2019 Nissan Maxima vs 2019 Hyundai Elantra

The 2019 Hyundai Elantra underwent a significant design update, featuring new styling elements forward of the windshield and front doors, redesigned wheels, and a revamped trunk lid, taillights, and rear bumper. This kaleidoscopic design was a departure from its previous conservative yet upscale look. Inside, the Elantra saw subtle improvements, such as new air vents, carbon-texture finishes on some plastic housings, and updated gauges and dashboard controls, which added excitement to the cabin. Despite some inexpensive materials, the interior was of high quality, with tightly assembled parts and a robust shifter feel. The Elantra was available in various trims, with the Limited model offering advanced features through the Ultimate Package, bringing the total cost to $26,690, including destination charges.

In contrast, the 2019 Nissan Maxima retained its V-shaped design, which had become more refined over the years. For 2019, it featured new LED headlights, an edgier grille, and tinted taillights with reflector patterns. The Maxima's stylish design included a concave front fascia, wavy side creases, and a "floating roof." Inside, the Maxima boasted upgraded materials, with the SV trim offering contrast stitching, polished black console trim, and minimal hard plastics. The all-black interior exuded quality, with comfortable Zero Gravity seats designed to reduce muscle fatigue. The Maxima's interior was geared toward the driver, with a flat-bottom steering wheel and a canted center stack.

The 2019 Hyundai Elantra was equipped with a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine producing 147 horsepower, paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission powering the front wheels. While acceleration was acceptable, the driving dynamics were not particularly inspiring. The Elantra offered Normal, Sport, and Smart driving modes, with Sport mode adding weight to the steering. The EPA estimated a combined fuel economy of 32 mpg, and during testing, the Elantra achieved 29.3 mpg on a modified loop and 32.4 mpg over a week. Handling was decent, but the ride quality could be busy due to the torsion-beam rear-axle suspension.

The 2019 Nissan Maxima featured a 3.5-liter V6 engine producing 300 horsepower and 261 pound-feet of torque, mated to a continuously variable transmission (CVT) driving the front wheels. The Maxima managed torque steer effectively, providing smooth and immediate thrust without engine strain. However, the brake pedal was mushy, and the steering was over-boosted, detracting from driving pleasure. Despite these issues, the Maxima's powertrain and suspension offered a fun driving experience. The EPA estimated fuel economy at 20 mpg city, 30 highway, and 24 combined, which was matched over 545 miles of testing.

The 2019 Hyundai Elantra offered good front-seat comfort for a compact car, with height-adjustable seats in all trims. Most Elantras featured heated front seats, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, and dual-zone automatic climate control. However, backseat comfort was less impressive, with hard plastic front seatbacks and no rear air vents or USB ports. Interior storage was decent, with a sizable center-console bin, glove box, and door panel bins. The Elantra's trunk provided 14.4 cubic feet of space, with a hands-free Smart Trunk feature in most trims.

The 2019 Nissan Maxima had a single 8-inch display integrated into the dash, offering quick response times and easy operation. The Maxima's trunk was smaller at 14.3 cubic feet, but passenger room was sufficient in both front and rear seats. The front seats were particularly comfortable, featuring Zero Gravity technology to reduce muscle fatigue. The seating position was driver-oriented, with a flat-bottom steering wheel and a canted center stack.

The 2019 Hyundai Elantra, except for the base SE, came with a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system featuring Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and satellite radio. The Limited trim offered an Infinity premium sound system, and the Ultimate Package added an 8-inch display, navigation, and SiriusXM Data Services. The infotainment system was user-friendly, with quality switchgear and impressive sound quality. The Elantra also provided a 3-year trial subscription to Blue Link services, offering safety and convenience functions.

The 2019 Nissan Maxima featured an updated navigation system, with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard. The infotainment home screen was customizable, and the Maxima included a high-speed USB-C port. It was compatible with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant, offering remote services through NissanConnect. The instrument panel screen displayed multiple readouts, and the Bose stereo featured active noise cancellation. However, the Maxima lacked ProPilot Assist, a suite of semi-automated driving functions.

The 2019 Hyundai Elantra included driver-assistance and collision-avoidance systems starting with the SEL trim, such as forward-collision warning, lane-departure warning, and blind-spot monitoring. The Limited trim added adaptive cruise control, pedestrian detection, and a Safe Exit system. The Elantra received top marks from the IIHS, except for an Acceptable rating for LATCH anchors, and a 4-star overall rating from the NHTSA.

The 2019 Nissan Maxima came with standard safety features like forward-emergency braking and a driver-attention monitor. The SV trim added blind-spot monitoring and adaptive cruise control, while the SR included pedestrian detection and lane-departure warning. The Platinum model featured reverse emergency braking. The Maxima received a 5-star overall rating from the NHTSA and was an IIHS Top Safety Pick.