2021 Toyota Prius vs 2020 Nissan Maxima

The 2020 Nissan Maxima had a design that closely mirrored other models in Nissan’s lineup, featuring the brand’s signature V-Motion grille and jewel-like LED headlights. Its floating-roof design, accented by a heavy beltline, led to the rear where quad-tip exhaust finishers rested. The Maxima SR models also sported a rear spoiler, adding a touch of sportiness. 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 materials.

The 2021 Toyota Prius retained its iconic boomerang-shaped hood and roofline, a design choice that had become synonymous with the model. Despite advancements in aerodynamic vehicle design, the Prius stuck to its unique styling, which wasn’t universally praised. Inside, the Prius had a quirky layout with a central strip of displays and a toggle lever for transmission controls. The dashboard wrapped dramatically into the door panels, and the infotainment pod was thrust toward the front seat occupants. Gloss-black trim, while stylish, was a magnet for dust and fingerprints. The Prius was available in L Eco, LE, XLE, 2020 Edition, and Limited trims, with an optional AWD system for the LE and XLE.

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 ample power for most drivers, positioning the Maxima as a strong contender in its class. Despite being marketed as a "four-door sports car," the Maxima was more comfortable as a cruiser, with Sport mode and paddle shifters available only in the SR trim. The Maxima offered a smooth ride, thanks to active noise cancellation and enhancement technologies. It was front-wheel drive with an 18-gallon fuel tank, achieving an EPA-estimated 20 mpg city, 30 mpg highway, and 24 mpg combined.

The 2021 Toyota Prius focused on fuel efficiency, with the L Eco version achieving an impressive 56 mpg combined according to the EPA. Other front-drive models earned 52 mpg combined, while AWD-e models managed 49 mpg. The Prius paired a 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine with a 53-kilowatt electric motor, producing a total of 121 horsepower. The electric motor provided 120 pound-feet of torque, making the Prius feel lively off the line. The Prius offered Eco, Normal, and Power driving modes, with regenerative braking to capture energy during deceleration. The TNGA platform gave the Prius a lower center of gravity, enhancing its handling on curvy roads.

The 2020 Nissan Maxima offered spacious seating and a large trunk, with comfortable seats and modern features. The thick center console created a segmented front row experience, but the cabin was otherwise spacious. The Maxima had 14.3 cubic feet of trunk space and 98.5 cubic feet of passenger space, less than some competitors like the Toyota Avalon and Honda Accord. Despite this, the Maxima handled cargo and seating needs well during testing. The front in-door bottle holders could accommodate 20-ounce bottles, a handy feature for families.

The 2021 Toyota Prius, though perceived as small, offered more interior space than expected. It could seat up to five people, with comfortable seats covered in SofTex synthetic leather. The test vehicle had an eight-way power driver’s seat, heated front seats, and a heated steering wheel. The rear seats provided adequate foot room, legroom, and headroom, though they lacked air-conditioning vents. Cargo space varied by trim, ranging from 24.6 to 27.4 cubic feet behind the back seat and 47.9 to 50.7 cubic feet with the seat folded down.

The 2020 Nissan Maxima came standard with an 8.0-inch infotainment touchscreen and a 7-inch driver information display. While functional, these screens were not the most modern. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, with NissanConnect Services available on the Platinum trim. The Maxima offered a Bose Premium Audio system, Around View Monitor camera system, power rear sunshade, and keyless entry. USB-A and USB-C ports were available in the front and rear, making charging devices convenient.

The 2021 Toyota Prius featured a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system with stereo-volume and tuning knobs, and shortcut buttons. Standard equipment included Bluetooth, SiriusXM satellite radio, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa compatibility. The Limited trim offered a 10-speaker JBL premium sound system, navigation, and an 11.6-inch portrait-style touchscreen. The digital instrumentation on the dashboard had dated graphics, lacking a sense of technological sophistication.

The 2020 Nissan Maxima came standard with Nissan Safety Shield 360, which included 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, earning top ratings in front crash prevention.

The 2021 Toyota Prius was equipped with Toyota Safety Sense 2.0 (TSS 2.0) as standard, which included adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning with pedestrian detection, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, lane-centering assist, automatic high-beam headlights, and road-sign recognition. The LE trim and higher included blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert. Safety Connect services were also standard, offering automatic collision notification, emergency assistance, roadside assistance, and a stolen vehicle locator. The Prius received favorable marks from the IIHS but lacked a NHTSA rating for 2021.