2021 Mercedes-Benz S-Class vs 2022 Nissan Altima

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz S-Class retained a familiar exterior design, but with subtle aerodynamic improvements, boasting a drag coefficient of 0.22. It was slightly larger than its predecessor, with a longer wheelbase and increased height and width. The car's size was imposing, complemented by the classic Mercedes hood ornament and grille. Standard 19-inch wheels could be upgraded to 20-inch or 21-inch options, with the 20-inch wheels filling the wheel wells nicely.

Inside, the S-Class focused on a minimalist design centered around an infotainment touchscreen and digital instrument cluster. Mercedes eliminated many traditional controls, opting for a cleaner look with rectangular air vents. The interior featured extensive ambient lighting with 250 LED elements and 64 color options. High-quality materials like Nappa leather and open-pore wood trim were standard, though the piano-black trim was prone to smudging and reflections.

The 2022 Nissan Altima evolved significantly from its earlier generations, adopting a sportier look with a low, wide stance and a "floating" roofline. The car was available in five trim levels: S, SV, SR, SL, and Platinum. The Midnight Edition package added gloss black accents, 19-inch wheels, and other sporty features, enhancing the Altima's already dynamic appearance.

Inside, the Altima offered comfortable Zero Gravity front seats and a well-organized instrument panel. Higher trims featured premium materials, while lower trims were less luxurious. The car's dimensions placed it in the middle of its segment, with a 15.4 cubic foot trunk and a 16.2-gallon fuel tank. However, the high rear shelf and sloping roofline compromised rear visibility, and the trunk's metal bar supports could crush items when closing the lid.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz S-Class offered two engine options: a 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six with 429 horsepower and 384 pound-feet of torque in the S500 4Matic, and a 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 with 496 hp and 516 lb-ft in the S580 4Matic. Both engines featured EQ Boost, a mild-hybrid system adding 21 hp and 184 lb-ft for short bursts. The S500 accelerated from 0 to 60 mph in 4.8 seconds, while the S580 did it in 4.4 seconds, both with a top speed of 130 mph.

The S-Class came with standard air suspension and an optional E-Active Body Control system. It was the first S-Class with rear-wheel steering, reducing the turning circle by seven feet. The S580 provided a fast and comfortable ride, with precise steering and minimal body roll in Sport and Sport+ modes. However, there was noticeable wind noise at highway speeds.

The 2022 Nissan Altima offered two four-cylinder engines: a 2.5-liter unit with 188 horsepower and 180 pound-feet of torque, and a 2.0-liter variable-compression turbo (VC-Turbo) with 248 hp and 273 lb-ft. The base engine was available with FWD or AWD, while the VC-Turbo was only available on the SR trim with FWD. All Altimas used a CVT, with paddle shifters on the SR trim.

The VC-Turbo engine could change its compression ratio for performance or efficiency, offering V6-like power with four-cylinder efficiency. However, it wasn't available with AWD. The base 2.5-liter engine provided mediocre acceleration and noticeable engine noise, but the Altima's suspension delivered a smooth, composed ride. The cabin was quiet, with minimal bumps and vibrations.

The 2021 S-Class offered more front and rear headroom and rear legroom than its predecessor, with segment-leading shoulder room. Cargo space increased to 12.9 cubic feet, though it was still less than other luxury sedans. The power-adjustable front seats had 19 motors, heating, ventilation, and massage functions, with tiny pillows on the headrests. The center console featured a large storage bin, wireless phone charger, and cupholders, while rear passengers had their own console and climate controls.

The 2022 Altima provided comfortable seating for four, with easy-to-use controls and a decent-sized trunk. Its dimensions were average for the segment, with a 15.4 cubic foot trunk and a 16.2-gallon fuel tank. However, the high rear shelf and sloping roofline compromised rear visibility, and the trunk's metal bar supports could crush items when closing the lid.

The 2021 S-Class featured a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and 12.8-inch OLED central touchscreen, with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and six USB ports. A 30-speaker Burmester audio system and rear-seat infotainment setup with 11.6-inch touchscreens were available. The updated MBUX system had 50% more computing power and relied more on the touchscreen. The S-Class also had an augmented-reality head-up display and biometric or facial recognition for personal profiles.

The 2022 Altima S had a 5-inch multi-function display and a 7-inch color touchscreen with Bluetooth, voice recognition, and a single USB port. Higher trims featured a 7-inch advanced drive-assist display and an 8-inch touchscreen with wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The SL trim added a nine-speaker Bose audio system, navigation, and remote engine start. Active noise cancellation and ProPilot Assist were available on higher trims.

The 2021 S-Class had not been crash-tested by NHTSA or IIHS. It featured a rear-passenger airbag, adaptive cruise control, automated lane centering, automatic emergency braking, forward-collision warning, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keep assist, lane-change assist, traffic-sign recognition, driver-attention monitor, and a 360-degree camera system. Mercedes claimed improvements in traffic-sign recognition and lane-keep assist, with capacitive sensors in the steering wheel.

The 2022 Altima had standard automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, forward-collision warning, automatic high-beam headlights, driver-attention warning, Rear View Monitor, rear door alert, and hill-start assist. Safety Shield 360 added rear automatic braking, blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic warning, and a rear sonar system. The Altima received five stars from NHTSA and a "Top Safety Pick+" designation from IIHS.