A sedan is the quintessential car. It is an all-around good passenger vehicle. Sedans usually have good trunk room, but the car's primary setup is focused on passengers. Sedans drive smoothly and safely down the road. 

Luxury sedans like the 2017 Nissan Maxima also offer comfort, plush surroundings and innovative technology. If you are looking for a mid-sized luxury sedan for a good price point, the Nissan Maxima will be the top pick.

The Nissan Maxima and Toyota Avalon line up pretty well across the board, but there are a few differences that change the overall experience for the driver. One major difference worth pointing out is driver legroom. If you are taller or just like to have additional leg room, definitely go for the Nissan Maxima. It has 3 inches more legroom than the Toyota Avalon. 

But beyond small comfort issues, there are several other major factors to consider when comparing the Nissan Maxima vs. Toyota Avalon.

Safety

Larger sedans do tend to be safe cars. Their size and style as well as reputation, demand that it be so. If you are like most drivers, especially if you plan on regularly having passengers in your car, then safety is a huge deciding factor. 

The Nissan Maxima out-performed the Avalon in front crash ratings, and scored a perfect ten out of ten for safety. Nissan also has an overall better safety track record. Fog lights also come standard on the Maxima. Depending on where you live this could be a huge deciding factor.

Performance

Performance is one of the main reasons we choose a car, after all, we have to drive it. The miles per gallon for both vehicles are similar. The Maxima is more economic, however, if you are driving in the city, plus it has a larger fuel tank. 

The Maxima has more horsepower, 300 hp, and a greater torque ratio. The Maxima also has a lighter curb weight. It therefore goes from 0 to 60 mph in 5.9 seconds. 

This is faster than the Avalon's 6.1 seconds. Overall, the car has a better performance rating and feels fast for a sedan. The ride is quiet and smooth but still has a sporty feel and good response.

Technology

Both sedans have an updated entertainment package. Both come with eight speakers, SiriusXM radio and Bluetooth. They also have push button ignition as standard. The Nissan Maxima, however, comes with remote start as standard. It is an upgrade on the Avalon. 

If you live in colder climates, the remote start is a huge advantage. This way you can warm up the car before you even go outside. The LCD touchscreen in the Maxima is 8 inches compared with 7 inches on the Avalon. One major deciding factor is the Maxima comes standard with navigation but the Avalon does not. 

The overall feel of the Maxima's technology suite is more advanced and user friendly. The Nissan Maxima also has two USB ports, which in a passenger vehicle is a must.