2021 Subaru Impreza vs 2022 Nissan Altima

The 2021 Subaru Impreza presented a more conservative design compared to its predecessors, which had taken some bold styling risks. Despite this shift, the Impreza maintained a handsome appearance with sleek headlights and taillights that enhanced its width. The front end was nicely tapered, and the body sides featured subtle scalloping for added visual interest. The Impreza Sport models stood out with specific styling elements, including 18-inch alloy wheels, while the base models came with 16-inch steel wheels. Built on the Subaru Global Platform, the Impreza shared its underpinnings with other Subaru models, contributing to its overall refinement. Inside, the Impreza's design was typical of compact cars, with a dashboard split by the infotainment touchscreen and a predominance of plastic materials. The Sport trim added contrast stitching and a leather-wrapped steering wheel, while the Limited trim offered leather upholstery and LED headlights.

The 2022 Nissan Altima continued the brand's tradition of sporty styling, a departure from its earlier, more rounded designs. Available in five trim levels, the Altima featured Nissan's V-Motion grille, a low, wide stance, and a sharply sloped "floating" roofline. The Midnight Edition package added a gloss black sport grille, 19-inch wheels, and other blacked-out elements, enhancing its sporty appeal. Inside, the Altima boasted comfortable Zero Gravity front seats and a well-organized instrument panel. The materials used gave it a premium feel, especially in higher trims. However, the Altima's rear visibility was compromised by its high rear shelf and sloping roofline. Despite these minor drawbacks, the Altima offered a balanced design that appealed to a wide range of consumers.

The 2021 Subaru Impreza was powered by a 2.0-liter four-cylinder boxer engine, producing 152 horsepower and 145 pound-feet of torque. This engine's unique design allowed it to be mounted lower in the chassis, contributing to a lower center of gravity. Most Impreza models came with a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT), while a five-speed manual was available on select trims. The Impreza Sport featured model-specific suspension tuning and torque vectoring for the all-wheel-drive system, providing a balanced ride. While the Impreza offered a solid and refined driving experience, it lacked the engagement of some competitors, with noncommunicative steering and limited engine power.

The 2022 Nissan Altima offered two four-cylinder engine options: a 2.5-liter engine with 188 horsepower and 180 pound-feet of torque, and a 2.0-liter variable-compression turbo engine producing 248 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of torque. The base engine was available with front-wheel or all-wheel drive, while the VC-Turbo was limited to the SR trim with front-wheel drive. All Altimas featured a CVT, with paddle shifters on the SR trim. The VC-Turbo engine, capable of adjusting its compression ratio for performance or efficiency, provided impressive power but was not available with all-wheel drive. The base engine offered mediocre acceleration, but the Altima's suspension delivered a smooth and composed ride, with a quiet cabin enhancing the overall driving experience.

The 2021 Subaru Impreza offered reasonable legroom in both sedan and hatchback forms, though headroom was slightly below average. The sedan's trunk space was limited to 12.3 cubic feet, but the hatchback provided 20.8 cubic feet of cargo space, expandable to 55.3 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. The Impreza's higher trims included features like heated seats and mirrors, keyless entry, and a power driver's seat, enhancing its practicality.

The 2022 Nissan Altima provided comfortable seating for four, with a spacious back seat and a 15.4-cubic-foot trunk. While its dimensions were average among midsize sedans, the Altima's 16.2-gallon fuel tank was the largest in its class. However, the high rear shelf and sloping roofline affected rear visibility. The trunk's metal bar supports required careful packing to avoid crushing items. Despite these issues, the Altima remained a competent choice for families and commuters.

The 2021 Subaru Impreza featured a 6.5-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto on base and Premium trims, while higher trims received an 8-inch screen. The Limited trim offered optional navigation and a Harman Kardon audio system. A secondary display provided additional information, though it seemed redundant. Overall, the Impreza's infotainment system was user-friendly, with large icons and straightforward menus.

The 2022 Nissan Altima's base S trim included a 5-inch information display and a 7-inch touchscreen with Bluetooth connectivity. Higher trims featured an 8-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM radio, and multiple USB ports. The SL trim added a Bose audio system and navigation. The Altima also offered advanced features like active noise cancellation, traffic sign recognition, and ProPilot Assist, enhancing its technological appeal.

The 2021 Subaru Impreza received a "Top Safety Pick" award from the IIHS, with "Good" scores in all crash tests. However, its standard headlights were rated "Marginal," while the Limited trim's headlights received a "Good" rating. The NHTSA awarded the Impreza a five-star overall safety rating. Subaru's EyeSight safety suite was standard on CVT models, offering features like automatic emergency braking and lane-keep assist.

The 2022 Nissan Altima came with a comprehensive suite of standard safety features, including automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and forward-collision warning. The SV trim and above added Safety Shield 360, with additional features like blind-spot warning and rear cross-traffic alert. The NHTSA gave the Altima a five-star overall rating, while the IIHS awarded it a "Top Safety Pick+" designation, with high ratings in crashworthiness and crash prevention.