2021 Toyota Prius vs 2022 Nissan Altima

The 2021 Toyota Prius retained its iconic boomerang-shaped hood and roofline, a design choice that had been part of its identity for over 15 years. Despite advancements in aerodynamic vehicle design, the Prius continued to sport this look, which many found unappealing, even in the trendy 2020 Edition with blacked-out trim. Inside, the Prius featured a unique and somewhat awkward layout, with instrumentation located in a strip of displays near the windshield and unconventional transmission controls. The dashboard design wrapped dramatically into the door panels, and the narrow center console was prone to collecting dust and fingerprints.

In contrast, the 2022 Nissan Altima showcased a more modern and sporty design, continuing the sharp, athletic look introduced in its third generation. The Altima's exterior featured a low, wide stance, tall doors, and a sharply sloped "floating" roofline, although some found the floating roof unnecessary. The Midnight Edition package on the SR trim added gloss black accents and 19-inch wheels, enhancing its sporty appeal. Inside, the Altima boasted comfortable Zero Gravity front seats, a well-laid-out instrument panel, and high-quality materials, though lower trims lacked the same level of refinement.

The 2021 Toyota Prius focused on fuel efficiency, with the L Eco version achieving an impressive 56 mpg in combined driving, while other front-drive models earned 52 mpg, and AWD-e versions managed 49 mpg. The Prius 2020 Edition, however, fell short of EPA estimates, averaging 47.5 mpg. The Prius paired a 1.8-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine with a 53-kilowatt electric motor, producing a total system output of 121 horsepower. While not powerful, the electric motor's 120 pound-feet of torque provided a lively feel off the line. The Prius offered various driving modes, including EV Mode for electric-only driving at low speeds, and regenerative braking to capture energy during deceleration. The TNGA platform contributed to a lower center of gravity and improved handling, making the Prius surprisingly agile on curvy roads.

The 2022 Nissan Altima offered two four-cylinder engine options: a 2.5-liter unit producing 188 horsepower and 180 pound-feet of torque, and a 2.0-liter VC-Turbo engine with 248 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of torque. The base engine was available with FWD or AWD, while the VC-Turbo was only available on the SR trim with FWD. The Altima's Xtronic CVT provided smooth acceleration, though the base engine's performance was mediocre. The VC-Turbo engine, with its variable compression ratio, offered a balance of power and efficiency. The Altima's suspension provided a smooth and composed ride, and the cabin was impressively quiet, thanks to Active Ride Control.

The 2021 Toyota Prius offered more interior space than expected, with comfortable seating for up to five people. The test vehicle featured an eight-way power driver's seat, heated front seats, and a heated steering wheel. However, the low seating position made entry and exit challenging, and the SofTex synthetic leather upholstery tended to trap sweat. The rear seats provided adequate foot room, legroom, and headroom, but lacked air-conditioning vents. Cargo space varied by trim level, ranging from 24.6 to 27.4 cubic feet behind the rear seats, and up to 50.7 cubic feet with the seats folded down.

The 2022 Nissan Altima, as a midsize sedan, offered comfortable seating for four adults (five for short distances) and easy-to-use controls. The back seat was accessible, and the trunk provided 15.4 cubic feet of space, smaller than some competitors but larger than others. The Altima's 16.2-gallon fuel tank was the largest among its main rivals. 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 Toyota Prius featured a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system with stereo-volume and tuning knobs, and shortcut buttons. Standard equipment included Bluetooth, SiriusXM satellite radio, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa compatibility, Safety Connect, and WiFi Connect. The sound quality of the standard stereo was poor, and road noise often overwhelmed it. The Limited trim offered a 10-speaker JBL premium sound system, navigation, and an 11.6-inch portrait-style touchscreen, though it lacked Android Auto. The digital instrumentation on the dashboard was dated and lacked sophistication.

The 2022 Nissan Altima's entry-level S trim came with a 5-inch multi-function display and a 7-inch color touchscreen with Bluetooth, voice recognition, Siri Eyes Free, and a six-speaker audio system. Higher trims featured a 7-inch advanced drive-assist display and an 8-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, SiriusXM, and additional USB ports. The SL trim and above included a nine-speaker Bose premium audio system, navigation, and connected services. The Altima also offered active noise cancellation, traffic sign recognition, and an Around View Monitor. ProPilot Assist, available on higher trims, provided advanced driver assistance features.

The 2021 Toyota Prius came standard with Toyota Safety Sense 2.0 (TSS 2.0), which included adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, lane-centering assist, automatic high-beam headlights, and road-sign recognition. Higher trims added blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. Safety Connect services were also standard, offering automatic collision notification, emergency assistance, roadside assistance, and a stolen vehicle locator. The Prius received favorable ratings from the IIHS but lacked an NHTSA rating for 2021.

The 2022 Nissan Altima featured standard driver-assist technologies, including automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, lane-departure warning, forward-collision warning, automatic high-beam headlights, driver-attention warning, Rear View Monitor, rear door alert, and hill-start assist. The SV trim and above added Safety Shield 360, which included rear automatic braking, blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic warning, and a rear sonar system. The Altima received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ designation from the IIHS, with high ratings in crash tests and crash avoidance.