2021 Chrysler 300 vs 2020 Nissan Altima

The 2020 Nissan Altima, available in S, SR, SV, SL, and Platinum trims, offered a sleek design with 19-inch machined-finish aluminum wheels on the Platinum variant. The redesign from the previous year improved its styling, though some details like the door handle placement and rear diffuser panel were less appealing. Inside, the Altima featured a clean, contemporary design with ergonomic simplicity. The infotainment system was user-friendly, and the materials quality was on par with other midsize sedans, though color options were limited to black or gray.

In contrast, the 2021 Chrysler 300 retained its classic "three-box design" from its 2014 facelift, exuding a timeless, no-nonsense appearance. The grille and headlights had evolved, with bi-xenon halogen projector lamps and LED driving lamps on lower trims, and adaptive HID lamps on higher trims. Wheel options ranged from 17-inch silver alloys to 20-inch Black Noise wheels on the 300S. The interior quality was impressive, with Nappa leather upholstery standard on higher trims and heated front seats available on the top two trims.

The 2020 Nissan Altima primarily featured a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine producing up to 188 horsepower, paired with a CVT and available in both FWD and AWD. The optional turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine, exclusive to SR and Platinum trims, delivered 248 horsepower and 273 lb-ft of torque on premium fuel. This engine, known as the VC-Turbo, offered a blend of V6 power and 4-cylinder efficiency. The Altima's ride and handling were enhanced by Active Ride Control and Intelligent Trace Control, making it a satisfying drive in various settings.

The 2021 Chrysler 300 came with a 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 engine, offering 292 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque in the 300 Touring and Touring L, and 300 horsepower and 264 lb-ft in the 300S. The 300S also had an optional 5.7-liter V8 engine with 363 horsepower and 394 lb-ft of torque. Both engines were paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, with RWD standard and AWD optional. The V6 provided a comfortable and capable ride, while the V8 in the 300S offered a more exhilarating experience.

The 2020 Nissan Altima's seats were designed for superior comfort, inspired by NASA's weightlessness concept. However, it lacked a front passenger seat height adjuster and ventilated front seats. Heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and a remote engine starter were available for cold climates, but heated rear seats were not. The Altima offered substantial in-cabin storage and a 15.4 cubic feet trunk with optional grocery bag hooks.

The 2021 Chrysler 300 provided generous legroom, with 41.8 inches in the front and 40.1 inches in the rear, surpassing many entry-luxury sedans. It offered 106.3 cubic feet of passenger volume and a 16.3 cubic feet trunk, accommodating about four large suitcases. The interior space and trunk volume made it a strong contender in its class.

The 2020 Nissan Altima featured an 8-inch infotainment system with Bluetooth, Siri Eyes Free, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. Available upgrades included satellite radio, navigation, a 9-speaker Bose audio system, and NissanConnect Services. The system was user-friendly, though the voice recognition technology required specific commands.

The 2021 Chrysler 300's Uconnect 4C infotainment system with an 8.4-inch touchscreen was praised for its intuitive interface. Standard features included Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Popular Equipment Group added a 506-watt amp, nine Alpine speakers, GPS navigation, SiriusXM Traffic Plus, surround sound, a trunk-mounted subwoofer, and a dual-pane sunroof, enhancing the tech experience.

The 2020 Nissan Altima came with Nissan Safety Shield 360, including 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. ProPilot Assist offered semi-autonomous driving aids but was not entirely reliable. The Altima received a 5-star overall rating from NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick from IIHS.

The 2021 Chrysler 300 received "Good" scores in most IIHS crash tests but "Marginal" in small overlap tests and "Poor" for headlights. NHTSA gave it a four-star overall rating. Standard safety features included active head restraints, multiple airbags, traction and stability control, and hill start assist. Advanced safety features were available in higher trims and packages, making them less accessible compared to competitors.