Nissan Maxima vs Chevrolet Malibu
Overview | |
Years produced1980-2014 | Years produced1964-1965 |
MSRP$37,090 | MSRP$21,680 |
Average price$21,005 | Average price$19,426 |
Listings149 | Listings1162 |
Ratings & Reviews | |
User Reviews | User Reviews |
Expert reviews7.3 out of 10 | Expert reviews |
Reviews SummaryThe 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 | |
Engine3.5L 300 hp V6 | Engine1.5L 160 hp I4 |
Drive TrainFWD | Drive TrainFWD |
Seating Capacity5 | Seating Capacity5 |
Horsepower300 hp @ 6400 rpm | Horsepower160 hp @ 5700 rpm |
MPG City20 | MPG City27 |
MPG Highway30 | MPG Highway36 |
Engine | |
Engine Name3.5L 300 hp V6 | Engine Name1.5L 160 hp I4 |
Torque261 lb-ft @ 4400 rpm | Torque184 lb-ft @ 2500 rpm |
Horsepower300 hp @ 6400 rpm | Horsepower160 hp @ 5700 rpm |
DrivetrainFWD | DrivetrainFWD |
Fuel Economy | |
MPG City20 | MPG City27 |
MPG Highway30 | MPG Highway36 |
Interior | |
Seating Capacity5 | Seating Capacity5 |
Key Features | |
Navigation SystemStandard | Navigation System |
Safety | |
Front Crash Overall5 | Front Crash Overall5 |
Side Crash Overall5 | Side Crash Overall5 |
Dimensions & Capacity | |
Cargo Space14.3 cu ft | Cargo Space15.8 cu ft |
Curb Weight3612 lbs | Curb Weight3086 lbs |
Height56.5 in | Height57.6 in |
Length192.8 in | Length193.8 in |
Width73.2 in | Width73.0 in |
Wheelbase109.3 in | Wheelbase111.4 in |
Maximum Payload1073 lbs | Maximum Payload |
Number of doors4 | Number of doors4 |
Overview | ||
Years produced | 1980-2014 | 1964-1965 |
MSRP | $37,090 | $21,680 |
Average price | $21,005 | $19,426 |
Listings | ||
Ratings & Reviews | ||
User reviews | 4.4 | 4.2 |
Expert reviews | 7.3 out of 10Read 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 | 1.5L 160 hp I4 |
Drive Train | FWD | FWD |
Seating Capacity | 5 | 5 |
Horsepower | 300 hp @ 6400 rpm | 160 hp @ 5700 rpm |
MPG City | 20 | 27 |
MPG Highway | 30 | 36 |
Engine | ||
Engine Name | 3.5L 300 hp V6 | 1.5L 160 hp I4 |
Torque | 261 lb-ft @ 4400 rpm | 184 lb-ft @ 2500 rpm |
Horsepower | 300 hp @ 6400 rpm | 160 hp @ 5700 rpm |
Drivetrain | FWD | FWD |
Fuel Economy | ||
MPG City | 20 | 27 |
MPG Highway | 30 | 36 |
Interior | ||
Seating Capacity | 5 | 5 |
Key Features | ||
Navigation System | Standard | |
Safety | ||
Front Crash Overall | 5 | 5 |
Side Crash Overall | 5 | 5 |
Dimensions & Capacity | ||
Cargo Space | 14.3 cu ft | 15.8 cu ft |
Curb Weight | 3612 lbs | 3086 lbs |
Height | 56.5 in | 57.6 in |
Length | 192.8 in | 193.8 in |
Width | 73.2 in | 73.0 in |
Wheelbase | 109.3 in | 111.4 in |
Maximum Payload | 1073 lbs | |
Number of doors | 4 | 4 |
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