Nissan Maxima vs BMW 3 Series

The 2021 Nissan Maxima stood as a bold and assertive entrant in Nissan’s sedan lineup. It was designed to make a statement with its striking “floating” roofline and “V-Motion” grille, both of which became signature elements, influencing the design language of other Nissan models like the Altima, Sentra, and Versa. The Maxima differentiated itself with a daring appearance, featuring a steeply-angled front end and immense grille, resembling an Art Deco locomotive in motion. The overall silhouette, when coupled with blacked-out trim on the test car, presented an intimidating visage. While subsequent models saw toned-down versions of these elements, the Maxima remained a standout with its aggressive styling.

Specific to the 2021 Maxima, the 40th Anniversary Edition flaunted a distinguished two-tone exterior in Ruby Slate Gray Pearl with a contrasting black roof. This edition boasted model-specific 19-inch gloss-black alloy wheels, black exterior trim including exhaust tips, red semi-aniline leather upholstery, white speedometer and tachometer faces, and heated rear seats. Its interior was elaborately dressed, with the dark-red leather seats exuding an 80s vibe, and the white gauge faces offering a touch of stylish functionality.

In contrast, the 2022 BMW 3 Series maintained the brand’s reputation for sleek, elegant styling across its various trims, including the 330i, 330e, M340i, and M3. Our focus is the M340i, which we reviewed, clad in a special-order Barbera Red paint. Despite its beauty, the color came with a hefty $4,500 premium that seemed excessive. However, this was paired masterfully with Cognac-color SensaTec simulated leather upholstery and an optional SensaTec dashboard wrap, elevating the cabin’s aesthetic appeal.

Overall, the BMW 3 Series emphasized a technical yet luxurious interior, reflecting a dedication to driving pleasure without foregoing quality materials and attention to aesthetic detail.

The 2021 Nissan Maxima, with its single 3.5-liter V6 engine, generated a robust 300 horsepower and 261 pound-feet of torque. This powertrain, paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and front-wheel drive (FWD), delivered a commendable driving experience. The V6 engine was responsive, delivering a satisfying note and agile acceleration suitable for a vehicle of its class. Despite the typical buzzkill reputation of CVTs, the Maxima’s transmission proved more responsive than some conventional automatics.

However, the Maxima revealed its limitations in dynamic driving conditions. While remarkably agile for a large sedan, the steering felt vague, preventing precise inputs and feedback necessary for spirited driving. The front-wheel drive setup also led to torque steer under heavy throttle, which diminished driver confidence on winding roads. Despite this, compared to competitors like the Toyota Avalon TRD, the Maxima’s coherent design targeted sportiness effectively from the outset, contrasting with rivals that seemed to graft sportiness onto already comfortable designs. The Maxima, with its stiff suspension, balanced handling with comfort over most road imperfections, affirming its capability as both a sporty and comfortable ride.

The 2022 BMW 3 Series, specifically the M340i, equipped with a remarkable turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six engine, engaged a 48-volt mild-hybrid system. This powertrain delivered an impressive 382 horsepower between 5,800 rpm and 6,500 rpm and 368 pound-feet of torque from 1,800 rpm to 5,000 rpm. The eight-speed automatic transmission with sport mode and launch control optimized performance, transmitting power to the rear wheels via an M Sport differential.

BMW’s claim of a 0-60 mph sprint in 4.4 seconds for the M340i was credible across various driving conditions. The taut, well-balanced handling, supported by the optional Adaptive M Suspension and variable sport steering, made the M340i exceptionally engaging, reacting perfectly to driver inputs with precision and poise even on challenging roads like those of the Santa Monica Mountains.

The M340i managed to blend superior performance with efficiency, achieving 24.9 mpg on the test route, close to the EPA combined rating of 26 mpg. Unlike the Maxima, which felt compromised at the limits, the M340i excelled, proving that BMW had refined its technology and handling enhancements to meet driving enthusiasts' high expectations.

In the 2021 Nissan Maxima, front passengers enjoyed ample headroom and legroom, making it class-leading for these dimensions. However, this space came at the cost of rear passenger comfort. Rear headroom and legroom were significantly less than competitors, resulting in a cramped feeling for back seat occupants. Nissan's emphasis on the driver-centric layout positioned the seats far inboard, enhancing weight distribution but compromising perceived spaciousness. The tight center console further contributed to a slightly confined driver’s position.

Nissan’s “Zero Gravity” seats, inspired by NASA research, offered excellent support with multiple adjustments, enhancing comfort for the driver and front passenger. The cargo capacity, at 14.3 cubic feet, was the smallest among its competitive set. While the conventional trunk design limited its utility compared to hatchback models like the Kia Stinger and Volkswagen Arteon, the Maxima retained a balance of sportiness and practicality for daily use.

The interior of the 2022 BMW 3 Series, specifically the M340i, catered superbly to both driving enthusiasts and comfort seekers. The power-adjustable front sport seats provided solid support, ensuring comfort during long drives or spirited outings. The ergonomically perfect driving position, combined with a well-contoured, thick-rimmed steering wheel, underscored the 3 Series' commitment to driver focus without feeling restrictive.

Rear-seat passengers in the M340i experienced adequate legroom, making it suitable for four relatively tall adults. While the rear center seat might be less practical due to the inboard positioning of the outboard bolstered seating, the back seat offered good thigh support.

The 3 Series featured a 17-cubic-foot trunk, superior in cargo capacity compared to the Maxima, delivering ample space for luggage and gear. The 40/20/40 split-folding rear seat added versatility, a feature reinforcing the car’s practicality without compromising its sporty essence.

In the technology department, the 2021 Nissan Maxima showed signs of aging. While offering an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a newly standard WiFi hotspot, the interface was not user-friendly. The dated graphics and small icons made navigation cumbersome, and unpleasant notification sounds added to the frustration. However, Nissan provided analog controls, which were a welcome relief from relying solely on the touchscreen.

On the other hand, the 2022 BMW 3 Series, with the standard Live Cockpit Professional, truly shone in technological features. This setup included a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation panel and a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system. BMW’s iDrive 7.0 vastly improved from previous iterations, offering multiple interaction options, from touchscreen and console knob to steering wheel controls and voice recognition. The system’s intuitive use, coupled with features like Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a satellite radio, made for a rich and user-friendly experience.

The 3 Series' Connected Package Pro provided advanced connectivity, including BMW Remote Services and Intelligent Personal Assistant. This smart voice recognition system significantly enhanced convenience, offering quick responses to various commands, from finding a nearby café to emergency assistance. Though the head-up display had limitations with polarized sunglasses and the absence of a Harman Kardon sound system seemed odd, the overall technology suite in the 3 Series was advanced and well-integrated.

The 2021 Nissan Maxima excelled in safety ratings, earning the IIHS “Top Safety Pick+” and five-star ratings from the NHTSA. Standard safety features under Nissan’s Safety Shield 360 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 safety features enhanced this suite, making the Maxima a robust safety choice despite lacking the more advanced ProPilot Assist found in other Nissan models.

Meanwhile, the 2022 BMW 3 Series, while high in safety with a Top Safety Pick from IIHS and five-star NHTSA ratings, offered a relatively skimpy standard safety tech package. Standard features included forward-collision warning, pedestrian and cyclist detection, city-speed automatic emergency braking, and lane-departure warning. Additional safety options required upgrading to packages for blind-spot monitoring, lane-keeping assist, lane-centering assist, and semi-autonomous driving features. The Emergency Stop Assistant, a unique feature, could bring the car to a safe stop and initiate an SOS call if the driver was unresponsive.