Nissan’s options for midsize sedans include the ever-popular Nissan Altima and the sporty Nissan Maxima. The Altima provides value pricing with plenty of options, while the Maxima is a sportier option that can add some pep to your daily drive.

When you’re looking for spicy styling and peppy performance, the midsize sedan segment isn’t usually your go-to market. But if value, reliability, and comfort are more your speed, then Nissan has two great options for you in the Altima and the Maxima.

Jerry

, the top-rated

car insurance

broker app is here to give you an overview and comparison of these two popular midsize cars. Plus, we’ll show you how they stack up next to the competition, and share a few tips to save you money on

Nissan insurance costs

Find out if you can reduce your monthly car payments in minutes

* checking your rate won’t affect your credit score

Check your rate

* checking your rate won’t affect your credit score

2022 Nissan Altima

The Nissan Altima has everything you need in a family sedan—a spacious cabin, exceptional fuel economy, and even available all-wheel drive (AWD). It also has nearly two decades of “getting it right” under its automotive engineering belt. Let’s see how that history plays out across the Nissan Altima’s specs.

Pricing

The 2022 Nissan Altima starts at a competitive $25,995 MSRP for the base-model

Altima S

. Pricing tops out at $35,695 MSRP on the

Altima Platinum

Performance

If you’re looking for awe-inspiring, or even just slightly exciting performance, you can find better options than the Nissan Altima. That said, it’s a perfectly capable family sedan with options available to suit a variety of drivers.

Nissan offers two powertrain options for the Altima—the standard 188-horsepower 2.5-liter four-cylinder, which is, frankly, a snooze. Your other engine option is a unique variable-compression turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder good for up to 248 horsepower. Front-wheel drive (FWD) is standard, and AWD is available, but only with the standard 2.5-liter four, and not on the base S trim.

This means drivers in the Snowbelt looking for more affordable sure-footed options will likely look to the

Subaru Legacy’s

standard AWD. Meanwhile, those interested in a top-trim option that delivers more driving excitement and style would be better served by the

Kia K5

or the

Honda Accord

Fuel economy

Even though the Altima doesn’t offer hybrid or plug-in hybrid (PHEV) variants, its available gasoline engines offer some of the highest fuel-economy ratings in the segment. FWD models equipped with the standard 2.5-liter four get an EPA-estimated 27 mpg city, 37 highway, and 31 mpg combined—AWD drops those figures to 25 mpg and 35 mpg respectively and 29 mpg combined. The turbocharged 2.0-liter gets an estimated 25 mpg city and 34 mpg highway with a combined rating of 29 mpg.

Interior and tech

The Altima sports a utilitarian, no-nonsense interior with plenty of passenger room, acceptable cargo space, and user-friendly tech.

Like the interior styling, the Altima’s infotainment system isn’t built to impress—it’s built to use. Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and satellite radio are standard on all but the S trim, as is Bluetooth connectivity and audio streaming capability. A seven-inch infotainment touchscreen and six-speaker audio system are standard, but higher trims offer a larger eight-inch screen and an upgraded nine-speaker Bose audio system.

When it comes to creature comforts, the base-model Altima is spartan at best, offering only a six-way power-adjustable driver’s seat and single-zone manual climate control, but options are quickly added as buyers climb the trim ladder. Some of the features available at upper trims include:

Heated front seats

Adjustable lumbar support and memory settings for the driver’s seat

Power sunroof

Heated steering wheel

Dual-zone climate control

Rear air vents

Navigation system

Ambient interior lighting

Safety and reliability

A major win for the Nissan Altima is the massive suite of standard tech features included even on the base S trim. These include:

Automatic high-beams

Forward collision warning

Automatic emergency braking

Lane-departure warning

Driver attention warning

Rear seat reminder

Backup camera

An available Driver Assist package adds blind-spot monitoring and front and rear parking sensors to the base Altima S’s already hefty lineup of safety features and becomes standard on all higher trims. A Premium package that becomes available with the SV trim adds Nissan’s ProPilot Assist system that includes adaptive cruise control and a lane-keeping system to your Altima.

While the Altima hasn’t been rated by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration for several years, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) names it a Top Safety Pick+, the highest safety designation available.

When it comes to reliability, the Nissan Altima earns above-average 4.0/5.0 ratings from RepairPal. J.D. Power awards a rating of 85/100, while Consumer Reports gives the model a predicted reliability score of 3/5.

MORE: How to find vehicle safety ratings

Trim levels

The 2023 Nissan Altima is available in five trim levels: S, SV, SR, SL, and SR VC-Turbo. The S is the most bare-bones variant, offered only with the base engine and FWD, but it does include options like remote start and keyless entry and ignition. The SV adds the option of an engine upgrade or all-wheel drive as well as standard Intelligent Ride and Intelligent Trace Control to improve the Altima’s ride and handling.

The SR is the sporty midrange option, adding larger wheels, sport suspension, paddle shifters, and the option of the upgraded 2.0-liter engine to the otherwise SV foundation. The midrange SL is designed for drivers more interested in comfort than performance. It builds on the SV trim with features like fog lights, a heated steering wheel, leather seats, and an upgraded sound system.

