nissan maxima vs. hyndai azera

Kyle Keller · Jul 25, 2006

I know that this is a ST forum but I kind of wanted to know what the "experts" had to say. My dad is looking for a luxurious, yet performance sedan because right now he has a Hemi Durango and its terrrible on gas. do anyone of you own one of these cars or know people that have one. maybe you can tell me good and bad of both. thanks for anything. the only reason he still has the Durango is for our boat and for our dogs whenever we take them to the beach in S. Carolina and we also have a DVD player in the back. but any input would be great.

Jeff C · Jul 25, 2006

My mom has an '04 Maxima and it's falling apart after 2 years. The weather stripping on ALL the doors and trunk is coming off. The plastic bezel on the shifter is broken. Seats are all loose. Needed a new A/C system and needs engine work. It's not even running right now.

M B · Jul 25, 2006

I don't know about the Azera. I have a Hyundai Elantra. I test drove the Sonata first and fell in love with it. Hyundai has a good warranty and I haven't had any issues with my Elantra since I drove it off the lot August 1, 2005.

Victor Garret · Jul 26, 2006

according to consumer reports get a 2005 Maxima, it's got the least problems and was only at below average in Body Integrity. It got normal in two other categories and excellent or above average in the rest. The Azera is new, but all reports show no major problems with it. I guess it comes down to personal chioce. I would opt for the Nissian myself.

Heather inOC · Jul 26, 2006

My Dad has an '05 Maxima and has gotten 22.5 mpg for a year now. not bad for a 40 mile commute in traffic everyday. It's never been in the shop for repairs- only regular maintenance. It's a blast to drive with plenty of pickup, but it's a bit squirrly around corners with some back end drift. My vote is for the Maxima, but I'd never really consider buying a hyundai anyway.

-Heather in OC

user 62394 · Jul 26, 2006

I work for an automotive supplier and we have benchmarked both vehicles, which means that I have not only driven both, I have torn much of the vehicle (or at least the interior) apart to evaluate what was in them. I, personally, would quickly take the Maxima over the Azera. I think from a performance standpoint, it is not even a contest. I am not really a fan of the Maxima's interior -- especially the instrument panel -- but some people do like it. That is a matter of taste.

The Azera is basically a Sonata for more money.

GccST · Jul 26, 2006

If you are looking for a luxurious and performance oriented sedan, I would probably go with something other than Nissan or Hyundai.

William Washington · Jul 26, 2006

That Nissan V6 engine is one of the best.

Kyle Keller · Jul 26, 2006

Gccst, your right i probably should have worded it better but hes not lookin for too much money (45k+). A Lexus and a BMW and Mercedes are all in his price range he just doenst want to fork out that much money at this point. he also likes the Lexus IS 350 but some reports say that the back seat windows just dont give you any view. he tried to get my mom into a IS 350 but she would only go for a MB so she opted for a '04 E500. thanks for all yalls help.

TomT · Jul 26, 2006

Lexus are nice but to damn expensive. My Dad just traded his 5 year old Lexus in on a Toyota Avalon and man is it nice. Got to drive it over the weekend. It's fully loaded. Even the leather seats are air conditioned. I literally froze my ass off until we could figure out how to turn them off. Drives like a dream, roomy and much cheaper then the Lexus. My Dad, who has always been a big Lexus fan, could not be happier with it.