2024 Toyota Prius vs 2024 Nissan Altima

The 2024 Nissan Altima, a familiar name since 1993, retained much of its sixth-generation design introduced in 2019, with a notable update to its grille in 2023. The Altima was available in four trim levels: S, SV, SR, and SL, with the option of all-wheel drive (AWD) for the SV, SR, and SL trims. The SR trim could be equipped with the advanced VC-Turbo engine. The Altima SL with AWD, featuring Garnet Pearl Metallic paint and 19-inch alloy wheels, presented a conservative yet appealing look. The interior, while somewhat outdated, offered comfortable seating and practical features like a wireless phone charger and easy-to-reach controls. However, the quality of leather upholstery and the presence of cheap plastic parts were noted drawbacks.

The 2024 Toyota Prius, redesigned in 2023, maintained its iconic wedge-shaped profile but introduced more appealing styling. The Prius XLE and Limited trims stood out with 19-inch aluminum wheels. Inside, the Prius retained its quirky nature, with instrumentation moved in front of the driver, though visibility issues persisted. The interior featured hard plastics, leading to a flimsy feel, but the Prius offered a range of options, including a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system and a glass roof. Despite its compact feel, the Prius provided adequate storage space, with a cargo capacity of 20.3 cubic feet in the XLE and Limited trims. The optional digital rearview mirror enhanced visibility when the cargo area was full.

The 2024 Nissan Altima was equipped with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, delivering 182 horsepower and 178 pound-feet of torque. It achieved a 0 to 60 mph time of approximately 7.5 seconds. For those seeking more power, the Altima SR VC-Turbo offered a 2.0-liter engine with 248 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of torque. However, this engine was not available with AWD. The Altima's intelligent AWD system provided power to the rear wheels when needed, contributing to an EPA-estimated 26 mpg city, 36 highway, and 30 combined. The Altima's driving dynamics were characterized by light steering and minimal body roll, though the continuously variable transmission (CVT) produced noticeable noise during acceleration.

The 2024 Toyota Prius received a power boost with its 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, paired with an 83-kilowatt electric motor and a lithium-ion battery. The hybrid system produced 194 horsepower with front-wheel drive (FWD) and 196 horsepower with AWD. The Prius achieved a 0 to 60 mph time of 7.2 seconds with FWD and seven seconds with AWD. The Prius LE was the most fuel-efficient, with an EPA rating of 57 mpg combined (54 mpg with AWD). The XLE and Limited trims offered 52 mpg (49 mpg with AWD). The Prius's driving dynamics improved, with enhanced handling and acceleration, though the steering and CVT still had room for improvement.

The 2024 Nissan Altima offered impressive interior space, with front seats providing more room than competitors like the Honda Accord and Toyota Camry. The rear seat offered 35.2 inches of legroom, surpassing the Hyundai Sonata and matching the Kia K5. The Altima's trunk space measured 15.4 cubic feet, with a wide opening for easy loading. The 60/40-split folding rear seat allowed for additional cargo space. Overall, the Altima's interior was user-friendly, with comfortable seating and well-placed storage options.

The 2024 Toyota Prius, while stylish on the outside, felt snug inside. The driver’s seat was comfortable, but the 7-inch digital display was too small and often obstructed by the steering wheel. The Prius's windshield pillars created a slightly claustrophobic feel, and the rear seats, though comfortable for two, felt cramped. The Prius offered 20.3 cubic feet of cargo space in the XLE and Limited trims, with additional storage under the trunk floor. The wireless smartphone charging slot was innovative but prone to collecting dirt. The optional digital rearview mirror provided a panoramic view when the cargo area was full.

The 2024 Nissan Altima featured an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, with a 12.3-inch display available on the SL and SR VC-Turbo trims. The larger screen offered crisp graphics and easy navigation, with static icons for quick access. Android Auto and Apple CarPlay were standard, with wireless versions available on the larger screen. The nine-speaker Bose stereo was underwhelming, and the NissanConnect suite offered remote features through the MyNissan app.

The 2024 Toyota Prius came with an 8-inch or 12.3-inch touchscreen display, offering Bluetooth connectivity, wireless Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The Prius included five connected services plans, with varying trial lengths. The Limited trim featured an eight-speaker JBL sound system, though it was bass-heavy and left room for improvement. The Prius Limited also offered a 360-degree camera system and semi-autonomous parking assistance.

The 2024 Nissan Altima received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA, with strong side-impact and rollover test results. However, it scored four stars in frontal crash tests. The Altima was equipped with Nissan Safety Shield 360, offering features like forward collision warning, blind-spot monitoring, and lane-departure warning. ProPilot Assist was available on SV trims and standard on SL and SR VC-Turbo models, providing semi-autonomous driving assistance.

The 2024 Toyota Prius came with Toyota Safety Sense 3.0, including adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, and lane-keeping assist. The Prius also featured Proactive Driving Assist, offering subtle steering and braking assistance. The Prius earned high safety ratings, with five stars from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ designation from the IIHS. However, the adaptive cruise control occasionally braked too hard in heavy traffic.