New 2024 Nissan Maxima Sporty Sedan Review

2024 Nissan Maxima is the brand’s flagship sedan, but its popularity has not been at its strongest in recent years. Big, expensive, fuel-intensive sedans like the Toyota Avalon Chrysler 300 and Dodge Charger are slowly being phased out—the public is no longer interested. Rumours have been circulating that the 2022 Nissan Maxima will be discontinued. Will it be the last in line?

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Automotive News has reported on this massive Sedan, but there’s no word on whether the Nissan Maxima will be discontinued. Another outlet debated this question in 2020 when rumours started pouring in. However, without official news from Nissan, the rumours continue to be just that.

The Maxima failed on many fronts, and the large sedan segment was shrinking yearly. Auto News claims that at one point, experts hoped Nissan would replace the Maxima with a new flagship electric car.

But he said, “That plan could now be put on hold according to sources familiar with the matter.”

With the lack of spy shots of the Nissan Maxima 2023, it’s hard to know what the company has in mind for the future. If this Sedan is not discontinued, then it makes sense that the upcoming Maxima 2023 or Maxima 2024 will undergo a complete overhaul.

Fans and critics alike wondered if a Maxima redesign would be in 2022, but we only saw a few brief updates. The cheapest Maxima sedan saw a slight price increase, and the top-tier trim, the Maxima Platinum, added one new standard feature. According to Auto News, the Maxima sedan will be replaced next year. However, Nissan might be waiting to release a redesigned Maxima in the same year that the redesigned Murano LEAF and Kicks launch.

2024 Nissan Maxima Review

The Nissan Maxima is a 4-door sports car and technological powerhouse with a 3.5 litre V6 engine and 300 HP meant to excite. Even though it hasn’t been updated since the 2016 model year, the exterior of the Nissan Maxima still attracts attention with its floating roofline and swoopy shape.

If you drive the Nissan Maxima, it is more agile than the Chrysler 300 and Dodge Charger, but it doesn’t have the smoothness of the Volkswagen Arteon. The V-6 engine type in all Maximas produces 300 horsepower connected to a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT).

We enjoyed the Nissan’s extensive and classy cabin, so it’s worth checking out if you’re looking for a lower-cost alternative to the luxury brand Nissan Infiniti. Already a good track record, the Nissan Maxima has been Nissan’s flagship sedan since 1980. We’re sure Nissan will continue to use the Maxima moniker as its attention shifts to electric vehicles and SUVs.

People are now speculating that it could be the next generation, the Nissan Maxima—Reborn as an EV. I’ve been thinking for years that Nissan’s only hope of saving the Maxima was to turn it into an electric sedan. It looks like they have stopped EV development after the Leaf for years.

Now, Aria finally came out. (soon?) Maxima is eight years old and has nothing new in sight. Not only Tesla but Hyundai and VW came out with electric sedans. Now, it’s time to reintroduce the Maxima as an EV. Sooner than later.

AutoNews wrote, “The flagship sedan is expected to be replaced with an electric vehicle inspired by IM’s ‘high sports sedan’ concept.”

Unlike other brands which seem to have a consistent strategy where the models they kill—cheapest or most expensive small passenger cars only fuel efficient etc.—Nissan’s retired auto list faces a challenge. Minivans, hatchbacks, crossovers, cargo vans, and various toaster-shaped box cars all make the list.

Therefore, it is not surprising that the large Sedan entered the ranks of the deceased. But in this case, there was no good news for Maxima. We’ll see if the Nissan Maxima is discontinued this year.

The New Nissan Maxima

The 2024 Nissan Maxima is a car anomaly that has carved out its niche in the market. While it is similar in length and width to the midsize Nissan Altima, it also has a V6 engine, a classy interior, and a higher price tag. The Maxima’s popularity stems mainly from its fun-to-drive demeanour. The six-cylinder engine is quick and works well with the continuously variable automatic transmission. The Nissan seems more agile than other midsize sedans, making it a capable companion on winding mountain roads. There’s even an SR variant with paddle shifters and a sportily tuned suspension, although some might find it too stiff for everyday use.

Price aside, there are a few other negatives. The Maxima has an outdated infotainment system and a roofline that reduces rear headroom, limiting its usefulness as a people carrier.

As we look forward to the Nissan Maxima 2024 upcoming updates, we expect the exterior of the 2024 Nissan Maxima to remain eye-catching with its floating roofline and swoopy shape. The V-6 engine in all Maximas produces 300 horsepower but is connected to a clunky continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT).

