Volkswagen Golf GTI vs Nissan Maxima
2021 Nissan Maxima for Sale
Shop Now2022 Volkswagen Golf GTI for Sale
Shop NowOverview | |
MSRP$29,880 | MSRP$37,090 |
Average price$18,939 | Average price$18,573 |
Listings3557 | Listings3259 |
Ratings & Reviews | |
User Reviews | User Reviews |
Expert reviews8.0 out of 10 | Expert reviews7.3 out of 10 |
Pros
| Pros
|
Reviews SummaryWith its updated engine, revised suspension, and tech-forward interior, the latest iteration of Volkswagen’s legendary GTI looks ready to do battle with the Hyundai Veloster N as well as the upcoming Honda Civic Si and Subaru WRX. With regards to performance, the new GTI leaves almost nothing to be desired. | |
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. | |
No video found | |
Popular Features & Specs | |
Engine2.0L 241 hp I4 | Engine3.5L 300 hp V6 |
Drive TrainFWD | Drive TrainFWD |
Seating Capacity5 | Seating Capacity5 |
Horsepower241 hp @ 5000 rpm | Horsepower300 hp @ 6400 rpm |
MPG City25 | MPG City20 |
MPG Highway34 | MPG Highway30 |
Engine | |
Engine Name2.0L 241 hp I4 | Engine Name3.5L 300 hp V6 |
Torque273 lb-ft @ 1750 rpm | Torque261 lb-ft @ 4400 rpm |
Horsepower241 hp @ 5000 rpm | Horsepower300 hp @ 6400 rpm |
DrivetrainFWD | DrivetrainFWD |
Fuel Economy | |
MPG City25 | MPG City20 |
MPG Highway34 | MPG Highway30 |
Interior | |
Seating Capacity5 | Seating Capacity5 |
Key Features | |
Navigation System | Navigation SystemStandard |
Safety | |
Front Crash Overall | Front Crash Overall5 |
Side Crash Overall | Side Crash Overall5 |
Dimensions & Capacity | |
Cargo Space19.9 cu ft | Cargo Space14.3 cu ft |
Curb Weight3113 lbs | Curb Weight3612 lbs |
Height57.6 in | Height56.5 in |
Length168.8 in | Length192.8 in |
Width70.4 in | Width73.2 in |
Wheelbase103.6 in | Wheelbase109.3 in |
Maximum Payload915 lbs | Maximum Payload1073 lbs |
Number of doors4 | Number of doors4 |
2021 Nissan Maxima for Sale
Shop Now2022 Volkswagen Golf GTI for Sale
Shop NowOverview | ||
MSRP | $29,880 | $37,090 |
Average price | $18,939 | $18,573 |
Listings | ||
Ratings & Reviews | ||
User reviews | 4.6 | 4.4 |
Expert reviews | 8.0 out of 10Read full review | 7.3 out of 10Read full review |
Pros & cons | Pros
| Pros
|
Summary | With its updated engine, revised suspension, and tech-forward interior, the latest iteration of Volkswagen’s legendary GTI looks ready to do battle with the Hyundai Veloster N as well as the upcoming Honda Civic Si and Subaru WRX. With regards to performance, the new GTI leaves almost nothing to be desired. | 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. |
Video | No video found | |
Popular Features & Specs | ||
Engine | 2.0L 241 hp I4 | 3.5L 300 hp V6 |
Drive Train | FWD | FWD |
Seating Capacity | 5 | 5 |
Horsepower | 241 hp @ 5000 rpm | 300 hp @ 6400 rpm |
MPG City | 25 | 20 |
MPG Highway | 34 | 30 |
Engine | ||
Engine Name | 2.0L 241 hp I4 | 3.5L 300 hp V6 |
Torque | 273 lb-ft @ 1750 rpm | 261 lb-ft @ 4400 rpm |
Horsepower | 241 hp @ 5000 rpm | 300 hp @ 6400 rpm |
Drivetrain | FWD | FWD |
Fuel Economy | ||
MPG City | 25 | 20 |
MPG Highway | 34 | 30 |
Interior | ||
Seating Capacity | 5 | 5 |
Key Features | ||
Navigation System | Standard | |
Safety | ||
Front Crash Overall | 5 | |
Side Crash Overall | 5 | |
Dimensions & Capacity | ||
Cargo Space | 19.9 cu ft | 14.3 cu ft |
Curb Weight | 3113 lbs | 3612 lbs |
Height | 57.6 in | 56.5 in |
Length | 168.8 in | 192.8 in |
Width | 70.4 in | 73.2 in |
Wheelbase | 103.6 in | 109.3 in |
Maximum Payload | 915 lbs | 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.