2020 Toyota Camry vs 2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class

The 2020 Toyota Camry had a renewed focus on quality and appeal, aiming to reclaim its status as a top contender in the sedan market. Its styling was more expressive than ever, with a bold front fascia and taut lines that gave it a sporty edge. The design borrowed cues from BMW, with a character line across the doors and an upturned kink of the C-pillar. Inside, the Camry featured high-quality materials and a driver-focused dashboard, making even the base trims feel upscale. While it wasn't a luxury car, the Camry offered a compelling package for its price point, starting at $26,620.

In contrast, the 2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class was a paragon of elegance and sophistication. Its design evolved from the previous generation, adopting a more fluid and curvier form. The E-Class was available in various body styles, including sedan, wagon, coupe, and convertible, each exuding a sense of reserved elegance. The interior was a showcase of decadent materials and exuberant style, with rich woods, aluminum, and carbon fibre accents. The cabin was a luxurious space, offering advanced technology and comfort features that set it apart from its competitors.

The 2020 Toyota Camry offered a range of powertrains, including a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine with 203 horsepower (206 in XSE trim) and a 3.5-litre V6 producing 301 horsepower. The V6, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, provided a smooth and powerful driving experience, especially in the XLE trim. The four-cylinder engine, while less powerful, offered a lighter front end, enhancing the sporty feel of the XSE trim. The Camry also introduced an all-wheel-drive option, improving traction in slippery conditions without significantly impacting fuel efficiency. The front-drive Camry achieved a combined fuel consumption rating of 7.6 litres per 100 kilometres, while the AWD version rated at 8.4 L/100 km.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class introduced electrified inline-six powertrains, with the E450 model featuring a hybrid system that provided extra power and torque. The 3.0-litre inline-six engine produced 362 horsepower and 369 lb-ft of torque, with additional overboost from the battery. The AMG E53 model added a second turbo, delivering 429 horsepower and 384 lb-ft of torque, offering brisk acceleration and a sporty exhaust note. The AMG E63 S, with its 4.0-litre V8 engine, produced 603 horsepower and 627 lb-ft of torque, making it a high-performance variant. Despite its power, the E-Class maintained a comfortable ride, with fuel efficiency ratings of 9.2 L/100 km for the E450 4Matic and 9.4 L/100 km for the E350 4Matic.

The 2020 Toyota Camry was designed for ease of use, with intuitive controls and a spacious front cabin. The centre console housed a shifter, cupholders, and storage, while the front seats offered increased legroom and hip room. However, the rear seat space was slightly reduced compared to competitors, with a trunk capacity of 428 litres. The addition of all-wheel drive did not compromise the interior space, maintaining the same rear seat and trunk dimensions as the front-drive models.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class offered a spacious cabin for four adults, with ample headroom and legroom. The seats were supportive, and the interior featured knee cutouts and a scalloped roof for added comfort. The E-Class sedan provided 540 litres of trunk space, while the wagon offered up to 1,820 litres with seats folded. The coupe and convertible models had less cargo space, with the convertible's folding soft top further reducing capacity. The E-Class All-Terrain wagon added ground clearance and body cladding for a more rugged appearance.

The 2020 Toyota Camry included Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard features, enhancing its infotainment system. The touchscreen was responsive, with hard buttons for major functions, although the graphics felt dated. The standard 7-inch screen could be upgraded to an 8-inch version, and higher trims offered a 10-inch head-up display. Remote Connect allowed smartphone integration for locking, unlocking, and remote starting on select trims.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class featured the MBUX infotainment system, with a touchscreen interface and gesture controls. The system was well-organized, with shortcut buttons and natural voice processing. The E-Class offered advanced features like live camera feeds with overlay arrows, massaging seats, and seat kinetics. While Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were not wireless, the E-Class included a wireless phone charger and 4G WiFi. Optional driving assists provided semi-autonomous capabilities, enhancing the driving experience.

The 2020 Toyota Camry came equipped with Toyota Safety Sense, including a pre-collision system, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, and automatic high beams. Higher trims offered Bird's Eye View for a 360-degree camera view. The Camry received a five-star rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ from the IIHS. A recall for engine coolant leaks affected some models.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class was highly rated for safety, with a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ from the IIHS for the sedan. The E-Class featured innovations like Pre-Safe Sound and side bolster inflation during side collisions. Standard safety features included forward automatic emergency braking and blind-spot monitoring, with additional driver-assist features available as options.