最近 is similar to 近来 as time adverbs but there are still some differences. 最近 can be translated to the nearest directly, it can be used to talk about distance or time. here 最近 is nearest now, so you can learn that 最近 is nearer now than 近来. 最近 is used more often in oral than 近来. 最近 is used more with instant behaviors than 近来 i.e 我最近买了一辆车 (I have bought a car recently) but generally we don't say 我近来买了一辆车 although this is used in common. 近来 is used more with continuous behavior i.e 我近来身体不太好, 近来天气不错. if you can't determine which is better, take 最近 for both.

The two words have the same meaning. But we seldom use "近来".

最近is oral Chinese,and 近来is written Chinese。 e.g. 你最近过的好么？ 近来无恙否？ 以上两例纯属胡编。

almost the same.both mean 'recently'

it's the same meaning