Compare the2022 Nissan MaximaVS 2022 Volvo S90

In the past twenty years hundreds of infants and young children have died after being left in vehicles, usually by accident. When turning the vehicle off, drivers of the Maxima are reminded to check the back seat if they opened the rear door before starting out. The S90 doesn’t offer a back seat reminder.

The Nissan Maxima has standard driver and front passenger side knee airbags mounted low on the dashboard. These airbags helps prevent the driver and front passenger from sliding under their seatbelts or the main frontal airbags; this keeps them better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. Knee airbags also help keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The S90 doesn’t offer a front passenger side knee airbag.

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The Maxima has standard Rear Automatic Braking that uses rear sensors to monitor and automatically apply the brakes to prevent a rear collision. The S90 doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

Both the Maxima and the S90 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front and rear side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, plastic fuel tanks, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, driver alert monitors and available around view monitors.

Nissan’s powertrain warranty covers the Maxima 1 year and 10,000 miles longer than Volvo covers the S90. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 5 years or 60,000 miles. Coverage on the S90 ends after only 4 years or 50,000 miles.

There are almost 4 times as many Nissan dealers as there are Volvo dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Maxima’s warranty.

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the Maxima’s reliability 52 points higher than the S90.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Maxima first among large cars in their 2021 Initial Quality Study. The S90 isn’t in the top three in its category.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2021 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Nissan vehicles are better in initial quality than Volvo vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Nissan fifth in initial quality, above the industry average. With 64 more problems per 100 vehicles, Volvo is ranked 29th, below the industry average.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2021 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Nissan vehicles are more reliable than Volvo vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Nissan 21st in reliability. With 15 more problems per 100 vehicles, Volvo is ranked 25th.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2021 Auto Issue reports that Nissan vehicles are more reliable than Volvo vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Nissan 5 places higher in reliability than Volvo.

As tested in Consumer Reports the Nissan Maxima is faster than the S90 B6 2.0 turbo/supercharged 4-cylinder:

The Maxima has 2.1 gallons more fuel capacity than the S90 (18 vs. 15.9 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

The Maxima has a standard continuously variable transmission (CVT). With no “steps” between gears, it can keep the engine at the most efficient speed for fuel economy, or keep it at its peak horsepower indefinitely for maximum acceleration. The S90 doesn’t offer a CVT.

The Maxima stops shorter than the S90:

The Maxima has a standard easy tire fill system. When inflating the tires, the vehicle’s integrated tire pressure sensors keep track of the pressure as the tires fill and tell the driver when the tires are inflated to the proper pressure. The S90 doesn’t offer vehicle monitored tire inflation.

The Maxima offers an optional full size spare tire so a flat doesn’t interrupt your trip. A full size spare isn’t available on the S90; it requires you to depend on a temporary spare, which has mileage and speed limitations, or roadside assistance and a tow-truck.

The front and rear suspension of the Maxima uses coil springs for better ride, handling and control than the S90, which uses transverse leafs springs in the rear. Coil springs compress more progressively and offer more suspension travel for a smoother ride with less bottoming out.

For better maneuverability, the Maxima’s turning circle is .6 feet tighter than the S90 18” wheels’ (38.1 feet vs. 38.7 feet). The Maxima’s turning circle is 1.9 feet tighter than the S90 19” wheels’ (38.1 feet vs. 40 feet).

The Nissan Maxima may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 600 to 950 pounds less than the Volvo S90.

The Maxima is 7.3 inches shorter than the S90, making the Maxima easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The Maxima SR/Platinum uses computer-generated active noise cancellation to help remove annoying noise and vibration from the passenger compartment, especially at low frequencies. The S90 doesn’t offer active noise cancellation.

The Maxima has 1.6 inches more front headroom, 2.8 inches more front legroom and .3 inches more rear shoulder room than the S90.

The Maxima has a larger trunk than the S90 (14.3 vs. 13.5 cubic feet).

The Maxima’s standard rear seats fold to accommodate long and bulky cargo. The S90 Luxury Package doesn’t offer folding rear seats.

A maintenance reminder system is standard on the Maxima to save the owner time and money by calculating maintenance intervals for oil changes and tire rotation based on odometer mileage. This takes the guesswork out of keeping your vehicle in top condition and helps it last longer. Volvo doesn’t offer a maintenance reminder on the S90.

The Maxima Platinum’s standard easy entry system raises the steering wheel and glides the driver’s seat back when the door is unlocked or the ignition is switched off, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The S90 doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

The Maxima’s instruments include an oil pressure gauge and a temperature gauge - which could save your engine! Often ‘idiot lights’ don’t warn you until damage has been done. The S90 does not have an oil pressure gauge.

To shield the driver and front passenger’s vision over a larger portion of the windshield and side windows, the Maxima has standard extendable sun visors. The S90 doesn’t offer extendable visors.

The Maxima will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the Maxima will retain 42.74% to 43.12% of its original price after five years, while the S90 only retains 38.82% to 38.97%.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Nissan Maxima will be $11805 to $12264 less than for the Volvo S90.

Consumer Reports® recommends the Nissan Maxima, based on reliability, safety and performance. The Volvo S90 isn't recommended.

The Nissan Maxima outsold the Volvo 90 Series by over 9 to one during the 2021 model year.