Childre Nissan Compares 2014 Nissan Maxima VS 2014 Chevrolet Impala Near Macon, GA

Both the Maxima and the Impala have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, front-wheel drive, height-adjustable front shoulder belts, plastic fuel tanks, traction control and electronic stability systems to prevent skidding.

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, results indicate that the Nissan Maxima is safer than the Chevrolet Impala:

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

The Maxima’s corrosion warranty is unlimited miles longer than the Impala’s (unlimited vs. 100,000 miles).

To reliably start during all conditions and help handle large electrical loads, the Maxima has a standard 550-amp battery. The Impala’s 512-amp battery isn’t as powerful.

The Maxima’s 3.5 DOHC V6 produces 108 more horsepower (290 vs. 182) and 90 lbs.-ft. more torque (261 vs. 171) than the Impala Eco’s standard 2.4 DOHC 4 cyl. hybrid. The Maxima’s 3.5 DOHC V6 produces 94 more horsepower (290 vs. 196) and 75 lbs.-ft. more torque (261 vs. 186) than the Impala’s standard 2.5 DOHC 4 cyl.

As tested in Car and Driver the Nissan Maxima is faster than the Chevrolet Impala:

The Maxima has 4.2 gallons more fuel capacity than the Impala Hybrid’s standard fuel tank (20 vs. 15.8 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The Maxima has 1.5 gallons more fuel capacity than the Impala’s standard fuel tank (20 vs. 18.5 gallons).

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 Impala are solid, not vented.

The Maxima stops shorter than the Impala:

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

The Maxima’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 Impala’s standard 50 series tires.

The Maxima 3.5 SV handles at .88 G’s, while the Impala LTZ pulls only .83 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

For better maneuverability, the Maxima’s turning circle is 1.4 feet tighter than the Impala’s (37.4 feet vs. 38.8 feet).

The Nissan Maxima may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 250 pounds less than the Chevrolet Impala.

The Maxima is 10.7 inches shorter than the Impala, making the Maxima easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

As tested by Car and Driver, the interior of the Maxima 3.5 SV is quieter than the Impala LT:

With its sedan body style, valet key, locking rear seatbacks and remote trunk release lockout, the Maxima offers cargo security. The Impala’s non-lockable folding seat defeats cargo security.

The Maxima’s front power windows open or close with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside of the car. The Impala’s front passenger window doesn’t close automatically.

If the front windows are left down on the Maxima the driver can raise them using the key in the outside lock cylinder. On a hot day the driver can lower the windows from outside the vehicle using the key in the outside lock cylinder or the keyless remote. The driver of the Impala can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The Maxima has a standard locking fuel door with a remote release located convenient to the driver. A locking fuel door helps prevent vandalism, such as sugar in the tank and fuel theft. The Impala doesn’t offer a locking fuel door.

The Maxima’s 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 Impala’s manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

A power rear sunshade is optional in the Maxima SV to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. The Impala doesn’t offer a rear sunshade.

When the Maxima SV with available tilt-down mirrors is put in reverse, both rearview mirrors tilt from their original position. This gives the driver a better view of the curb during parallel parking maneuvers. Shifting out of reverse puts the mirrors into their original positions. The Impala’s mirrors don’t automatically adjust for backing.

The Maxima has a standard dual zone air conditioning allows the driver and front passenger to choose two completely different temperatures so people with different temperature preferences won’t have to compromise. This makes both the driver and front passenger as comfortable as possible. Dual zone air conditioning is only available on the Impala LT/LTZ.

To help keep rear passengers entertained, the Maxima SV offers optional rear seat controls for the radio which can play a separate audio source. The Impala doesn’t offer rear seat audio controls.

Insurance will cost less for the Maxima owner. Kiplinger’s estimates that insurance for the Maxima will cost $163 less than the Impala each year.

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