2020 Nissan Altima vs 2020 Mercedes-Benz E-Class

The 2020 Mercedes-Benz E-Class, introduced in 2017, harkened back to the E-Class from two generations prior with its rounded, smooth body. While some felt it was overly streamlined, the resemblance to the larger S-Class and smaller C-Class made it a recognizable and respectable member of the Mercedes family. Available in sedan, wagon, coupe, or cabriolet, the E-Class catered to conservative buyers with its versatile design. The sedan, in particular, looked especially rich with the hood ornament and thin-laced chrome grille, a nod to Mercedes tradition. LED lighting added a delicate touch, and the car's proportions, whether on 17-inch wheels or 20s with ground effects, always hit a visual sweet spot.

The cabriolet version of the E-Class showcased the fluid, creaseless form best, with a contrasting soft top that revealed a sumptuous interior. The E-Class delighted with multi-tone leathers, aluminum, and deep-polished wood. Two feet of high-res digital screens stretched across the dash, complemented by industrial elements like circular air vents and knurled silver toggles. Ambient lighting in 64 colors added to the luxurious feel, and features like heated armrests and massaging seats made it a place of solitude. Even the base model, with leatherette and standard seats, felt a cut above other cars in its segment.

The 2020 Nissan Altima, available in S, SR, SV, SL, and Platinum trims, offered a clean and contemporary design. The Platinum trim, equipped with 19-inch machined-finish aluminum wheels, looked particularly impressive. The redesign from the previous year had cleaned up the styling, though some details like the door handles' visual planes and the body-color lower diffuser panel could have been improved. The interior was ergonomic and simple, with a high-mounted touchscreen infotainment system, clearly legible climate controls, and a traditional transmission shifter.

Materials quality in the Altima was on par with the midsize sedan segment, though color options were limited to black or gray. Matte chrome detailing and simulated wood trim added a touch of elegance. The interior design was straightforward, making it easy to operate without needing the owner's manual. The Altima's design focused on functionality and simplicity, ensuring a comfortable and user-friendly experience.

The 2020 Mercedes-Benz E-Class offered a range of engines, starting with the E350's turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine, which produced 255 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of torque. This engine, paired with a 9-speed automatic transmission, provided quicker response and held gears longer than previous models. While the E350 was quick off the line, its performance above 40 mph was less impressive, making passing maneuvers challenging. The E450, with its 3.0-liter V6 engine producing 362 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque, offered a more balanced and effortless driving experience. The AMG models, including the E53 and E63 S, provided even more power and performance, with the E63 S boasting a 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 engine with 603 horsepower and 627 pound-feet of torque.

Fuel economy for the E-Class varied depending on the powertrain and body style, with EPA estimates ranging from 19 to 23 mpg city and 26 to 32 mpg highway. The E63 S, with its high-performance engine, had lower fuel economy ratings of 16/23 mpg.

The 2020 Nissan Altima featured a standard 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine with 188 horsepower, paired with a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). All-wheel drive was an option with this engine, making it appealing for cold-weather climates. The optional turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine, available in SR and Platinum trims, produced 248 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of torque on premium fuel. This engine, known as the VC-Turbo, offered the power of a V6 with the efficiency of a 4-cylinder. The Altima's ride and handling were impressive, thanks to features like Active Ride Control and Intelligent Trace Control. The CVT was programmed to mimic a traditional automatic, providing a smooth driving experience.

Fuel economy for the Altima with the VC-Turbo engine was EPA-rated at 29 mpg combined, though real-world testing showed an average of 26.2 mpg.

The 2020 Mercedes-Benz E-Class featured a complex COMAND infotainment system, which could be unwieldy on the car's large screens. The lack of touchscreens was a significant drawback, making it difficult to change settings and input addresses while driving. However, the E-Class excelled in functionality with features like seat and seat climate controls on the door panels and ample space in every dimension. The coupe had a usable rear seat, and the wagon included a rear-facing jump seat for small children. The digital dash, when set up properly, provided clear and high-resolution gauges.

The 2020 Nissan Altima's interior was designed for comfort, with NASA-inspired seats that aimed to mimic weightlessness. However, the lack of a front passenger seat height adjuster and ventilated front seats were notable omissions. The Altima offered heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and a remote engine starter with climate control operation for cold climates. Rear air conditioning vents were included, but heated rear seats were not available. The Altima provided substantial in-cabin storage space, though it lacked a wireless smartphone charging pad. The trunk offered 15.4 cubic feet of space, with optional grocery bag hooks and an interior grab handle for convenience.

The 2020 Mercedes-Benz E-Class was packed with advanced technology, including a semi-automated driving system that could steer, change lanes, and slow down for curves. The V2X system allowed communication with nearby Mercedes models about road hazards. The dash could be reconfigured in multiple designs, and the Burmester stereo offered surround-sound modes. Other features included multi-contour seats, a front camera that activated automatically, and the Energizing Comfort Package, which adjusted climate settings and lighting to match preset moods. AMG models included a Track Pace app for race track guidance.

The 2020 Nissan Altima offered an 8-inch infotainment system with Bluetooth connectivity, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. Available features included satellite radio, a navigation system with door-to-door directions, a 9-speaker Bose audio system, and NissanConnect Services. The connected services technology provided features like automatic collision notification, emergency calling, and smartphone alerts. The door-to-door navigation function was particularly helpful in urban settings. However, the Altima's voice recognition technology required specific commands, which could be frustrating.

The 2020 Mercedes-Benz E-Class sedan and wagon received a 5-star overall rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). The coupe and cabriolet models were not tested but were expected to perform similarly. The E-Class included innovative safety features like Pre-Safe Sound, which played a "pink noise" during a crash to protect eardrums, and side bolsters that inflated during a side collision. Standard safety features included forward emergency braking, a driver attention monitor, and blind-spot monitoring, with additional driver-assist features available as options.

The 2020 Nissan Altima included Nissan Safety Shield 360, with features like forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, 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, a Level 2 semi-autonomous driving aid, was available but proved difficult to trust during testing. The Altima received a 5-star overall rating from NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick rating from IIHS.