Topping the list of available trims for 2022 is the Nissan Altima Platinum. This trim picks up where the SL leaves off, adding standard AWD (which means buyers do not have the option of the more powerful 2.0-liter engine) to start, plus luxury features including:

19-inch wheels

Driver’s seat memory settings

Auto-dimming rearview mirror

Universal garage door opener

Ambient interior lighting

360-degree camera system

MORE: Vehicle trim level, options, and packages explained

Competitors

Now for the true test: how does the 2022 Nissan Altima hold up against the competition? Take a look at the table below to see how the Altima compares with the three top competitors in the midsize sedan segment.

Model	MSRP range	Base powertrain	Fuel economy	Safety ratings	Reliability ratings
2022 Nissan Altima	$25,995 to $35,695	188-hp four-cylinder w/CVT and standard FWD	25–27 mpg city/34–37 mpg hwy	Top Safety Pick+ (IIHS)	4.0/5.0 (RepairPal), 3/5 (Consumer Reports), 85/100 (J.D. Power)
2022 Honda Accord	$26,520 to $38,450	192-hp 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder w/CVT and standard FWD	22–30 mpg city/32–38 mpg hwy	5 stars (NHTSA), Top Safety Pick+ (IIHS)	4.5/5.0 (RepairPal), 4/5 (Consumer Reports), 83/100 (J.D. Power)
2022 Hyundai Sonata	$24,500 to $34,400	191-hp 2.5-liter four-cylinder w/eight-speed automatic transmission and standard FWD	23–28 mpg city/33–38 mpg hwy	5 stars (NHTSA), Top Safety Pick (IIHS)	4.0/5.0 (RepairPal), 4/5 (Consumer Reports), 82/100 (J.D. Power)
2022 Kia K5	$23,790 to $31,190	180-hp 1.8-liter turbocharged four-cylinder w/eight-speed automatic transmission and standard FWD	24–29 mpg city/32–38 mpg hwy	5 stars (NHTSA), Top Safety Pick+ (IIHS)	4.0/5.0 (RepairPal), 3/5 (Consumer Reports), 84/100 (J.D. Power)

Find out if you can reduce your monthly car payments in minutes

* checking your rate won’t affect your credit score

Check your rate

* checking your rate won’t affect your credit score

MORE: Are Nissans expensive to maintain?

2022 Nissan Maxima

If the Nissan Altima doesn’t quite suit your fancy, Nissan offers another option in its flagship sedan: the 2022 Nissan Maxima. Though long overdue for a redesign (pushing seven years in the 8th generation), the Maxima offers a fun-to-drive, quasi-luxury option for those looking to add a little spice to an otherwise solid family sedan.

Real-talk time: the Nissan Maxima is technically a full-size sedan, but we won’t tell if you don’t. In fact, Nissan isn’t even letting buyers in on that secret with one of their latest articles comparing the Altima and Maxima in a

battle of the midsize sedans

Pricing

Like its less-luxurious cousin, the Maxima is competitively priced within its class. The base Maxima SV starts at $38,935 MSRP, while the range-topping Platinum will set buyers back at least $44,245. Sticking with the base SV might keep you closer to a Nissan budget, but opting for the Platinum gets you about as close to a luxury midsize sedan as you can come for under $50k.

Performance

In days gone by, the Nissan Maxima was touted as a “four-door sports car.” To its credit, a standard 3.5-liter V6 with 300 horses in the stable offers more speed and driving excitement than you’ll find in most sedans of its size, but the lack of a V8 option means it doesn’t quite live up to its tagline anymore.

That said, the Maxima can still hold its own on the track, out-accelerating competitors like the

Volkswagen Arteon

and V6-powered

Dodge Charger

with a snappy 5.7-second sprint from zero to sixty. A feat that could probably be managed at least a bit more quickly if not for the clunky continuously variable transmission (CVT).

Fuel economy

Fuel economy suffers a bit under the Maxima’s V6 engine and heavy curb weight, but it still returns satisfactory EPA ratings of 20 mpg in the city, 30 mpg on the highway, and 24 mpg combined.

MORE: How to save money on gas

Interior and tech

The Nissan Maxima’s interior could easily be mistaken for that of a luxury car—at least as far as materials and trims are concerned. Leather upholstery is standard, as are heated front seats, dual-zone automatic climate control, keyless entry and ignition, and a host of driver assists.

When it comes to comfort and passenger space, luxury is quite a bit lacking. These are both sacrificed to the Maxima’s sleek exterior design that leaves ample headroom in both the front and rear, but limits legroom all around.

But what about the tech? The Maxima’s tech features are user-friendly, but nothing to write home about. Standard features include:

Apple CarPlay and Android Audio

8-inch touchscreen

Remote vehicle monitoring and control

Eight-speaker audio system

WiFi hotspot

Satellite radio

Upper-level trims increase the luxe quotient with features like ventilated front seats, faux-suede and premium leather upholstery elements, upgraded sound systems, and heated rear seats.

