Compare the2023 Nissan MaximaVS 2023 Genesis G70

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 G70 doesn’t offer a front passenger side knee airbag.

The Maxima has standard Active Head Restraints, which use a specially designed headrest to protect the driver and front passenger from whiplash. During a rear-end collision, the Active Head Restraints system moves the headrests forward to prevent neck and spine injuries. The G70 doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

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 G70 doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

Both the Maxima and the G70 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, 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.

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

The Maxima’s 3.5 DOHC V6 produces 48 more horsepower (300 vs. 252) and 1 lbs.-ft. more torque (261 vs. 260) than the G70 2.0T’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder.

As tested in Motor Trend the Nissan Maxima is faster than the G70 2.0T 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder:

On the EPA test cycle the Maxima gets better mileage than the G70:

The Maxima has 2.2 gallons more fuel capacity than the G70 (18 vs. 15.8 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 G70 doesn’t offer a CVT.

The Maxima’s standard front and rear disc brakes are vented to help dissipate heat for shorter stops with less fading. The rear discs standard on the G70 2.0T are solid, not vented.

In an emergency stopping situation, many drivers don’t press the brakes with enough force to stop the vehicle in the shortest distance. The Maxima has a standard brake assist system to detect emergency braking situations (by how hard and how quickly the brake pedal is pressed) and then automatically apply maximum braking immediately in order to help prevent a collision. The G70 doesn’t offer a brake assist feature.

The Maxima stops shorter than the G70:

For better traction, the Maxima has larger tires than the G70 (245/45R18 vs. 225/40R19).

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 G70 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 G70; it requires you to depend on a temporary spare, which limits mileage and speed before replacement.

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 G70 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 G70 is rated a Compact.

The Maxima has 2.6 cubic feet more passenger volume than the G70 (98.5 vs. 95.9).

The Maxima has 2.4 inches more front legroom, .4 inches more front shoulder room and 1.1 inches more rear shoulder room than the G70.

The Maxima has a much larger trunk than the G70 (14.3 vs. 10.5 cubic feet).

With its sedan body style, valet key, locking rear seatbacks and remote trunk release lockout, the Maxima offers cargo security. The G70’s non-lockable folding seat and non-lockable remote release defeat cargo security.

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 G70 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 G70 can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

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 G70’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 G70 doesn’t offer a rear sunshade.

Consumer Reports® recommends both the Nissan Maxima and the Genesis G70, based on reliability, safety and performance.

The Nissan Maxima outsold the Genesis G70 by 53% during 2021.