Compare the2023 Nissan MaximaVS 2023 Acura TLX

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Transmission
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Ergonomics
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 TLX 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 TLX 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 use rear sensors to monitor for objects to the rear and automatically apply the brakes to prevent a collision. The TLX doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

The Maxima has a standard blind spot warning system that uses sensors to alert the driver to objects in the vehicle’s blind spots where the side view mirrors don’t reveal them. A system to reveal vehicles in the TLX’s blind spot costs extra.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the Maxima has standard Rear Cross Traffic Alert, helping the driver avoid collisions. Acura charges extra for Rear Cross Traffic Monitor on the TLX.

Both the Maxima and the TLX have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, front wheel drive, 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, rearview cameras, driver alert monitors 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 Acura TLX:

	Maxima	TLX
	Driver
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Neck Compression	23 lbs.	27 lbs.
	Passenger
STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
HIC	290	358
Chest Compression	.6 inches	.6 inches
Neck Injury Risk	31%	32%
Neck Stress	124 lbs.	186 lbs.
Leg Forces (l/r)	448/311 lbs.	416/473 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 Acura TLX:

	Maxima	TLX
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	119	128
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Spine Acceleration	27 G’s	53 G’s
Hip Force	349 lbs.	539 lbs.
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	275	464
Hip Force	480 lbs.	484 lbs.

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

Warranty

There are almost 4 times as many Nissan dealers as there are Acura 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 TLX’s camshafts. If the TLX’s belt breaks, the engine could be severely damaged when the pistons hit the opened valves.

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 25 points higher than the TLX.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Nissan vehicles are better in initial quality than Acura vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Nissan above average in initial quality. With 25 more problems per 100 vehicles, Acura is rated below average.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Nissan vehicles are more reliable than Acura With 39 fewer problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, J.D. Power ranks Nissan higher than Acura.

Engine

The Maxima’s 3.5 DOHC V6 produces 28 more horsepower (300 vs. 272) than the TLX’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder.

As tested in Motor Trend the Nissan Maxima is faster than the Acura TLX turbo 4 cyl.:

	Maxima	TLX
Zero to 60 MPH	5.7 sec	7 sec
Quarter Mile	14.2 sec	15.4 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	100.5 MPH	91.5 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

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

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 TLX doesn’t offer a CVT.

Brakes and Stopping

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

The Maxima stops shorter than the TLX:

	Maxima	TLX
70 to 0 MPH	168 feet	177 feet	Car and Driver
60 to 0 MPH	132 feet	136 feet	Consumer Reports
60 to 0 MPH (Wet)	141 feet	148 feet	Consumer Reports

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the Maxima has larger tires than the TLX (245/45R18 vs. 235/50R18).

The Maxima SV’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 45 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the TLX’s standard 50 series tires.

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 TLX; it requires you to depend on roadside assistance and your vehicle will have to be towed.

Suspension and Handling

The Maxima SR handles at .86 G’s, while the TLX A-Spec SH-AWD pulls only .83 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

For better maneuverability, the Maxima’s turning circle is 2 feet tighter than the TLX’s (38.1 feet vs. 40.1 feet). The Maxima’s turning circle is 2.1 feet tighter than the TLX with 19/20-inch wheels’ (38.1 feet vs. 40.2 feet).

Passenger Space

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

The Maxima has 5.1 cubic feet more passenger volume than the TLX (98.5 vs. 93.4).

The Maxima has 2.2 inches more front headroom, 2.5 inches more front legroom, .4 inches more rear headroom and .7 inches more rear shoulder room than the TLX.

Cargo Capacity

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

Ergonomics

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 TLX does not have an oil pressure gauge.

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

The Maxima’s standard rear and side view mirrors have an automatic dimming feature. These mirrors can be set to automatically darken quickly when headlights shine on them, keeping following vehicles from blinding or distracting the driver. The TLX has an automatic rear view mirror, but its side mirrors don’t dim.

Recommendations

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