2022 Subaru WRX vs 2021 Nissan Maxima

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 design cues 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 blacked-out trim on the test car added a sinister look, although Nissan toned down these elements in subsequent models. The 40th Anniversary Edition featured a two-tone exterior, Ruby Slate Gray Pearl paint, black roof, and model-specific 19-inch gloss-black alloy wheels. Inside, it boasted red semi-aniline leather upholstery, white speedometer and tachometer faces, and heated rear seats, giving it a stylish and functional interior.

In contrast, the 2022 Subaru WRX offered a more subtle design. The new model was two inches wider than its predecessor, but the front end remained understated, save for the signature hood scoop. The front fascia featured a small hexagonal grille, bisected by a decorative bar and flanked by sharp LED headlights. The side profile was less busy, with black plastic cladding that improved airflow and aerodynamics. The rear fenders flared outward dramatically, and the rear featured a large plastic bumper and multifaceted taillights. The WRX looked smoother and more streamlined, although the body cladding could be distracting on bright-colored models like the Solar Orange test car. The Premium-trim tester included LED fog lights, 18-inch dark gray alloy wheels, and a subtle trunk-mounted lip spoiler. Inside, the WRX saw significant improvements with better fit and finish, a D-shaped flat-bottom steering wheel, aluminum-alloy pedal covers, carbon-fiber-pattern trim accents, and black cloth seats with red contrast stitching.

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 it wasn't a "four-door sports car," the Maxima felt quick and the V6 engine sounded great. The CVT was one of the better examples, responding quickly and meting out power efficiently. The Maxima was agile for a big sedan, but its steering lacked feel and precision, and the front end lacked grip, leading to torque steer under heavy throttle. Despite these issues, the Maxima was more coherent in its sportiness compared to competitors like the Toyota Avalon TRD and Volkswagen Arteon. The Maxima excelled in highway cruising with a quiet cabin and comfortable ride, thanks to active noise cancellation and a fairly stiff suspension.

The 2022 Subaru WRX featured a new 2.4-liter turbocharged Boxer engine, producing 271 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. The WRX came standard with all-wheel drive (AWD) and offered a choice between a six-speed manual transmission and a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). The manual transmission provided a satisfying driving experience with notchy and precise shifts, while the CVT offered faster upshifts and downshifts compared to the previous generation. The new WRX moved to the Subaru Global Platform, allowing for creative suspension tuning and reduced body roll. The suspension featured longer strokes, making the ride quality more forgiving on rough roads. The WRX felt stable and composed, even on debris-laden mountain roads.

The 2021 Nissan Maxima provided generous space for the driver and front passenger, but at the expense of rear-seat passengers. Front headroom and legroom were the highest among its competitors, but rear headroom and legroom were near the bottom of the class. The seats were positioned far inboard, which may have been good for weight distribution but not for creating a feeling of spaciousness. The center console was close to the driver, making some controls difficult to reach. The Maxima featured Nissan’s “Zero Gravity” front seats, designed for optimum support, with eight-way power adjustment for the driver and four-way for the passenger. However, the Maxima had the least cargo space in its class, with only 14.3 cubic feet.

The 2022 Subaru WRX, while no longer offering a hatchback option, saw a cargo capacity increase to 12.5 cubic feet, with a 60/40 split-fold function for the rear seats. The sport seats were comfortable and supportive, with premium cloth materials in the base and Premium trims, and Ultrasuede in the Limited and GT trims. The seats provided ample bolstering without feeling too tight, making the WRX a viable commuter vehicle. The inclusion of standard AWD added to its practicality, making it a standout option in its price range.

The 2021 Nissan Maxima's technology showed its age. It came standard with an 8-inch touchscreen, Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto compatibility, 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 looked dated, and small icons made it difficult to navigate menus while driving. The notification sounds were also jarring. Despite these issues, the Maxima had plenty of analog controls, including shortcut buttons for most touchscreen menus and knobs for climate control and audio.

The 2022 Subaru WRX featured an 11.6-inch tablet-style touchscreen display in premium-trim or higher models. The system, also found in newer Outback and Legacy models, had a few quirks but was visually impressive. Physical controls for climate control, power and volume, tuning, and defrost functions made it easier to operate. However, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay integration was not seamless, with Android Auto displaying only on the top half of the screen. The base-trim WRX had a more unusual setup with two 7-inch displays stacked on top of each other. An 11-speaker Harmon Kardon stereo system was available in higher trims.

The 2021 Nissan Maxima received an IIHS “Top Safety Pick+” rating and a five-star overall safety 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. However, the Maxima did not include the ProPilot Assist system available in other Nissan models.

The 2022 Subaru WRX's safety features varied by transmission. CVT-equipped models came standard with Subaru’s EyeSight suite, including automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and lane-tracing assist. The system also added an electronic brake booster and automatic steering assist. However, manual transmission models did not include EyeSight due to the risk of stalling during panic stops. Blind-spot monitoring with lane-change assist and rear cross-traffic alert were standard on the Limited and GT trims. The WRX's new platform absorbed more energy in a crash, and it came equipped with seven airbags, including a driver’s-side knee airbag.