2021 Hyundai Sonata vs 2020 Nissan Maxima

The 2020 Nissan Maxima featured a design that closely mirrored other models in Nissan’s lineup. It sported the signature V-Motion grille, standard jewel-like LED headlights, and distinctive daytime running lights. The floating-roof design, accented by a heavy beltline, led to the rear where quad-tip exhaust finishers were positioned. The Maxima SR models also included a sporty rear spoiler. The Maxima was the pioneer of this design era for Nissan sedans, influencing the Altima, Sentra, and Versa. The Maxima was available in S, SV, SL, SR, and Platinum trims, with the Platinum trim featuring 19-inch aluminum alloy wheels and Goodyear all-season tires.

Inside, the Maxima’s cabin was filled with materials typical of Nissan’s standard, with the Platinum trim veering into premium territory. The SR trim had unique styling elements like a patterned seat insert and charcoal headliner. The Platinum Reserve Package added semi-aniline leather appointments and Satin Bronze interior finishers. The thick center console created a segmented front row experience, but the cabin was spacious. Standard features included an 8.0-inch infotainment touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a host of other modern conveniences.

The 2021 Hyundai Sonata, redesigned for the 2020 model year, presented a bold and distinctive look. The N Line treatment enhanced the Sonata’s appeal with larger air intakes, gloss black side mirrors, and bold 19-inch aluminum alloy wheels. The rear featured a subtle gloss black lip spoiler and a reworked bumper with a four-outlet exhaust system. The result was a more appealing and stealthy Sonata, hinting at the performance enhancements under the hood.

Inside, the Sonata N Line featured sport front seats with Nappa leather bolsters and Dinamica suede inserts, red stitching, aluminum pedal covers, and dark chrome accents. A panoramic sunroof was standard, giving the car a two-tone appearance and a roomier feel inside. The materials were a cut above, though the hard plastic front seatback panels could be unkind to taller passengers’ knees. The center console design was practical but inelegant, with a blistered transmission control pod and wrap-around storage bin.

The 2020 Nissan Maxima was powered by a 3.5-liter V6 engine paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT), generating 300 horsepower and 261 pound-feet of torque. While 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 drive more engaging, but the Maxima excelled in soaking up road imperfections and keeping noise at bay with active noise cancellation technology.

Front-wheel drive and an 18-gallon fuel tank were standard, with the Maxima achieving an EPA-estimated 20 mpg in the city, 30 mpg on the highway, and 24 mpg combined. Despite not offering all-wheel drive or a hybrid option, the Maxima’s fuel economy was competitive with other vehicles in its class.

The 2021 Hyundai Sonata N Line was equipped with a turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 290 horsepower at 5,800 rpm and 311 pound-feet of torque from 1,650 rpm to 4,000 rpm. An eight-speed wet dual-clutch automatic transmission with paddle shifters, rev-matching, and a launch control system delivered power to the front wheels. Drivers could choose between Normal, Sport, Sport+, and Custom driving modes, with an Active Sound Design engine note enhancement system adding to the driving experience.

The Sonata N Line featured significant improvements in engine and transmission mount stiffness, faster rack-mounted electric steering, larger brakes, and a sport-tuned suspension. It sat on 19-inch wheels with 245/40 all-season performance or summer performance tires. The car handled well on winding roads, with minimal understeer and effective suspension damping. The EPA estimated the Sonata N Line’s fuel economy at 27 mpg combined, though real-world driving yielded slightly lower figures.

The 2020 Nissan Maxima offered spacious seating, a large trunk, and modern features. The thick center console limited the feeling of spaciousness up front, but the cabin was otherwise roomy. The front seats were comfortable for long trips, though the Maxima lagged behind competitors in legroom and cargo space. The Maxima had 14.3 cubic feet of trunk space and 98.5 cubic feet of passenger space, less than the Sonata, Avalon, and Accord. However, the Maxima’s front in-door bottle holders could handle 20-ounce bottles, a handy feature for families.

The 2021 Hyundai Sonata N Line’s heated front sport seats offered a balance between comfort and lateral support, with Dinamica suede inserts helping to hold occupants in place. The rear seats were less accommodating than expected, though rear air conditioning vents and a USB port were included. The Sonata’s trunk volume measured 16 cubic feet, with a 60/40-split folding rear seat for added utility. The Smart Trunk hands-free release feature was convenient, though the lack of an inside handle meant getting hands dirty when closing the trunk.

The 2020 Nissan Maxima came standard with an 8.0-inch infotainment touchscreen and a 7-inch driver information display. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, with NissanConnect Services available on the Platinum trim. The Bose Premium Audio system was an optional upgrade. The Maxima also offered an Around View Monitor camera system, power rear sunshade, and keyless entry, with USB-A and USB-C ports in the front and rear.

The 2021 Hyundai Sonata N Line featured a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation panel and a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system. Navigation, wireless smartphone charging, and a Bose premium sound system were standard. The infotainment system included HD Radio, SiriusXM satellite radio, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a three-year subscription to Blue Link connected services. However, it lacked a WiFi hotspot and a tuning knob, which could be frustrating for users. The Sonata N Line also offered Hyundai Digital Key, though it was only compatible with Android devices.

The 2020 Nissan Maxima came standard with Nissan Safety Shield 360, 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 safety tests, with top ratings for front crash prevention.

The 2021 Hyundai Sonata N Line included Hyundai’s SmartSense collection of advanced driving assistance systems, such as adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assistance, lane-centering assistance, blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic warning, driver-attention warning, and automatic high-beam headlights. Additional features included Rear Occupant Alert, Safe Exit Warning, and Highway Drive Assist. The standard Sonata rated high for occupant protection, though the N Line had not been separately rated by NHTSA or IIHS at the time of review.