2020 Toyota Camry vs 2021 Nissan Maxima

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 luxury brands, offering 13 exterior colour options, including a fashionable black roof. 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's attention to detail and sportiness made it a compelling choice for those seeking a stylish and reliable sedan.

The 2021 Nissan Maxima, as Nissan's flagship sedan, set a bold tone with its distinctive styling, including a "floating" roofline and "V-Motion" grille. The Maxima's design was striking, resembling an Art Deco locomotive with its steeply-angled front end and massive grille. The 40th Anniversary Edition trim added unique elements like 19-inch gloss-black alloy wheels and black exterior trim. While not available in Canada, these features highlighted the Maxima's commitment to standing out. The Maxima's design was both bold and sporty, making it a standout choice for those seeking a sedan with a strong visual presence.

The 2020 Toyota Camry offered a range of powertrains, including a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine with both FWD and AWD options, and a 3.5-litre V6 engine producing 301 horsepower. The V6 engine, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, provided a smooth and powerful driving experience, making the Camry feel like a budget luxury car. The four-cylinder engine, with 203 hp (206 in XSE trim), offered a lighter front end, enhancing steering and driving dynamics. The Camry's AWD system, similar to the RAV4's, could send up to half of the engine's torque to the rear wheels, improving traction in slippery conditions. Fuel efficiency varied, with the front-drive Camry achieving 7.6 L/100 km, while AWD models consumed 8.4 L/100 km.

The 2021 Nissan Maxima came with a 3.5-litre V6 engine producing 300 horsepower and 261 pound-feet of torque, paired with a CVT and FWD. While not a "four-door sports car," the Maxima delivered a quick and enjoyable driving experience, with the V6 engine providing a satisfying sound. The CVT was responsive, enhancing the driving experience. However, the Maxima's steering lacked precision, and the front end struggled with grip, leading to torque steer under heavy throttle. Despite these limitations, the Maxima offered a comfortable and quiet ride, with a stiff suspension that balanced handling and comfort.

The 2020 Toyota Camry provided a user-friendly driving experience, with controls that were easy to reach and operate. The front seats offered increased legroom and hip room, while the rear seat had reduced legroom and passenger volume compared to competitors. The trunk space was limited to 428 litres, smaller than some rivals. The addition of AWD did not compromise the Camry's interior space, maintaining the same rear seat and trunk dimensions as the FWD versions.

The 2021 Nissan Maxima prioritized front-seat space, offering generous headroom and legroom for the driver and front passenger. However, rear-seat passengers experienced limited headroom and legroom, making it less comfortable for them. The centre console was close to the driver, affecting the sense of spaciousness. The Maxima featured Nissan's "Zero Gravity" front seats, designed for optimal support, with power adjustments and bolstering. The Maxima's trunk space was limited to 405 litres, the smallest in its class, but the sedan's design provided a good view of the road and excellent side visibility.

The 2020 Toyota Camry included Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, along with Bluetooth and a three-month trial of SiriusXM satellite radio. The standard infotainment system, while functional, felt dated with low-resolution graphics. The touchscreen was responsive, with hard buttons for major functions. The Camry offered a 7-inch standard screen, with an optional 8-inch upgrade. USB-A ports were available for phone connectivity, and a Qi wireless charging pad was optional. Higher trims featured a 7-inch multi-information display and an optional 10-inch head-up display.

The 2021 Nissan Maxima's infotainment system included an 8-inch touchscreen, Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a built-in WiFi hotspot. USB-A and USB-C ports were provided, along with an 11-speaker Bose audio system. However, the system's graphics and icons were dated, making navigation challenging. The Maxima offered analog controls for climate and audio, but the notification sounds were jarring. Despite these drawbacks, the Maxima's technology package covered essential features, with a focus on driver convenience.

The 2020 Toyota Camry featured Toyota Safety Sense, including a pre-collision system, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, and automatic high beams. A one-year trial of Safety Connect was included, with blind-spot monitoring optional. The Camry had 10 airbags and standard safety features like stability control and a backup camera. Higher trims offered Bird's Eye View for enhanced parking safety. The Camry received a five-star NHTSA rating and a Top Safety Pick+ from the IIHS, with one recall for engine coolant leaks.

The 2021 Nissan Maxima earned a Top Safety Pick+ from the IIHS and a five-star NHTSA rating. Standard safety features included automatic emergency braking, forward-collision warning, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. Additional features like adaptive cruise control and a 360-degree camera system were available. The Maxima lacked the ProPilot Assist system, but its safety features provided comprehensive protection.