2017 Nissan Maxima vs 2017 Volkswagen Passat

2017 Nissan Maxima

2017 Volkswagen Passat

Select style

Platinum 3.5L

Style	MPG City	MPG Hwy	Invoice	MSRP
Maxima Platinum 3.5L	21	30	$37,652	$40,340
Maxima S 3.5L	21	30	$30,447	$32,610
Maxima SL 3.5L	21	30	$34,772	$37,250
Maxima SR 3.5L	21	30	$35,500	$38,030
Maxima SV 3.5L	21	30	$32,293	$34,590

Select style

1.8T S Automatic

Style	MPG City	MPG Hwy	Invoice	MSRP
Passat 1.8T S Automatic	23	34	$21,520	$22,440
Passat 1.8T SE Automatic	23	34	$24,450	$25,495
Passat 1.8T SE w/Technology Automatic	23	34	$26,847	$27,995
Passat 1.8T SEL Premium Automatic	23	34	$29,724	$30,995
Passat R-Line w/Comfort Pkg Automatic	23	34	$22,993	$23,975
Passat V6 SE w/Technology DSG	20	28	$28,093	$29,295
Passat V6 SEL Premium DSG	20	28	$32,601	$33,995

Show Only Differences

Pricing

Invoice Price

$37,652

$21,520

Manufacturer Suggested Retail Price

$40,340

$22,440

Monthly Payment Estimate

$672 / month

$374 / month

The Car Connection's Take

TCC Rating

7.3

Read Our Full Review

6.7

Read Our Full Review

TCC’s Bottom Line

The 2017 Nissan Maxima is the wild child of the Nissan bunch. It looks the part, but don't be fooled: after first blush it acts more like a near-luxury cruiser.

The 2017 Volkswagen Passat is a conservative pick in the mid-size pack with generous interior space.

TCC Likes

Plush cabin
Available adjustable sport suspension
Firm, deep buckets

Large rear seat for adults
Supple ride and good handling
Straightforward layout and simple style

TCC Dislikes

...that doesn't sound all that great
Front-drive, CVT isn't a recipe for thrills
No alternative powertrain

Too-conservative exterior
Limited feature availability
Noticably windy and noisy

Fuel Economy

City

21 mpg

23 mpg

Highway

30 mpg

34 mpg

Vehicle

EPA Classification

Midsize Cars

Interior Dimensions

Front Leg Room (in)

42.4

Passenger Volume (ft³)

96.9

102

Front Hip Room (in)

54.2

Second Leg Room (in)

34.2

39.1

Front Head Room (in)

38.9

38.3

Passenger Capacity

Second Hip Room (in)

53.5

Front Shoulder Room (in)

56.7

56.9

Second Head Room (in)

35.8

37.8

Second Shoulder Room (in)

55.7

Exterior Dimensions

Track Width, Rear (in)

62.4

Wheelbase (in)

109.3

110.4

Width, Max w/o mirrors (in)

73.2

72.2

Track Width, Front (in)

62.4

62.1

Min Ground Clearance (in)

5.3

5.4

Length, Overall (in)

192.8

191.9

Height, Overall (in)

56.5

58.5

Cargo Area Dimensions

Trunk Volume (ft³)

14.3

15.9

Brakes

Rear Brake Rotor Diam x Thickness (in)

12.1

10.7

Brake Type

4-Wheel Disc

Rear Drum Diam x Width (in)

Disc - Front (Yes or )

Yes

Front Brake Rotor Diam x Thickness (in)

12.6

12.3

Drum - Rear (Yes or )

Brake ABS System

4-Wheel

Disc - Rear (Yes or )

Yes

Fuel Tank

Fuel Tank Capacity, Approx (gal)

18.5

Steering

Steering Type

Rack-Pinion

Turning Diameter - Curb to Curb (ft)

36.4

Tires

Front Tire Size

P245/45VR18

P215/60TR16

Spare Tire Size

Compact

Front Tire Order Code

Spare Tire Order Code

Rear Tire Size

P245/45VR18

P215/60TR16

Rear Tire Order Code

Weight Information

Base Curb Weight (lbs)

3608

3263

Wheels

Spare Wheel Size (in)

Compact

Rear Wheel Material

Aluminum

Rear Wheel Size (in)

18 X 8.5

16 X 6.5

Front Wheel Material

Aluminum

Spare Wheel Material

Steel

Front Wheel Size (in)

18 X 8.5

16 X 6.5

Electrical

Maximum Alternator Capacity (amps)

150

140

Cold Cranking Amps @ 0° F (Primary)

330

Engine

SAE Net Torque @ RPM

261 @ 4400

184 @ 1500

Engine Order Code

Displacement

3.5 L/213

1.8 L/110

SAE Net Horsepower @ RPM

300 @ 6400

170 @ 4800

Engine Type

Premium Unleaded V-6

Intercooled Turbo Regular Unleaded I-4

Fuel System

Sequential MPI

Gasoline Direct Injection

Mileage

Fuel Economy Est-Combined (MPG)

EPA Fuel Economy Est - Hwy (MPG)

EPA Fuel Economy Est - City (MPG)

Transmission

First Gear Ratio (:1)

2.41 - 0.38

4.04

Final Drive Axle Ratio (:1)

5.25

3.87

Trans Type

Drivetrain

Front Wheel Drive

Trans Description Cont. Again

Reverse Ratio (:1)

1.77

3.19

Trans Order Code

Trans Description Cont.

CVT w/OD

Automatic w/OD

Fourth Gear Ratio (:1)

1.16

Sixth Gear Ratio (:1)

0.67

Third Gear Ratio (:1)

1.56

Fifth Gear Ratio (:1)

0.85

Second Gear Ratio (:1)

2.37

Summary

Vehicle Name

Nissan Maxima

Volkswagen Passat

Body Style

Sedan

Suspension

Suspension Type - Front (Cont.)

Strut

Suspension Type - Rear

Multi-Link

Suspension Type - Rear (Cont.)

Multi-Link

Suspension Type - Front

Strut

Emissions

Tons/yr of CO2 Emissions @ 15K mi/year

7.1

6.5

Trailering

Dead Weight Hitch - Max Trailer Wt. (lbs)

1000

Wt Distributing Hitch - Max Trailer Wt. (lbs)

1000

Dead Weight Hitch - Max Tongue Wt. (lbs)

100

Wt Distributing Hitch - Max Tongue Wt. (lbs)

100

Crash Test Ratings

Overall Rating

Overall Frontal Barrier Crash Rating

Frontal Barrier Crash Rating Driver

Frontal Barrier Crash Rating Passenger

Overall Side Crash Rating

Side Barrier Rating

Side Barrier Rating Driver

Side Barrier Rating Passenger Rear Seat

Side Pole Rating Driver Front Seat

Combined Side Rating Front Seat

Combined Side Rating Rear Seat

Rollover Rating

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