2021 Toyota Camry vs 2021 BMW 2 Series

The 2021 Toyota Camry aimed to break away from its past reputation of being a bland, generic sedan by incorporating more dynamic styling elements. The design featured flared wheel arches and sleek headlights and taillights that gave the car a wider appearance. However, the SE, XSE, and TRD trims were criticized for their excessive use of fake vents, which added unnecessary visual clutter. The LE and XLE trims offered a slightly cleaner look with a different grille design. The Camry's interior mirrored the exterior's chaotic styling, with a mix of contrasting materials and trim elements that lacked a cohesive design theme. Despite the low-rent feel of some materials, the Camry's overall design was a step forward from its predecessors.

In contrast, the 2021 BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe was a new addition to the lineup, marking BMW's first foray into front-wheel-drive cars in the U.S. market. Despite its name, the Gran Coupe was a four-door sedan with a traditional trunk, lacking the utility of its sportback sibling, the 4 Series Gran Coupe. The 2 Series Gran Coupe was available in 228i and M235i models, with the latter featuring standard xDrive all-wheel drive. The car's design included visual tricks to balance its front-drive proportions, such as large LED headlights and a tapering roofline. Inside, the 2 Series adhered to BMW's modern design language, with a well-integrated touchscreen infotainment system and upscale materials. The car's interior was both stylish and functional, offering a premium feel despite its entry-level status.

The 2021 Toyota Camry offered a range of powertrains, starting with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, known as the Dynamic Force, which produced 203 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque in most trims with front-wheel drive. The XSE trim featured a dual-exhaust system that increased output slightly. For those seeking more power, a 3.5-liter V6 engine was available, delivering 301 horsepower and 267 pound-feet of torque. The Camry Hybrid combined a 2.5-liter engine with electric assist for a total output of 208 horsepower. The Camry's chassis tuning provided a good balance between handling and ride quality, making it enjoyable to drive, especially with the TRD model's performance upgrades.

The 2021 BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe, specifically the 228i xDrive model, featured a 228-horsepower turbocharged four-cylinder engine paired with an eight-speed sport automatic transmission. BMW claimed a zero-to-60 mph time of six seconds for this model. The Gran Coupe's performance was enhanced by features like brake-fade compensation, cornering brake control, and multiple driving modes. The M Sport Package added M Sport steering, which was sharp and direct, enhancing the driving experience. The suspension was firm but not overly harsh, and the car felt well-planted on the road. Overall, the 2 Series Gran Coupe delivered a fun and engaging driving experience, with the added benefit of xDrive for improved traction.

The 2021 Toyota Camry offered generous rear headroom and legroom, though front headroom and legroom were slightly below average. The front seats were adjustable and comfortable, with excellent outward visibility. Cargo space was average for the segment at 15.1 cubic feet, and in-cabin storage was limited. The Camry featured analog controls for essential functions, with large knobs for audio and climate control, though some controls were a long reach from the driver's seat.

The 2021 BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe was practical for two passengers, with sport-bolstered, 10-way power-adjustable front seats that were snug yet comfortable. Rear seat access was challenging, and space was limited, with headroom and legroom being tight. The trunk offered 15.2 cubic feet of space, including a storage compartment under the load floor, and the rear seats could fold in a 40/20/40 split for added utility. However, the Gran Coupe's fast roofline did not provide the same cargo flexibility as a sportback design.

The 2021 Toyota Camry came with a standard 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system, offering Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, and Bluetooth connectivity. Higher trims featured a 9-inch touchscreen, WiFi, navigation, and a nine-speaker JBL audio system. A 10-inch head-up display was available on select trims. The system was functional but lacked standout graphics, and USB ports were limited to a single media port and two charge ports.

The 2021 BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe featured Live Cockpit Plus with a 5.1-inch display, while the Premium Package upgraded to Live Cockpit Pro with a 10.25-inch digital display. The infotainment system included an 8.8-inch touchscreen with iDrive 7.0 technology, offering Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, satellite radio, and navigation. The system was user-friendly, with responsive software and multiple control options. The car also had a premium sound system and an optional head-up display, though Gesture Control was hit-or-miss in accuracy.

The 2021 Toyota Camry earned top safety ratings, including a "Top Safety Pick+" from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA. The Camry came standard with the TSS 2.5+ package, which included adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, forward-collision warning, lane-departure warning, and more. New features for 2021 included enhanced capabilities for existing systems and a Rear Seat Reminder to prevent leaving children or pets unattended.

The 2021 BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe offered a Driving Assistance Package with adaptive cruise control and a parking-assistant feature. The test car included the Active Driving Assistant suite, with forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and more. The lane-keeping assistance system was effective but could be aggressive. The IIHS rated the Gran Coupe highly for crash protection, though it missed a Top Safety Pick due to headlight ratings and vehicle-to-pedestrian test results.