2021 Nissan Maxima Redesign: The Next-Generation Maxima Looks Like

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2021 Nissan Maxima Sports car enthusiasts may deride Nissan for calling the Nissan Maxima 2021 a four-door sports car – they say, two doors are more than a sports car, but the claim is not entirely unfounded.

Maxima handles more strongly than many of its mid-sized sedan rivals, and its standard V6 engine produces 300 healthy horsepower.

Plus, it comes from the same company that made the GT-R Nismo beat the world and the legendary 370Z sports car, so there is a bona fide heritage in claims.

Beyond the Maxima’s sharp design and bold grille, you will find a comfortable cabin with intuitive controls, trendy trims, and, in terms of SR trim levels, a combination of leather seats, simulated suede seat inserts and contrasting orange stitching.

Things have changed for 2021, but Maxima added several driver aids and improved driving and handling to the list of standard equipment and sunroof to the SR model.

The dual concept sport-and-luxury Maxima which explains its main attraction but also reveals its shortcomings. Some rivals are roomier, carry more cargo, and offer the same performance with far less money.

Maxima also follows in the footsteps of their family sedan, Nissan Altima, in terms of the latest information technology and driver assistance.

But if you are looking for a performance-oriented sedan with impressive capabilities on a winding road, Maxima is worth seeing.

Say the words “full-size sedan” to most racers and their eyes glaze over with boredom, but the Nissan Maxima 2021 is a stylish and somewhat athletic offering in a rather boring segment.

Under the aggressive tilting sheet metal, the Maxima offers bold V-6 strength and well-adjusted suspension that balances driving comfort with cornering confidence.

Inside, buyers will find many features even in the basic S model, including touch screen infotainment with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto capabilities.

The standard set of driver assistance features will appeal to safety-conscious buyers, while the high-end SR and Platinum models bring more sophisticated equipment and styles into the mix.

2021 Nissan Maxima Redesign

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In the redesign section of the car, the Maxima received a more comprehensive refresher for 2021 which included an updated exterior and interior style and several new features.

Changes are only slight in the Maxima 2021 but Nissan has made the Maxima suite a standard driver assistance feature.

This suite includes blind-spot monitoring, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warnings, and automatic headlights.

The sporty SR model now comes standard with the previously optional Premium package, which includes a panoramic sunroof, a 360-degree camera system, automatic rear emergency braking, a driver seat with a memory function, and an automatic dimming exterior mirror.

2021 Nissan Maxima Overview

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Even though large sedans have lost much of their appeal to consumers, there are still cases to be made for this vehicle that offers plenty of passenger space without penalty for the quality of a ride from a crossover.

Together with a premium interior, this plain-looking vehicle comes alive when you press the accelerator thanks to the smooth and powerful V-6 engine.

We recently tested the 2021 Nissan Maxima, in the guise of Platinum Reserve going forward, to see if it remained relevant in a declining segment. How well does our Maxima fulfill its “sports sedan” promise, and is it worth the premium price tag?

Unlike the Nissan Altima of the same size, which receives a comprehensive update, the Maxima comes fresh from the 2021 model year.

Some of the biggest changes are cosmetics, including jewel-like LED lights offset by a bolder grille, and new rear fascia. This sedan also offers the latest security offers and more premium cabin accommodation.

The 3.5-liter V-6 engine overcomes it, producing 300 hp of power and 261 lb-ft of torque. Again, power is routed through a well-programmed CVT.

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With such an output, you will have no trouble converging on the freeway or passing slower traffic in an instant.

With an improved 19-inch wheel, Maxima drives pretty well, but it bumps slightly above the mound. Exploring on the highway, it protects occupants from the noise of the wind. Road noise is there but it makes sense.

The 8.0-inch touch screen also looks good and responds well to the touch. Of course, if you are like many drivers, smartphone connectivity has replaced the embedded car infotainment settings, and if you like this driver, you will find Android Auto often a source of headaches.

Those in the back who don’t need to worry about folderol can relax and enjoy the spacious rear seat. Maxima is not quite compatible with competitors in terms of real estate.

As expected of a 300 hp sedan, you won’t be blown away by the fuel savings. But it should be noted that Maxima is not behind the current curve.

2021 Maxima presents an estimated EPA of 24 mpg in a combination of city and highway economy, placing it above the Impala 2021 (22 mpg) and 2021 Cadenza (23 mpg).

This is a reprieve received from a small crossover that sips the fuel that I drive recently.

