Nissan Versa vs Maxima

If you are in the market for a new sedan, Nissan should be your first stop. Some of the most popular passenger cars on the road today wear the Nissan logo thanks to this brand’s commitment to both quality and value. No matter which Nissan you pick, you are sure to be in for a treat when you sit behind the wheel.

The Versa and Maxima are often lumped together in conversation about passenger cars, and they do look a bit alike at first glance. But these are far from the same car – big differences exist between the two when you look closer. This article will help you understand how they differ so you can pick out the one you’d like to own. Come by Fire Star Nissan of Albany today to learn more!

Similar, Yet Totally Different

It’s easy to see why people would compare these two cars. After all, they both proudly bear the Nissan name, and the front ends have some styling elements in common. It doesn’t take long to find that they are dramatically different, and we might as well start by looking at the sale prices. Depending on which package and options you select, you could easily find yourself paying twice as much for a Maxima compared to a Versa. It’s common for a Versa to roll off the lot for less than $20,000, while many Maxima sales are over $40K.

So, you can already see based on this one point alone how these cars are positioned in the market. The Versa is a budget vehicle, aimed at offering drivers reliable performance and a comfortable ride while being very friendly to your bank account. On the other end, the Maxima comes in higher in the price range for this segment, delivering an elevated driving experience along with some other advantages. Both are great cars but they are certainly appealing to different groups of buyers. You probably already know which one will be a better fit just based on pricing and market positioning, but let’s dig a little deeper.

Bigger and More Powerful

The price difference alone tells you which of these two cars will be bigger and offer more horsepower under the hood. In a base model Maxima, you get a whopping 300 horsepower, which is a sizable number for a sedan – especially in this price range. For those who love to have a little fun driving while going about their day, the Maxima is an impressive piece of equipment.

Power is considerably lower in the Versa, with a small engine managing 122 horsepower. That isn’t going to propel this model to win any races, but that was never the point in the first place. This is a practical commuter, and it does that job excellently. Thanks to its modest engine size, the Versa gets significantly better gas mileage than the Maxima. If the vehicle you pick will wind up sitting in plenty of commuter traffic each week, knowing that the engine isn’t gobbling up gas will be a good feeling.

Size Comparison

On the interior, the seating space is a closer race than you might think at first, given the fact that the Maxima is more than a foot longer than the Versa. The only notable difference in terms of seating is in the back, where passengers will have more than three inches of additional legroom in the Maxima over the Versa. So, if older kids or adults will need to be riding in the back seat, that’s something to keep in mind.

The cargo space battle actually falls in favor of the smaller Versa, as it provides just slightly more cargo room – yet it weighs 1,000 pounds less than its larger sibling. And, the Versa gives you a little bit more ground clearance, which could come in handy when driving on roads that are in less-than-perfect condition.

Thank you for taking the time to learn a little more about the Maxima and Versa. While both are outstanding four-door sedans, they are rather different and you’ll want to make sure you pick out the right one. Whether you plan to pick up a Versa for a very competitive price or you want the driving excitement of the larger Maxima, you’ll get a vehicle that can serve you well for years. Feel free to reach out to Five Star Nissan of Albany if you need any assistance and good luck shopping!