Nissan Maxima vs. Lexus IS 250
iSeeCars' unbiased and data-driven comparison of the Nissan Maxima and Lexus IS 250 contrasts the two cars across a broad spectrum of vehicle specifications to determine which car is better. In addition to comparing pricing and specs, iSeeCars uses all the ratings, rankings, and insights from its comprehensive analyses of each vehicle model, including calculations of reliability, safety, depreciation, value retention, and the vehicle's projected lifetime recalls (based on analyzing over 25 billion data points). This in-depth evaluation is used to identify which vehicle represents a better overall choice for shoppers who are considering both the Nissan Maxima and the Lexus IS 250.
When we compare the Nissan Maxima's and the Lexus IS 250's specifications and ratings, the Nissan Maxima has the advantage in the areas of typical lower range of pricing for one- to five-year-old used cars, interior volume and base engine power. The Lexus IS 250 has the advantage in the area of fuel efficiency. Based on this comparison of the Nissan Maxima's and the Lexus IS 250's specifications and ratings, the Nissan Maxima is a better car than the Lexus IS 250.
Pricing: A used 2014 Nissan Maxima ranges from $5,995 to $16,301 while a used 2014 Lexus IS 250 is priced between $12,490 to $22,996.
Engine Power and Fuel Efficiency Comparison: For engine performance, the Nissan Maxima’s base engine makes 290 horsepower, and the Lexus IS 250 base engine makes 204 horsepower. The Maxima is rated to deliver an average of 22 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 520 miles. The IS 250 is rated to deliver an average of 24 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 522 miles. This gives the Lexus IS 250 the fuel efficiency and maximum range advantage over the Nissan Maxima. Both models use gasoline.
Passenger Space Comparison: The Nissan Maxima has the advantage of offering more interior volume, reflected in more front head room, front shoulder room, rear shoulder room, rear leg room, and cargo space. The Lexus IS 250 has the advantage in the areas of front leg room and rear head room.
Safety Ratings: The Nissan Maxima has an average safety rating of 5 out of 5 Stars based on NHTSA's crash test ratings.
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
-
Starting MSRP:
$31,290
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Large Cars)
$29,430
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Large Cars)
$25,830 - $35,100
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
-
Starting MSRP:
$36,100
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
$37,031
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
$23,700 - $48,750
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
$10,671
Price Range:
$5,995 - $16,301
Category Avg Price:
(Large Cars)
$12,283
Category Avg Price Range:
(Large Cars)
$9,900 - $16,031
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
124
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
117,976
# Good or Great Deals:
24
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
$17,618
Price Range:
$12,490 - $22,996
Category Avg Price:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
$14,966
Category Avg Price Range:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
$10,509 - $20,367
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
117
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
104,206
# Good or Great Deals:
32
Nissan Maxima Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
8.6 / 10
Reliability:
8.5 / 10
Retained Value:
7.4 / 10
Safety:
10.0 / 10
Lexus IS 250 Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
Not available
Reliability:
Not available
Retained Value:
Not available
Safety:
Not available
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Nissan Maxima
Remaining Life Expectancy (years):
0.2
Typical Category Remaining Life Expectancy:
(Large Cars)
0.8
Category Remaining Life Expectancy Range:
(Large Cars)
0.2 - 5
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
23.1%
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Lexus IS 250
Remaining Life Expectancy (years):
2.7
Typical Category Remaining Life Expectancy:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
1.2
Category Remaining Life Expectancy Range:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
0.3 - 4.3
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
47.4%
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
0.9
Typical Category Recalls:
(Large Cars)
5.3
Category Range for Recalls:
(Large Cars)
0.9 - 9
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
0.8
Typical Category Recalls:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
4.4
Category Range for Recalls:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
0.8 - 43.7
Nissan Maxima Rankings
Ranking
1 out of / 8Ranking
1 out of / 8Ranking
1 out of / 3Ranking
2 out of / 8Ranking
2 out of / 3Ranking
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 / 8Ranking
7 out of / 8Lexus IS 250 Rankings
Available Body Styles
Sedan
Available Body Styles
Sedan
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Nissan Maxima Trim Levels
3.5 S, 3.5 SV
Lexus IS 250 Trim Levels
Base
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:
6 years / 70000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
4 years
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
