2021 Nissan Maxima vs 2022 Mercedes-Benz S-Class

The 2021 Nissan Maxima, as a flagship sedan, set the tone for other Nissan models with its bold styling elements like the “floating” roofline and “V-Motion” grille. These features were later adopted by smaller models such as the Altima, Sentra, and Versa. The Maxima distinguished itself with a steeply-angled front end and a massive grille, giving it an Art Deco locomotive appearance. The 40th Anniversary Edition added a two-tone exterior, Ruby Slate Gray Pearl paint, black roof, 19-inch gloss-black alloy wheels, and red semi-aniline leather upholstery, enhancing its sinister look.

The 2022 Mercedes-Benz S-Class, following a complete makeover in 2021, maintained its fantastic appearance. The S-Class, rooted in the 1954 “Ponton” models, has evolved into a sleek, elegant sedan with a long distance between the front axle and the dashboard, enhancing its elegance. The S-Class’s exterior, with its proud Mercedes-Benz grille and star hood ornament, exuded luxury. Inside, the dashboard featured a waterfall of open-pore wood trim and a 12.8-inch touchscreen, complemented by a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel, creating a visually stunning and functional interior.

The 2021 Nissan Maxima was equipped with a 3.5-liter V6 engine producing 300 horsepower and 261 pound-feet of torque, paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and front-wheel drive (FWD). While not a “four-door sports car,” the Maxima offered a quick and enjoyable driving experience, with the V6 engine providing a great sound. The CVT was responsive, and the car handled well in corners, though the steering lacked precision and the front end suffered from torque steer. Despite these issues, the Maxima was comfortable for highway cruising, with a quiet cabin and a fairly stiff suspension that still managed to provide a comfortable ride.

The 2022 Mercedes-Benz S-Class offered two engine options: the S500 with a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six-cylinder mild-hybrid engine producing 429 horsepower and 384 pound-feet of torque, and the S580 with a twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V8 engine. Both models featured the EQ Boost system, adding up to 21 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque during high demand. The S500 and S580 used a nine-speed automatic transmission with standard 4Matic AWD. The S500 accelerated from 0-60 mph in 4.9 seconds, while the S580 did it in 4.4 seconds. Despite their weight, both models offered flat and predictable handling, powerful braking, and impressive fuel efficiency, with the S500 achieving up to 21 mpg city/30 mpg highway.

The 2021 Nissan Maxima provided generous space for the driver and front passenger, with the highest front headroom and legroom in its class. However, rear-seat passengers had limited headroom and the worst legroom among full-size sedans. The seats were positioned far inboard, creating a cramped feeling despite the generous front space. The Maxima featured Nissan’s “Zero Gravity” front seats, designed for optimum support, but the rear seats were less accommodating. The trunk offered 14.3 cubic feet of cargo space, the smallest in its competitive set.

The 2022 Mercedes-Benz S-Class excelled in interior space and comfort, with a serene cabin and luxury features. Second-row passengers enjoyed powered sun blinds and a Panorama Sunroof. The trunk provided 13.8 cubic feet of space. The cabin included six USB-C ports and a 115-volt power supply in the second row. The driver and front passenger had active multicontour seats with massage, memory, lumbar support, and comfort headrests. The Luxury Line added heated armrests and the “Energizing Comfort” system, while the Executive Line upgraded rear seats and included a high-end rear-seat entertainment system. The S-Class also featured soft-close doors for added convenience.

The 2021 Nissan Maxima’s technology showed its age, with an 8-inch touchscreen, Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto compatibility, and a built-in WiFi hotspot. The system included USB-A and USB-C ports and an 11-speaker Bose audio system. However, the infotainment system had dated graphics, small icons, and confusing notification sounds. While Nissan provided analog controls for climate and audio, the overall user experience was lacking.

The 2022 Mercedes-Benz S-Class was packed with advanced technology, featuring a 12.8-inch OLED touchscreen for the MBUX infotainment system and a 12.3-inch LED virtual instrument panel. The optional 3D instrument cluster added depth and visual interest. The standard augmented video for navigation and available augmented reality head-up display provided clear and futuristic navigation assistance. The audio experience was enhanced by a standard Burmester 3D Surround sound system, with an optional 4D Surround system adding headrest speakers. The S-Class also featured rear-axle steering for improved maneuverability.

The 2021 Nissan Maxima received top safety ratings, including an IIHS “Top Safety Pick+” and a five-star overall rating from 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.

The 2022 Mercedes-Benz S-Class was loaded with safety features, including Magic Vision Control, active distance assist Distronic adaptive cruise control, active stop-and-go assist, active steering assist, active brake assist, active speed limit assist, active blind-spot assist, active lane-keeping assist, active parking assist, Pre-Safe Plus, and car-to-x communication. The S-Class also offered rear-passenger airbags and rear-seat belt bags for added safety.