Model Year | 2008 | 2008 | |
Model | Nissan Maxima | Volkswagen Passat | |
Engine | 3.5L V6 DOHC-4v 255 hp@6000 252 lb-ft@4400 |
3.6L V6 DOHC-4v 280 hp@6200 265 lb-ft@2750 |
|
Transmission | 6-speed shiftable CVT | 6-speed shiftable automatic | |
Drivetrain | FWD | FWD | |
Body | 4dr Sedan | 4dr Sedan | |
Difference | |||
Wheelbase | 2,824 mm | 2,710 mm | 0 mm |
Length | 4,915 mm | 4,780 mm | 0 mm |
Width | 1,821 mm | 1,821 mm | 0 mm |
Height | 1,481 mm | 1,473 mm | 0 mm |
Curb Weight | 1,623 kg | 1,622 kg | 0 kg |
Fuel Capacity | 76 L | 70 L | 6 L |
Headroom, Row 1 | 1,019 mm | 975 mm | -974 mm |
Shoulder Room, Row 1 | 1,471 mm | 1,415 mm | 0 mm |
Hip Room, Row 1 | 1,359 mm | 0 mm | 1 mm |
Legroom, Row 1 | 1,115 mm | 1,052 mm | 0 mm |
Headroom, Row 2 | 947 mm | 960 mm | -13 mm |
Shoulder Room, Row 2 | 1,435 mm | 1,387 mm | 0 mm |
Hip Room, Row 2 | 1,392 mm | 0 mm | 1 mm |
Legroom, Row 2 | 927 mm | 958 mm | -31 mm |
Total Legroom | 2,042 mm (over 2 rows) | 2,009 mm (over 2 rows) | 0 mm |
Cargo Volume | 439 L | 402 L | 37 L |
2008 Nissan Maxima Seat Room and Comfort: Pros | ||
Year | Body/Powertrain | Comment |
2009 | 4dr Sedan 290-horsepower 3.5L V6 6-speed shiftable CVT FWD |
Bucket seats hold you in around corners - very supportive. Telescopic steering wheel and power seats ensure you get a great driving position. Both seats and steering wheel are heated. Dual climate control great for passengers. see full Nissan Maxima review |
2009 | 4dr Sedan 290-horsepower 3.5L V6 6-speed shiftable CVT FWD |
It fits everywhere. On a recent trip, I drove all day and was never "seat tired". see full Nissan Maxima review |
2009 | 4dr Sedan 290-horsepower 3.5L V6 6-speed shiftable CVT FWD |
Adjustable everything! Air conditioned driver seat a huge consideration. see full Nissan Maxima review |
2008 Nissan Maxima Seat Room and Comfort: Cons | ||
Year | Body/Powertrain | Comment |
2009 | 4dr Sedan 290-horsepower 3.5L V6 6-speed shiftable CVT FWD |
My tall friends hit there heads on the roofline, they are over 6 foot see full Nissan Maxima review |
2009 | 4dr Sedan 290-horsepower 3.5L V6 6-speed shiftable CVT FWD |
The rear seat of the 7th gen Maxima is slightly smaller than that of the 6th gen Maxima. Still fairly roomy, but slightly smaller. This is understandable because of the major styling change, and the conversion from 'near luxury family sedan' back to 'near luxury family sedan with a sporty edge' that took place between these generations. see full Nissan Maxima review |
2008 Volkswagen Passat Seat Room and Comfort: Pros | ||
Year | Body/Powertrain | Comment |
2008 | 4dr Sedan turbocharged 200hp 2.0L I4 6-speed manual FWD |
Passat provided more interior space especially in the rear than the Audi A4 see full Volkswagen Passat review |
2008 | 4dr Sedan turbocharged 200hp 2.0L I4 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD |
Extremely comfortable front drivers seat w/ 12 way electronic adjustment. Able to find perfect driving position. Very little fatigue even after 12 - 14 hours of driving (taking breaks for food / gas of course). Lumbar adjusts both up/down and in/out. see full Volkswagen Passat review |
2008 | 4dr Sedan turbocharged 200hp 2.0L I4 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD |
Lots of rear legroom and space for car seats. see full Volkswagen Passat review |
2008 | 4dr Wagon turbocharged 200hp 2.0L I4 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD |
Compared to other sporty wagons (BMW, Subaru) the Passat has about 3" more rear leg room - enough to put my full-size parents and/or friends in the back seat without making them do contortions. Easier to get a child in and out of a rear safety seat, too. see full Volkswagen Passat review |
2008 | 4dr Wagon turbocharged 200hp 2.0L I4 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD |
This version of the Passat can easily fit 3 across seating in the rear see full Volkswagen Passat review |
2008 | 4dr Wagon turbocharged 200hp 2.0L I4 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD |
More than large enough for American size bodies! see full Volkswagen Passat review |
2007 | 4dr Sedan turbocharged 200hp 2.0L I4 6-speed manual FWD |
Well bolstered seat, best seat heaters I ever had (have had Land Rovers and own a SAAB). see full Volkswagen Passat review |
2007 | 4dr Wagon 280-horsepower 3.6L V6 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD |
larger than chief competitors (BMW 3 series, Audi A4) see full Volkswagen Passat review |
2008 Volkswagen Passat Seat Room and Comfort: Cons | ||
Year | Body/Powertrain | Comment |
2009 | 4dr Sedan turbocharged 140hp 2.0L I4 Diesel 6-speed manual FWD |
very restrictive space see full Volkswagen Passat review |
2007 | 4dr Sedan turbocharged 200hp 2.0L I4 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD |
No thigh support, not as comfortable as my 2000 Passat see full Volkswagen Passat review |