Compare 2010 Nissan Maxima vs 2003 Volkswagen Passat

2010 Nissan Maxima
2003 Volkswagen Passat
 Add Vehicle
Select style
4-Door Sedan V6 CVT 3.5 S
Style MPG City MPG Hwy Invoice MSRP
Maxima 4-Door Sedan V6 CVT 3.5 S 19 26 $28,113 $30,690
Maxima 4-Door Sedan V6 CVT 3.5 SV 19 26 $30,600 $33,410
Maxima 4-Door Sedan V6 CVT 3.5 SV w/Premium Pkg 19 26 $30,600 $33,410
Maxima 4-Door Sedan V6 CVT 3.5 SV w/Sport Pkg 19 26 $30,600 $33,410
Select style
4-Door Sedan GL Automatic
Style MPG City MPG Hwy Invoice MSRP
Passat 4-Door Sedan GL Automatic 21 30 $20,863 $22,825
Passat 4-Door Sedan GL Manual 22 31 $19,790 $21,750
Passat 4-Door Sedan GLS Automatic 21 30 $21,889 $23,960
Passat 4-Door Sedan GLS Manual 22 31 $20,816 $22,885
Passat 4-Door Sedan GLS V6 Automatic 19 27 $24,147 $26,460
Passat 4-Door Sedan GLS V6 Manual 20 28 $23,074 $25,385
Passat 4-Door Sedan GLX V6 4MOTION Automatic 19 26 $29,016 $31,575
Passat 4-Door Sedan GLX V6 Automatic 19 27 $27,187 $29,825
Passat 4-Door Sedan GLX V6 Manual 20 28 $26,114 $28,750
Passat 4-Door Sedan W8 4MOTION 6-spd Manual 17 24 $35,984 $39,400
Passat 4-Door Sedan W8 4MOTION Automatic 18 25 $34,729 $37,900
Passat 4-Door Wgn GL Automatic 21 30 $21,586 $23,625
Passat 4-Door Wgn GL Manual 22 31 $20,513 $22,550
Passat 4-Door Wgn GLS Automatic 21 30 $22,611 $24,760
Passat 4-Door Wgn GLS Manual 22 31 $21,538 $23,685
Passat 4-Door Wgn GLS V6 Automatic 19 27 $24,870 $27,260
Passat 4-Door Wgn GLS V6 Manual 20 28 $23,797 $26,185
Passat 4-Door Wgn GLX V6 4MOTION Automatic 19 26 $29,739 $32,375
Passat 4-Door Wgn GLX V6 Automatic 19 27 $27,910 $30,625
Passat 4-Door Wgn GLX V6 Manual 20 28 $26,837 $29,550
Passat 4-Door Wgn W8 4MOTION 6-spd Manual 17 24 $36,706 $40,200
Passat 4-Door Wgn W8 4MOTION Automatic 18 25 $35,452 $38,700
Pricing
Invoice Price
$28,113
$20,863
Manufacturer Suggested Retail Price
$30,690
$22,825
Monthly Payment Estimate
$512 / month
$380 / month
The Car Connection's Take
TCC Rating
8.0
TCC’s Bottom Line
The 2010 Nissan Maxima might look like a sport sedan, but it lacks the edgy, high-performance feel necessary to complete the package.
TCC Likes
TCC Dislikes
Fuel Economy
City
19 mpg 21 mpg
Highway
26 mpg 30 mpg
Vehicle
EPA Classification
Mid-Size Mid-Size
Interior Dimensions
Second Hip Room (in)
53.9 56.7
Front Shoulder Room (in)
56.3 55.8
Passenger Volume (ft³)
95.8 95
Second Head Room (in)
36.4 37.8
Second Shoulder Room (in)
55.1 54.6
Front Leg Room (in)
43.8 41.5
Passenger Capacity
5 5
Front Hip Room (in)
53.4 57.7
Second Leg Room (in)
34.6 35.3
Front Head Room (in)
38.5 39.7
Exterior Dimensions
Track Width, Front (in)
62.4 59.6
Min Ground Clearance (in)
5.6 5.8
Length, Overall (in)
190.6 185.2
Height, Overall (in)
57.8 57.6
Track Width, Rear (in)
62.4 59.6
Wheelbase (in)
109.3 106.4
Liftover Height (in)
27.2 - TBD -
Width, Max w/o mirrors (in)
73.2 68.7
Cargo Area Dimensions
Trunk Volume (ft³)
14.2 15
Brakes
Drum - Rear (Yes or )
NA NA
Brake ABS System
4-Wheel 4-Wheel
Disc - Rear (Yes or )
