The Maxima has a long history of providing sports car-like handling in a roomy sedan costing thousands less than its European competitors. Combining luxury with Nissan's best tech, the Maxima wears multiple hats, delighting driving enthusiasts on twisting back roads and non-enthusiasts on long highway drives. Not all Maximas are created equal, however, with some generations providing more thrills than others. Let's examine how the Maxima has changed over the years. 2023 was the last model year of the Maxima.
Nissan Maxima Generations
Nissan Maxima (8th Generation: 2016 - 2023)
Key Improvements: The eighth and final generation Maxima returns to the car’s roots as a sporty yet practical sedan, equipped with standout styling, a powerful engine, and a taut suspension designed to carve up curves and create euphoria. A cut above the previous generation in every way, the Maxima retains the same V6 engine, now producing 300 horsepower. That power runs to the front wheels via a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) specially designed for performance driving. Equipped with a lavish cabin, the Maxima can comfortably fit four adults, five in a pinch. Throughout its long run, this generation sees gradual adoptions of features like Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Nissan's Safety Shield 360 driver-assist suite. Consistently onboard are a touchscreen navigation system and keyless entry with push-button start. Features not offered in the previous generation include adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, and Nissan’s Predictive Forward Collision, which can see two cars ahead, allowing it to react quicker to a possible emergency stop situation. Notable options include a dual-panel panoramic moonroof, a Bose audio system, quilted leather upholstery, and an Around-View Monitor.
Model Updates: Apple CarPlay became standard in 2017, while Android Auto joined in 2018, along with forward collision warning and automatic emergency braking. The 2019 Maxima offers the Nissan Safety Shield 360 driver-assist suite and additional airbag coverage for rear-seat passengers. For 2020, all Maxima models feature Safety Shield 360 standard. The 2021 Maxima has its trims trimmed, and in 2022, the Platinum trim gains heated rear seats.
Nissan Maxima (7th Generation: 2009 - 2015)
Key Improvements: Billed as the return of the “four-door sports car,” the seventh-generation Maxima moves away from the previous design, offering less polarizing looks and a few borrowed ideas courtesy of Nissan's Infiniti luxury division. The V6 engine has more power and the suspension tuned for driving fun. The interior recreates a cockpit-like environment, adding supportive seats designed with aggressive driving in mind. New features for this generation include an available panoramic moonroof, iPod integration, a ventilated driver's seat, and rear window sunshades. Notably missing from the roster are a blind-spot monitor and lane-departure warning. The Maxima offers navigation, a Bose audio system, a heated steering wheel, heated front seats, and leather upholstery, depending on the trim.
Model Updates: Bluetooth phone connectivity is standard in 2010, while the car gets a mild makeover in 2012. The 2014 Maxima carries over into 2015 with no changes and serves as a placeholder until the all-new 2016 Maxima arrives.
Nissan Maxima (6th Generation: 2004 - 2008)
Key Improvements: For many, this may be the most unusual Maxima to wear the badge. Its rounded styling and move towards a softer ride run counter to the original car’s mission. Add to the mix unique features like the narrow fixed-glass Skyview Roof or the available Elite Package that features rear bucket seats, and it's easy to see how hard Nissan tried to set the Maxima apart from the competition. One upside for enthusiasts is the 265-horsepower V6, which pairs with a 6-speed manual or a traditional automatic. This pairing only lasted a few years, however, replaced in 2007 by a CVT automatic as the sole transmission. Notable features on the sixth-generation Maxima include heated front and rear seats, keyless entry and push-button start, a heated steering wheel, and an auto-dimming tilt-in-reverse side mirror.
Model Updates: The 2007 Maxima loses the manual transmission option and replaces the 6-speed automatic with a CVT across all trims. For 2008, the Maxima gets HID headlights, Bluetooth connectivity, and multi-function memory features.
Nissan Maxima (5th Generation: 2000 - 2003)
relatively sedate Maxima, the fifth-generation car lasted only three years. Still, all the Maxima mainstays are here, including the V6 engine, manual transmission, and taut suspension. Find one in good condition and you may also find a power sunroof, heated front seats, Bose audio, leather seats, and keyless entry.
Nissan Maxima (4th Generation: 1995 - 1999)
The fourth-generation Maxima is larger and more powerful than the third but less sporty, as it sacrifices features like an independent rear and road-scanning sonar adaptive suspensions. This particular Maxima struck a chord with the public, selling almost 800,000 units, the highest consecutive sales figures of any generation. With so many fourth-gen Maximas out there adorned with a good history of reliability, you may be able to find a low-mileage cream puff for a song.
Nissan Maxima (3rd Generation: 1989 - 1994)
Although nearly impossible to find after 35 years, the third generation is the Maxima to beat all Maximas. Its styling is clean and original, its interior luxurious, and its tech leaves more expensive European sedans in the dust. Along with an independent rear suspension, the Maxima offers a sonar-based road-sensing adaptive suspension. The system uses an ultrasonic scanner in the front bumper, allowing it to “see” bumps, distortions, and uneven pavement ahead and adjust the dampers to compensate. Pretty cool.
Nissan Maxima (2ndGeneration: 1985 - 1988)
The boxy second-gen Maxima emphasized luxury and power, offering Americans cushy velour interiors, a high-end audio system with a built-in graphic equalizer, advanced electronics, and far better reliability than their domestic counterparts. During this time, Nissan also built a Maxima wagon.
Nissan Maxima (1st Generation: 1981 - 1984)
The first Maxima launched under the Datsun name and was a trim on the company's big 810 sedan. The public loved the car, and when Datsun became Nissan, the Maxima took on a life of its own. This is the only generation to offer a diesel engine in the US market.
Nissan Maxima Buying Tips
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