Altima vs. Maxima: Two Nissan Sedans, One Decision

Posted by Masashi S.
10
Aug 8, 2025
461 Views

Nissan showcases its ability to produce multi-purpose sedans with power, practicality, and luxury through the Altima and Maxima models, with the Maxima and Altima being highly acclaimed in North and South America markets. This article reviews the Nissan Altima vs Nissan Maxima, focusing on their advanced features, interior, exterior, safety, engine capacity, and performance, highlighting the importance of considering these factors when comparing sedans. 


Interior & Exterior

Nissan Altima

The Nissan Altima, a mid-size car manufactured since 1992, is a luxurious and powerful vehicle, larger than the Nissan Sentra, and is sold in the US, North America, the Middle East, and Japan. The Nissan Altima boasts a sleek, comfortable, and spacious rear cabin that can comfortably accommodate three adults. The 2022 Altima features a user-friendly dashboard with switchgear, standard features like satellite radio, six speakers, and an 8-inch touch screen infotainment system. 


The interior includes cup holders, glove box, door panel storage, a center box, and a front-seat pocket. The interior materials vary among trim levels. The 2022 Altima offers ample cargo space, accommodating up to 17 bags with the back seats folded and featuring a wide opening for easy loading of bulky items. The 2022 Altima has been revamped with a taller grille, rectangular headlights, and character lines along the license plate area for an exciting new exterior appearance. 


Nissan Maxima

Nissan's flagship sedan, the Maxima, is a full-size car primarily offered in North America, the Middle East, and China. Originally marketed by Datsun as the 810 Maxima in North America, it was retitled Maxima when the Datsun brand was phased out in 1985. The Nissan Maxima is a spacious, well-designed car with a spacious front cabin with high-end features and soft-touch materials. It offers a leather-wrapped steering wheel, power-adjustable seats, a push-button start, dual-zone automatic climate control, and an auto-dimming rearview mirror. 


The cabin also features numerous storage booths for various items, including goggles, handbags, beverages, and smartphones. The 1st and 2nd cabins have a center box, glovebox, cup-holders, and door pockets. The Maxima, despite its small trunk size, offers ample cargo space with its larger cubbies and rear seats that can be folded down for larger luggage. The Maxima boasts a stylish exterior and spacious cabin, blending mainstream and luxury elements, making it an enjoyable vehicle for drivers who enjoy driving.


Engine, Performance & Fuel Consumption

Nissan Altima

The 2022 Altima has a 2.5L 4-cylinder engine with 188-hp, paired with a CVT, or a 2.0L 4-cylinder turbocharged engine with up to 248 hp with premium fuel, and all-wheel drive, with predictable acceleration. The 2022 Altima 4-cylinder engine is estimated to have a fuel consumption of up to 11.9 km/l city and 16.5 km/l highway. 


Nissan Maxima

The 8th generation Nissan Maxima features a 2.5L QR25DE L4 and 3.5L VQ35DE V6 engine mated to a CVT transmission, unlike the previous generation's single-engine 3.5L VQ35DE V6 engine and CVT transmission. The Nissan 3.5L VQ35DE engine, producing 290 hp and 354 N⋅m of torque, was paired with a revised Xtronic CVT transmission, lacking regular automatic or manual options. The Maxima, with a fuel-efficient powertrain and long highway driving range, is an excellent choice for long-distance travel due to its efficient performance. 


Finally

The Nissan Maxima and Altima models offer luxury, practicality, power, and fuel economy, with advanced safety features. The latest Maxima offers advanced safety features, proving Nissan's commitment to providing beyond expectations in their vehicles. You can now check the Nissan Altima and the Nissan Maxima stock list for more available models.