By design, the Nissan’s cabin is vast and surprisingly classy for the price, so it’s worth a try if you’re looking for a cheaper alternative to, say, Nissan’s Infiniti luxury brand. Otherwise, we’d opt for the Arteon or another compact sports sedan from Audi or BMW at a comparable price.

The 2024 Nissan Maxima continues to compete with midsize sedans like the Honda Accord and full-size vehicles like the Kia Stinger.

Cabin that is well-made and appealing
For a midsize vehicle, the handling is excellent.
A quiet interior creates a luxury experience.
Elegant interior design
V-6 willing
Outstanding safety record

What Is New?

While the Nissan Maxima has been Nissan’s flagship sedan since 1980, the current incarnation has failed to live up to the athletic image set by previous models that wowed Car and Driver editors in the 1990s.

We believe Nissan will stick with the Maxima name as it turns its attention to electric vehicles and SUVs. The Maxima could be reincarnated as a pseudo-crossover, similar to the Toyota Crown, or the name could be given to a future electric sedan, resurrecting the Maxima as an EV with sports sedan styling.

What We Believe

The 2024 Nissan Maxima is Nissan’s flagship car that has a reliable market position, with performance accounting for a portion of the Maxima’s price. The 300-hp V-6 engine produces considerable power, and the driving dynamics are generally sharp.

However, we found the steering too heavy, and the Maxima’s front-wheel-drive chassis keeps it from competing with the Kia Stinger. The interior trim feels more premium, especially the Platinum trim, justifying its flagship status with a beautiful and luxurious interior.

Despite its comfort, the Maxima’s cabin is smaller than most of its competitors. The Honda Accord, Dodge Charger, Toyota Camry, and Nissan Altima have larger cargo space and more legroom in the back.

These issues make its price tag of around $40,000 harder to swallow. The Maxima may not live forever, but we haven’t given up on its successor-Nissan has hinted at an electric replacement.

2024 Nissan Maxima Specs

The 2024 Nissan Maxima is the upcoming Sedan in the US. The Nissan Maxima is powered by a 3.5L V6 Gas engine that produces 300 horsepower and 261 lb/ft of torque. It has front-wheel drive and a Continuously Variable Automatic (CVT) transmission.

Read next: 2023 Nissan Maxima: The New Nissan Maxima 4-Door Sports Car And High-Tech Powerhouse Review

All the information on this page is unofficial, but the official specifications, features, and price of the Nissan Maxima in the US will be updated after the official launch.

2024 Nissan Maxima Report

The end of an era of Japanese sedans is upon us. We’ve received official news that production of the Nissan Maxima will end in mid-2023. When the line is no longer, it will mark the end of 42 years of Nissan’s flagship four-door journey.

The Maxima debuted in 1980 for the 1981 model year, initially under the Datsun brand. Offering six-cylinder power with rear-wheel drive, it was billed as a full-size flagship initially available as a sedan or a station wagon.

The shift to front-wheel drive came with the second-generation model now sporting the Nissan badge and will remain that way for the rest of its life. They were always considered sporty sedans, but the Maxima arguably reached the peak of its enthusiasm in the 1990s and early 2000s with its fourth- and fifth-generation models offering understated styling with V6 power and manual transmission.

The current-generation Maxima debuted in 2015, offering 300 horsepower paired only with a continuously variable transmission (CVT). Despite its impressive straight-line performance, Maxima sales have declined as buyers transition to SUVs and crossovers.

This is true for almost all significant sedans, but Maxima sales have dropped considerably in recent months. Only 3753 units were sold through the first half of 2022, down more than 62 per cent from a year earlier. It’s always possible that the Maxima moniker could return for a future EV. Nissan’s statement certainly opens the door to such a reboot, but we’re saying goodbye again to the acclaimed, durable Sedan.

2024 Nissan Maxima Interior

The interior of the Maxima looks beautiful, the controls are simple to operate, and the structure of the entertainment system is reasonable. However, the clean outward appearance of the Maxima comes at a cost. The passenger room is limited, and the cabin has a cramped feel. Front passengers have adequate headroom, but footwell intrusions and high armrests crowd things.

Rear passengers have much less legroom and headroom than front passengers. And getting in and out of the Maxima is more complicated than it should be, especially for people in the back seat. Visibility is likewise lacking, and the front corners of the automobile are difficult to judge. Side mirrors and safety devices help increase awareness.

