Compare the2023 Nissan MaximaVS 2023 Lexus IS

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Transmission
Tires and Wheels
Chassis
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Ergonomics
Economic Advantages
Recommendations

Safety

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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 IS doesn’t offer a back seat reminder.

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 IS doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

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 IS doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

Both the Maxima and the IS have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front and rear side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger 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 and available around view monitors.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Nissan Maxima is safer than the Lexus IS:

	Maxima	IS
OVERALL STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
	Driver
STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
Neck Injury Risk	25%	35%
Neck Stress	289 lbs.	429 lbs.
Neck Compression	23 lbs.	60 lbs.
Leg Forces (l/r)	359/238 lbs.	599/675 lbs.
	Passenger
STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
Neck Injury Risk	31%	41%
Neck Stress	124 lbs.	152 lbs.
Leg Forces (l/r)	448/311 lbs.	399/459 lbs.

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a flat barrier at 38.5 MPH and into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the Nissan Maxima is safer than the Lexus IS:

	Maxima	IS
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	119	142
Chest Movement	.9 inches	1 inches
Hip Force	337 lbs.	406 lbs.
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Spine Acceleration	27 G’s	28 G’s
Hip Force	349 lbs.	438 lbs.
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Max Damage Depth	15 inches	15 inches
HIC	275	293
Hip Force	480 lbs.	650 lbs.

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

Warranty

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

Reliability

A hardened steel chain, with no maintenance needs, drives the camshafts in the Maxima’s engine. A rubber cam drive belt that needs periodic replacement drives the IS’ camshafts. If the IS’ belt breaks, the engine could be severely damaged when the pistons hit the opened valves.

Engine

The Maxima’s 3.5 DOHC V6 produces 59 more horsepower (300 vs. 241) and 3 lbs.-ft. more torque (261 vs. 258) than the IS 300’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder. The Maxima’s 3.5 DOHC V6 produces 40 more horsepower (300 vs. 260) and 25 lbs.-ft. more torque (261 vs. 236) than the IS 300 AWD’s standard 3.5 DOHC V6.

Fuel Economy and Range

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

			MPG
Maxima
	FWD	3.5 DOHC V6	20 city/30 hwy
IS
	RWD	5.0 V8	17 city/25 hwy
		3.5 DOHC V6	20 city/28 hwy
	AWD	350 F Sport 3.5 DOHC V6	19 city/26 hwy
		300 AWD 3.5 DOHC V6	19 city/26 hwy

Transmission

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 IS doesn’t offer a CVT.

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the Maxima has larger tires than the IS (245/45R18 vs. 235/45R18). The Maxima SV’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the IS (245/45R18 vs. 235/40R19).

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

Chassis

To almost totally eliminate engine vibration in the passenger area, the Maxima has an electronically controlled liquid-filled main engine mount. A computer-controlled electric current in the liquid changes its viscosity, allowing the mount to dampen the engine completely at all RPMs. The IS uses conventional solid rubber engine mounts.

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 IS doesn’t offer active noise cancellation.

Passenger Space

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

The Maxima has 8.3 cubic feet more passenger volume than the IS (98.5 vs. 90.2).

The Maxima has 1.2 inches more front headroom, .2 inches more front legroom, .8 inches more front shoulder room, 2 inches more rear legroom and 2.3 inches more rear shoulder room than the IS.

Cargo Capacity

The Maxima has a much larger trunk than the IS (14.3 vs. 10.8 cubic feet).

Ergonomics

The Maxima’s power window, power lock, power mirror and cruise control switches are lit from behind, making them plainly visible and easier to operate at night. The IS’ cruise control switches are unlit, making them difficult to find at night and operate safely.

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 IS’ standard manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

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 IS doesn’t offer extendable visors.

The Maxima has standard heated front seats. Heated front seats cost extra on the IS. 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 IS.

Economic Advantages

Insurance will cost less for the Maxima owner. The Car Book by Jack Gillis rates the Maxima with a number “1” insurance rate while the IS is rated higher at a number “5” rate.

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the Maxima is less expensive to operate than the IS because typical repairs cost much less on the Maxima than the IS, including $142 less for a water pump, $602 less for a starter, $238 less for fuel injection, $117 less for front struts, $450 less for a timing belt/chain and $598 less for a power steering pump.

Recommendations

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