2021 Nissan Maxima vs 2020 Mercedes-Benz E-Class

The 2020 Mercedes-Benz E-Class, introduced in 2017, harked back to the design of its predecessors with a rounded, smooth body. While some critics felt it was overly streamlined, the E-Class maintained a familial resemblance to the larger S-Class and smaller C-Class, making it a recognizable and respectable member of the Mercedes-Benz lineup. Available in sedan, wagon, coupe, or cabriolet forms, the E-Class catered to a conservative audience with its versatile design. The sedan, in particular, exuded luxury with its traditional hood ornament and chrome grille, while most models featured a sportier grille with a prominent Mercedes emblem. The LED lighting added a delicate touch, and the car's proportions were visually appealing across various configurations.

Inside, the E-Class cabriolet stood out with its contrasting soft top and luxurious interior. The cabin, when specified with multi-tone leathers and polished wood, was a delight, featuring two feet of high-resolution digital screens stretching across the dash. Industrial elements like circular air vents and silver toggles complemented the modern touchpads and thumbpads. The ambient lighting offered 64 colors and animations, enhancing the serene atmosphere. Even the base model, with leatherette and standard seats, felt a cut above its competitors, providing a space of solitude with features like heated armrests and massaging seats.

The 2021 Nissan Maxima, as a flagship sedan, set the tone for other Nissan models with its bold styling elements, such as the "floating" roofline and "V-Motion" grille. These features were later adopted by smaller models like the Altima, Sentra, and Versa. The Maxima distinguished itself with a steeply-angled front end and massive grille, reminiscent of an Art Deco locomotive. The test car's blacked-out trim gave it a sinister appearance, though Nissan later toned down the design for subsequent models. The 40th Anniversary Edition featured a two-tone exterior, unique wheels, and red leather upholstery, adding a touch of elegance to the interior.

Inside, the Maxima's 40th Anniversary Edition impressed with its dark-red leather seats and white gauge faces, offering a stylish and functional cabin. While the Maxima's design was bold, it was not without competition. The Toyota Avalon, with its TRD guise, and the Volkswagen Arteon, with its emphasis on comfort, were notable rivals. However, the Maxima's sporty design, conceived from the start, gave it an edge over the Avalon, which added sportiness later. The Kia Stinger, with its rear-wheel drive, was the only model that truly surpassed the Maxima in terms of sportiness.

The 2020 Mercedes-Benz E-Class offered a range of powertrains, starting with the E350, which replaced the E300. The E350 featured a turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine producing 255 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of torque, paired with a 9-speed automatic transmission. Despite its modest power increase, the E350 provided improved response and reduced noise. In Comfort mode, it was relaxed, while Sport and Sport+ modes kept the engine in its power band. However, the E350's performance above 40 mph was lacking compared to competitors like the Nissan Maxima.

For those seeking more power, the E450 offered a 3.0-liter V6 with 362 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque, providing effortless performance. The AMG models, E53 and E63 S, took performance to another level. The E53 featured a hybrid setup with 429 horsepower, while the E63 S boasted a 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 with 603 horsepower and 627 pound-feet of torque, along with a drift mode. All-wheel drive was standard on most models, with performance-tuned AWD available on AMG versions. Fuel economy varied from 19 to 32 mpg, depending on the powertrain.

The 2021 Nissan Maxima came with a 3.5-liter V6 engine producing 300 horsepower and 261 pound-feet of torque, paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and front-wheel drive. While not a "four-door sports car," the Maxima delivered a satisfying driving experience with its responsive V6 and well-tuned CVT. The Maxima was agile in corners, but its steering lacked precision and feel, and it was prone to torque steer under heavy throttle. Despite these limitations, the Maxima remained competitive, with the Kia Stinger being its main rival due to its rear-wheel drive.

On the highway, the Maxima excelled with a quiet cabin and comfortable ride, thanks to active noise cancellation and a well-tuned suspension. While the Maxima's handling was decent, it was not as coherent as the Kia Stinger, which offered a more engaging driving experience. The Maxima's ride comfort was commendable, even with 19-inch wheels, making it a solid choice for long-distance cruising.

The 2020 Mercedes-Benz E-Class featured a complex COMAND infotainment system, which, while comprehensive, was not user-friendly. The lack of touchscreens made navigating the system cumbersome, with multiple steps required for simple tasks. However, the E-Class excelled in functionality, with seat controls on the door panels and ample space in all dimensions. The coupe offered a usable rear seat, and the wagon included a rear-facing jump seat for children. The digital dash, when set up correctly, provided clear and high-resolution displays.

The 2021 Nissan Maxima prioritized front-seat comfort, offering generous headroom and legroom for the driver and front passenger. However, rear-seat passengers experienced cramped conditions, with limited headroom and legroom. The seats were positioned inboard, affecting the sense of spaciousness, and some controls were awkwardly placed. Despite these drawbacks, the Maxima provided excellent visibility for the driver, with a low window line and large mirrors.

The Maxima's "Zero Gravity" front seats, designed for optimal support, offered eight-way power adjustment for the driver and four-way for the passenger. While comfortable, they could have benefited from more thigh bolstering. The Maxima's cargo space was limited to 14.3 cubic feet, the smallest in its class, compared to hatchback competitors like the Kia Stinger and Volkswagen Arteon.

The 2020 Mercedes-Benz E-Class boasted advanced technology, including a semi-automated driving system with features like lane change assist and obstacle avoidance. The optional Driver Assistance Package added even more capabilities. The E-Class also featured a V2X system for communication with other Mercedes models, customizable digital displays, and standard connectivity options like Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The Burmester stereo and multi-contour seats added to the luxury experience, while some features, like the Energizing Comfort Package, were more novelty than necessity.

The 2021 Nissan Maxima's technology showed its age, with an 8-inch touchscreen that lacked modern graphics and intuitive navigation. While it included standard features like Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto, the system was not user-friendly. The Maxima did offer a WiFi hotspot and both USB-A and USB-C ports, along with an available 11-speaker Bose audio system. Despite the dated infotainment, Nissan provided analog controls for climate and audio, reducing reliance on the touchscreen.

The 2020 Mercedes-Benz E-Class sedan and wagon received top safety ratings, with a 5-star overall rating from NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ from IIHS. The coupe and cabriolet models were not tested but were expected to perform similarly. Mercedes offered innovative safety features, such as Pre-Safe Sound and side bolster inflation during a side collision. Standard safety features included forward emergency braking and blind-spot monitoring, with additional driver-assist features available as options.

The 2021 Nissan Maxima also earned a Top Safety Pick+ rating from IIHS and a 5-star overall rating from NHTSA. Standard safety features included automatic emergency braking, forward-collision warning, and blind-spot monitoring. Optional features like adaptive cruise control and a 360-degree camera system enhanced safety. However, the Maxima did not include Nissan's ProPilot Assist system, which was available on other models.