Yes Yes
Rear Brake Rotor Diam x Thickness (in)
12.13 x 0.63 9.6 x 0.39
Brake Type
Pwr Pwr
Rear Drum Diam x Width (in)
NA NA
Disc - Front (Yes or )
Yes Yes
Front Brake Rotor Diam x Thickness (in)
12.60 x 1.10 11.3 x 0.98
Fuel Tank
Fuel Tank Capacity, Approx (gal)
20.0 16.4
Steering
Steering Ratio (:1), Overall
15.2 14.3
Turning Diameter - Curb to Curb (ft)
37.4 37.4
Steering Type
Pwr Rack & Pinion Pwr Rack & Pinion
Lock to Lock Turns (Steering)
2.6 2.8
Turning Diameter - Wall to Wall (ft)
40.0 - TBD -
Tires
Rear Tire Order Code
NA NA
Front Tire Size
P245/45VR18 P195/65HR15
Spare Tire Size
T145/80D17 P195/65HR15
Front Tire Order Code
NA NA
Spare Tire Order Code
NA NA
Rear Tire Size
P245/45VR18 P195/65HR15
Trailering
Dead Weight Hitch - Max Tongue Wt. (lbs)
100 N/A
Wt Distributing Hitch - Max Tongue Wt. (lbs)
NA N/A
Dead Weight Hitch - Max Trailer Wt. (lbs)
1000 N/A
Wt Distributing Hitch - Max Trailer Wt. (lbs)
NA N/A
Weight Information
Base Curb Weight (lbs)
3540 3322
Wheels
Front Wheel Size (in)
18 x 8.0 15 x 6
Spare Wheel Size (in)
17 x - TBD - 15 x 6
Rear Wheel Material
Aluminum Steel
Rear Wheel Size (in)
18 x 8.0 15 x 6
Front Wheel Material
Aluminum Steel
Spare Wheel Material
Steel Steel
Cooling System
Total Cooling System Capacity (qts)
9.6 7.1
Electrical
Cold Cranking Amps @ 0° F (Primary)
550 - TBD -
Maximum Alternator Capacity (amps)
130 90
Engine
SAE Net Torque @ RPM
261 @ 4400 166 @ 1950
Engine Order Code
NA NA
Displacement
3.5L/- TBD - 1.8L/109
SAE Net Horsepower @ RPM
290 @ 6400 170 @ 5900
Engine Type
Gas V6 Gas I4
Fuel System
SMPI SMPI
Mileage
EPA Fuel Economy Est - Hwy (MPG)
26 30
EPA Fuel Economy Est - City (MPG)
19 21
Fuel Economy Est-Combined (MPG)
22 -
Transmission
Clutch Size (in)
NA NA
Third Gear Ratio (:1)
NA 1.41
Trans Type
1 5
Drivetrain
Front Wheel Drive Front Wheel Drive
Fifth Gear Ratio (:1)
NA 0.74
Trans Description Cont. Again
NA w/Tiptronic
Reverse Ratio (:1)
1.77 4.10
Second Gear Ratio (:1)
NA 2.00
Trans Order Code
NA NA
Final Drive Axle Ratio (:1)
5.17 3.73
Fourth Gear Ratio (:1)
NA 1.00
Trans Description Cont.
Continuously Variable Automatic w/OD
Sixth Gear Ratio (:1)
NA NA
First Gear Ratio (:1)
- TBD - 3.67
Seventh Gear Ratio (:1)
- NA
Summary
Vehicle Name
Nissan Maxima Volkswagen Passat
Body Style
4 Door Sedan 4 Door Sdn
Suspension
Shock Absorber Diameter - Front (mm)
- TBD - - TBD -
Stabilizer Bar Diameter - Front (in)
1.00 - TBD -
Suspension Type - Rear
Multi-link Independent
Suspension Type - Rear (Cont.)
w/coil springs Torsion Beam
Shock Absorber Diameter - Rear (mm)
- TBD - - TBD -
Suspension Type - Front
Independent strut Four-link
Stabilizer Bar Diameter - Rear (in)
0.83 - TBD -
Suspension Type - Front (Cont.)
w/coil springs NA
Emissions
EPA Greenhouse Gas Score
6 -
Tons/yr of CO2 Emissions @ 15K mi/year
8.5 -

Get FREE Dealer Quotes

From dealers near you
Go!

Add a Vehicle to Compare

Select a vehicle below
Please choose a make.
Please choose a model.
Please choose a year.
Continue