2021 Nissan Maxima Model

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Keep in mind the Nissan Maxima 2021 sedan comes in five trim levels: S, SV, SL, SR, and Platinum.

All models come with a 3.5-liter V6 engine (300 horsepower, 261 lb-ft of torque) that drives the front wheels through an automatic CVT.

The S has a strong list of standard features, including adjustable driving modes, power-adjustable front seats, and leather-wrapped steering wheel.

Infotainment technology includes an 8-inch touch screen, Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and an eight-speaker audio system with satellite radio.

Standard safety systems include rearview cameras, rear parking sensors, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot and rear traffic warning, lane departure warning, automatic high beam, and automatic rear braking.

The Maxima SV adds some more comfort, such as heated front seats, leather seats, navigation, and adaptive roaming control, while SL goes further with a panoramic sunroof, improved Bose sound system, and active cabin noise silencer, among other items.

The SR is considered a model of this sports lineup, and with it comes sport-tuned suspension and paddle shifters, along with luxurious features such as front ventilated seats, surround-view parking cameras, simulated-suede seat inserts, and track help keep up.

Platinum top-trim skips the SR performance add-ons, but it keeps the front seats ventilated and adds several other luxurious touches, including memory settings for driver preferences and improved leather seats and interior trim.

2021 Nissan Maxima Interior

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On the interior side, Maxima offers space for five people in a well-executed cabin filled with soft-touch material, simple controls, and tons of high-end features.

The front legroom is the best in its class, while headroom is average. Backseat space is not as cheap as in larger rivals such as the Chevrolet Impala and Toyota Avalon.

Power adjustable driver and front passenger seat, leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift button, automatic two-zone climate control, automatic dimming rearview mirror, and start button are standard buttons across the board.

Read next: 2021 Nissan Maxima: All-New Redesign, Price and Release Date

One of the smallest rods in this category means that Maxima starts with a loss in cargo transportation.

However, larger cubbies are a convenient place to store everyday items, and the rear seats are folded to accommodate larger items.

2021 Nissan Maxima Tech

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The Tech embedded in Maxima is an 8.0-inch touch screen infotainment system that is standard across the entire Maxima range, and we find it easy to use.

The infotainment system can be used as a touch screen, but there is also a redundant button in the middle stack for quick access to common adjustments such as audio volume and climate control. This system also provides vehicle monitoring, remote access, and emergency services.

Parents of teen drivers may appreciate the speed, limit, and curfew warnings, and the system automatically contacts emergency services when airbags are used after an accident.

Being able to track Maxima’s location in case of theft is easy, as is a remote start and door lock access.

2021 Nissan Maxima Engine

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The Maxima is one of the faster full-size sedans, and the V-6 engine sounds good when pushed hard. The 3.5 liters V-6 produces 300 horsepower and moves the Maxima together with its purpose.

However, continuous variable automatic transmission (CVT) reduces the mission of the Maxima sports sedan. In our tests, Maxima Platinum ran from zero to 60 mph in 5.7 seconds, defeating acceleration rivals such as Kia Cadenza and Buick LaCrosse.

Maxima handles well for its size. The suspension is well damped and hard to the point that it may be too rigid for the class.

Maxima showed a small body leaning on aggressive cornering maneuvers, and in our tests, the Maxima SR easily defeated its competitors.

Read next: 2022 Nissan Maxima: New Full-Size Sporty Sedan with EV Concept

2021 Nissan Maxima MPG

With good fuel-saving ratings and above-average results in our real-world testing, the Maxima powertrain proves itself adept at combining performance and efficiency.

Its long roaming distance on the highway also makes it a perfect long-distance friend.

During the 200-mile highway fuel-economy test route, we surpassed the EPA Maxima ranking, reaching an impressive 32 mpg.

2021 Nissan Maxima Price

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For 2021 we recommend the SR model for a balanced offering of value, luxury, and athleticism, but now that it has more standard features than last year, Nissan has raised prices to $ 90 from the upscale Platinum trim.

We think $ 90 is worth upgrading to Platinum because it adds a power-adjustable steering column, rain-sensing windshield wipers, power-operated rear blinds, leather seats filled with diamond-coated inserts, and wood interior trim.

If you feel busy, an additional $ 1140 buys a Reserve package and maximizes Maxima with a heated rear seat, charcoal-colored headliner, two-color leather-wrapped steering wheel, and exclusive 19-inch wheels.

S: $ 35,145
SV: $ 37,195
SL: $ 39,535
SR: $ 42,345
Platinum: $ 42,435