Nissan Maxima vs Kia Stinger
Overview | |
Years produced1980-2014 | Years produced2018-2023 |
MSRP$37,090 | MSRP$36,290 |
Average price$19,225 | Average price |
Listings161 | Listings94 |
Ratings & Reviews | |
User Reviews | User Reviews |
Expert reviews7.3 out of 10 | Expert reviews8.3 out of 10 |
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 SummaryWhen the Kia Stinger was introduced in 2017, the rear-wheel-drive-based sports sedan was as eye-opening as it was refreshing. Combining German-tuned performance with Kia’s award-winning design, the Stinger was a defining moment in the automaker’s steady march toward offering upscale products. The Kia Stinger receives a mild refresh for 2022 to offer more power, and it also gets updated design flourishes and technology features. | |
No video found | No video found |
Popular Features & Specs | |
Engine3.5L 300 hp V6 | Engine2.5L 300 hp I4 |
Drive TrainFWD | Drive TrainRWD |
Seating Capacity5 | Seating Capacity5 |
Horsepower300 hp @ 6400 rpm | Horsepower300 hp @ 5800 rpm |
MPG City20 | MPG City22 |
MPG Highway30 | MPG Highway32 |
Engine | |
Engine Name3.5L 300 hp V6 | Engine Name2.5L 300 hp I4 |
Torque261 lb-ft @ 4400 rpm | Torque311 lb-ft @ 1650 rpm |
Horsepower300 hp @ 6400 rpm | Horsepower300 hp @ 5800 rpm |
DrivetrainFWD | DrivetrainRWD |
Fuel Economy | |
MPG City20 | MPG City22 |
MPG Highway30 | MPG Highway32 |
Interior | |
Seating Capacity5 | Seating Capacity5 |
Key Features | |
Navigation SystemStandard | Navigation SystemStandard |
Safety | |
Front Crash Overall5 | Front Crash Overall4 |
Side Crash Overall5 | Side Crash Overall5 |
Dimensions & Capacity | |
Cargo Space14.3 cu ft | Cargo Space23.3 cu ft |
Curb Weight3612 lbs | Curb Weight3611 lbs |
Height56.5 in | Height55.1 in |
Length192.8 in | Length190.2 in |
Width73.2 in | Width73.6 in |
Wheelbase109.3 in | Wheelbase114.4 in |
Maximum Payload1073 lbs | Maximum Payload1239 lbs |
Number of doors4 | Number of doors4 |
Overview | ||
Years produced | 1980-2014 | 2018-2023 |
MSRP | $37,090 | $36,290 |
Average price | $19,225 | |
Listings | ||
Ratings & Reviews | ||
User reviews | ||
Expert reviews | 7.3 out of 10Read full review | 8.3 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. | When the Kia Stinger was introduced in 2017, the rear-wheel-drive-based sports sedan was as eye-opening as it was refreshing. Combining German-tuned performance with Kia’s award-winning design, the Stinger was a defining moment in the automaker’s steady march toward offering upscale products. The Kia Stinger receives a mild refresh for 2022 to offer more power, and it also gets updated design flourishes and technology features. |
Video | No video found | No video found |
Popular Features & Specs | ||
Engine | 3.5L 300 hp V6 | 2.5L 300 hp I4 |
Drive Train | FWD | RWD |
Seating Capacity | 5 | 5 |
Horsepower | 300 hp @ 6400 rpm | 300 hp @ 5800 rpm |
MPG City | 20 | 22 |
MPG Highway | 30 | 32 |
Engine | ||
Engine Name | 3.5L 300 hp V6 | 2.5L 300 hp I4 |
Torque | 261 lb-ft @ 4400 rpm | 311 lb-ft @ 1650 rpm |
Horsepower | 300 hp @ 6400 rpm | 300 hp @ 5800 rpm |
Drivetrain | FWD | RWD |
Fuel Economy | ||
MPG City | 20 | 22 |
MPG Highway | 30 | 32 |
Interior | ||
Seating Capacity | 5 | 5 |
Key Features | ||
Navigation System | Standard | Standard |
Safety | ||
Front Crash Overall | 5 | 4 |
Side Crash Overall | 5 | 5 |
Dimensions & Capacity | ||
Cargo Space | 14.3 cu ft | 23.3 cu ft |
Curb Weight | 3612 lbs | 3611 lbs |
Height | 56.5 in | 55.1 in |
Length | 192.8 in | 190.2 in |
Width | 73.2 in | 73.6 in |
Wheelbase | 109.3 in | 114.4 in |
Maximum Payload | 1073 lbs | 1239 lbs |
Number of doors | 4 | 4 |
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