While the 2021 Nissan Maxima has earned some impressive ratings, this year’s new model isn’t going to be the perfect fit for everyone. For those not sold on this year’s Maxima, it may even be worth considering these alternatives to the Nissan Maxima instead. Let’s find out why.

The Toyota Avalon is a spacious alternative to the Nissan Maxima

Sure, both the Toyota Avalon and the Nissan Maxima make for great options if you’re shopping for a new full-size sedan. Both are stylish, offer plenty of power under the hood, and can be had with a long list of sought-after amenities. But when it comes to interior space? Kelley Blue Book reports that it’s the 2021 Toyota Avalon that has the edge.

More interior space isn’t all that the Toyota Avalon has to offer either. Unlike the Nissan Maxima, this year’s new Toyota Avalon is available with all-wheel drive. If you value fuel efficiency, Toyota also offers a hybrid iteration of this year’s Avalon. 

This year’s Avalon also makes for an affordable alternative to the Nissan Maxima too. While the Nissan Maxima boasts a base price of $37,090, the Toyota Avalon will only have you spending $35,975 on a base model. Included in that price is two years of complimentary scheduled vehicle maintenance too.

The Dodge Charger is a powerful alternative to the Nissan Maxima

Now, there’s no getting around it. While the Nissan Maxima may come driven by a 300-hp 3.5-liter V6, it’s by no means a performance car. For a sedan that packs a tad more muscle, you’re going to want to consider the 2021 Dodge Charger as an alternative to this year’s Nissan Maxima.

Unlike the Nissan Maxima, the Dodge Charger is available with your pick of engine under the hood. Standard on base models is a 292-hp 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 engine. However, also available are engine options such as a 5.7-liter HEMI V8 engine boasting 370-hp and 395 lb-ft of torque, a 485-hp 392 HEMI V8 engine, and a 717-hp supercharged 6.2-liter HEMI SRT Hellcat V8 engine. 

And if none of those engines offer quite enough power for you? Consider a Dodge Charger outfitted with a 6.2-liter HEMI high-output Hellcat Redeye V8 engine. Churning out 797-hp and 707 lb-ft of torque, Dodge claims that this particular engine earned the Charger the title of the most powerful production sedan in the world.

The Honda Accord is a midsize alternative to the Nissan Maxima

Say you don’t actually need a full-size sedan. If that’s the case, consider checking out this year’s new Honda Accord. This year’s model does offer less space than the Nissan Maxima but, according to Autobytel, makes for a great bargain if you don’t need the interior space that a full-size sedan has to offer. 

Much like the Maxima, this year’s Accord earned some pretty high marks from Consumer Reports. While Consumer Reports gave the Maxima an 81 overall score, it gave the Honda Accord an 84 overall score. Consumer Reports also gave this year’s new Honda Accord a four out of five predicted owner satisfaction rating, which is pretty hard to argue with.

Choosing the best sedan for your needs is going to take a test drive

Here’s the thing, you can read about alternatives to the Nissan Maxima for days. But when it comes down to it? Choosing the best sedan for satisfying your daily driving needs is going to take a test drive.