2022 Mercedes-Benz E-Class vs 2021 Nissan Maxima

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.

Following a substantial refresh for the 2021 model year, the mid-size 2022 Mercedes-Benz E-Class lineup sees few changes. The most significant of them is the cancelation of E63 and E63 S AMG models. Reportedly due to supply chain problems, V8 engines are being dropped from much of the 2022 Mercedes-Benz lineup. That leaves the E-Class with turbocharged four-cylinder and six-cylinder power plants.

Additionally, a couple of paint colours are new. With the E-Class coupe and convertible body styles, rear USB charging ports are now standard equipment.