2021 Nissan Maxima vs 2020 Toyota Prius

The 2020 Toyota Prius maintained its iconic shape, influenced by aerodynamics to achieve an optimal drag coefficient. Over the years, Toyota subtly evolved its design to incorporate sedan-like visual elements while retaining its hatchback functionality. The Prius's futuristic style, once revolutionary, continued to look modern, with its cabin design standing out due to the central placement of instrumentation and gauges. This unorthodox design had been a hallmark of the Prius for over two decades. The Prius offered various trims, starting with the L Eco, which included features like 15-inch alloy wheels, automatic climate control, and a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system. Higher trims like the XLE and Limited added more luxurious features, such as synthetic leather upholstery and a larger 11.6-inch touchscreen.

The 2021 Nissan Maxima, as Nissan's flagship sedan, set a bold styling precedent with its "floating" roofline and "V-Motion" grille, influencing other models in the lineup. The Maxima's design was characterized by a steeply-angled front end and a massive grille, giving it a distinctive, almost locomotive-like appearance. The 40th Anniversary Edition added unique touches like a two-tone exterior and red leather upholstery. Inside, the Maxima's cabin was designed with the driver in mind, featuring stylish elements like white gauge faces. However, the Maxima's bold design was toned down in subsequent models, and while it shared some design eccentricities with the Toyota Avalon, it maintained a unique street presence.

The 2020 Toyota Prius featured a 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine paired with an electric motor, delivering a combined output of 121 horsepower and 105 pound-feet of torque. It offered front-wheel drive as standard, with an all-wheel-drive variant available. The Prius excelled in smooth acceleration, particularly at lower speeds, with a seamless transition between electric and conventional power. It provided three drive modes: EV, Eco, and Power, each catering to different driving preferences. The Prius's unique shifter design and engine braking mode added to its distinct driving experience. Despite its focus on efficiency, the Prius offered engaging handling and a smooth ride, making it ideal for daily commutes.

The 2021 Nissan Maxima came equipped with a 3.5-liter V6 engine producing 300 horsepower and 261 pound-feet of torque, paired with a continuously variable transmission and front-wheel drive. While not a "four-door sports car," the Maxima delivered quick acceleration and a pleasing V6 engine sound. The CVT was responsive, enhancing the driving experience. The Maxima handled corners well but had limitations, such as a lack of steering precision and susceptibility to torque steer. Despite these drawbacks, the Maxima offered a comfortable ride, with a quiet cabin and solid highway cruising capabilities. Its sporty design was evident, although competitors like the Kia Stinger offered a more performance-oriented experience.

The 2020 Toyota Prius made efficient use of its compact platform, offering spacious and comfortable front seats with ample headroom and legroom. The rear seats also provided sufficient space, although taller passengers needed to be cautious when entering and exiting. The Prius excelled in cargo space, with 50.7 cubic feet available with the rear seats folded and up to 27.4 cubic feet with the seats up, depending on the model. Its hatchback design facilitated easy loading of large items, enhancing its versatility.

The 2021 Nissan Maxima prioritized front-seat space, offering generous headroom and legroom for the driver and front passenger. However, rear-seat passengers experienced limited headroom and legroom, making it less accommodating for taller individuals. The Maxima's cabin design focused on the driver, with excellent visibility and Nissan's "Zero Gravity" front seats providing comfort and support. Despite its sedan design, the Maxima had only 14.3 cubic feet of cargo space, the least among its competitors, limiting its practicality for carrying larger items.

The 2020 Toyota Prius came standard with a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system, featuring Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, Bluetooth connectivity, and a WiFi hotspot. The Limited trim upgraded to an 11.6-inch screen with a customizable layout, although it lacked Android Auto. The Prius also offered a head-up display and a 10-speaker JBL audio system. Its top-center instrument panel, a defining feature, provided critical readouts and hybrid drivetrain status, accessible via steering wheel controls.

The 2021 Nissan Maxima featured an 8-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, along with a WiFi hotspot and USB ports. An 11-speaker Bose audio system was available. However, the infotainment system's graphics appeared dated, and small icons made navigation challenging. Despite these drawbacks, the Maxima included analog controls for climate and audio functions, providing an alternative to the touchscreen interface.

The 2020 Toyota Prius was equipped with Toyota Safety Sense 2.0, offering features like automatic emergency braking, forward-collision warning, lane-departure warning, adaptive cruise control, and automatic high beams. Optional features included blind-spot monitoring and active park assist. The Prius earned a five-star NHTSA rating and a "Top Safety Pick" from the IIHS, although it fell short of the highest rating due to average scores in certain tests.

The 2021 Nissan Maxima received a "Top Safety Pick+" rating from the IIHS, with top scores in crash tests and front crash prevention. The NHTSA awarded it a five-star overall safety rating. Standard safety features included automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. Optional features like adaptive cruise control and a 360-degree camera system enhanced safety. However, the Maxima lacked the ProPilot Assist system available in other Nissan models.