2015 Hyundai Genesis Vs 2016 Nissan Maxima
Here we have two lovely large, V6-powered sedans that subscribe to two very different philosophies. One is a classy old gent, while the other is the new guy, trying to blaze a new path. Both the 2015 Hyundai Genesis 3.8 Luxury and the 2016 Nissan Maxima Platinum are very capable, but the two sedans have varying priorities and the one you like better will heavily depend on what you need in a car and what kind of statement you want to make.
Who Has the Better Looks?
The Genesis and the Maxima take two totally different approaches to aesthetics. On one hand, you have the Genesis, a more mature, conservative-looking sedan with a more mature and conservative clientele. And then on the other hand, which the Maxima is very enthusiastically trying to high-five, you have the Nissan, which is dramatic and literally very edgy. There are edges freaking everywhere.
With its prominent, high-end looking front grille and purposeful lines, the Genesis has a much more elegant design, which some would say is boring. I think it’s classy. It looks like something luxurious, which means the design has done its job. It doesn’t shout out its intentions to the world, and I prefer its subdued approach.
But every time I see a Nissan these days, especially the new Murano and the Maxima, my eye twitches a bit. I don’t know where to look. There are just so many distracting lines and bulges that it’s borderline confusing. I like the look of the floating roof from the side profile, and the sedan definitely looks sporty, but I think Nissan could have done a better job at smoothing out the lines. And that hood bulges way too much and the grille has too much chrome to be taken seriously.
But looks are subjective. Here’s what my colleague Sami Haj-Assad, AutoGuide.com‘s feature editor who helped me with this comparison, had to say about the Maxima’s look: “The Maxima is slick and it reminds me of the Mazda6, but bigger and with more attitude. I love the floating roof look, and the eye-liner like look of the head and tail lights. Sexy, though I think the chrome grille is a bit much.”
Who wins this round? My personal pick is the Genesis. I think it will age more gracefully. The Maxima just feels like it’s trying too hard and its design will get old very quickly.
Who Has the Better Interior?
The Genesis’ interior feels a bit dated. Two people told me the car’s interior had old man vibes, which isn’t helped by the analog clock, tan leather, or plastic surfaces. One of the biggest disappointments with the Genesis is its steering wheel. It feels cheap. As the main point of contact between the driver and the car, the steering wheel should feel more substantial. The Genesis’ steering wheel is skinny, covered in cheap-feeling leather, and a bunch of hard plastic. It feels like it could have come from an Accent.
Click here to compare the two cars side by side
One more sticking point in the Genesis: the HVAC controls are above the audio controls. This is completely wrong because when trying to change the volume, you inadvertently end up changing the fan speed. It should always be the other way around, and the Maxima got this right, so its dashboard layout is more user friendly. The buttons and switch gear in the Maxima also feel more substantial and are nicer to use. The Genesis switchgear feels plasticky and a bit cheap.
But the Genesis is more comfortable than the Maxima, as it feels roomier in the front and in the back seats. The Genesis has more headroom and legroom in the back and also has more usable trunk space.
The Maxima definitely wins this round, though. Its interior is much more modern and luxurious-feeling.
Compare Specs
| Vehicle | 2015 Hyundai Genesis Sedan | Advantage | 2016 Nissan Maxima |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 3.8L V6 | - | 3.5L V6 |
| Horsepower | 311 | Genesis | 300 |
| Torque | 293 | Genesis | 261 |
| Transmission | 8 speed | - | CVT |
| Fuel Economy | 16 MPG City/25 MPG Highway | Maxima | 22 MPG City/ 30 MPG Highway |
| Fuel Economy (l/100kms) | 14.4 City/9.4 Highway | Maxima | 10.9 City/ 7.8 Highway |
| Starting Price USD | $38,950 | Maxima | $33,235 |
| Starting Price (CAD) | $43,000 | Maxima | $37,735 |
| As Tested Price USD | $41,450 | Maxima | $40,685 |
| As Tested Price (CAD) | $49,995 | Maxima | $45,135 |
Which is the Better Car for Drivers?
We really couldn’t have picked two more different cars to compare! It seems like these cars do everything differently, and the drive is no exception.
The Genesis (which takes regular gas) is powered by a 3.8L V6 with 311 hp and 293 lb-ft of torque. That robust engine is hooked up to a smooth and quick shifting eight-speed automatic transmission. This setup gives the Genesis a very premium feel, and it behaves much like an executive sedan should: It’s responsive, quick when you need it to be, smooth, comfortable and quiet.
“On-road comfort goes to the Genesis. It doesn’t completely mute everything off the road in that numb Lexus way, but is cushy enough to feel leisurely without being super vague,” Sami said. “It’s very well balanced. It’s also extremely quiet.”
