The 2010 Nissan Maxima is more of a perky, smooth, and stylish V-6 luxury sedan than an outright sport sedan.
The Dodge Charger R/T doesn't have an interior that's as stylish as the Maxima's or one that offers the same level of appointments and tech options.
At the opposite end of the scale, for those who might want even more comfort and interior space, there's the Toyota Avalon, although the Avalon is less exciting to drive and look at.
In between, the Volkswagen Passat VR6 offers similar performance and a very attractive, comfortable interior, along with available all-wheel drive, but it's quite a bit more expensive.
The relatively fresh 2010 Acura TL is also a formidable rival to the Maxima thanks to its sharp looks and similar characteristics—and the Acura's a step ahead as it does offer a manual transmission.
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 2010 Nissan MaximaBrowse Used Listings |  2010 Acura TLBrowse Used Listings |  2010 Dodge ChargerBrowse Used Listings |  2010 Toyota AvalonBrowse Used Listings |  2003 Volkswagen PassatBrowse Used Listings |
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| Quick Specs | ||||
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The 2010 Nissan Maxima might look like a sport sedan, but it lacks the edgy, high-performance feel necessary to complete the package. |
Boldly styled and laden with high-tech features, the 2010 Acura TL is a solid value, though enthusiasts might find its overall ability lacking. |
The 2010 Dodge Charger is starting to show its age against many of its rivals, but its muscle-car appeal and low pricing will never get old. |
The 2010 Toyota Avalon offers a Lexus-caliber interior experience, at a Toyota price. | |
| MSRP From | ||||
| $30,690 | $35,105 | $24,590 | $27,945 | $21,750 |
| Gas Mileage | ||||
| 19 MPG City / 26 MPG Hwy | 17 MPG City / 26 MPG Hwy | 13 MPG City / 26 MPG Hwy | 19 MPG City / 28 MPG Hwy | 17 MPG City / 31 MPG Hwy |
| Engine | ||||
| Gas V6 | Gas V6 | Gas V6 | Gas V6 | Gas I4 |
| EPA Class | ||||
| Mid-Size | Mid-Size | Large | Large | Mid-Size |
| Style Name | ||||
| 4-Door Sedan V6 CVT 3.5 S | 4-Door Sedan 2WD | 4-Door Sedan RWD | 4-Door Sedan XL (GS) | 4-Door Sedan GL Manual |
| Drivetrain | ||||
| Front Wheel Drive | Front-Wheel Drive | Rear Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Passenger Capacity | ||||
| 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Passenger Doors | ||||
| N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Body Style | ||||
| 4 Door Sedan | 4 Door Sedan | 4dr Sdn | 4 Door Sedan | 4 Door Sdn |
| Transmission | ||||
| Continuously Variable | Automatic w/OD | Automatic | Automatic w/OD | Manual w/OD |
| Detailed Spec Comparison | ||||
| 2010 Nissan Maxima vs. 2010 Acura TL | 2010 Nissan Maxima vs. 2010 Dodge Charger | 2010 Nissan Maxima vs. 2010 Toyota Avalon | 2010 Nissan Maxima vs. 2003 Volkswagen Passat | |
