Nissan Maxima vs Toyota Camry

The 2021 Nissan Maxima, as a flagship sedan, set a bold precedent for Nissan's design language. Its distinctive styling, featuring a "floating" roofline and "V-Motion" grille, was a trendsetter for other Nissan models like the Altima, Sentra, and Versa. The Maxima's design was notably bold, with a steeply-angled front end and a massive grille reminiscent of an Art Deco locomotive. The 40th Anniversary Edition trim, although not available in Canada, offered elements like 19-inch gloss-black alloy wheels and black exterior trim on the SR grade, enhancing its striking appearance.

In contrast, the 2022 Toyota Camry TRD caught attention with its eye-catching Cavalry Blue paint, exclusive to the performance-tuned model. This paint was part of a few updates for 2022, alongside standard heated side mirrors and a new Nightshade Edition package for the SE Hybrid trim. The Camry offered 13 different versions, with pricing starting at $27,750 Canadian for the base LE and reaching $41,390 for the sporty XSE V6. The TRD model, priced at $37,040, featured an aerodynamic body kit, matte-black 19-inch wheels, and red accents, making it stand out. Despite its bold design, the Camry TRD's interior was less polarizing, though the red gauge illumination and accents were considered tacky by some.

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 (FWD). While not a "four-door sports car," the Maxima delivered a quick and enjoyable driving experience, with a responsive CVT and a naturally-aspirated V6 engine. However, its steering lacked precision, and the front end struggled with grip, leading to torque steer under heavy throttle. Despite these limitations, the Maxima offered a quiet and comfortable ride, thanks to active noise cancellation and a stiff suspension that balanced handling and comfort.

The 2022 Toyota Camry TRD, on the other hand, featured a 3.5-litre V6 engine with 301 horsepower and 267 pound-feet of torque, mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission and FWD. The TRD model boasted "track-tuned" dynamics, with enhanced torsional rigidity, stiffer suspension, and larger brakes. It delivered impressive performance, with a solid and planted feel, though FWD made it easy to break the front wheels loose. The Camry TRD's suspension was communicative yet comfortable, and the brake system showed no fade during spirited driving. Despite its aggressive styling, the Camry TRD backed up its looks with genuine performance.

The 2021 Nissan Maxima prioritized front-seat space, offering generous headroom and legroom for the driver and front passenger. However, this came at the expense of rear-seat passengers, who experienced cramped conditions. The Maxima's seats were positioned inboard, affecting the feeling of spaciousness, and some controls were awkwardly placed. Despite these drawbacks, the Maxima's "Zero Gravity" front seats provided excellent support and comfort. The Maxima's trunk offered 405 litres of cargo space, the smallest in its class.

In comparison, the 2022 Toyota Camry TRD featured a sporty driving position with fabric seat inserts and a tall centre console, providing stability during spirited driving. The Camry's back seat accommodated two adults comfortably, though the TRD model lacked rear-seat air vents and a folding rear seatback. The trunk offered 428 litres of cargo space, slightly larger than the Maxima's but still small for its segment. However, the Camry compensated with generous in-cabin storage, including a large centre armrest bin.

The 2021 Nissan Maxima's technology showed its age, with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system that was functional but lacked modern features. It included Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a WiFi hotspot, along with an 11-speaker Bose audio system. However, the system's graphics were dated, and the touchscreen's small icons made navigation difficult. Despite these issues, the Maxima offered analog controls for climate and audio functions.

The 2022 Toyota Camry came with a standard 7-inch touchscreen, offering Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, and SiriusXM satellite radio. Camry XSE and TRD models upgraded to a 9-inch touchscreen with additional subscription services and a 9-speaker JBL audio system. While the JBL system was bass-heavy, it was decent for the price. The Camry TRD lacked dynamic connected navigation and voice recognition, but Apple CarPlay and Android Auto provided alternative solutions. Other Camry models offered a head-up display and surround-view monitoring, but not the TRD.

The 2021 Nissan Maxima received top safety ratings, earning an IIHS "Top Safety Pick+" and a five-star overall rating from NHTSA. It featured Nissan Safety Shield 360, including automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and lane-departure warning. Additional features included adaptive cruise control and a driver-alertness monitor. However, the Maxima lacked the ProPilot Assist system available in other Nissan models.

The 2022 Toyota Camry came with Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+, offering adaptive cruise control and lane-centring assistance. Blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert was standard on the TRD and XSE trims. While the lane-departure warning system occasionally issued false alerts, the Camry's safety features were comprehensive. Safety Connect provided emergency assistance and roadside support, with a free trial period. The Camry also earned a "Top Safety Pick+" rating from IIHS and five-star ratings from NHTSA.