2020 BMW 3 Series vs 2021 Nissan Maxima

The 2020 BMW 3 Series evoked a sense of awe similar to the majestic humpback whales I encountered during my time as a deckhand on a whale-watching boat. Its design, with lidded headlights, a bulging curved hood, wide lower air intakes, and an oversized grille, gave it an aquatic appearance. Despite its high pricing, starting at $49,350 Canadian for a base 330i and rising to $62,100 for the M340i, the 3 Series was praised for its driving experience, especially the M340i trim. The interior offered a variety of colours and materials, with my test car featuring off-white Ivory leather contrasting with a black cabin and Tanzanite Blue exterior paint. The interior quality seemed to be a priority for BMW, helping to justify its sticker prices.

The 2021 Nissan Maxima, as a flagship sedan, set the tone for other Nissan models with its bold styling elements like the "floating" roofline and "V-Motion" grille. It distinguished itself with a steeply-angled front end and massive grille, reminiscent of an Art Deco locomotive. The 40th Anniversary Edition trim, although not available in Canada, offered features like 19-inch gloss-black alloy wheels and black exterior trim. The Maxima's design was bold, and while it shared some styling cues with other Nissan sedans, it maintained a unique presence on the road.

The 2020 BMW 3 Series had undergone significant improvements in driving dynamics, particularly with the M340i trim. It featured a 3.0-litre turbo inline six-cylinder engine producing 382 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque. The car's structural and suspension changes, including greater component rigidity and reduced unsprung mass, contributed to its sporty handling. The M340i's variable sport steering and rear-biased xDrive AWD drivetrain enhanced its driving experience. Despite the absence of a manual transmission, the 8-speed automatic transmission, combined with launch control, allowed the M340i xDrive to reach 100 km/h in 4.3 seconds. The car's performance was exhilarating, making it a joy to drive.

The 2021 Nissan Maxima was equipped with a 3.5-litre V6 engine producing 300 horsepower and 261 pound-feet of torque, paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and front-wheel drive. While it wasn't a "four-door sports car," the Maxima delivered a satisfying driving experience with its quick acceleration and great-sounding V6 engine. The CVT was responsive, and the car handled corners well, although the steering lacked precision and the front end struggled with grip. Torque steer was present but not overwhelming. The Maxima excelled in highway cruising, offering a quiet cabin and a comfortable ride despite its stiff suspension.

The 2020 BMW 3 Series offered simple and supportive front seats, providing comfort for long drives. The M340i xDrive test car was equipped with high-quality leather, front-seat heaters, and a heated steering wheel. Rear-seat entry and exit were awkward, but once inside, the seats provided excellent support. The interior featured some hard-to-find controls, but the widescreen infotainment system and iDrive were well-integrated. Storage space was generous, with a trunk capacity of 479 litres, although it appeared smaller than typical family sedans.

The 2021 Nissan Maxima prioritized front-seat space, offering generous headroom and legroom, but at the expense of rear-seat passengers. The seats were positioned far inboard, creating a cramped feeling despite the spacious front. The Maxima featured Nissan's "Zero Gravity" front seats, designed for optimum support, with power adjustments and extra bolstering. However, rear headroom and legroom were limited. The Maxima's trunk capacity was 405 litres, the smallest in its class, but it provided a conventional trunk design.

The 2020 BMW 3 Series featured the latest iDrive infotainment system with a touchscreen display, natural voice recognition, and gesture control. The system offered multiple ways to interact, making it user-friendly. The touchscreen was intuitive, and the "Hey, BMW" voice recognition system was excellent. The test car also had a head-up display visible with polarized sunglasses.

The 2021 Nissan Maxima's infotainment system included an 8-inch touchscreen, Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto compatibility, and a WiFi hotspot. While it covered the basics, the system felt outdated, with dated graphics and small icons. The Maxima provided analog controls for convenience, but the notification sounds were jarring. The standard 11-speaker Bose audio system offered good sound quality.

The 2020 BMW 3 Series required the Advanced Driver Assistance package for the latest safety features. While the features were accurate, the lane-keeping assist system was abrupt. The 3 Series received a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS when equipped with adaptive full LED headlights.

The 2021 Nissan Maxima received a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA. Standard safety features included automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and adaptive cruise control. The Maxima lacked the ProPilot Assist system but offered a 360-degree camera system on higher trims.