2020 Hyundai Elantra vs 2020 Nissan Maxima

The 2020 Hyundai Elantra retained its bold geometric styling from the previous year, which was a departure from its earlier Genesis Jr. design cues. This design set the stage for the more angular 2021 model. Available in six trims, the Elantra ranged from the base SE to the sporty Sport, with prices starting at $19,300. The Limited trim, with the Ultimate Package, reached $27,630. The Elantra's black paint accentuated its angular features, creating a stylish, albeit divisive, appearance. Inside, the Elantra Limited featured silver trim and upscale touches, though it still had some hard plastics typical of a compact car.

The 2020 Nissan Maxima shared design elements with other Nissan models, featuring the V-Motion grille and jewel-like LED headlights. Its floating-roof design and quad-tip exhaust finishers added to its sporty look, especially in the SR trim with a rear spoiler. The Maxima was available in five trims, with the Platinum trim offering premium features. The interior of the Maxima was well-finished, with the Platinum trim offering semi-aniline leather and Satin Bronze accents. Despite its thick center console, the cabin was spacious, and the Maxima's infotainment system, though not the most modern, was functional and included an 8.0-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

The 2020 Hyundai Elantra offered a 147-horsepower, 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine paired with a new CVT, replacing the previous six-speed automatic. The Elantra Eco featured a 1.4-liter turbocharged engine with 128 horsepower and a seven-speed DCT, achieving 36 mpg combined. The Elantra Sport, with a 1.6-liter turbo engine producing 201 horsepower, provided a more engaging drive with its independent rear suspension. However, the standard Elantra's torsion beam axle rear suspension detracted from ride quality. Despite Hyundai's claims of improved efficiency with the new CVT, real-world testing showed an average of 29.3 mpg, falling short of expectations.

The 2020 Nissan Maxima was powered by a 3.5-liter V6 engine producing 300 horsepower and 261 lb-ft of torque, paired with a CVT. While marketed as a "four-door sports car," the Maxima excelled as a comfortable cruiser, with Sport mode and paddle shifters available in the SR trim for a more engaging drive. The Maxima's front-wheel drive and 18-gallon fuel tank were standard, achieving 24 mpg combined. Despite lacking all-wheel drive and hybrid options, the Maxima's performance was competitive with similar vehicles, offering a smooth ride and active noise cancellation in higher trims.

The 2020 Hyundai Elantra provided roomy accommodations for four adults, with a fifth fitting for short trips. The Limited trim featured power driver’s seat adjustment, leather upholstery, and a sliding center console armrest. All Elantras included dual-zone automatic climate control, though rear air vents were absent. The trunk offered 14.4 cubic feet of space, comparable to some midsize sedans, with a convenient interior grab handle for closing the trunk lid.

The 2020 Nissan Maxima offered spacious seating and a large trunk, though its thick center console limited front cabin space. The Maxima's front seats were comfortable for long trips, but it lagged behind competitors like the Honda Accord and Toyota Avalon in legroom. The Maxima provided 14.3 cubic feet of trunk space and 98.5 cubic feet of passenger space, less than rivals. Despite these limitations, the Maxima handled cargo and seating needs well during testing, though frequent long-distance travelers might prefer a different vehicle.

The 2020 Hyundai Elantra came standard with a touchscreen infotainment system, Bluetooth, and a USB port. The SE trim featured a 5-inch screen, while the SEL and higher trims offered a 7-inch display with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Limited trim included wireless smartphone charging and a premium Infinity sound system. The Ultimate Package added an 8-inch touchscreen with navigation. The infotainment system was user-friendly, with shortcut buttons and knobs for easy operation.

The 2020 Nissan Maxima included an 8.0-inch infotainment touchscreen on SV-and-up trims and a 7-inch driver information display. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, with NissanConnect Services available on the Platinum trim. The Maxima offered a Bose Premium Audio system and features like the Around View Monitor and power rear sunshade. USB-A and USB-C ports were available in the front and rear, making charging convenient.

The 2020 Hyundai Elantra featured Hyundai Smart Sense as standard, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, and lane-keeping assist. Higher trims added blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic alert, and full LED headlights. The Ultimate Package included adaptive cruise control and pedestrian detection. The Elantra earned a Top Safety Pick from the IIHS with LED headlights and a four-star overall rating from the NHTSA, though there was a concern about rear-door intrusion in side-impact tests.

The 2020 Nissan Maxima came with Nissan Safety Shield 360 as standard, offering blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic alert, intelligent forward-collision warning, and more. Adaptive cruise control and traffic sign recognition were standard on all but the base model. The Maxima performed well in IIHS and NHTSA tests, with a "superior" rating for front crash prevention. The LATCH system and ample hip room allowed for three child safety seats in the rear.