When you’ve got $20,000 to spend on a used sedan, you’re faced with a surprisingly tough question: do you go for the bold American muscle of a Dodge Charger, or the refined Japanese performance of a Nissan Maxima? Both promise style, speed, and practicality. But they deliver those promises in completely different ways.
Let’s break down what each offers for that price point — and why the final answer might not be what you expect.
The Contenders: Two Very Different Sedans
At around $20,000, you’re typically shopping 2018–2020 model-year Nissan Maximas and 2017–2019 Dodge Chargers, depending on mileage and condition. Both come with a V6 engine as standard, but the similarities end there.
The Dodge Charger is unapologetically old-school. It’s a big, rear-wheel-drive sedan built on bones that trace back to Mercedes-Benz architecture from the early 2000s — and that’s actually a compliment. This car is all about comfort, space, and muscle-car attitude.
The Nissan Maxima, on the other hand, is a very different kind of machine. Nissan branded it the “four-door sports car,” and while that slogan has been around since the 1980s, it still carries some truth today. The Maxima aims to blend athletic handling with luxury touches — a sort of budget Audi A6, built for everyday life.
Power and Performance
The Dodge Charger V6 comes with Chrysler’s familiar 3.6-liter Pentastar engine, producing 292 horsepower in standard trims (300 horsepower in AWD models and certain packages). It’s paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission that shifts cleanly and holds gears predictably. While the V6 Charger isn’t a tire shredder like its HEMI siblings, it’s still punchy enough for highway pulls and satisfying throttle response.
Crucially, the Charger’s rear-wheel-drive layout gives it better balance and steering feedback than most front-drive sedans. It feels planted and confident — especially when cornering or accelerating out of a turn. If you’ve ever missed the feeling of genuine RWD dynamics in a big family sedan, this is one of the few affordable ways to get it.
Meanwhile, the Nissan Maxima delivers 300 horsepower from its 3.5-liter V6, technically outperforming the Charger V6 in raw numbers. Off the line, the Maxima feels quicker, thanks in part to its lighter weight. But there’s a catch: all that power runs through a continuously variable transmission (CVT).
The CVT keeps the engine in its power band, which makes the car feel responsive in a straight line, but it robs the experience of engagement. There’s no crisp shift, no sense of mechanical connection — just a constant, droning surge. Enthusiasts often call it “appliance-like,” and that’s not far off.
Comfort and Interior Quality
Inside, the Maxima punches above its price range. Nissan designed it to compete with entry-level luxury cars, and it shows. Materials are soft, the seating is supportive, and the cockpit wraps around the driver like a sports coupe. High trims like the SL or Platinum come loaded with features such as quilted leather seats, a panoramic sunroof, and a digital driver display.
The Charger, by contrast, feels more utilitarian — but it’s also massively roomy. Its interior might not be as sleek, but it’s designed to be comfortable for long road trips and daily commutes alike. The back seats can actually fit adults comfortably, something the Maxima can’t quite say thanks to its swooping roofline.
And while the Maxima may look more upscale, the Charger’s Uconnect infotainment system remains one of the easiest and most reliable in the industry. Simple menus, fast responses, and Apple CarPlay/Android Auto support make it far less frustrating than Nissan’s older infotainment layout.
Reliability and Ownership Costs
When it comes to long-term peace of mind, both sedans have strengths and weaknesses.
The Dodge Charger’s 3.6-liter V6 and 8-speed automatic are proven and robust. Parts are inexpensive, and the drivetrain is used across multiple Stellantis models — meaning repairs are straightforward and mechanics are familiar with it.
The Nissan Maxima’s 3.5-liter V6 is one of the most dependable engines ever built by Nissan. However, its Achilles’ heel is the CVT transmission. Earlier versions (especially pre-2019) have had mixed reliability records, and replacing a CVT can cost thousands. Even though Nissan has made improvements over the years, it’s still a known risk factor compared to the Charger’s conventional automatic.
Fuel economy is close — the Maxima averages around 25 MPG combined, while the Charger returns 23 MPG — but that difference is small enough not to be a dealbreaker.
Verdict: Which One Should You Buy?
If you’re looking for a comfortable, stylish commuter, the Maxima is a refined and quick choice. It feels upscale, drives quietly, and looks great pulling up to the office or a night out.
But if you want a car that balances space, fun, and dependability, the Dodge Charger V6 is the better all-around package. Its rear-wheel-drive dynamics, roomy cabin, and bulletproof drivetrain make it an unbeatable value at $20,000.
Sure, the Maxima wins on cabin design and initial acceleration — but the Charger wins where it counts: driving satisfaction and long-term confidence. It’s the smarter used buy for enthusiasts and families alike.
So, which would you choose: the muscle sedan or the four-door sports car?
