Model Year | 2009 | 2009 | |
Model | Nissan Maxima | Volkswagen Passat | |
Engine | 3.5L V6 DOHC-4v 290 hp@6400 261 lb-ft@4400 |
turbocharged 2.0L I4 DOHC-4v 200 hp@5100 207 lb-ft@1800 |
|
Transmission | 6-speed shiftable CVT | 6-speed shiftable automatic | |
Drivetrain | FWD | FWD | |
Body | 4dr Sedan | 4dr Sedan | |
Difference | |||
Wheelbase | 109.3 in | 106.7 in | 2.6 in |
Length | 190.6 in | 188.2 in | 2.4 in |
Width | 73.2 in | 71.7 in | 1.5 in |
Height | 57.8 in | 58.0 in | -0.2 in |
Curb Weight | 3556 lb. | 3344 lb. | 212 lb. |
Fuel Capacity | 20.0 gal. | 18.5 gal. | 1.5 gal. |
Headroom, Row 1 | 38.5 in | 38.4 in | 0.1 in |
Shoulder Room, Row 1 | 56.3 in | 55.7 in | 0.6 in |
Hip Room, Row 1 | 53.4 in | 0.0 in | 53.4 in |
Legroom, Row 1 | 43.8 in | 41.4 in | 2.4 in |
Headroom, Row 2 | 36.4 in | 37.8 in | -1.4 in |
Shoulder Room, Row 2 | 55.1 in | 54.6 in | 0.5 in |
Hip Room, Row 2 | 53.9 in | 0.0 in | 53.9 in |
Legroom, Row 2 | 34.6 in | 37.7 in | -3.1 in |
Total Legroom | 78.4 in (over 2 rows) | 79.1 in (over 2 rows) | -0.7 in |
Cargo Volume | 14.2 ft3 | 14.2 ft3 | 0 ft3 |
2009 Nissan Maxima Seat Room and Comfort: Pros | ||
Year | Body/Powertrain | Comment |
2010 | 4dr Sedan 290-horsepower 3.5L V6 6-speed shiftable CVT FWD |
Lumbar in the base model. Good side bolstering on bottom cushion and through the shoulders. Large range of adjustment and the wheel tilts and shifts. see full Nissan Maxima review |
2010 | 4dr Sedan 290-horsepower 3.5L V6 6-speed shiftable CVT FWD |
Lots of room, soft seats. see full Nissan Maxima review |
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 |
2009 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 |
2009 Volkswagen Passat Seat Room and Comfort: Pros | ||
Year | Body/Powertrain | Comment |
2010 | 4dr Sedan turbocharged 200hp 2.0L I4 6-speed automated manual FWD |
Comfortable power seats with power lumbar adjustment. Good side support, and with the tilting/telescoping steering wheel - easy to find a comfortable driving position. Also has easy to use steering wheel controls for the cars stereo/trip computer. 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 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 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 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 |
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 |
2009 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 |