Nissan Maxima vs Chevrolet Cruze

2021 Nissan Maxima
2021 Nissan Maxima
$37,090MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
2018 Chevrolet Cruze
2018 Chevrolet Cruze
$16,975MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
2021 Nissan Maxima
$37,090MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
2018 Chevrolet Cruze
$16,975MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
Overview

Years produced

1980-2014

Years produced

2011-2019

MSRP

$37,090

MSRP

$16,975

Average price

$21,005

Average price

$11,550

Listings

149

Listings

912
Ratings & Reviews
User Reviews
User Reviews

Expert reviews

7.3 out of 10

Expert reviews

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.

Reviews Summary

No video found
No video found
Popular Features & Specs

Engine

3.5L 300 hp V6

Engine

1.4L 153 hp I4

Drive Train

FWD

Drive Train

FWD

Seating Capacity

5

Seating Capacity

5

Horsepower

300 hp @ 6400 rpm

Horsepower

153 hp @ 5600 rpm

MPG City

20

MPG City

27

MPG Highway

30

MPG Highway

40
2021 Nissan Maxima
2021 Nissan Maxima
$37,090MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
2018 Chevrolet Cruze
2018 Chevrolet Cruze
$16,975MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
2021 Nissan Maxima
$37,090MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
2018 Chevrolet Cruze
$16,975MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
Overview
Years produced
1980-2014
2011-2019
MSRP
$37,090
$16,975
Average price
$21,005
$11,550
Listings
Ratings & Reviews
User reviews
4.4
4.3
Expert reviews

7.3 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.

Video
No video found
No video found
Popular Features & Specs
Engine
3.5L 300 hp V6
1.4L 153 hp I4
Drive Train
FWD
FWD
Seating Capacity
5
5
Horsepower
300 hp @ 6400 rpm
153 hp @ 5600 rpm
MPG City
20
27
MPG Highway
30
40
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