo volume and tuning knobs, and physical and virtual buttons for easy use. Standard features included Bluetooth, a text-messaging assistant, Siri Eyes Free, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. Available features included satellite radio, navigation, a 9-speaker Bose audio system, and NissanConnect Services. The connected services technology was free for the first six months, with various plans available afterward. The door-to-door navigation function was especially helpful for city parking. The Altima's voice recognition technology, however, required specific commands for desired results.

The 2019 Toyota Prius offered Safety Connect services on the Limited trim, providing automatic collision notification, emergency assistance, and roadside assistance. Standard safety features included Toyota Safety Sense, with adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and automatic high-beam headlights. The LE trim added blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and Intelligent Clearance Sonar with parking assist. The Prius received a 5-star rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS.

The 2020 Nissan Altima included Nissan Safety Shield 360, with forward collision warning and automatic emergency braking standard on the base S trim. Other trims received pedestrian detection, blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic warning, lane departure warning, rear automatic braking, and automatic high-beam assistance. Additional safety systems included a driver monitoring system, road-sign recognition, and a surround-view camera. ProPilot Assist offered semi-autonomous driving aids, though it proved hard to trust. The Altima received a 5-star rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS.