2021 head-to-head · Midsize Car
2021 Mazda 6 vs Nissan Maxima
MPG, range and what each one really costs you to fuel, from official EPA ratings and recalculated with your own gas and electricity prices.
The 2021 Mazda 6 is the cheaper one to run. Driving 15,000 miles a year with $3.10/gal regular gas and $3.95/gal premium gas, it costs about $1,603 a year to fuel (29 MPG), versus $2,469 for the 2021 Nissan Maxima (24 MPG). That's roughly $865 a year, or about $4,327 over five years.
Your numbers
Change these to match your driving and local prices. Every figure and chart on this page updates.
Fuel cost over 10 years
- Mazda 6
- Nissan Maxima
Side by side
| Mazda 6 | Nissan Maxima | |
|---|---|---|
| $1,603 | Your annual fuel cost | $2,469 |
| 29 MPG | Combined efficiency | 24 MPG |
| 26 MPG | City | 20 MPG |
| 35 MPG | Highway | 30 MPG |
| 100 cu ft | Passenger volume | 98 cu ft |
| 15 cu ft | Cargo volume | 14 cu ft |
| 302 g/mi | Tailpipe CO₂ (g/mi) | 370 g/mi |
| 6/10 | EPA fuel economy score | 5/10 |
| 6/10 | EPA greenhouse gas score | 5/10 |
| Gas | Powertrain | Gas |
| Regular gasoline | Fuel | Premium gasoline |
| 2.5L 4-cyl | Engine / motor | 3.5L 6-cyl |
| 6-speed automatic | Transmission | CVT |
| FWD | Drivetrain | FWD |
✓ marks the better value. EPA scores run 1–10 (10 is best). Volumes come from the EPA interior volume index and aren't published for every body style.
Mazda 6 vs Nissan Maxima across model years
- Mazda 6
- Nissan Maxima
Annual fuel cost of the most efficient configuration of each model year, at your prices. Click a point to open that year.
How they differ
Per EPA interior volume figures, the Mazda 6 has more cargo space (15 vs. 14 cu ft).
Among 54 2021 midsize cars, the Mazda 6 ranks 23rd and the Nissan Maxima 43rd for lowest fuel cost.
Frequently asked questions
Which is more fuel-efficient, the 2021 Mazda 6 or the 2021 Nissan Maxima?
Measured by cost to drive, the Mazda 6. The Mazda 6 is rated 29 MPG combined and the Nissan Maxima 24 MPG (EPA, most efficient configuration of each).
How much does it cost to fuel the 2021 Mazda 6 vs. the Nissan Maxima per year?
At 15,000 miles a year with $3.10/gal regular gas and $3.95/gal premium gas, about $1,603 for the Mazda 6 and $2,469 for the Nissan Maxima.
Which has more cargo space?
The Mazda 6, with 15 cu ft of luggage volume versus 14 cu ft (EPA interior volume index).
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