Altima vs. Maxima: Battle of the Nissan Sedans

No matter which mid-size Nissan sedan you choose — the 2025 Nissan Altima or the 2023 Nissan Maxima — you’ll be rewarded by Nissan’s commitment to performance, design and innovation.

Both sedans have four doors and seating for up to five. The similarities don’t quite end there, but they are two very different cars.

Maxima is the more muscular and luxurious sedan of the pair, with a focus on performance and a premium interior. It’s powered by a standard 300hp VQ V6 and features a Sport Mode Selector for a customizable driving experience. The Altima—Nissan’s best selling car—focuses on efficiency with a standard 4-cylinder engine matched with an Xtronic Continuously Variable Transmission that together deliver 39 MPG Highway.[[1629]]

Altima vs. Maxima Dimensions

The Nissan Maxima offers plenty of room measuring 109.3 in. of wheelbase, 192.8 in total length., 56.5 in. of height, and an overall width of 73.2 in. Coming in close with an open interior and an impressive 15.4 cu.ft. of cargo space, Altima's trunk is surprisingly roomy. With more space than the Maxima, the Altima measures 111.2 in. of wheelbase, 192.9 in. overall length, 72.9 in. total width, and 56.8 in of standard height. Both vehicles offer instant interior comfort with 5-passenger seating. [[22]]

Altima vs. Maxima MPG

With a cutting-edge VC-Turbo engine and transmission, Altima offers up to an outstanding 27 City / 39 Highway of gas mileage and a surplus of power. Maxima delivers with an exceptional 20 City / 30 Highway MPG, making journeys a convenient thrill. [[1592]][[1629]]

Altima vs. Maxima Performance

Maxima outdoes Altima in this category, with a standard 3.5-liter DOHC 24-valve V6 300-hp that provides pulse-quickening performance at every trim level. Altima offers up to 248-hp with an available 2.0-liter Variable Compression Turbo (VC-Turbo™) DOHC 16-valve 4-cylinder engine, providing power and efficiency for every driving situation. [[1323]]

Inside and out, the Altima is a modern vision of the sedan made real with innovative manufacturing technique and technologies that come together in a stylish package. 

2025 NISSAN ALTIMA HIGHLIGHTS

• Nissan's first I-AWD Sedan
  
• 2.5L 4-Cylinder engine
• Standard Nissan Safety Shield® 360
  
• Available Dual Zone Climate Control

Visit the Compare Altima page to see how this spacious and efficient sedan matches up against competitors like the Toyota Camry, Honda Accord and Hyundai Sonata.

See all the trims of the Altima including the Platinum AWD with I-AWD options.

It challenges conventional notions of what a 4-door sedan can be. With 300hp, a performance-tuned suspension, a luxurious cockpit loaded with technology, a striking aerodynamic profile, and a Sport Mode setting that gets your heart racing, it isn’t just a sedan. It’s the 4-Door Sports Car^®.

2023 NISSAN MAXIMA FEATURE HIGHLIGHTS

• 300 Horsepower 3.5L V6 engine
  
• NissanConnect^® Services powered by SiriusXM featuring Apple CarPlay™ and Android Auto™[[1189]]
• Available Premium Ascot leather-appointed seats
• Available Climate Controlled Front Seats (Heated and Cooled)

Visit the Compare Maxima page to see how this sporty performance sedan compares to competitors including the Acura TLX, Toyota Avalon and BMW 3 Series.

Every Maxima is packed with performance, and here’s where you’ll learn about each trim and their various features.