2019 Hyundai Elantra vs 2020 Nissan Maxima

The 2019 Hyundai Elantra received a significant facelift, featuring new styling elements forward of the windshield and front doors, redesigned wheels, and a revamped trunk lid, taillights, and rear bumper. While the previous model had a more conservative and upscale look, the 2019 version adopted a more geometric and kaleidoscopic design, which may not have been as universally appealing. Inside, the Elantra saw subtle improvements, such as new air vents, a carbon-texture finish on some plastic housings, updated gauges, and revised dashboard controls. The interior quality was high, with a robust shifter and tightly assembled parts, although some materials felt inexpensive, which is typical for a compact car.

In contrast, the 2020 Nissan Maxima sported Nissan’s signature V-Motion grille, jewel-like LED headlights, and a floating-roof design with a heavy beltline leading to quad-tip exhaust finishers. The Maxima SR models featured a sporty rear spoiler. The Maxima’s cabin was filled with high-quality materials, especially in the Platinum trim, which included semi-aniline leather and Satin Bronze interior finishers. The thick center console created a segmented front row, but the spacious cabin provided ample room for passengers. The Maxima’s interior was well-appointed, with features like an 8.0-inch infotainment touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a Bose Premium Audio system available.

The 2019 Hyundai Elantra was equipped with a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine producing 147 horsepower, paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission powering the front wheels. While the Elantra offered Normal, Sport, and Smart driving modes, its performance was generally unremarkable. The car achieved an EPA rating of 32 mpg in combined driving, with real-world testing showing around 29.3 mpg. Handling was decent, with no significant praise or criticism for the steering and brakes. The ride quality was somewhat busy due to the torsion-beam rear-axle suspension, making the Elantra a competent but not particularly exciting car to drive.

The 2020 Nissan Maxima, on the other hand, was powered by a 3.5-liter V6 engine generating 300 horsepower and 261 pound-feet of torque, paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT). Despite being marketed as a "four-door sports car," the Maxima was more comfortable as a cruiser. The Sport drive mode and paddle shifters in the SR trim made the driving experience more engaging, but the Maxima excelled in absorbing road imperfections and keeping noise at bay. The Maxima achieved an EPA rating of 20 mpg in the city, 30 mpg on the highway, and 24 mpg combined. While it lacked all-wheel drive, the Maxima felt planted in most driving situations.

The 2019 Hyundai Elantra offered good front-seat comfort with height-adjustable seats in all trims, making it accessible for people with mobility challenges. Most trims included heated front seats, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, and dual-zone automatic climate control. However, the backseat comfort was less impressive, with hard plastic front seatbacks and no air conditioning vents or USB ports for rear passengers. The Elantra’s trunk provided 14.4 cubic feet of space, and the hands-free Smart Trunk feature was a convenient addition.

The 2020 Nissan Maxima provided spacious seating and a large trunk, with the only limitation being the thick center console. The front seats were comfortable for long road trips, and the cabin offered ample headroom. However, the Maxima fell short in legroom and cargo space compared to competitors like the Honda Accord and Toyota Avalon. The Maxima’s trunk had 14.3 cubic feet of space, and the car offered 98.5 cubic feet of passenger space. Despite these limitations, the Maxima handled cargo and seating needs well during testing.

The 2019 Hyundai Elantra, except for the base SE, came with a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system featuring Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and satellite radio. The Limited trim included an Infinity premium sound system, and the Ultimate Package added an 8-inch display, navigation, and SiriusXM Data Services. The infotainment system was user-friendly, with a good balance of knobs and buttons. The Elantra also offered a free 3-year trial subscription to Blue Link services in the Value Edition and Limited trims.

The 2020 Nissan Maxima came standard with an 8.0-inch infotainment touchscreen on SV-and-up trims and a 7-inch driver information display. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard across all models, and the Maxima offered a Bose Premium Audio system. The Around View Monitor camera system, power rear sunshade, and keyless entry were notable features. USB-A and USB-C ports were available in the front and rear, making charging on the go easy.

The 2019 Hyundai Elantra included important driver-assistance and collision-avoidance systems starting with the SEL trim, such as forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. The Limited trim added adaptive cruise control, pedestrian detection, automatic high-beam headlights, and a Safe Exit system. The Elantra received top marks from the IIHS, except for an Acceptable rating for LATCH child-seat anchors. The NHTSA gave the Elantra a 4-star overall rating.

The 2020 Nissan Maxima featured Nissan Safety Shield 360 as standard across all trims, including blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic alert, intelligent forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane-departure warning, rear automatic braking, and a driver alertness monitor. Traffic sign recognition and adaptive cruise control were standard on all trims except the base model. The Maxima performed well in IIHS and NHTSA crash tests, receiving top ratings for front crash prevention.