Model Year | 2016 | 2020 | |
Model | Nissan Maxima | Toyota Highlander | |
Engine | 3.5L V6 DOHC-4v 300 hp@6400 261 lb-ft@4400 |
3.5L V6 DOHC-4v 295 hp@6600 263 lb-ft@4700 |
|
Transmission | 7-speed shiftable CVT | 8-speed shiftable automatic | |
Drivetrain | FWD | FWD | |
Body | 4dr Sedan | 4dr SUV | |
Difference | |||
Wheelbase | 109.3 in | 112.2 in | -2.9 in |
Length | 192.8 in | 194.9 in | -2.1 in |
Width | 73.2 in | 76.0 in | -2.8 in |
Height | 56.5 in | 68.1 in | -11.6 in |
Curb Weight | 3471 lb. | 4145 lb. | -674 lb. |
Fuel Capacity | 18.0 gal. | 17.9 gal. | 0.1 gal. |
Headroom, Row 1 | 39.4 in | 41.2 in | -1.8 in |
Shoulder Room, Row 1 | 56.7 in | 59.0 in | -2.3 in |
Hip Room, Row 1 | 54.2 in | 57.2 in | -3 in |
Legroom, Row 1 | 45.0 in | 42.0 in | 3 in |
Headroom, Row 2 | 36.7 in | 39.4 in | -2.7 in |
Shoulder Room, Row 2 | 55.7 in | 58.7 in | -3 in |
Hip Room, Row 2 | 53.5 in | 57.0 in | -3.5 in |
Legroom, Row 2 | 34.2 in | 41.0 in | -6.8 in |
Headroom, Row 3 | 0.0 in | 36.1 in | -36.1 in |
Shoulder Room, Row 3 | 0.0 in | 55.0 in | -55 in |
Hip Room, Row 3 | 0.0 in | 45.6 in | -45.6 in |
Legroom, Row 3 | 0.0 in | 27.7 in | -27.7 in |
Total Legroom | 79.2 in (over 2 rows) | 110.7 in (over 3 rows) | -31.5 in |
Cargo Volume, Minimum | 14.3 ft3 | 16.0 ft3 | -1.7 ft3 |
Cargo Volume, Behind R2 | 14.3 | 48.4 ft3 | -34.1 |
Cargo Volume, Maximum | 14.3 ft3 | 84.3 ft3 | -70 ft3 |
2016 Nissan Maxima Seat Room and Comfort: Pros | ||
Year | Comment | |
2016 | Starting with the 2013 Altima and continuing with the 2015 Murano, the latest Nissans have had exceptionally comfortable front seats. The new Maxima's seats are based on the Altima's, but have some additional padding. While they don't feel as cushy and form-fitting to me as the Murano's, they're still more comfortable than the Acura TLX's front seats, which are themselves pretty good. The side bolsters are of similarly moderate size and aggressiveness in both cars, but the Maxima SR's Alcantara upholstery prevents sliding much better than the TLX's leather. see full Nissan Maxima review |
2016 Nissan Maxima Seat Room and Comfort: Cons | ||
Year | Comment | |
If you need an especially roomy rear seat, then the Maxima isn't your best bet. The Nissan does have an inch or two more rear knee room than the Acura TLX, and about an inch more rear headroom than the Lincoln MKZ (perhaps enough for someone six-feet tall), but the LaCrosse, Azera, and Avalon offer enough rear seat space for adults to not only fit but stretch out. see full Nissan Maxima review |
None of our members have yet commented on the seat room and comfort of the 2016 Nissan Maxima.
2020 Toyota Highlander Seat Room and Comfort: Cons | ||
Year | Comment | |
With each redesign (for 2008, 2014, and 2020) Toyota has enlarged the Highlander, yet the crossover's third-row seat remains uncomforably low and tight. For adults to be even passably comfortable in the way-back the second row must be slid forward, rendering legroom there also marginal. Some three-row crossovers have much roomier and more comfortable third-row seats. But if you want to be able to squeeze in eight people, Highlanders with a second-row bench can do this. Because they have significantly narrower third-row seats, the Ford Explorer and Kia Sorento cannot fit three people back there even in a pinch, so in hybrid form the former has a maximum capacity of seven people and the latter only six. (The Sorento PHEV will be able to seat seven.) This noted, if you want your adult passengers to have plenty of room, the practical capacity of each is four people. see full Toyota Highlander review |
2020 Toyota Highlander Seat Room and Comfort: Cons | ||
Year | Body/Powertrain | Comment |
2020 | 4dr SUV 295-horsepower 3.5L V6 8-speed shiftable automatic AWD |
The 3rd row seating is just not for adults at all, and I'm not certain that children would be easy to fit back there as well. I'm not sure what Toyota was thinking, even making the 2020 longer didn't make any difference at all. My one complaint is it is just TOO SMALL! see full Toyota Highlander review |