Technology

Nissan’s technology elements are simple to use. Still, aside from up to two USB-C connections (in addition to two normal ones) and Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, the infotainment system feels old-fashioned and outdated. The stereo and touchscreen are adequate, mainly if you prefer bass, but competing midsize sedans are less expensive and have more fully featured systems and better audio.

The technology is picky about word choice and midsize, but most basic infotainment elements may be handled via voice command. Driver assistance systems are likewise restricted. Although adaptive cruise control works well and can bring the vehicle to a complete stop, Nissan’s revolutionary ProPilot technology is not available.

Storage

The Maxima’s overall cargo capacity is underwhelming, given its size. The Maxima is behind comparable-sized vehicles in both small-item storage and trunk space, but the trunk features a large and low opening that allows easy loading. Hooks for hanging shopping bags and in-trunk pull tabs to release the fold-down seats are also valuable additions.

The Maxima includes four indicated lower car seat anchors across the rear seat and enough room for most car seats. The disadvantage is the slanted rear door opening, necessitating some parental contortions to gain entrance.

Cargo and comfort

The Maxima seats five people in a well-executed cabin with soft-touch materials, straightforward controls, and a plethora of high-end equipment. Legroom in the front seats is among the finest in the class, while headroom is mediocre. The rear seat is not as spacious as larger rivals like the 300. Standard features include power-adjustable driver and front-passenger seats, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, dual-zone automatic climate control, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, and push-button start.

The Maxima starts with one of the smallest trunks in the category. Still, its larger compartments are practical locations to put ordinary stuff, and its rear seatbacks fold down to accommodate more oversized items.

Connectivity and infotainment

The Maxima lineup includes an 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system that we found simple. The infotainment system can be accessed via touchscreen, but there are also redundant buttons on the centre stack for quick access to standard settings like audio level and climate control.

In addition, the system offers car tracking, remote access, and emergency services. Parents of young drivers may enjoy the speed, boundary, and curfew notifications, and when the airbags deploy after an accident, the system automatically informs emergency personnel. The ability to trace the whereabouts of the Maxima in the event of theft is helpful, as are remote start and door-lock access.

2024 Nissan Maxima Engine

The Maxima is not the “four-door sports car” that Nissan claims to be. It’s hardly even a sports sedan. However, it is a sporty midsize car with above-average handling and powerful acceleration thanks to a V6 engine. Surprisingly, the Maxima seems hefty at low midsize but lighter and more agile as it accelerates.

The steering feel mostly determines this experience. Many cars are the opposite – lighter in the parking lot and heavier at more incredible speeds. The Maxima’s dynamic limits in bends and corners are pretty low, but the car communicates well enough that drivers may be confident not to exceed them. Overall, this Nissan is a pleasant and straightforward vehicle to use.

Transmission Performance

The 2024 Nissan Maxima is one of the faster full-size sedans, and its V-6 engine makes an excellent sound when driven hard. The 3.5-liter V-6 engine produces 300 horsepower and purposefully propels the Maxima forward.

However, the continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) undermines the Maxima’s sports-sedan objective. In our tests, a Maxima Platinum accelerated from zero to 60 mph in 5.7 seconds, outperforming competitors such as the Volkswagen Arteon and Charger V-6 versions. For its size, the Maxima handles admirably.

The suspension is well-damped and robust, maybe to the point of being too stiff for the class. In complex cornering manoeuvres, the Maxima exhibits little body lean, and in our testing, the Maxima SR comfortably outhandled its competitors.

Comfort

The quiet cabin of the Maxima — a collaborative effort including acoustic glass, adequate sound-deadening materials, and active noise cancellation — lends tSedandan a premium vibe on the road. The ride is firm and controlled, and the suspension absorbs road irregularities well. (A firmer sports suspension is available for drivers willing to exchange ride comfort for sharper handling.) The Maxima rides more like an entry-level luxury car than most midsize family sedans.

The seats in the Maxima likewise strike a balance between sporting support and long-distance comfort. They’ll midsize in place through tight turns while remaining comfortable for extended periods.

2024 Nissan Maxima MPG

The Nissan Maxima 2024 powertrain demonstrates its ability to balance performance and efficiency, with fuel-economy ratings of 20 mpg city and 30 mpg highway and above-average scores in our real-world testing. Its extensive highway cruising range makes it an ideal long-distance companion as well. We exceeded the Maxima’s EPA rating of 32 mpg during our 200-mile highway fuel economy test route.

