2021 Toyota Camry vs 2020 Toyota Corolla

The 2020 Toyota Corolla, despite its alien-like exterior design, offered a more appealing look when equipped with SE or XSE trim and the Celestite paint colour. The compact sedan's design was more palatable compared to other Toyota sedans, and over time, it was expected that people might grow accustomed to its appearance. Inside, the Corolla XSE showed significant improvements in perceived quality, with soft-touch surfaces replacing the cheap plastics of previous models. However, the transmission shifter reminded drivers of the Corolla's economy car status, lacking the solid feel found in competitors like Hyundai or Kia.

In contrast, the 2021 Toyota Camry aimed to break away from its generic past with a more exciting design, though some styling elements, like fake vents on SE and XSE trims, added visual clutter. The Camry's interior mirrored its exterior's chaotic styling, with a mix of trim elements that lacked a cohesive design theme. Despite this, the Camry's interior offered comfort and support, with excellent outward visibility. The Camry's design changes for 2021 were subtle, and the Nightshade Edition continued with its blacked-out trim and wheels, adding a unique touch to the SE trim level.

The 2020 Toyota Corolla offered a 1.8-litre 4-cylinder engine with 139 horsepower for the L, LE, and XLE trims, paired with a CVT and 16-inch wheels. The SE and XSE trims provided a more spirited drive with a 169-horsepower, 2.0-litre engine, a sophisticated CVT with paddle shifters, and 18-inch aluminum alloy wheels. The Corolla XSE's driving experience was well-tuned, offering a smooth ride with independent rear suspension, though it lacked power for rapid acceleration. Fuel efficiency was rated at 7.7 L/100 km in the city and 6.1 on the highway, with a combined rating of 7.0 L/100 km.

The 2021 Toyota Camry featured a base 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine with 203 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque in FWD, and slightly lower figures in AWD. The XSE trim offered a dual-exhaust system, increasing output slightly. A 3.5-litre V6 with 301 horsepower was also available, as was a hybrid option with 208 horsepower. The Camry's chassis tuning balanced handling and ride quality, providing a fun driving experience. The TRD package offered additional performance enhancements, and the AWD system, derived from the RAV4, provided extra traction when needed.

The 2020 Toyota Corolla, though smaller than the Camry, accommodated a family of four for various trips. However, the lack of rear air-conditioning vents and USB ports, along with the low seating position, were drawbacks. The front seats were comfortable, but taller passengers might find headroom lacking in the back. Trunk space was 371 litres, sufficient for several bags and a stroller, though storage bins and cupholders were limited.

The 2021 Toyota Camry provided generous rear headroom and legroom, though front space was slightly below average. The front seats were adjustable and comfortable, with excellent visibility. Cargo space was 428 litres, average for a midsize sedan, but less than the Honda Accord. In-cabin storage was limited, with small cupholders and door bottle holders. The Camry featured analog controls for ease of use, though some were a long reach from the driver's seat.

The 2020 Toyota Corolla came with Entune 3.0 infotainment, featuring Apple CarPlay but not Android Auto. The system was user-friendly, with a high-mounted touchscreen and familiar controls. Higher trims offered an 8-inch display and additional features like HD Radio and SiriusXM. The Corolla's infotainment was functional, though Android users might find it lacking.

The 2021 Toyota Camry included a 7-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with higher trims offering a 9-inch screen and JBL audio system. A 10-inch HUD was available on XSE and XLE trims. The system was functional, though graphics were plain. USB ports and a 12-volt outlet were standard, but no additional ports were available on higher trims.

The 2020 Toyota Corolla featured Toyota Safety Sense 2.0, with enhancements like low-light pedestrian detection and Lane Tracing Assist. The system was generally refined, though the lane-departure warning was irritating. The Corolla received a 5-star NHTSA rating and was an IIHS Top Safety Pick.

The 2021 Toyota Camry earned a "Top Safety Pick+" from IIHS and a 5-star NHTSA rating. It included TSS 2.5+ with enhanced features like adaptive cruise control and forward-collision warning. New for 2021 was the Rear Seat Reminder, though its effectiveness was questionable. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were available on higher trims.