Nissan Maxima vs. BMW 3 Series
In comparing the Nissan Maxima's and the BMW 3 Series's specifications and ratings, the Nissan Maxima has the advantage in the areas of new vehicle base pricing, typical lower range of pricing for one- to five-year-old used cars, reliability, resale value, interior volume and base engine power. The BMW 3 Series has the advantage in the areas of fuel efficiency and overall quality score. Based on this comparison of the Nissan Maxima's and the BMW 3 Series's specifications and ratings, the Nissan Maxima is a better car than the BMW 3 Series.
Nissan Maxima vs. BMW 3 Series Pricing
A used 2023 Nissan Maxima ranges from $33,258 to $45,522 while a used 2024 BMW 3 Series is priced between $47,312 to $65,946. For a new model, the Nissan Maxima's price is between $39,166 and $47,068, with the BMW 3 Series priced between $47,938 and $68,615.
Nissan Maxima vs. BMW 3 Series Resale/Retained Value
Looking at the 5-year depreciation rate for both models, the Nissan Maxima loses 52.1 percent of its value and the BMW 3 Series loses 52.3 percent of its value. This means the Nissan Maxima retains 0.2 percentage points more of its value and has the advantage of higher resale value versus the BMW 3 Series.
Nissan Maxima vs. BMW 3 Series Quality Rating
The iSeeCars Overall Quality rating for the Nissan Maxima is 8.3 out of 10 while the BMW 3 Series' quality rating is 8.7 out of 10. This results in the Nissan Maxima being ranked 3 out of 8 Best Large Cars and the BMW 3 Series being ranked 6 out of 36 Best Luxury Small Cars.
Nissan Maxima vs. BMW 3 Series Reliability Rating
iSeeCars’ Reliability Rating for the Nissan Maxima is 8.6 out of 10. For the BMW 3 Series the reliability rating is 8.4 out of 10. This gives the Nissan Maxima a slight advantage in reliability compared to the BMW 3 Series.
Engine Power and Fuel Efficiency Comparison
For engine performance, the Nissan Maxima’s base engine makes 300 horsepower, and the BMW 3 Series base engine makes 255 horsepower. The Maxima is rated to deliver an average of 24 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 540 miles. The 3 Series is rated to deliver an average of 29 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 530 miles.This gives the BMW 3 Series the advantage in fuel efficiency and the Nissan Maxima the advantage in maximum range. Both models use premium unleaded.
Passenger Space Comparison
The Nissan Maxima, a large car, has the advantage of offering more interior volume, reflected in more front head room, front shoulder room, front leg room, rear shoulder room, and cargo space. The BMW 3 Series, a compact car, has the advantage in the areas of rear head room and rear leg room.
Safety Ratings Comparison
When comparing crash test ratings from NHTSA, both the Nissan Maxima and the BMW 3 Series have the same average safety rating of 5 out of 5 Stars. When comparing IIHS evaluations, the Nissan Maxima has the advantage with a Top Safety Pick+ award.
