2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class vs 2021 Nissan Maxima

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class, part of the W213 generation introduced in 2017, showcased a departure from the sharper, boxier angles of its predecessor to adopt the fluid, curvier forms seen in the 2014 S-Class and 2015 C-Class. Mercedes' chief designer, Gorden Wagener, described this design theme as "sensual purity." The 2021 model featured a slightly edgier front with squinted headlights and an inverted trapezoid grille, while the rear resembled the W212 with horizontal taillights cutting into the trunk lid. New bumpers with larger air intakes, new exhaust tips, and new wheels were among the major changes, maintaining the car's handsome and elegant appearance across its sedan, wagon, coupe, and convertible variants.

However, the standing hood ornament on the sedans and wagons was discontinued, a classic Mercedes look that was part of the Luxury package. The Sport package, which replaced the hood ornament with a large star emblem in the grille, became more popular among buyers. The AMG models, with their vertical grille slats and prominent star emblem, suited the performance-oriented design. The E-Class interior was a luxurious space filled with rich woods, aluminum, carbon fiber, and intricate details like metal speaker grilles and elaborate stitching. The dual 12-inch screens provided crisp detail and brilliant color, with the instrument panel now fully digital. The new steering wheels, especially in the AMG model, featured touch-sensitive controls and additional screens, making the E-Class feel modern and unmatched in its price range.

The 2021 Nissan Maxima, as a flagship sedan, set the tone for other Nissan models with its bold styling elements like the "floating" roofline and "V-Motion" grille. The Maxima distinguished itself with a steeply-angled front end and massive grille, giving it an Art Deco locomotive appearance. The 40th Anniversary Edition featured a two-tone exterior, model-specific 19-inch gloss-black alloy wheels, black exterior trim, red semi-aniline leather upholstery, white speedometer and tachometer faces, and heated rear seats. The dark-red leather seats and white gauge faces added a stylish and functional touch to the interior, maintaining a 1980s vibe.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class saw a significant change with the switch from conventional V6 engines to electrified inline-six powertrains for the E450 model, making it a hybrid. The 3.0-liter I6 engine, with a single turbo and a 48-volt electrical system, produced 362 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque, with an additional boost from the electric starter-generator. The AMG E53 model added a second turbo, powered by the 48-volt battery, resulting in 429 hp and 384 lb-ft of torque. The AMG E63 S, with a 4.0-liter V8 engine, delivered 603 hp and 627 lb-ft of torque, making it a high-performance variant with advanced features like variable-rate air suspension and rear-biased AWD. Fuel economy for the E-Class ranged from 25 mpg combined for the E350 and E450 models to 18 mpg combined for the AMG E63 S.

The 2021 Nissan Maxima was equipped with a 3.5-liter V6 engine producing 300 hp and 261 lb-ft of torque, paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and front-wheel drive (FWD). While the Maxima was not a "four-door sports car," it offered decent performance with quick acceleration and a responsive V6 engine. The CVT performed well, providing smooth power delivery. The Maxima handled corners with agility, but the steering lacked precision and feel, and the front end suffered from torque steer under heavy throttle. Despite these limitations, the Maxima offered a comfortable ride and a quiet cabin, making it suitable for highway cruising.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class featured a redesigned infotainment system with a touchscreen interface, making everyday tasks easier. The cabin was spacious for four adults, with ample headroom and legroom, supportive cushions, and knee cutouts on the seatbacks. The E-Class sedan offered 13 cubic feet of trunk space, while the coupe and convertible had 10 cubic feet or less with the roof down. The wagon variant provided 35 cubic feet of cargo space, expandable to 64 cubic feet with the seats folded. The E450 All-Terrain model added ground clearance and plastic body cladding for a more rugged look.

The 2021 Nissan Maxima provided generous front headroom and legroom, but rear-seat passengers had limited space. The seats were positioned far inboard, creating a cramped feeling despite the ample front space. The Maxima's "Zero Gravity" front seats, designed using NASA research, offered excellent support and comfort. However, the center console was too close to the driver, making some controls difficult to reach. The Maxima had 14.3 cubic feet of cargo space, the least among its competitors, with a conventional trunk design.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class featured the MBUX infotainment system with a touchscreen interface, natural voice processing, and online searches. The system included features like live camera feeds with overlay arrows, massaging seats, and seat kinetics. While Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were not wireless, the E-Class offered 4G WiFi and various connected services. The instrument cluster could display information in multiple ways, providing a customizable and modern experience.

The 2021 Nissan Maxima came standard with an 8-inch touchscreen, Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a built-in WiFi hotspot. The infotainment system, however, had dated graphics and small icons, making it difficult to navigate. The Maxima included analog controls for climate and audio, but the notification sounds were jarring. An 11-speaker Bose audio system was available, providing good sound quality.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and a "Top Safety Pick+" rating from the IIHS. Standard safety features included forward automatic emergency braking, a driver-attention monitor, and blind-spot monitoring. Optional features included advanced driver-assist systems and innovative safety technologies like Pre-Safe Sound and side bolster inflation during a side collision.

The 2021 Nissan Maxima also received a "Top Safety Pick+" rating from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA. Standard safety features under the Nissan Safety Shield 360 banner included automatic emergency braking, forward-collision warning, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-departure warning, automatic high beams, and rear automatic emergency braking. Optional features included adaptive cruise control, traffic sign recognition, a driver-alertness monitor, and a 360-degree camera system.