2021 Subaru WRX vs 2020 Nissan Maxima

The 2020 Nissan Maxima had a design that closely mirrored other models in Nissan’s lineup. It featured the brand’s 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 offering premium features and 19-inch aluminum alloy wheels with 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 featured 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 remained spacious. Standard features included an 8.0-inch infotainment touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a host of other modern conveniences.

The 2021 Subaru WRX had a more youthful and aggressive aesthetic, often compared to a rebellious teenager within the Subaru family. While the WRX STI had a race-ready rear wing, the standard WRX looked tamer. The WRX had a wedge-like front end and a short trunk lid, giving it a speedy appearance even when stationary. Aerodynamic bodywork and a functional hood scoop added to its sporty look. Inside, the WRX’s cockpit was function-first, with a design that had not significantly changed since its introduction in 2015. The interior featured hard plastics, contributing to its less refined reputation compared to competitors like the VW GTI and Honda Civic Si.

The WRX was available in Base, Premium, and Limited trims. The base model came with 17-inch aluminum alloy wheels, cloth upholstery, and a 6.5-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Premium trim added 18-inch wheels, fog lights, heated seats, and a larger 7-inch infotainment screen. The range-topping Limited trim included leather upholstery, a 10-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, and adaptive steering-responsive LED headlights. An options package for the Limited trim offered navigation, a premium stereo, and additional driver-assistance features.

The 2020 Nissan Maxima was powered by a 3.5-liter V6 engine paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT), producing 300 horsepower and 261 pound-feet of torque. This engine provided sufficient power for most drivers, making the Maxima more powerful than many of its competitors. 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 Maxima SR made the driving experience more engaging, but the car excelled in comfort, absorbing road imperfections and minimizing noise with active noise cancellation technology.

The Maxima featured front-wheel drive and an 18-gallon fuel tank, achieving an EPA-estimated 20 mpg in the city, 30 mpg on the highway, and 24 mpg combined. This fuel economy was comparable to other vehicles in its class, such as the Chrysler 300 and Lincoln Continental. However, the Maxima did not offer an all-wheel-drive option or a hybrid variant, unlike some of its competitors.

The 2021 Subaru WRX was equipped with a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder boxer engine, producing 268 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. Buyers could choose between a six-speed manual transmission or a CVT. The WRX’s engine layout allowed for a low center of gravity and efficient packaging with the all-wheel-drive system. Despite being the most powerful among its rivals, the WRX required precise rev management to maximize performance. The CVT, though not ideal for driving enthusiasts, kept the revs in the powerband effectively.

The manual transmission in the WRX was less precise, with a vague clutch feel, making the CVT a more practical choice for some drivers. The WRX featured Vehicle Dynamics Control with Active Torque Vectoring, enhancing cornering precision. The car’s well-weighted steering and stiff ride made it a thrilling choice for winding roads, though it lacked the comfort of competitors like the Civic Si and GTI.

The 2020 Nissan Maxima offered spacious seating, a large trunk, and modern features, making it a practical choice for families. The thick center console limited the feeling of spaciousness in the front, but the cabin remained comfortable. The Maxima’s front seats were wide and supportive, suitable for long road trips. However, the Maxima lagged behind competitors in legroom and cargo space. It provided 14.3 cubic feet of trunk space and 98.5 cubic feet of passenger space, less than the Toyota Avalon, Hyundai Sonata, and Honda Accord.

Despite these limitations, the Maxima’s interior was functional, with front in-door bottle holders accommodating 20-ounce bottles. During testing, the Maxima handled various cargo and seating needs effectively, though it might not be ideal for those frequently transporting large items or multiple sets of golf clubs.

The 2021 Subaru WRX had a conventional sedan layout with a trunk offering up to 12 cubic feet of cargo space. This was more than the Civic Si coupe but less than the sedan and significantly less than the VW GTI’s cargo space. The WRX’s interior packaging was less clever than newer models, with limited in-door bottle holders and center console cupholders that could obstruct shifting with the manual transmission.

The WRX provided a comfortable driving position with excellent visibility. The rear seats were spacious enough to accommodate four adults comfortably, highlighting the advantages of a sedan layout over a coupe or sports car.

The 2020 Nissan Maxima came standard with a long list of features, though they were not the most modern. The 8.0-inch infotainment touchscreen and 7-inch driver information display were functional but dated. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard across all models, with NissanConnect Services available on the top Platinum trim. Buyers could upgrade to a Bose Premium Audio system with 11 speakers. 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 Subaru WRX featured a 6.5-inch touchscreen running Subaru's Starlink infotainment system, with a 7-inch touchscreen available on higher trims. Both screens supported Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with a sensible layout and easy-to-use controls. The Limited trim offered an option package with navigation and a Harman Kardon premium stereo. Despite updates, the WRX’s in-car tech remained far from cutting-edge.

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 Subaru WRX did not come standard with the latest safety features. Subaru's EyeSight system, with adaptive cruise control, emergency automatic braking, and lane-departure warning, was available on Premium and Limited trims with the CVT. Adaptive high beams, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and reverse automatic braking were options on the Limited trim. All WRX trims included a tire-pressure monitoring system and traction control.