Model Year | 2008 | 2013 | |
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 258 lb-ft@2500 |
|
Transmission | 6-speed shiftable CVT | 6-speed automated manual | |
Drivetrain | FWD | FWD | |
Body | 4dr Sedan | 4dr Sedan | |
Difference | |||
Wheelbase | 111.2 in | 110.4 in | 0.8 in |
Length | 193.5 in | 191.6 in | 1.9 in |
Width | 71.7 in | 72.2 in | -0.5 in |
Height | 58.3 in | 58.5 in | -0.2 in |
Curb Weight | 3579 lb. | 3446 lb. | 133 lb. |
Fuel Capacity | 20.0 gal. | 18.5 gal. | 1.5 gal. |
Headroom, Row 1 | 40.1 in | 38.3 in | 1.8 in |
Shoulder Room, Row 1 | 57.9 in | 56.9 in | 1 in |
Hip Room, Row 1 | 53.5 in | 0.0 in | 53.5 in |
Legroom, Row 1 | 43.9 in | 42.4 in | 1.5 in |
Headroom, Row 2 | 37.3 in | 37.8 in | -0.5 in |
Shoulder Room, Row 2 | 56.5 in | 57.0 in | -0.5 in |
Hip Room, Row 2 | 54.8 in | 0.0 in | 54.8 in |
Legroom, Row 2 | 36.5 in | 39.1 in | -2.6 in |
Total Legroom | 80.4 in (over 2 rows) | 81.5 in (over 2 rows) | -1.1 in |
Cargo Volume | 15.5 ft3 | 15.9 ft3 | -0.4 ft3 |
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 |
2013 Volkswagen Passat Seat Room and Comfort: Pros | ||
Year | Comment | |
2012 | Volkswagen's research must have found that Americans highly value rear legroom, because the Passat has an abundance of it. Unless you're an NBA center you'll have plenty of room to stretch out in the back of this sedan. see full Volkswagen Passat review |
2013 Volkswagen Passat Seat Room and Comfort: Pros | ||
Year | Body/Powertrain | Comment |
2013 | 4dr Sedan turbocharged 140hp 2.0L I4 Diesel 6-speed automated manual FWD |
SEL Premium seating is fantastic. Definitely worth the cost of the upgrade over the mid-grade seats. see full Volkswagen Passat review |
2013 | 4dr Sedan turbocharged 140hp 2.0L I4 Diesel 6-speed manual FWD |
rear seat room is exceptional. can handle long-legged folks with ease and those with large shoe sizes. enter and exiting with larger folks not a problem either. see full Volkswagen Passat review |
2012 | 4dr Sedan 170-horsepower 2.5L I5 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD |
Older teenagers like the extra room see full Volkswagen Passat review |
2012 | 4dr Sedan 170-horsepower 2.5L I5 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD |
HUGE amount of rear legroom! see full Volkswagen Passat review |
2012 | 4dr Sedan 170-horsepower 2.5L I5 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD |
Tons of room while driving. I am 6'4" and have plenty of leg and headroom. see full Volkswagen Passat review |