Safety and reliability

That host of driver assists we mentioned includes the following standard features on the base trim:

Frontal collision mitigation

Adaptive cruise control

Blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert

Rear automatic braking

Lane-departure warning

Automatic high beams

Traffic sign reader

Drowsy driver monitor

Step up to the SR trim and Nissan adds lane-keeping assist, which carries over to the Platinum trim as well. All this standard safety tech adds up to a perfect five-star score from the NHTSA and a place on the IIHS’s list of 2022 Top Safety Pick+ award winners alongside the Altima.

Where RepairPail is concerned, the Nissan Maxima lags behind the Altima with a rating of 3.5/5.0. J.D. Power, on the other hand, rates the Maxima much higher than the Altima with a predicted reliability rating of 93/100, and Consumer Reports concurs with a predicted 4/5 reliability score.

Trim levels

Nissan offers the 2022 Maxima in three trims: the SV, the SR, and the Platinum. The SV is a well-equipped base model with plenty of creature comforts, but it’s likely more spartan than most would expect from a vehicle with a starting MSRP of nearly $40k. That brings us to the SR and the Platinum.

Both upper trims offer a variety of added features like:

Sunroof

Ventilated front seats

Heated steering wheel

11-speaker Bose audio system

Front and rear parking sensors

360-degree surround-view camera

The SR offers a sportier option with a sport suspension, paddle shifters, and faux-suede upholstery elements. The Platinum trim is the more luxurious option. It foregoes the SR’s sport features in favor of premium leather, heated rear seats, automatic wipers, and rear window sunshades.

Competitors

The Nissan Maxima straddles a middle ground between midsize and full-size sedans. Even Edmunds reviews it as a midsize sedan while Car and Driver keeps it in the full-size category. For a bit of variety, let’s see how Maxima fares against its top three full-size competitors.

Model	MSRP range	Base powertrain	Fuel economy	Safety ratings	Reliability ratings
2022 Nissan Maxima	$38,935 to $44,245	300-hp 3.5-liter V6 w/CVT and standard FWD	20 mpg city/30 mpg hwy	5 stars (NHTSA), Top Safety Pick+ (IIHS)	3.5/5.0 (RepairPal) 4/5 (Consumer Reports), 93/100 (J.D. Power)
2022 Volkswagen Arteon	$42,045 to $50,845	300-hp 2.0-liter four-cylinder w/seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission and standard FWD	22 mpg city/32 mpg hwy	Top Safety Pick (IIHS)	3/5 (Consumer Reports)
2022 Dodge Charger	$32,240 to $56,335	370-hp 5.7-liter V6 w/eight-speed automatic transmission and standard RWD	17–18 mpg city/25-26 mpg hwy	5 stars (NHTSA), Good (IIHS)	3.5/5.0 (RepairPal), 4/5 (Consumer Reports), 89/100 (J.D. Power)
2022 Chrysler 300	$35,140 to $43,750	292-hp 3.6-liter V6 w/8-speed automatic transmission and standard RWD	16–19 mpg city/25–30 mpg hwy	4 stars (NHTSA), Good (IIHS)	3.5/5.0 (RepairPal), 5/5 (Consumer Reports), 92/100 (J.D. Power)

Find out if you can reduce your monthly car payments in minutes

* checking your rate won’t affect your credit score

Check your rate

* checking your rate won’t affect your credit score

MORE: Is a Nissan hybrid worth it?

How to save on Nissan insurance

Even though the Nissan Maxima may have some luxury leanings, both it and its smaller Altima cousin are affordable options both where pricing and insurance are concerned. Especially if you’re shopping for your insurance policy on the

Jerry

app, where you’ll always find the cheapest rates for insurance without sacrificing coverage.

Rather than cut corners to find you budget options, Jerry partners with over 55 insurance providers to bring you the lowest

Nissan insurance costs

in the market. Plus, we do it fast! Within a minute of signing up, you’ll be looking at customized options based on your unique driving profile.

a licensed insurance broker

, Jerry will even help you set up your new policy and give you a hand canceling the old one—all without ever leaving the app! And we haven’t even mentioned the best part—Jerry users save an average of $800+ a year on car insurance!

“WOW.
Jerry
has been so easy to use. I called a representative when I wanted some clarification, and they walked me through the entire process of finding a new rate for full coverage on my luxury vehicle.” —Beth G.

Is a Nissan Maxima a midsize car?

Technically, no—it’s a full-size sedan. That said, it’s often reviewed, even by Nissan, as a midsize sedan.

Does Nissan have a mid-size SUV?

Nissan doesn’t have just one mid-size SUV, they have three! The Nissan Rogue, Nissan Murano, and Nissan Pathfinder are all midsize SUVs in the manufacturer’s 2022–2023 lineup.

Reduce your monthly car payments in minutes?

Find out if Jerry can reduce your payments by an average of $150/month

Check your rate!