2021 Toyota Camry vs 2020 BMW 2 Series

The 2020 BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe was a departure from the traditional two-door coupe design, adopting a four-door layout with a sloping roofline. This model shared its platform with the BMW X1 and X2, as well as the Mini Clubman and Countryman, featuring a front-wheel-drive bias. The front end of the 2 Series Gran Coupe echoed the styling of the larger 8 Series, with swooping headlights and an angular twin-kidney grille, giving it a modern and athletic appearance. However, the rear design struggled to maintain the aesthetic of the two-door coupe, with awkward window frames and trim. Inside, the Gran Coupe boasted a modern cockpit with solid fit-and-finish, though not as elegant as some competitors. The 228i xDrive Gran Coupe came with a range of standard features, including power-folding heated side mirrors, dual-zone automatic climate control, and a digital instrument panel.

In contrast, the 2021 Toyota Camry aimed to shed its past image of being a generic sedan by incorporating bold styling elements. The Camry featured flared wheel arches and thin headlights and taillights, which visually widened the car. However, certain trims like the SE, XSE, and TRD were adorned with fake vents, adding visual clutter. The interior mirrored the exterior's chaotic styling, with a mix of trim elements and materials that lacked a cohesive design theme. Despite this, the Camry offered a comfortable and supportive seating arrangement with excellent outward visibility. The cargo space was average for a midsize sedan, and the inclusion of analog controls for essential functions improved usability, although some controls were a long reach from the driver's seat.

The 2020 BMW 2 Series offered a range of powertrains, with the 228i Gran Coupe featuring a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 228 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. This engine was paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and xDrive all-wheel drive. While the engine was refined, it suffered from turbo lag, making acceleration from a standstill less exciting. The Gran Coupe's steering was sharp and responsive, but its front-wheel-drive layout lacked the natural feel of the rear-wheel-drive Coupe and Convertible models. The car's suspension struggled to absorb road imperfections, making it less suitable for rough roads.

The 2021 Toyota Camry offered a base 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, delivering 203 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque with front-wheel drive. The XSE trim received a slight power bump with a dual-exhaust system. Toyota also offered a 3.5-liter V6 engine with 301 horsepower and a hybrid powertrain with a total output of 208 horsepower. The Camry's Dynamic Force engine was lively and eager to rev, providing a surprisingly engaging driving experience. The chassis struck a good balance between handling and ride quality, making it enjoyable to drive without sacrificing comfort. The Camry's all-wheel-drive system, derived from the RAV4, could send up to 50% of torque to the rear wheels when needed.

The 2020 BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe provided supportive and comfortable front seats, but rear-seat legroom was severely limited when the front seats were adjusted for taller occupants. The cockpit layout was straightforward, with easy-to-locate climate controls. The Gran Coupe offered 15.1 cubic feet of trunk space, which was competitive for its class, surpassing rivals like the Audi A3 and Mercedes-Benz A-Class.

The 2021 Toyota Camry offered generous rear headroom and legroom, though front headroom and legroom were below average. The front seats were adjustable and comfortable, with excellent outward visibility. The Camry's cargo space was 15.1 cubic feet, typical for a midsize sedan but less than the Honda Accord. In-cabin storage was limited, with small cupholders and door bottle holders. Toyota included analog controls for essential functions, improving ease of use, though some controls were a long reach from the driver's seat.

The 2020 BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe came standard with an 8.8-inch touchscreen with touch functionality and Android Auto. It also featured wireless Apple CarPlay and a fully-digital instrument panel with customizable displays. The available head-up display added convenience, and the infotainment system was user-friendly, with touch functionality and center console buttons for easy navigation.

The 2021 Toyota Camry's standard infotainment system included a 7-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa compatibility, and SiriusXM satellite radio. Higher trims offered a 9-inch touchscreen, WiFi, navigation, and a nine-speaker JBL audio system. A 10-inch head-up display was available on the XSE and XLE trims. The touchscreen menus were easy to navigate, though the graphics were plain. The Camry's infotainment system was functional but not a standout feature.

The 2020 BMW 2 Series came with standard safety features such as forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, lane-departure warning, and a backup camera. Available features included adaptive cruise control, automatic parking assistance, automatic high beams, and blind-spot monitoring. The driver-assist systems were seamless and customizable.

The 2021 Toyota Camry earned top safety ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA. It came standard with the TSS 2.5+ package, which included adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, forward-collision warning, lane-departure warning, automatic high beams, and traffic-sign recognition. The Camry also featured enhanced safety capabilities, such as detecting cyclists and oncoming vehicles during left turns. The Rear Seat Reminder was standard on all trims, and blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were available as options.