Nissan Maxima vs Nissan Murano
Overview | |
MSRP$37,090 | MSRP$32,810 |
Average price$18,509 | Average price$20,732 |
Listings3212 | Listings9429 |
Ratings & Reviews | |
User Reviews | User Reviews |
Expert reviews7.3 out of 10 | Expert reviews7.8 out of 10 |
Pros
| Pros
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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 SummaryWhile most midsize SUVs offer three rows, the 2021 Nissan Murano focuses on two rows of comfortable seating. Rivals like the Honda Passport have come on the scene in recent years, but Nissan’s comfortable crossover never left. The Murano was introduced in 2002 as a 2003 model, and the third generation arrived for the 2015 model year. Last refreshed for 2019, the Murano carries over into the 2021 model year largely unchanged, although it does get some additional standard safety features. | |
No video found | No video found |
Popular Features & Specs | |
Engine3.5L 300 hp V6 | Engine3.5L 260 hp V6 |
Drive TrainFWD | Drive TrainFWD |
Seating Capacity5 | Seating Capacity5 |
Horsepower300 hp @ 6400 rpm | Horsepower260 hp @ 6000 rpm |
MPG City20 | MPG City20 |
MPG Highway30 | MPG Highway28 |
Engine | |
Engine Name3.5L 300 hp V6 | Engine Name3.5L 260 hp V6 |
Torque261 lb-ft @ 4400 rpm | Torque240 lb-ft @ 4400 rpm |
Horsepower300 hp @ 6400 rpm | Horsepower260 hp @ 6000 rpm |
DrivetrainFWD | DrivetrainFWD |
Fuel Economy | |
MPG City20 | MPG City20 |
MPG Highway30 | MPG Highway28 |
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 Space32.1 cu ft |
Curb Weight3612 lbs | Curb Weight3833 lbs |
Height56.5 in | Height67.8 in |
Length192.8 in | Length192.8 in |
Width73.2 in | Width75.4 in |
Wheelbase109.3 in | Wheelbase111.2 in |
Maximum Payload1073 lbs | Maximum Payload1277 lbs |
Number of doors4 | Number of doors4 |
Overview | ||
MSRP | $37,090 | $32,810 |
Average price | $18,509 | $20,732 |
Listings | ||
Ratings & Reviews | ||
User reviews | 4.4 | 4.5 |
Expert reviews | 7.3 out of 10Read full review | 7.8 out of 10Read full review |
Pros & cons | Pros
| Pros
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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. | While most midsize SUVs offer three rows, the 2021 Nissan Murano focuses on two rows of comfortable seating. Rivals like the Honda Passport have come on the scene in recent years, but Nissan’s comfortable crossover never left. The Murano was introduced in 2002 as a 2003 model, and the third generation arrived for the 2015 model year. Last refreshed for 2019, the Murano carries over into the 2021 model year largely unchanged, although it does get some additional standard safety features. |
Video | No video found | No video found |
Popular Features & Specs | ||
Engine | 3.5L 300 hp V6 | 3.5L 260 hp V6 |
Drive Train | FWD | FWD |
Seating Capacity | 5 | 5 |
Horsepower | 300 hp @ 6400 rpm | 260 hp @ 6000 rpm |
MPG City | 20 | 20 |
MPG Highway | 30 | 28 |
Engine | ||
Engine Name | 3.5L 300 hp V6 | 3.5L 260 hp V6 |
Torque | 261 lb-ft @ 4400 rpm | 240 lb-ft @ 4400 rpm |
Horsepower | 300 hp @ 6400 rpm | 260 hp @ 6000 rpm |
Drivetrain | FWD | FWD |
Fuel Economy | ||
MPG City | 20 | 20 |
MPG Highway | 30 | 28 |
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 | 32.1 cu ft |
Curb Weight | 3612 lbs | 3833 lbs |
Height | 56.5 in | 67.8 in |
Length | 192.8 in | 192.8 in |
Width | 73.2 in | 75.4 in |
Wheelbase | 109.3 in | 111.2 in |
Maximum Payload | 1073 lbs | 1277 lbs |
Number of doors | 4 | 4 |
By: CarGurus + AI
This car comparison has been created with using generative AI. It is based entirely on CarGurus expert review content, ratings and data, and leverages our extensive library of hands-on product tests to create thousands of unique comparisons to help shoppers choose the right car.