Nissan Maxima vs Toyota Camry
Overview | |
MSRP$37,090 | MSRP$28,400 |
Average price$18,592 | Average price$20,026 |
Listings3232 | Listings9429 |
Ratings & Reviews | |
User Reviews | User Reviews |
Expert reviews7.3 out of 10 | Expert reviews8.0 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 SummaryThe Camry is a perennial favorite among families, pragmatics, and the performatively conscientious. It’s earned its popularity, with a reputation for reliability and safety, but it also hasn’t had as many competitors to contend with as its crossover siblings have. The few rivals it does have are all either new or recently refreshed, and now, the same can be said of the Camry. It debuts a new look, new features, and a new hybrid powertrain, and it sets a new baseline standard for the high-selling midsize sedan. Verdict: Toyota knows its audience. The 2025 Toyota Camry gives the people what they want, with up-to-date styling and tech, a strong value proposition helped along by excellent fuel economy, and, most importantly, no fatal flaws that might push a brand loyalist out of their comfort zone. | |
No video found | |
Popular Features & Specs | |
Engine3.5L 300 hp V6 | Engine |
Drive TrainFWD | Drive Train |
Seating Capacity5 | Seating Capacity5 |
Horsepower300 hp @ 6400 rpm | Horsepower |
MPG City20 | MPG City |
MPG Highway30 | MPG Highway |
Engine | |
Engine Name3.5L 300 hp V6 | Engine Name |
Torque261 lb-ft @ 4400 rpm | Torque |
Horsepower300 hp @ 6400 rpm | Horsepower |
DrivetrainFWD | Drivetrain |
Fuel Economy | |
MPG City20 | MPG City |
MPG Highway30 | MPG Highway |
Interior | |
Seating Capacity5 | Seating Capacity5 |
Key Features | |
Navigation SystemStandard | Navigation System |
Safety | |
Front Crash Overall5 | Front Crash Overall |
Side Crash Overall5 | Side Crash Overall |
Dimensions & Capacity | |
Cargo Space14.3 cu ft | Cargo Space15.1 cu ft |
Curb Weight3612 lbs | Curb Weight3310 lbs |
Height56.5 in | Height56.9 in |
Length192.8 in | Length192.1 in |
Width73.2 in | Width72.4 in |
Wheelbase109.3 in | Wheelbase111.2 in |
Maximum Payload1073 lbs | Maximum Payload925 lbs |
Number of doors4 | Number of doors4 |
Overview | ||
MSRP | $37,090 | $28,400 |
Average price | $18,592 | $20,026 |
Listings | ||
Ratings & Reviews | ||
User reviews | 4.4 | 4.3 |
Expert reviews | 7.3 out of 10Read full review | 8.0 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. | The Camry is a perennial favorite among families, pragmatics, and the performatively conscientious. It’s earned its popularity, with a reputation for reliability and safety, but it also hasn’t had as many competitors to contend with as its crossover siblings have. The few rivals it does have are all either new or recently refreshed, and now, the same can be said of the Camry. It debuts a new look, new features, and a new hybrid powertrain, and it sets a new baseline standard for the high-selling midsize sedan. Verdict: Toyota knows its audience. The 2025 Toyota Camry gives the people what they want, with up-to-date styling and tech, a strong value proposition helped along by excellent fuel economy, and, most importantly, no fatal flaws that might push a brand loyalist out of their comfort zone. |
Video | No video found | |
Popular Features & Specs | ||
Engine | 3.5L 300 hp V6 | |
Drive Train | FWD | |
Seating Capacity | 5 | 5 |
Horsepower | 300 hp @ 6400 rpm | |
MPG City | 20 | |
MPG Highway | 30 | |
Engine | ||
Engine Name | 3.5L 300 hp V6 | |
Torque | 261 lb-ft @ 4400 rpm | |
Horsepower | 300 hp @ 6400 rpm | |
Drivetrain | FWD | |
Fuel Economy | ||
MPG City | 20 | |
MPG Highway | 30 | |
Interior | ||
Seating Capacity | 5 | 5 |
Key Features | ||
Navigation System | Standard | |
Safety | ||
Front Crash Overall | 5 | |
Side Crash Overall | 5 | |
Dimensions & Capacity | ||
Cargo Space | 14.3 cu ft | 15.1 cu ft |
Curb Weight | 3612 lbs | 3310 lbs |
Height | 56.5 in | 56.9 in |
Length | 192.8 in | 192.1 in |
Width | 73.2 in | 72.4 in |
Wheelbase | 109.3 in | 111.2 in |
Maximum Payload | 1073 lbs | 925 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.