Compare the2023 Nissan MaximaVS 2023 Cadillac CT4

For enhanced safety, the front seat shoulder belts of the Nissan Maxima are height-adjustable to accommodate a wide variety of driver and passenger heights. A better fit can prevent injuries and the increased comfort also encourages passengers to buckle up. The Cadillac CT4 doesn’t offer height-adjustable seat belts.

The Maxima’s driver alert monitor detects an inattentive driver then sounds a warning and suggests a break. According to the NHTSA, drivers who fall asleep cause about 100,000 crashes and 1500 deaths a year. The CT4 doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

Both the Maxima and the CT4 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, 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 and available around view monitors.

For its top level performance in IIHS driver and passenger-side small overlap frontal, moderate overlap frontal, side impact, roof strength and head restraint tests, its standard vehicle-to-vehicle front crash prevention system, its standard vehicle-to-pedestrian front crash prevention system, and its standard headlight’s “Acceptable” rating, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the Maxima its highest rating: “Top Safety Pick Plus” for 2022, a rating granted to only 101 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The CT4 has not been tested, yet.

There are almost 2 times as many Nissan dealers as there are Cadillac 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 33 points higher than the CT4.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2021 Auto Issue reports that Nissan vehicles are more reliable than Cadillac vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Nissan 8 places higher in reliability than Cadillac.

The Maxima’s 3.5 DOHC V6 produces 63 more horsepower (300 vs. 237) and 3 lbs.-ft. more torque (261 vs. 258) than the CT4’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder.

As tested in Consumer Reports the Nissan Maxima is faster than the Cadillac CT4 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder:

The Maxima has a gallon more fuel capacity than the CT4 (18 vs. 17 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 CT4 doesn’t offer a CVT.

For better stopping power the Maxima’s front brake rotors are larger than those on the CT4:

For better traction, the Maxima has larger tires than the CT4 (245/45R18 vs. 225/45R17). The Maxima SV’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the CT4 (245/45R18 vs. 235/40R18).

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Maxima SV has standard 18-inch wheels. Smaller 17-inch wheels are standard on the CT4 Luxury.

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 CT4; it requires you to depend on its run-flat tires, which limits mileage and speed before they are repaired. If a run-flat is damaged beyond repair by a road hazard your vehicle will have to be towed. Some tire options on the CT4 don’t have a run-flat feature, either.

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the Maxima is 2.1 inches wider in the front and .7 inches wider in the rear than on the CT4.

The Maxima SR handles at .86 G’s, while the CT4 Premium Luxury AWD pulls only .83 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

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 CT4 doesn’t offer active noise cancellation.

Because it has more passenger and cargo room, the EPA rates the Maxima a Mid-size car, while the CT4 is rated a Compact.

The Maxima has 8.5 cubic feet more passenger volume than the CT4 (98.5 vs. 90).

The Maxima has 1.1 inches more front headroom, 2.6 inches more front legroom, 1.2 inches more front hip room, 1.5 inches more front shoulder room, .2 inches more rear headroom, .8 inches more rear legroom, 1 inch more rear hip room and 1.8 inches more rear shoulder room than the CT4.

The front step up height for the Maxima is 1.4 inches lower than the CT4 (15.1” vs. 16.5”). The Maxima’s rear step up height is 1.5 inches lower than the CT4’s (15.5” vs. 17”).

The Maxima has a much larger trunk than the CT4 (14.3 vs. 10.7 cubic feet).

A low lift-over trunk design makes loading and unloading the Maxima easier. The Maxima’s trunk lift-over height is 28.8 inches, while the CT4’s liftover is 30 inches.

With its sedan body style, valet key, locking rear seatbacks and remote trunk release lockout, the Maxima offers cargo security. The CT4’s non-lockable folding seat defeats cargo security.

The Maxima uses gas struts to support the hood for easier service access. The CT4 uses a prop rod to support its heavy hood. It takes two hands to open the hood and set the prop rod, the prop rod gets in the way during maintenance and service, and the prop rod could be knocked out, causing the heavy hood to fall on the person maintaining or servicing the car.

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 CT4 does not have an oil pressure gauge.

If the front windows are left open on the Maxima the driver can close them at the outside door handle. On a hot day the driver can lower the windows at the outside door handle or from a distance using the keyless remote. The driver of the CT4 can only close the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The Maxima has a standard locking fuel door with a remote release located convenient to the driver. A locking fuel door helps prevent fuel theft and vandalism, such as sugar in the tank. The CT4 doesn’t offer a locking fuel door.

The Maxima’s standard speed-sensitive wipers speed up when the vehicle does, so that the driver doesn’t have to continually adjust the speed of the wipers. The CT4’s standard manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

A power rear sunshade is standard in the Maxima Platinum to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. The CT4 doesn’t offer a rear sunshade.

The Maxima has standard heated front seats. Heated front seats cost extra on the CT4. The Maxima Platinum also has standard heated rear seats to keep those passengers extremely comfortable in the winter. Heated rear seats aren’t available in the CT4.

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 43.69% to 43.8% of its original price after five years, while the CT4 only retains 39.41% to 41.44%.

Consumer Reports® recommends the Nissan Maxima, based on reliability, safety and performance. The Cadillac CT4 isn't recommended.

The Nissan Maxima outsold the Cadillac CT4 by 341 units during the 2022 model year.