The Maxima (which takes premium gas) has a 3.5L V6 with 300 hp and 261 lb-ft of torque. That’s hooked up to a CVT that mimics a regular automatic in sporty driving with pre-defined “shift points.” The CVT is actually pretty good, it’s quieter and more responsive than other CVTs I’ve tested.
Nissan likes to call the Maxima a 4 Door Sports Car, which is a huge exaggeration. Sure, with its heavy steering setup and V6, the car has sporty undertones, but it does not feel like a sports car and it’s not as responsive or buttoned-down as the Genesis. Sami and I, however, both preferred the Nissan’s stiffer, sportier steering that had more feedback than the Genesis, which has a lighter steering setup. Both cars feel precise and tight.
ALSO SEE: Should You Buy a Car with a CVT Transmission?
The Genesis comes standard with all-wheel drive, while the Maxima is front-wheel. Naturally, this makes the Genesis feel more planted when driven with purpose, and it feels more confident when pushed hard. Thrown into a corner, the Genesis surprised me by how stable it felt, something that was a bit lacking in the Maxima.
One of the downsides of a bigger engine and AWD, the Genesis consumed more fuel than the Maxima. We took the two cars on an identical drive loop with some highway and suburban driving, and our as-tested consumption in the Genesis was 20.8 mpg, while in the Maxima, it was 26 mpg.
For its more confident driving dynamics, the Genesis takes this round, but the Maxima is not far behind.
The Value Question
As tested, the Genesis is slightly more expensive than the Maxima, although the Nissan is better equipped at this price point. The huge reason for the price disparity is because the Genesis has all-wheel drive, but the Maxima makes up for it by having more features.
The Genesis can be optioned with a lot of the features the Maxima has, but not at this price point. You’ll have to pony up more cash if you want all the same features like adaptive cruise control and ventilated front seats. Luckily, both have blind spot monitoring, heated steering wheel and heated front seats. One things the Genesis has that the Maxima doesn’t is heated rear seats.
The Maxima does have more value here because it has more features at this price, so it wins the value round.
The Verdict: 2015 Hyundai Genesis vs 2016 Nissan Maxima
The Hyundai Genesis was AutoGuide.com‘s Car of the Year for 2015, and even after going up against the totally new Maxima, it still manages to impress us. For the simple fact that it’s a better car for drivers and has a look that will age more gracefully, the Genesis wins this competition, but not by a huge margin.
Discuss this story on our Hyundai Genesis Forum or our Nissan Forum
Jodi has been obsessed with cars since she was little and has been an automotive journalist for the past 12 years. She has a Bachelor of Journalism from Ryerson University in Toronto, is a member of the Automobile Journalists Association of Canada (AJAC), and a jury member for the prestigious North American Car/Truck/Utility Vehicle of the Year (NACTOY). Besides hosting videos, and writing news, reviews and features, Jodi is the Editor-in-Chief of AutoGuide.com and takes care of the site's day-to-day operations.
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You are all fucking idiots. The maxima smokes that piece of shit Genesis in every way possible. And obviously this article didn't compare the SR maxima. To yield the proper results. Go test drive both of these and you will see exactly what I'm talking about!
This comparison article doesn't make sense. Im 6'1 and 250lbs. I have back chronic pain sustained from hokcey injury and not too long aggravated by a car accident in my RIP 2013 Kia Optima SX. I went car shopping with one thing in mind. Quiet, comfort, looks that hold well and AWD. I checked out the new Maxima and the only thing that came to my mind when I sat in the car was: "There is no way I can sit in this small ass car and drive over 60k km per year and be comfortable." First, seats were small for me and that center console plastic crap that was bothering me cause my knee would rest on it and I can imagine the frustration of long trips of my knee just hitting that damn thing. Second, CVT!!! I cant get sold on that, I dont care who builds it. Not yet anyways. Third, premium fuel for a 3.5 engine....rrrrriiiighhhhhtttttt Coming off a Turbo 2.0 engine Optima with regular fuel, I wasnt going to spend the 20-25cents per liter more in Canada. Then I visited Hyundai and sat in the genesis sedan luxury package and that was it. I was sold. I was impressed with the cabin, the feel, the space, the comfort, the price, the AWD and basically the cheap cost of maintaining it. 1. I came off a FWD car with 274hp and I promised myself I wouldnt go back to so much power with FWD. 2. Seat comfort and back support is what I care about and the Genesis offers that and then some plus thigh support. 3. For the cost and discount I got on the car, there was no way I was passing up on the great offer. + 0% interest 4. 3.8 V6 engine that consumes 3l/100km more than the Nissan but makes up for it by using regular grade fuel...WINNER 5. 8 speed quick shifting transmission and a beautiful roaring engine....WINNER 6. People telling you what model is this lexus....Ummm hell yeah WINNER.