Nissan Maxima vs Chevrolet Impala

2021 Nissan Maxima
2021 Nissan Maxima
$37,090MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
2015 Chevrolet Impala
2015 Chevrolet Impala
$27,060MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
2021 Nissan Maxima
$37,090MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
2015 Chevrolet Impala
$27,060MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now

Overview

Years produced

1980-2014

Years produced

1958-1985

MSRP

$37,090

MSRP

$27,060

Average price

$17,350

Average price

$11,940

Listings

3236

Listings

3745

Ratings & Reviews

User Reviews
User Reviews

Expert reviews

7.3 out of 10

Expert reviews

7.0 out of 10
Pros
  • Stylish design
  • Powerful engine
  • Premium interior materials
Cons
  • All-wheel drive not available
  • Poor fuel economy
  • Cramped back seat

Reviews 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.

Reviews Summary

Has the world moved beyond the full-size family sedan? The answer might be yes. Considering that a Chevrolet Impala provides just a few inches of extra space here and a few cubic feet of additional trunk room there, but at a cost in terms of purchase price and fuel economy, it's hard to justify a big car’s existence. Yet, the Impala exists, and within its segment, it is absolutely worthy of consideration.
No video found

Popular Features & Specs

Engine

3.5L 300 hp V6

Engine

2.5L 196 hp I4

Drive Train

FWD

Drive Train

FWD

Seating Capacity

5

Seating Capacity

5

Horsepower

300 hp @ 6400 rpm

Horsepower

196 hp @ 6300 rpm

MPG City

20

MPG City

22

MPG Highway

30

MPG Highway

31
2021 Nissan Maxima
2021 Nissan Maxima
$37,090MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
2015 Chevrolet Impala
2015 Chevrolet Impala
$27,060MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
2021 Nissan Maxima
$37,090MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
2015 Chevrolet Impala
$27,060MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now

Overview

Years produced
1980-2014
1958-1985
MSRP
$37,090
$27,060
Average price
$17,350
$11,940
Listings

Ratings & Reviews

User reviews
4.4
4.4
Expert reviews

7.3 out of 10

Read full review

7.0 out of 10

Read full review
Pros & cons
Pros
  • Stylish design
  • Powerful engine
  • Premium interior materials
Cons
  • All-wheel drive not available
  • Poor fuel economy
  • Cramped back seat
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.

Has the world moved beyond the full-size family sedan? The answer might be yes. Considering that a Chevrolet Impala provides just a few inches of extra space here and a few cubic feet of additional trunk room there, but at a cost in terms of purchase price and fuel economy, it's hard to justify a big car’s existence. Yet, the Impala exists, and within its segment, it is absolutely worthy of consideration.
Video
No video found

Popular Features & Specs

Engine
3.5L 300 hp V6
2.5L 196 hp I4
Drive Train
FWD
FWD
Seating Capacity
5
5
Horsepower
300 hp @ 6400 rpm
196 hp @ 6300 rpm
MPG City
20
22
MPG Highway
30
31
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