The Maxima falls short of midsize competitors with improved engines, achieving only 24 mpg combined (20 city/30 highway). During our time with the vehicle, we had difficulty matching EPA figures, falling short even of the city mpg projection. The fact that 91 octane is recommended raises the price even further.

2024 Nissan Maxima Trim

The Maxima is offered in three trim levels: the entry-level SV, the sporty SR, and the luxury Platinum. Prices range between $40,000 to $45,000.

The SV is capable and well-equipped, but its value suffers compared to more extensive and less expensive competitors. The SR adds performance features, including paddle shifters and a sport-tuned suspension, but it’s not enough to offset Maxima’s soft demeanour.

The Platinum Maxima is our favourite. It has abundant amenities like diamond-quilted leather seating, heated rear seats, and wood-tone decor. In 2020, we evaluated a Maxima Platinum and found it a pleasant alternative to crossover ubiquity.

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2024 Nissan Maxima Models

The Nissan Maxima is a midsize car available in SV, SR, and Platinum trim levels. The 3.5-liter V6 engine (300 horsepower, 261 lb-ft of torque) powering all midsize models is coupled to a continuously variable gearbox (CVT) that drives the front wheels. Among the highlights of the feature are:

SV

The base SV trim has the following features:

Headlights with LEDs
Keyless ignition and entry
Automatic dual-zone climate control
Upholstery in leather
Front chairs that are heated
Smartphone compatibility with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
8-inch touchscreen display
Vehicle observation and control from a distance
Audio system with eight speakers
Wi-Fi hotspot in the car
Radio via satellite

Among the standard advanced safety features are:

Frontal collision mitigation (in some instances, alerts you of an approaching crash and applies the brakes)
Adaptive cruise control (adjusts speed to keep a constant space between the vehicle and the vehicle in front of it)
Blind-spot warning with rear cross-traffic alert (notifies you if a car is in your blind spot when changing lanes or reversing)
Automatic braking in the rear (brakes if sensors detect an impending collision with an object behind the car).
Lane departure warning (notifies you if the vehicle begins to stray from its lane)
High beams that turn on automatically
The reader of traffic signs
Drowsy driver monitor (notifies you if sensors detect you are growing fatigued)

SR

The sporty SR variant adds plenty of racy accents as well as a few sportier amenities like:

Shifter paddles
Suspension for sports
Front chairs with ventilation
Memory features for the driver’s seat
Elements of faux-suede seat upholstery
The steering wheel is heated.
Shifter paddles
11-speaker Bose sound system
Foglights
Sunroof

Additional security features include:

Front and rear parking sensors (warning you of potential impediments in front of or behind the vehicle when parking)
Surround-view camera system (for tight parking situations, provides a top-down picture of the car and its surrounds)
Lane-keeping assist (returns the vehicle to its lane if it begins to stray past the lane marker)

Platinum

The Platinum variant, which replaces the SR’s sport suspension and paddle shifters, adds:

Wipers that operate automatically
Upholstery in premium leather
Rear heated seats
Sunshade for rear windows

2024 Nissan Maxima Release Date

Nissan Maxima 2024 Release Date: We’re almost halfway through 2022 with no word on the new Maxima. It’s rare for automakers to wait until the actual model year to release a new variant. So we expect that if Nissan releases the 2023 Maxima, it will happen within the next few months.

However, we don’t have details about the Nissan Maxima 2023 release date. This may indicate that Nissan’s luxury car will be discontinued at the end of this year. But if Nissan has no plans to redesign and release its fully loaded flagship sedan, what will replace the Maxima?

2024 Nissan Maxima Price

The Platinum trim includes a power-adjustable steering column, rain-sensing windshield wipers, a power-operated rear sunshade, leather seats with diamond-quilted inserts, heated rear seats, and wood inside trim, which we believe is well worth the price premium. If you’re feeling flush, the Reserve package adds a charcoal-coloured headliner, a two-tone leather-wrapped steering wheel, and unique 19-inch wheels to the Maxima.

MSRP Range: The $39,340 – $45,450 Price range reflects the Base MSRP for various trim levels, not including options or fees.

SV	$40,455 (EST)
SR	$45,615 (EST)
Platinum	$46,565 (EST)

Verdict

With agile handling, above-average performance, and a stylish interior, the Maxima is an intriguing bridge to luxury sedans. This midsiSedandan has little space for passengers or cargo despite its large dimensions. Many competitors also provide better technology and midsize features for less money.

We’ll be back with more information on the 2024 Nissan Maxima soon, so bookmark our website to keep up to speed on the newest Nissan Maxima news and information on other Nissan models.