2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class vs 2021 Nissan Maxima

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class, part of the W213 generation, was a refined evolution from its predecessor, adopting a more fluid and curvaceous design reminiscent of the S-Class and C-Class models. This design philosophy, termed "sensual purity" by Mercedes' chief designer, Gorden Wagener, was evident in its elegant yet slightly edgier front with squinted headlights and an inverted trapezoid grille. The rear design echoed the W212 with horizontal taillights cutting into the trunk lid. The E-Class was available in various body styles, including sedan, wagon, coupe, and convertible, each maintaining a handsome and elegant appearance. However, the standing hood ornament, a classic Mercedes feature, was no longer available, replaced by a large star emblem in the grille, which some found too showy for the E-Class's typically reserved aesthetic. Inside, the E-Class boasted a luxurious cabin with rich materials like polished woods, aluminum, and carbon fibre, complemented by intricate details such as metal speaker grilles and elaborate stitching. The interior was a blend of decadence and modernity, featuring two 12-inch screens with crisp detail and a new digital instrument panel, making it a standout in its class.

The 2021 Nissan Maxima, as Nissan's flagship sedan, set a bold styling precedent for the brand with its "floating" roofline and "V-Motion" grille, elements that influenced other Nissan models. The Maxima distinguished itself with a striking design, featuring a steeply-angled front end and a massive grille, giving it an Art Deco locomotive-like appearance. The 40th Anniversary Edition trim, although not available in Canada, showcased elements like 19-inch gloss-black alloy wheels and black exterior trim, which were available on the SR grade. The Maxima's design was bold and sporty, aiming to stand out in the full-size sedan segment. Despite its aggressive styling, the Maxima's interior was more driver-focused, with a cabin designed around the driver, offering excellent visibility and comfort with Nissan's "Zero Gravity" front seats. However, rear-seat passengers experienced less space, and the overall interior felt cramped due to the positioning of the seats and centre console. The Maxima's cargo space was limited compared to competitors, but its sporty design and driver-centric features made it appealing to those prioritizing style and driving experience.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class introduced significant changes under the hood, particularly with the switch from conventional V6 engines to electrified inline-six powertrains for the E450 model, making it a hybrid. This system used a 48-volt electrical system to supplement the traditional 12-volt system, providing extra power and torque for brief moments and allowing the engine to shut off more frequently to save fuel and reduce emissions. The E450's 3.0-litre inline-six engine produced 362 horsepower and 369 lb-ft of torque, with additional power from the battery's overboost. The AMG E53 model took this engine and added a second turbo, resulting in 429 horsepower and 384 lb-ft of torque, offering brisk acceleration and a sporty exhaust note. The AMG E63 S, with its hand-built 4.0-litre V8 engine, delivered a staggering 603 horsepower and 627 lb-ft of torque, making it a performance powerhouse. Despite the impressive power figures, the E-Class maintained a comfortable ride, thanks to its variable-rate air suspension and rear-biased all-wheel drive system. Fuel efficiency varied across models, with the E450 and E350 offering reasonable consumption rates, while the AMG models were less efficient.

The 2021 Nissan Maxima was powered by a 3.5-litre V6 engine producing 300 horsepower and 261 lb-ft of torque, paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and front-wheel drive. While it didn't deliver the "four-door sports car" experience some might expect, the Maxima was quick and the V6 engine provided a satisfying sound. The CVT was one of the better examples, offering responsive power delivery. The Maxima handled corners well for a large sedan, but its limits were evident with a lack of steering feel and precision, and susceptibility to torque steer under heavy throttle. Despite these drawbacks, the Maxima's sporty design and agile handling made it a compelling choice for those seeking a stylish and engaging driving experience. However, compared to competitors like the Kia Stinger, which offered rear-wheel drive, the Maxima's performance was less impressive. At a more relaxed pace, the Maxima excelled in comfort, with a quiet cabin and a solid highway cruising experience, despite its stiff suspension.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class featured a redesigned infotainment system with a touchscreen interface, making everyday tasks more intuitive. The touchpads on the steering wheel were reshaped, and while shortcut buttons remained, the analog clock was missed. The cabin was spacious, accommodating four adults comfortably, with ample headroom and legroom. However, some features like rear USB ports and heated rear seats were absent in the E53 model. The E-Class offered various body styles, each with its own advantages, such as the wagon's stowable rear-facing jump seat and increased cargo space. The sedan provided 540 litres of trunk space, while the coupe and convertible offered 405 litres. The E450 All-Terrain wagon added ground clearance and body cladding for a more rugged appearance.

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 space, with rear headroom and legroom among the lowest in its class. The seats were positioned inboard, affecting the feeling of spaciousness, and the centre console was close to the driver, making some controls difficult to reach. Despite these drawbacks, the Maxima's cabin was designed around the driver, providing excellent visibility and comfort with Nissan's "Zero Gravity" front seats. The Maxima's cargo space was limited at 405 litres, and while it offered a conventional trunk, competitors like the Kia Stinger and Volkswagen Arteon provided more versatile hatchback designs.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class featured the MBUX infotainment system, offering a touchscreen interface with improved organization and functionality. The system included gesture controls, natural voice processing, and online searches, similar to virtual assistants like Siri or Alexa. The E-Class also offered advanced features like live camera feeds with overlay arrows for navigation and massaging seats with side bolsters. However, the system didn't support over-the-air updates, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto weren't wireless. Standard features included a wireless phone charger, 4G WiFi, and various connected services. Optional driving assists provided semi-autonomous capabilities, although drivers were advised to remain in control. The instrument cluster offered customizable displays, allowing drivers to choose between traditional or modern graphics.

The 2021 Nissan Maxima's infotainment system, while covering basic features, fell short in functionality. It included an 8-inch touchscreen, Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto compatibility, and a built-in WiFi hotspot. The system also featured USB-A and USB-C ports and an 11-speaker Bose audio system. However, the touchscreen's graphics looked dated, and small icons made navigation difficult. The notification sounds were also jarring, resembling emergency warnings. Despite these issues, the Maxima provided analog controls for climate and audio, offering an alternative to the touchscreen. However, the lack of advanced features and the dated interface made the Maxima's technology less appealing compared to competitors.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class was one of the safest cars available, with a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and a "Top Safety Pick+" designation from the IIHS. The sedan and wagon models received high ratings in crash tests, although the driver's side received a four-star rating in the frontal crash test. The E-Class featured innovative safety technologies, such as Pre-Safe Sound, which played a "pink noise" during a crash to protect eardrums, and side bolsters that inflated during a side collision. Standard safety features included forward automatic emergency braking, a driver-attention monitor, and blind-spot monitoring, with additional driver-assist features available as options.

The 2021 Nissan Maxima received a "Top Safety Pick+" rating from the IIHS, with top scores in crash tests and front crash prevention tech. The NHTSA also awarded the Maxima a five-star overall safety rating. Standard safety features included automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, forward-collision warning, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-departure warning, automatic high beams, and rear automatic emergency braking. Additional features included adaptive cruise control, traffic sign recognition, and a driver-alertness monitor. The Maxima also offered a 360-degree camera system on higher trims, although it lacked the ProPilot Assist system available on other Nissan models.