Nissan Maxima

Drivers with a penchant for performance are usually willing to make sacrifices for a sporty edge. The Nissan Maxima has long catered to this set by offering standard V6 power and sharper handling than the typical midsize sedan. With the 2021 Maxima, you get a 300-horsepower V6 plus lots of standard features. Even the base-trim Maxima comes with leather upholstery, for instance.

Unfortunately, the 2021 Maxima, which is part of the eight-generation car that debuted for 2015, has little else to distinguish itself. Fresher rivals, such as the Honda Accord, Kia K5 and Toyota Camry, offer similar performance potential with fewer compromises. They typically cost less, too. We generally suggest going with one of these rivals, but check out the categories of our Expert Rating to learn more about the Maxima's strengths and weaknesses.

Which Maxima does MatoCar recommend?

The 2021 Nissan Maxima is a midsize sedan that is offered in SV, SR and Platinum trims. Powering all Maxima models is a 3.5-liter V6 engine (300 horsepower, 261 lb-ft of torque) that is mated to a continuously variable transmission (CVT) that drives the front wheels. Standard feature highlights include:

SV The base SV trim starts you out with:

• LED headlights
• Keyless entry and ignition
• Dual-zone automatic climate control
• Leather upholstery
• Heated front seats
• Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration
• 8-inch touchscreen
• Remote vehicle monitoring and control
• Eight-speaker audio system
• In-car Wi-Fi hotspot
• Satellite radio
• Standard advanced safety features include:
• Frontal collision mitigation (warns you of an impending collision and applies the brakes in certain scenarios)
• Adaptive cruise control (adjusts speed to maintain a constant distance between the vehicle and the car in front)
• Blind-spot monitor with rear cross-traffic alert (warns you if a vehicle is in your blind spot during a lane change or while reversing)
• Rear automatic braking (brakes if sensors detect an imminent collision with an object behind the vehicle)
• Lane departure warning (alerts you if the vehicle begins to drift out of its lane)
• Automatic high beams
• Traffic sign reader
• Drowsy driver monitor (issues an alert if sensors determine you are becoming fatigued)

SR The sporty SR trim adds plenty of racy touches and a few convenience features such as:

• Foglights
• Sunroof
• Sport-tuned suspension
• Ventilated front seats
• Driver-seat memory functions
• Faux-suede seat upholstery elements
• Heated steering wheel
• Paddle shifters
• 11-speaker Bose audio system
• Additional safety features such as:
• Front and rear parking sensors (alert you to obstacles that may not be visible in front of or behind the vehicle when parking)
• Surround-view camera system (gives you a top-down view of the vehicle and its surroundings for tight parking situations)
• Lane keeping assist (steers the vehicle back into its lane if it begins to drift over the lane marker)

Platinum The top-of-the-line Platinum model goes without the SR's sport-tuned suspension and paddle shifters but adds:

• Automatic wipers
• Premium leather upholstery
• Rear window sunshade

40th Anniversary package The Platinum trim is eligible for this option that commemorates the Maxima's history with:

• Two-tone paint
• Unique interior and exterior trim
• Premium leather upholstery
• Heated rear seats