2020 Lexus ES vs 2021 Nissan Maxima
Overview | |
MSRP$39,900 | MSRP$37,090 |
Average price$31,567 | Average price$24,314 |
Listings305 | Listings460 |
Ratings & Reviews | |
User Reviews | User Reviews |
Expert reviews8.0 out of 10 | Expert reviews7.3 out of 10 |
Pros
| Pros
|
2020 Lexus ES Reviews SummarySUVs might dominate the luxury car market, but many luxury brands were built on sedans, like the 2020 Lexus ES. While crossovers and SUVs combine added cargo space with all-weather driving capability, sedans are all about driving in comfort. Lower ride height allows sedans to be far more refined in on-road driving dynamics, offer better fuel economy, and still have enough room for a weekend’s worth of bags. SUVs might have the attributes that you might need in certain scenarios, but sedans like the 2020 Lexus ES excel in ways that are relevant in everyday driving. The 2020 Lexus ES is one year off a complete redesign, though it maintains the same comfort-first formula. It is available in a racy 350 F Sport trim level, but don’t expect any major leaps in performance. The ES delivers on a serene ride and a quiet, well-appointed cabin. For 2020, the ES gains some in-cabin tech features, joining a long list of standard technology. | |
2021 Nissan Maxima 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. | |
No video found | |
Popular Features & Specs | |
Engine3.5L 302 hp V6 | Engine3.5L 300 hp V6 |
Drive TrainFWD | Drive TrainFWD |
Seating Capacity5 | Seating Capacity5 |
Horsepower302 hp @ 6600 rpm | Horsepower300 hp @ 6400 rpm |
MPG City22 | MPG City20 |
MPG Highway32 | MPG Highway30 |
Engine | |
Engine Name3.5L 302 hp V6 | Engine Name3.5L 300 hp V6 |
Torque267 lb-ft @ 4700 rpm | Torque261 lb-ft @ 4400 rpm |
Horsepower302 hp @ 6600 rpm | Horsepower300 hp @ 6400 rpm |
DrivetrainFWD | DrivetrainFWD |
Fuel Economy | |
MPG City22 | MPG City20 |
MPG Highway32 | MPG Highway30 |
Interior | |
Seating Capacity5 | Seating Capacity5 |
Key Features | |
Navigation System | Navigation SystemStandard |
Sunroof/MoonroofOptional | Sunroof/Moonroof |
Safety | |
Front Crash Overall4 | Front Crash Overall5 |
Side Crash Overall5 | Side Crash Overall5 |
Dimensions & Capacity | |
Cargo Space16.7 cu ft | Cargo Space14.3 cu ft |
Curb Weight3649 lbs | Curb Weight3612 lbs |
Height56.9 in | Height56.5 in |
Length195.9 in | Length192.8 in |
Width73.4 in | Width73.2 in |
Wheelbase113.0 in | Wheelbase109.3 in |
Maximum Payload905 lbs | Maximum Payload1073 lbs |
Number of doors4 | Number of doors4 |
Overview | ||
MSRP | $39,900 | $37,090 |
Average price | $31,567 | $24,314 |
Listings | ||
Ratings & Reviews | ||
User reviews | 4.8 | 4.9 |
Expert reviews | 8.0 out of 10Read full review | 7.3 out of 10Read full review |
Pros & cons | Pros
| Pros
|
Summary | SUVs might dominate the luxury car market, but many luxury brands were built on sedans, like the 2020 Lexus ES. While crossovers and SUVs combine added cargo space with all-weather driving capability, sedans are all about driving in comfort. Lower ride height allows sedans to be far more refined in on-road driving dynamics, offer better fuel economy, and still have enough room for a weekend’s worth of bags. SUVs might have the attributes that you might need in certain scenarios, but sedans like the 2020 Lexus ES excel in ways that are relevant in everyday driving. The 2020 Lexus ES is one year off a complete redesign, though it maintains the same comfort-first formula. It is available in a racy 350 F Sport trim level, but don’t expect any major leaps in performance. The ES delivers on a serene ride and a quiet, well-appointed cabin. For 2020, the ES gains some in-cabin tech features, joining a long list of standard technology. | 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 | |
Popular Features & Specs | ||
Engine | 3.5L 302 hp V6 | 3.5L 300 hp V6 |
Drive Train | FWD | FWD |
Seating Capacity | 5 | 5 |
Horsepower | 302 hp @ 6600 rpm | 300 hp @ 6400 rpm |
MPG City | 22 | 20 |
MPG Highway | 32 | 30 |
Engine | ||
Engine Name | 3.5L 302 hp V6 | 3.5L 300 hp V6 |
Torque | 267 lb-ft @ 4700 rpm | 261 lb-ft @ 4400 rpm |
Horsepower | 302 hp @ 6600 rpm | 300 hp @ 6400 rpm |
Drivetrain | FWD | FWD |
Fuel Economy | ||
MPG City | 22 | 20 |
MPG Highway | 32 | 30 |
Interior | ||
Seating Capacity | 5 | 5 |
Key Features | ||
Navigation System | Standard | |
Sunroof/Moonroof | Optional | |
Safety | ||
Front Crash Overall | 4 | 5 |
Side Crash Overall | 5 | 5 |
Dimensions & Capacity | ||
Cargo Space | 16.7 cu ft | 14.3 cu ft |
Curb Weight | 3649 lbs | 3612 lbs |
Height | 56.9 in | 56.5 in |
Length | 195.9 in | 192.8 in |
Width | 73.4 in | 73.2 in |
Wheelbase | 113.0 in | 109.3 in |
Maximum Payload | 905 lbs | 1073 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.