Nissan Maxima vs Chevrolet Cruze
Overview | |
MSRP$37,090 | MSRP$16,975 |
Average price$18,560 | Average price$9,939 |
Listings3202 | Listings5786 |
Ratings & Reviews | |
User Reviews | User Reviews |
Expert reviews7.3 out of 10 | Expert reviews6.7 out of 10 |
Pros
| |
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. | |
Reviews SummaryAs the dissonant chords of Dieselgate still resonate throughout the industry, most car companies have abandoned efforts toward any future diesel-powered cars. A $15 billion fine will have that sort of chilling effect. But Chevrolet has taken a different approach, instead seeing the mass retreat from diesel as an opportunity to fill a void. As the driver Jean-Pierre Sarti said in Frankenheimer’s 1966 epic “Grand Prix”: “When I see something really horrible, I put my foot down. Hard! Because I know that everyone else is lifting his.” | |
No video found | |
Popular Features & Specs | |
Engine3.5L 300 hp V6 | Engine1.4L 153 hp I4 |
Drive TrainFWD | Drive TrainFWD |
Seating Capacity5 | Seating Capacity5 |
Horsepower300 hp @ 6400 rpm | Horsepower153 hp @ 5600 rpm |
MPG City20 | MPG City27 |
MPG Highway30 | MPG Highway40 |
Engine | |
Engine Name3.5L 300 hp V6 | Engine Name1.4L 153 hp I4 |
Torque261 lb-ft @ 4400 rpm | Torque |
Horsepower300 hp @ 6400 rpm | Horsepower153 hp @ 5600 rpm |
DrivetrainFWD | DrivetrainFWD |
Fuel Economy | |
MPG City20 | MPG City27 |
MPG Highway30 | MPG Highway40 |
Interior | |
Seating Capacity5 | Seating Capacity5 |
Key Features | |
Navigation SystemStandard | Navigation System |
Safety | |
Front Crash Overall5 | Front Crash Overall5 |
Side Crash Overall5 | Side Crash Overall4 |
Dimensions & Capacity | |
Cargo Space14.3 cu ft | Cargo Space14.8 cu ft |
Curb Weight3612 lbs | Curb Weight2835 lbs |
Height56.5 in | Height57.4 in |
Length192.8 in | Length183.7 in |
Width73.2 in | Width70.5 in |
Wheelbase109.3 in | Wheelbase106.3 in |
Maximum Payload1073 lbs | Maximum Payload |
Number of doors4 | Number of doors4 |
Overview | ||
MSRP | $37,090 | $16,975 |
Average price | $18,560 | $9,939 |
Listings | ||
Ratings & Reviews | ||
User reviews | 4.4 | 4.3 |
Expert reviews | 7.3 out of 10Read full review | 6.7 out of 10Read full review |
Pros & cons | Pros
| |
Summary | 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. | As the dissonant chords of Dieselgate still resonate throughout the industry, most car companies have abandoned efforts toward any future diesel-powered cars. A $15 billion fine will have that sort of chilling effect. But Chevrolet has taken a different approach, instead seeing the mass retreat from diesel as an opportunity to fill a void. As the driver Jean-Pierre Sarti said in Frankenheimer’s 1966 epic “Grand Prix”: “When I see something really horrible, I put my foot down. Hard! Because I know that everyone else is lifting his.” |
Video | No video found | |
Popular Features & Specs | ||
Engine | 3.5L 300 hp V6 | 1.4L 153 hp I4 |
Drive Train | FWD | FWD |
Seating Capacity | 5 | 5 |
Horsepower | 300 hp @ 6400 rpm | 153 hp @ 5600 rpm |
MPG City | 20 | 27 |
MPG Highway | 30 | 40 |
Engine | ||
Engine Name | 3.5L 300 hp V6 | 1.4L 153 hp I4 |
Torque | 261 lb-ft @ 4400 rpm | |
Horsepower | 300 hp @ 6400 rpm | 153 hp @ 5600 rpm |
Drivetrain | FWD | FWD |
Fuel Economy | ||
MPG City | 20 | 27 |
MPG Highway | 30 | 40 |
Interior | ||
Seating Capacity | 5 | 5 |
Key Features | ||
Navigation System | Standard | |
Safety | ||
Front Crash Overall | 5 | 5 |
Side Crash Overall | 5 | 4 |
Dimensions & Capacity | ||
Cargo Space | 14.3 cu ft | 14.8 cu ft |
Curb Weight | 3612 lbs | 2835 lbs |
Height | 56.5 in | 57.4 in |
Length | 192.8 in | 183.7 in |
Width | 73.2 in | 70.5 in |
Wheelbase | 109.3 in | 106.3 in |
Maximum Payload | 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.