2021 Nissan Altima vs 2021 Nissan Maxima

The 2021 Nissan Altima showcased Nissan's signature V-Motion grille, available in chrome or dark chrome, with the Nissan logo prominently displayed at the center. Its sleek, aerodynamic profile was accentuated by a sloping “coupe-like” roofline and taut body lines. Despite a somewhat old-fashioned stance due to its extended front and rear overhangs, modern touches like standard LED lighting and a range of wheel options from 16-inch steel to 19-inch alloy kept its appearance contemporary. The Altima's fit and finish were exceptional, with deep, lustrous paint and rich chrome details available in nine exterior colors, some of which required an additional cost.

Inside, the Altima featured an uncluttered dashboard with a standard 8-inch touchscreen display positioned for optimal safety and convenience. The instrument panel was designed to minimize glare, enhancing visibility. While the base model felt basic, higher trims offered improved materials, including stitched dashboards and seats, providing a more premium feel. The interior layout was practical and user-friendly, making it a comfortable and functional space for drivers and passengers alike.

The 2021 Nissan Maxima, as Nissan's flagship sedan, set a bold design standard with its steeply-angled front end and massive grille, reminiscent of an Art Deco locomotive. The test car's blacked-out trim gave it a sinister look, though subsequent models saw a toned-down approach. The 40th Anniversary Edition featured a two-tone exterior, unique 19-inch gloss-black alloy wheels, and red semi-aniline leather upholstery, adding a touch of exclusivity. The interior was dressed up with dark-red leather seats and white gauge faces, blending style with functionality.

The Maxima's interior was designed with the driver in mind, offering a spacious front cabin with excellent visibility. However, the rear seats were less accommodating, with limited headroom and legroom compared to competitors. The front seats, featuring Nissan's "Zero Gravity" design, provided excellent support and comfort, though more thigh bolstering would have been appreciated. Despite its sporty intentions, the Maxima's interior space and layout were more suited for front-seat occupants, with rear passengers experiencing a more cramped environment.

The 2021 Nissan Altima offered a versatile range of powertrains. Most configurations featured a naturally aspirated 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 182 horsepower and 178 pound-feet of torque, paired with Nissan’s Xtronic CVT. Front-wheel drive was standard, with all-wheel drive available on most trims. Fuel economy for the FWD models was rated at 28 mpg city/39 mpg highway/32 mpg combined, while AWD models achieved 25 mpg city/35 mpg highway/29 mpg combined.

The standout option was the VC-Turbo engine, available only in the Altima SR VC-Turbo trim. This 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine utilized variable compression technology to deliver 248 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of torque, offering a more dynamic driving experience. Despite its higher performance, the VC-Turbo maintained respectable fuel economy ratings of 25 mpg city/34 mpg highway/29 mpg combined. The Altima's suspension and steering provided a balanced ride, with the VC-Turbo model featuring a sport-tuned suspension for enhanced handling.

The 2021 Nissan Maxima came equipped with a 3.5-liter V6 engine producing 300 horsepower and 261 pound-feet of torque, paired with a CVT and front-wheel drive. While it lacked the all-wheel drive option available in some competitors, the Maxima's V6 engine delivered strong performance and a pleasing exhaust note. The CVT was one of the better examples, providing responsive power delivery and enhancing the driving experience.

In terms of handling, the Maxima was agile for a large sedan but had limitations. The steering lacked precision and feel, and the front end struggled with grip, leading to torque steer under heavy acceleration. Despite these drawbacks, the Maxima offered a comfortable ride with a quiet cabin, thanks to active noise cancellation. The suspension was firm enough to improve handling without compromising overall comfort, making it a solid choice for highway cruising.

The 2021 Nissan Altima featured Nissan’s acclaimed Zero Gravity front seats, which provided exceptional comfort even on long drives. Higher trims offered power adjustments, memory settings, leather upholstery, and heated seats. The front cabin was well-equipped with ample storage, including a large glovebox, center console bin, and door pockets. The rear seats were spacious enough for two adults, with a 60/40 split-folding design for added versatility. The trunk offered 15.4 cubic feet of cargo space, making it practical for everyday use.

The 2021 Nissan Maxima prioritized front-seat comfort, with generous headroom and legroom for the driver and front passenger. However, rear-seat passengers faced limited space, with the lowest rear legroom in its class. The front seats featured Nissan’s Zero Gravity design with multiple power adjustments and bolstering for added support. Despite the spacious front cabin, the close proximity of the center console created a slightly cramped feeling. The Maxima's trunk provided 14.3 cubic feet of cargo space, less than its competitors, but still functional for most needs.

The 2021 Nissan Altima came well-equipped with standard tech features, including Nissan Intelligent Key with pushbutton start, remote engine start, Bluetooth, cruise control, and more. The base model featured a 7-inch touchscreen, while higher trims had an 8-inch NissanConnect touchscreen. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard on all but the base S model. The Altima also offered multiple USB ports, SiriusXM satellite radio, and an optional Bose audio system on higher trims. Advanced features like Nissan Door to Door Navigation and NissanConnect Services were available on select trims.

The 2021 Nissan Maxima's technology showed its age, despite covering the basics. It featured an 8-inch touchscreen, Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a built-in WiFi hotspot. USB-A and USB-C ports were conveniently located in a cubbyhole. An 11-speaker Bose audio system was available. However, the infotainment system's graphics and interface felt outdated, with small icons and confusing notification sounds. Nissan provided analog controls for climate and audio, but the overall user experience was less intuitive compared to newer systems.

The 2021 Nissan Altima featured Nissan Safety Shield 360, a comprehensive suite of safety features standard on SV and above trims. This included automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, rear automatic braking, rear cross-traffic alert, blind-spot warning, lane-departure warning, and high-beam assist. ProPilot Assist was available, offering advanced driver-assist features for highway driving. The Altima also offered an Intelligent Around View Monitor for easier parking. It received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS.

The 2021 Nissan Maxima also received high safety ratings, with a Top Safety Pick+ from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA. Standard safety features included automatic emergency braking, forward-collision warning, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-departure warning, automatic high beams, and rear automatic emergency braking. Optional features included adaptive cruise control, traffic sign recognition, a driver-alertness monitor, and a 360-degree camera system. However, the Maxima did not offer the ProPilot Assist system available in the Altima.