2021 Nissan Maxima vs 2022 Mercedes-Benz S-Class

2021 Nissan Maxima
2021 Nissan Maxima
$37,090MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
2022 Mercedes-Benz S-Class
2022 Mercedes-Benz S-Class
$111,100MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
2021 Nissan Maxima
$37,090MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
2022 Mercedes-Benz S-Class
$111,100MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
Overview

MSRP

$37,090

MSRP

$111,100

Average price

$28,113

Average price

$129,745

Listings

9

Listings

12
Ratings & Reviews
User Reviews
User Reviews

Expert reviews

7.3 out of 10

Expert reviews

8.7 out of 10

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 Mercedes-Benz S-Class Reviews Summary

The 2022 Mercedes-Benz S-Class is a full-size four-door luxury sedan with a 48-volt mild hybrid system as part of its gasoline-electric powertrain, including a turbocharged 3.0-litre inline-6-cylinder gas engine (S500) or twin-turbo 4.0-litre V8 (S580), with EQ Boost, a nine-speed automatic transmission, and all-wheel drive (AWD). The S500 starts at $123,500; the S580 starts at $139,900. Natural Resources Canada estimates the S500 can achieve fuel consumption as low as 11.4 litres per 100 kilometres city/8.0 highway/9.9 combined, while the S580 is rated at 14.3 L/100 km city/9.5 highway/12.2 combined.
No video found
No video found
Popular Features & Specs

Engine

3.5L 300 hp V6

Engine

3.0L 429 hp I6

Drive Train

FWD

Drive Train

AWD

Seating Capacity

5

Seating Capacity

5

Horsepower

300 hp @ 6400 rpm

Horsepower

429 hp @ 6100 rpm

MPG City

20

MPG City

21

MPG Highway

30

MPG Highway

30
2021 Nissan Maxima
2021 Nissan Maxima
$37,090MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
2022 Mercedes-Benz S-Class
2022 Mercedes-Benz S-Class
$111,100MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
2021 Nissan Maxima
$37,090MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
2022 Mercedes-Benz S-Class
$111,100MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
Overview
MSRP
$37,090
$111,100
Average price
$28,113
$129,745
Listings
Ratings & Reviews
User reviews
4.9
4.8
Expert reviews

7.3 out of 10

Read full review

8.7 out of 10

Read full review
Pros & cons
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.

The 2022 Mercedes-Benz S-Class is a full-size four-door luxury sedan with a 48-volt mild hybrid system as part of its gasoline-electric powertrain, including a turbocharged 3.0-litre inline-6-cylinder gas engine (S500) or twin-turbo 4.0-litre V8 (S580), with EQ Boost, a nine-speed automatic transmission, and all-wheel drive (AWD). The S500 starts at $123,500; the S580 starts at $139,900. Natural Resources Canada estimates the S500 can achieve fuel consumption as low as 11.4 litres per 100 kilometres city/8.0 highway/9.9 combined, while the S580 is rated at 14.3 L/100 km city/9.5 highway/12.2 combined.
Video
No video found
No video found
Popular Features & Specs
Engine
3.5L 300 hp V6
3.0L 429 hp I6
Drive Train
FWD
AWD
Seating Capacity
5
5
Horsepower
300 hp @ 6400 rpm
429 hp @ 6100 rpm
MPG City
20
21
MPG Highway
30
30
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