Nissan Maxima vs MINI Cooper

2021 Nissan Maxima
2021 Nissan Maxima
$37,090MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
2023 MINI Cooper
2023 MINI Cooper
$27,400MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
2021 Nissan Maxima
$37,090MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
2023 MINI Cooper
$27,400MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
Overview

Years produced

1980-2014

Years produced

1978

MSRP

$37,090

MSRP

$27,400

Average price

$21,005

Average price

$21,565

Listings

149

Listings

613
Ratings & Reviews
User Reviews
User Reviews

Expert reviews

7.3 out of 10

Expert reviews

6.3 out of 10
Pros
  • Stylish design
  • Powerful engine
  • Manual transmission available
Cons
  • Not much cargo space
  • Poor value for money

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

You either join the MINI camp or shake your head “no.” There has never been a middle ground with a MINI. That’s the point—to drive a fun-looking, fun-to-drive small car that’s unlike anything else in the neighbourhood. For 2023, the MINI Cooper offers a limited-run Resolute Edition and a few new paint colours. Our test drive was with a two-door Hardtop John Cooper Works (JCW) while participating in a rally with more than 700 MINI owners. Maybe next time you’ll join them with your new MINI.
No video found
No video found
Popular Features & Specs

Engine

3.5L 300 hp V6

Engine

1.5L 134 hp I3

Drive Train

FWD

Drive Train

FWD

Seating Capacity

5

Seating Capacity

4

Horsepower

300 hp @ 6400 rpm

Horsepower

134 hp @ 4500 rpm

MPG City

20

MPG City

29

MPG Highway

30

MPG Highway

38
2021 Nissan Maxima
2021 Nissan Maxima
$37,090MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
2023 MINI Cooper
2023 MINI Cooper
$27,400MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
2021 Nissan Maxima
$37,090MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
2023 MINI Cooper
$27,400MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
Overview
Years produced
1980-2014
1978
MSRP
$37,090
$27,400
Average price
$21,005
$21,565
Listings
Ratings & Reviews
User reviews
4.4
4.6
Expert reviews

7.3 out of 10

Read full review

6.3 out of 10

Read full review
Pros & cons
Pros
  • Stylish design
  • Powerful engine
  • Manual transmission available
Cons
  • Not much cargo space
  • Poor value for money
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.

You either join the MINI camp or shake your head “no.” There has never been a middle ground with a MINI. That’s the point—to drive a fun-looking, fun-to-drive small car that’s unlike anything else in the neighbourhood. For 2023, the MINI Cooper offers a limited-run Resolute Edition and a few new paint colours. Our test drive was with a two-door Hardtop John Cooper Works (JCW) while participating in a rally with more than 700 MINI owners. Maybe next time you’ll join them with your new MINI.
Video
No video found
No video found
Popular Features & Specs
Engine
3.5L 300 hp V6
1.5L 134 hp I3
Drive Train
FWD
FWD
Seating Capacity
5
4
Horsepower
300 hp @ 6400 rpm
134 hp @ 4500 rpm
MPG City
20
29
MPG Highway
30
38
CarGurus logo

By: CarGurus + AI

At CarGurus, our team of experienced automotive writers remain at the heart of our content operation, conducting hands-on car tests and writing insightful guides that are backed by years of industry experience. To complement this, we are harnessing AI to make our content offering more diverse and more helpful to shoppers than ever. To achieve this, our AI systems are based exclusively on CarGurus content, ratings and data, so that what we produce is both unique to CarGurus, and uniquely helpful to car shoppers.

Popular vehicle comparisons

Similar Comparisons

Similar Comparisons by Year