2022 Hyundai Elantra vs 2021 Nissan Maxima

2021 Nissan Maxima
2021 Nissan Maxima
$37,090MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
2022 Hyundai Elantra
2022 Hyundai Elantra
$20,200MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
2021 Nissan Maxima
$37,090MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
2022 Hyundai Elantra
$20,200MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
Overview

MSRP

$37,090

MSRP

$20,200

Average price

$28,113

Average price

$24,031

Listings

9

Listings

352
Ratings & Reviews
User Reviews
User Reviews

Expert reviews

7.3 out of 10

Expert reviews

8.7 out of 10
Pros
  • Stylish design
  • Fuel-efficient
  • Excellent value for money
Cons
  • Underwhelming base engine
  • Uncomfortable seats
  • Noisy

2021 Nissan Maxima Reviews Summary

The 2021 Nissan Maxima celebrates 40 years on sale, making it one of the oldest Japanese automotive nameplates in continuous use. While it’s impressive for any model to survive four decades, the Maxima has spent most of its history mired in mediocrity.

The Nissan Maxima name first appeared in 1981 as a rebranding of the Datsun 810 sedan. The original Maxima/810 was a true enthusiast’s car, boasting rear-wheel drive (RWD) and a sporty character that led Nissan to declare it a “four-door sports car.” However, that only lasted for a few years.

With its first redesign for the 1985 model year, the Maxima switched to front-wheel drive (FWD) and was positioned as Nissan’s flagship sedan. It’s been that way ever since. Nissan has continued to gesture in the direction of that original RWD model, but for most of its 40 years, the Maxima has been a slightly sportier alternative to full-size sedans like the Toyota Avalon, rather than a BMW beater.

So it is with the current, eighth-generation, Maxima, which debuted for the 2016 model year. It enters the 2021 model year with few changes. We drove the Nissan Maxima Platinum trim level for this review.

2022 Hyundai Elantra Reviews Summary

Fresh off a transcendent 2021 redesign, the 2022 Hyundai Elantra sedan continues to offer stylish exterior design, a roomy cabin, excellent fuel economy, impressive standard safety features and driver-assistance tech, top-notch product quality, and an industry-leading warranty—all at a bargain price.
No video found
No video found
Popular Features & Specs

Engine

3.5L 300 hp V6

Engine

2.0L 147 hp I4

Drive Train

FWD

Drive Train

FWD

Seating Capacity

5

Seating Capacity

5

Horsepower

300 hp @ 6400 rpm

Horsepower

147 hp @ 6200 rpm

MPG City

20

MPG City

31

MPG Highway

30

MPG Highway

41
2021 Nissan Maxima
2021 Nissan Maxima
$37,090MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
2022 Hyundai Elantra
2022 Hyundai Elantra
$20,200MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
2021 Nissan Maxima
$37,090MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
2022 Hyundai Elantra
$20,200MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
Overview
MSRP
$37,090
$20,200
Average price
$28,113
$24,031
Listings
Ratings & Reviews
User reviews
4.9
4.2
Expert reviews

7.3 out of 10

Read full review

8.7 out of 10

Read full review
Pros & cons
Pros
  • Stylish design
  • Fuel-efficient
  • Excellent value for money
Cons
  • Underwhelming base engine
  • Uncomfortable seats
  • Noisy
Summary

The 2021 Nissan Maxima celebrates 40 years on sale, making it one of the oldest Japanese automotive nameplates in continuous use. While it’s impressive for any model to survive four decades, the Maxima has spent most of its history mired in mediocrity.

The Nissan Maxima name first appeared in 1981 as a rebranding of the Datsun 810 sedan. The original Maxima/810 was a true enthusiast’s car, boasting rear-wheel drive (RWD) and a sporty character that led Nissan to declare it a “four-door sports car.” However, that only lasted for a few years.

With its first redesign for the 1985 model year, the Maxima switched to front-wheel drive (FWD) and was positioned as Nissan’s flagship sedan. It’s been that way ever since. Nissan has continued to gesture in the direction of that original RWD model, but for most of its 40 years, the Maxima has been a slightly sportier alternative to full-size sedans like the Toyota Avalon, rather than a BMW beater.

So it is with the current, eighth-generation, Maxima, which debuted for the 2016 model year. It enters the 2021 model year with few changes. We drove the Nissan Maxima Platinum trim level for this review.

Fresh off a transcendent 2021 redesign, the 2022 Hyundai Elantra sedan continues to offer stylish exterior design, a roomy cabin, excellent fuel economy, impressive standard safety features and driver-assistance tech, top-notch product quality, and an industry-leading warranty—all at a bargain price.
Video
No video found
No video found
Popular Features & Specs
Engine
3.5L 300 hp V6
2.0L 147 hp I4
Drive Train
FWD
FWD
Seating Capacity
5
5
Horsepower
300 hp @ 6400 rpm
147 hp @ 6200 rpm
MPG City
20
31
MPG Highway
30
41
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