5 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Overall Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
3 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Overall Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
290 hp @ 6400 rpm
Torque:
261 foot-lbs @ 4400 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.082 hp per pound
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
204 hp @ 6400 rpm
Torque:
185 foot-lbs @ 4800 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.059 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):
19 / 26 / 22
Range (city/hwy):
380 / 520 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Gasoline
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
2.5 liters
Engine Configuration:
V
Number of Cylinders:
6
Transmission:
Automatic
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
RWD / AWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
21 / 30 / 24
Range (city/hwy):
365 / 522 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Gasoline
Standard/Optional Features
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Standard
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
Available
Heated Seats
Available
Heated Steering Wheel:
Available
Leather Upholstery:
Available
Navigation System:
Available
Paddle Shifters:
Available
Quad Seats:
Available
Satellite radio:
Available
Voice Recognition:
Available
Adaptive Cruise Control:
N/A
Air Suspension:
N/A
Android Auto:
N/A
Apple CarPlay:
N/A
Automatic Parking:
N/A
Captain's seat:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Internet Radio:
N/A
Massage Seats:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Parking Sensors:
N/A
Power Lift Gate:
N/A
Roadside assistance:
N/A
Roof Rack:
N/A
Trailer Hitch:
N/A
Wifi:
N/A
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
N/A
Standard/Optional Features
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Standard
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
Available
Heated Seats
Available
Heated Steering Wheel:
Available
Leather Upholstery:
Standard
Navigation System:
Available
Paddle Shifters:
Standard
Quad Seats:
N/A
Satellite radio:
Standard
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Available
Air Suspension:
N/A
Android Auto:
N/A
Apple CarPlay:
N/A
Automatic Parking:
N/A
Captain's seat:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Internet Radio:
N/A
Massage Seats:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Parking Sensors:
Available
Power Lift Gate:
N/A
Roadside assistance:
N/A
Roof Rack:
N/A
Trailer Hitch:
N/A
Wifi:
N/A
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
N/A
Safety Features
Backup camera:
Available
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Blind Spot Monitoring:
N/A
Driver Attention Monitoring:
N/A
Forward Collision Warning:
N/A
Lane Departure Warning:
N/A
Lane Keeping Assist:
N/A
Pedestrian Detection:
N/A
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
N/A
Rear Seat Reminder:
N/A
Safety Features
Backup camera:
Available
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Available
Driver Attention Monitoring:
N/A
Forward Collision Warning:
Available
Lane Departure Warning:
Available
Lane Keeping Assist:
N/A
Pedestrian Detection:
N/A
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
Available
Rear Seat Reminder:
N/A
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
38.5 inches
Front Leg Room:
43.8 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
56.3 inches
Rear Head Room:
36.4 inches
Rear Leg Room:
34.6 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
55.1 inches
Cargo Space:
14.2 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
95.8 cubic feet
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
38.2 inches
Front Leg Room:
44.8 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
55.9 inches
Rear Head Room:
36.9 inches
Rear Leg Room:
32.2 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
53.4 inches
Cargo Space:
10.8 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
90.2 cubic feet
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
3550 lbs
Width:
73.2 inches
Height:
57.8 inches
Length:
190.6 inches
Wheelbase:
109.3 inches
Ground Clearance:
Not yet available
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
3461 lbs
Width:
71.3 inches
Height:
56.3 inches
Length:
183.7 inches
Wheelbase:
110.2 inches
Ground Clearance:
5.3 inches
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
18.0 x 8.0 inches
Wheel Type:
aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
P245/45R18
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
17.0 x 7.5 inches
Wheel Type:
aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
225/45R17
Exterior Colors
Black
Super Black
Blue
Navy Blue
Brown
Java Metallic
Gray
Gun Metallic
Red
Crimson Black / Midnight Garnet
Silver
Brilliant Silver
White
Pearl White
Exterior Colors
Black
Obsidian
Blue
Deep Sea Mica
Brown
Not available
Gray
Nebula Gray Pearl
Red
Matador Red Mica
Silver
Atomic Silver / Silver Lining Metallic
White
Starfire Pearl / Ultra White
Interior Colors
Brown
Cafe Latte
Gray
Charcoal
Beige
Not available
Black
Not available
Purple
Not available
Interior Colors
Brown
Not available
Gray
Light Gray / Light Gray w/ Matte Black trim / Light Gray w/ Silver Performance trim
Beige
Flaxen / Parchment
Black
Black / Black w/ Matte Black trim / Black w/ Silver Performance trim
Purple
Rioja Red
