Nissan Maxima vs MINI Cooper
Overview | |
MSRP$37,090 | MSRP$27,400 |
Average price$18,560 | Average price$16,890 |
Listings3202 | Listings4813 |
Ratings & Reviews | |
User Reviews | User Reviews |
Expert reviews7.3 out of 10 | Expert reviews6.3 out of 10 |
Pros
| Pros
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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 SummaryYou either join the MINI camp or shake your head “no.” There has never been a middle ground with a MINI. That’s the point—to drive a fun-looking, fun-to-drive small car that’s unlike anything else in the neighborhood. For 2023, the MINI Cooper offers a limited-run Resolute Edition and a few new paint colors. We tested a two-door Hardtop John Cooper Works (JCW) while participating in a rally with more than 700 MINI owners. Maybe next time you’ll join them with your new MINI. | |
No video found | No video found |
Popular Features & Specs | |
Engine3.5L 300 hp V6 | Engine1.5L 134 hp I3 |
Drive TrainFWD | Drive TrainFWD |
Seating Capacity5 | Seating Capacity4 |
Horsepower300 hp @ 6400 rpm | Horsepower134 hp @ 4500 rpm |
MPG City20 | MPG City29 |
MPG Highway30 | MPG Highway38 |
Engine | |
Engine Name3.5L 300 hp V6 | Engine Name1.5L 134 hp I3 |
Torque261 lb-ft @ 4400 rpm | Torque162 lb-ft @ 1480 rpm |
Horsepower300 hp @ 6400 rpm | Horsepower134 hp @ 4500 rpm |
DrivetrainFWD | DrivetrainFWD |
Fuel Economy | |
MPG City20 | MPG City29 |
MPG Highway30 | MPG Highway38 |
Interior | |
Seating Capacity5 | Seating Capacity4 |
Key Features | |
Navigation SystemStandard | Navigation System |
Sunroof/Moonroof | Sunroof/MoonroofStandard |
Safety | |
Front Crash Overall5 | Front Crash Overall4 |
Side Crash Overall5 | Side Crash Overall4 |
Dimensions & Capacity | |
Cargo Space14.3 cu ft | Cargo Space8.7 cu ft |
Curb Weight3612 lbs | Curb Weight2769 lbs |
Height56.5 in | Height55.7 in |
Length192.8 in | Length152.2 in |
Width73.2 in | Width75.9 in |
Wheelbase109.3 in | Wheelbase98.2 in |
Maximum Payload1073 lbs | Maximum Payload694 lbs |
Number of doors4 | Number of doors2 |
Overview | ||
MSRP | $37,090 | $27,400 |
Average price | $18,560 | $16,890 |
Listings | ||
Ratings & Reviews | ||
User reviews | 4.4 | 4.6 |
Expert reviews | 7.3 out of 10Read full review | 6.3 out of 10Read full review |
Pros & cons | Pros
| 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. | You either join the MINI camp or shake your head “no.” There has never been a middle ground with a MINI. That’s the point—to drive a fun-looking, fun-to-drive small car that’s unlike anything else in the neighborhood. For 2023, the MINI Cooper offers a limited-run Resolute Edition and a few new paint colors. We tested a two-door Hardtop John Cooper Works (JCW) while participating in a rally with more than 700 MINI owners. Maybe next time you’ll join them with your new MINI. |
Video | No video found | No video found |
Popular Features & Specs | ||
Engine | 3.5L 300 hp V6 | 1.5L 134 hp I3 |
Drive Train | FWD | FWD |
Seating Capacity | 5 | 4 |
Horsepower | 300 hp @ 6400 rpm | 134 hp @ 4500 rpm |
MPG City | 20 | 29 |
MPG Highway | 30 | 38 |
Engine | ||
Engine Name | 3.5L 300 hp V6 | 1.5L 134 hp I3 |
Torque | 261 lb-ft @ 4400 rpm | 162 lb-ft @ 1480 rpm |
Horsepower | 300 hp @ 6400 rpm | 134 hp @ 4500 rpm |
Drivetrain | FWD | FWD |
Fuel Economy | ||
MPG City | 20 | 29 |
MPG Highway | 30 | 38 |
Interior | ||
Seating Capacity | 5 | 4 |
Key Features | ||
Navigation System | Standard | |
Sunroof/Moonroof | Standard | |
Safety | ||
Front Crash Overall | 5 | 4 |
Side Crash Overall | 5 | 4 |
Dimensions & Capacity | ||
Cargo Space | 14.3 cu ft | 8.7 cu ft |
Curb Weight | 3612 lbs | 2769 lbs |
Height | 56.5 in | 55.7 in |
Length | 192.8 in | 152.2 in |
Width | 73.2 in | 75.9 in |
Wheelbase | 109.3 in | 98.2 in |
Maximum Payload | 1073 lbs | 694 lbs |
Number of doors | 4 | 2 |
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.