Pricing
New Asking Price:
39166 - 47068
Used Asking Price:
33258 - 45522
5-Year Depreciation (lower is better):
0.52091
Pricing
New Asking Price:
47938 - 68615
Used Asking Price:
47312 - 65946
5-Year Depreciation (lower is better):
0.522554
Nissan Maxima Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
8.301809 / 10
Reliability:
8.605429 / 10
Retained Value:
6.3 / 10
Safety:
10.0 / 10
BMW 3 Series Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
8.686143 / 10
Reliability:
8.358429 / 10
Retained Value:
7.7 / 10
Safety:
10.0 / 10
Nissan Maxima Rankings
Ranking
1 out of / 8Ranking
1 out of / 3Ranking
2 out of / 2Ranking
3 out of / 8Ranking
3 out of / 8Ranking
3 out of / 8Ranking
3 out of / 8Ranking
3 out of / 8Ranking
3 out of / 3Ranking
6 out of / 8Ranking
7 out of / 8BMW 3 Series Rankings
Ranking
2 out of / 21Ranking
2 out of / 15Ranking
6 out of / 36Ranking
6 out of / 36Ranking
6 out of / 30Ranking
6 out of / 10Ranking
9 out of / 30Ranking
10 out of / 30Ranking
11 out of / 36Ranking
12 out of / 36Ranking
12 out of / 26Ranking
14 out of / 31Ranking
15 out of / 30Ranking
17 out of / 36Ranking
25 out of / 30Ranking
31 out of / 36Available Body Styles
Sedan
Available Body Styles
Sedan
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline, Plug-In Hybrid
Nissan Maxima Trim Levels
3.5 Platinum, 3.5 SR, 3.5 SV
BMW 3 Series Trim Levels
330i, 330i xDrive, M340i, M340i xDrive
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
3 years / 36000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
5 years / 60000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
3 years / 36000 miles
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
4 years / 50000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
4 years / 50000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
4 years
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
5 out of 5 Stars
IIHS Safety Rating:
TOP SAFETY PICK +
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
5 out of 5 Stars
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Base Drivetrain Specifications
Horsepower:
300 hp @ 6400 rpm
Torque:
261 foot-lbs @ 4400 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.083 hp per pound
Base Drivetrain Specifications
Horsepower:
255 hp @ 5000 rpm
Torque:
295 foot-lbs @ 1550 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.072 hp per pound
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
3.5 liters
Engine Configuration:
V
Number of Cylinders:
6
Transmission:
Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT Automatic)
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
FWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
20 / 30 / 24
Range (city/hwy):
360 / 540 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Premium Unleaded
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
2 liters
Engine Configuration:
Inline
Number of Cylinders:
4
Transmission:
Automatic
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
RWD / AWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
25 / 34 / 29
Range (city/hwy):
390 / 530 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Premium Unleaded
Standard/Optional Features
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Standard
Android Auto:
Standard
Apple Car Play:
Standard
Heated Seats
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Leather Upholstery:
Standard
Navigation System:
Standard
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
Available
Heated Steering Wheel:
Available
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Available
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
N/A
Standard/Optional Features
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Available
Android Auto:
Standard
Apple Car Play:
Standard
Heated Seats
Available
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Leather Upholstery:
Standard
Navigation System:
Standard
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
N/A
Heated Steering Wheel:
Standard
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Standard
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
Available
Safety Equipment
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Standard
Driver Attention Monitoring:
Standard
Forward Collision Warning:
Standard
Lane Departure Warning:
Standard
Pedestrian Detection:
Standard
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
Standard
Rear Seat Reminder:
Standard
360-Degree Camera:
Available
Lane Keeping Assist:
Available
Safety Equipment
Blind Spot Monitoring:
N/A
Driver Attention Monitoring:
Standard
Forward Collision Warning:
Standard
Lane Departure Warning:
N/A
Pedestrian Detection:
Standard
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
N/A
Rear Seat Reminder:
Standard
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Lane Keeping Assist:
N/A
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
39.1 inches
Front Leg Room:
45 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
56.7 inches
Rear Head Room:
36.7 inches
Rear Leg Room:
34.2 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
55.7 inches
Cargo Space:
14.3 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
98.5 cubic feet
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
38.7 inches
Front Leg Room:
42 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
56 inches
Rear Head Room:
37.6 inches
Rear Leg Room:
35.2 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
54.6 inches
Cargo Space:
13 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
94.0 cubic feet
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
3608 lbs
Width:
73.2 inches
Height:
56.5 inches
Length:
192.8 inches
Wheelbase:
109.3 inches
Ground Clearance:
5.3 inches
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
3536 lbs
Width:
81.4 inches
Height:
56.8 inches
Length:
185.9 inches
Wheelbase:
112.2 inches
Ground Clearance:
5.6 inches
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
18.0 x 8.0 inches
Wheel Type:
aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
245/45R18
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
18.0 x 7.5 inches
Wheel Type:
aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
225/45R18