Nissan Maxima vs Pontiac Aztek
Overview | |
MSRP$37,090 | MSRP$22,215 |
Average price$18,411 | Average price |
Listings3246 | Listings7 |
Ratings & Reviews | |
User Reviews | User Reviews |
Expert reviews7.3 out of 10 | Expert reviews |
Pros
| |
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, the most significant being a 40th Anniversary Edition option package for the top Platinum trim level, which sits above the base SV and mid-range SR trim levels. That’s what we test drove for this review. | |
Reviews Summary | |
No video found | No video found |
Popular Features & Specs | |
Engine3.5L 300 hp V6 | Engine3.4L 185 hp V6 |
Drive TrainFWD | Drive TrainFWD |
Seating Capacity5 | Seating Capacity5 |
Horsepower300 hp @ 6400 rpm | Horsepower185 hp @ 5200 rpm |
MPG City20 | MPG City17 |
MPG Highway30 | MPG Highway24 |
Engine | |
Engine Name3.5L 300 hp V6 | Engine Name3.4L 185 hp V6 |
Torque261 lb-ft @ 4400 rpm | Torque210 lb-ft @ 4000 rpm |
Horsepower300 hp @ 6400 rpm | Horsepower185 hp @ 5200 rpm |
DrivetrainFWD | DrivetrainFWD |
Fuel Economy | |
MPG City20 | MPG City17 |
MPG Highway30 | MPG Highway24 |
Interior | |
Leather Seats | Leather SeatsOptional |
Seating Capacity5 | Seating Capacity5 |
Key Features | |
Navigation SystemStandard | Navigation System |
Sunroof/Moonroof | Sunroof/MoonroofOptional |
Safety | |
Front Crash Overall5 | Front Crash Overall |
Side Crash Overall5 | Side Crash Overall |
Dimensions & Capacity | |
Cargo Space14.3 cu ft | Cargo Space45.4 cu ft |
Curb Weight3612 lbs | Curb Weight3779 lbs |
Height56.5 in | Height66.7 in |
Length192.8 in | Length182.1 in |
Width73.2 in | Width73.7 in |
Wheelbase109.3 in | Wheelbase108.3 in |
Maximum Payload1073 lbs | Maximum Payload |
Number of doors4 | Number of doors4 |
Maximum Towing Capacity | Maximum Towing Capacity3500 lbs |
Standard Towing Capacity | Standard Towing Capacity3500 lbs |
Overview | ||
MSRP | $37,090 | $22,215 |
Average price | $18,411 | |
Listings | ||
Ratings & Reviews | ||
User reviews | 4.4 | 4.2 |
Expert reviews | 7.3 out of 10Read full review | |
Pros & cons | Pros
| |
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, the most significant being a 40th Anniversary Edition option package for the top Platinum trim level, which sits above the base SV and mid-range SR trim levels. That’s what we test drove for this review. | |
Video | No video found | No video found |
Popular Features & Specs | ||
Engine | 3.5L 300 hp V6 | 3.4L 185 hp V6 |
Drive Train | FWD | FWD |
Seating Capacity | 5 | 5 |
Horsepower | 300 hp @ 6400 rpm | 185 hp @ 5200 rpm |
MPG City | 20 | 17 |
MPG Highway | 30 | 24 |
Engine | ||
Engine Name | 3.5L 300 hp V6 | 3.4L 185 hp V6 |
Torque | 261 lb-ft @ 4400 rpm | 210 lb-ft @ 4000 rpm |
Horsepower | 300 hp @ 6400 rpm | 185 hp @ 5200 rpm |
Drivetrain | FWD | FWD |
Fuel Economy | ||
MPG City | 20 | 17 |
MPG Highway | 30 | 24 |
Interior | ||
Leather Seats | Optional | |
Seating Capacity | 5 | 5 |
Key Features | ||
Navigation System | Standard | |
Sunroof/Moonroof | Optional | |
Safety | ||
Front Crash Overall | 5 | |
Side Crash Overall | 5 | |
Dimensions & Capacity | ||
Cargo Space | 14.3 cu ft | 45.4 cu ft |
Curb Weight | 3612 lbs | 3779 lbs |
Height | 56.5 in | 66.7 in |
Length | 192.8 in | 182.1 in |
Width | 73.2 in | 73.7 in |
Wheelbase | 109.3 in | 108.3 in |
Maximum Payload | 1073 lbs | |
Number of doors | 4 | 4 |
Maximum Towing Capacity | 3500 lbs | |
Standard Towing Capacity | 3500 lbs | |
By: CarGurus + AI
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