2020 Nissan Maxima Review

　　

2020 Nissan Maxima Review

byDan FrioReviews Editor

　　Dan spent many years covering the go-fast, look-good, get-loud corners of the automotive universe. First, he served as editor of enthusiast magazines AutoSound and Honda Tuning, then as executive editor at SEMA News, the publishing arm of the trade group that produces the annual SEMA Show (yes, that show). As a contributor to zzdcar, he now likes to keep the volume low and the speed limit legal, providing expert car-shopping advice to drivers looking for the perfect match.

　　Sports car aficionados might scoff at Nissan labeling the 2020 Nissan Maxima as a four-door sports car — two more doors than a sports car should have, they would say — but the claim isn't entirely without merit. The Maxima handles with more verve than many of its midsize sedan rivals, and its standard V6 engine generates a healthy 300 horsepower. Plus, it comes from the same company that makes the world-beating GT-R Nismo and legendary 370Z sports cars, so there's a bona-fide legacy in the claim.

　　

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2020 Nissan Maxima 3.5 S 4dr Sedan (3.5L 6cyl CVT) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.78 per gallon for premium unleaded in North Dakota.

Monthly estimates based on costs in North Dakota

　　$193/mo  for Maxima 3.5 S

　　Maxima 3.5 S

　　3.5 S 4dr Sedan (3.5L 6cyl CVT) - $34,450 MSRP3.5 SV 4dr Sedan (3.5L 6cyl CVT) - $36,650 MSRP3.5 SL 4dr Sedan (3.5L 6cyl CVT) - $38,840 MSRP3.5 SR 4dr Sedan (3.5L 6cyl CVT) - $41,650 MSRPPlatinum 4dr Sedan (3.5L 6cyl CVT) (Most Popular) - $41,840 MSRP

　　vs

　　$164/mo

　　Avg. Midsize Car

　　Beyond the Maxima's sharp design and bold grille, you'll find a comfortable cabin with intuitive controls, stylish trim and, in the case of the SR trim level, a combination of leather upholstery, simulated-suede seat inserts and contrasting orange stitching. Few things change for 2020, but the Maxima adds several driver aids and improved ride and handling to the standard equipment list and a sunroof to the SR model.

　　It's the Maxima's dual sport-and-luxury concept that explains its primary appeal but also reveals its flaws. There are rivals that are roomier, carry more cargo, and offer similar performance for much less money. The Maxima also trails even its own family sedan counterpart, the Nissan Altima, when it comes to up-to-date infotainment tech and driver aids. But if you're seeking a performance-oriented sedan with impressive abilities on a twisting road, the Maxima is worth a look.

　　zzdcar Expert Rating

　　Our VerdictThe zzdcar Vehicle Testing Team evaluates a fresh batch of vehicles every week, pairing objective assessments at our test track with real-world driving on city streets, freeways and winding roads. The data we gather results in our Expert Ratings. They’re based on 30-plus scores that cover every aspect of the automotive experience.

　　Average

　　7.4

　　out of 10

　　zzdcar TESTED

　　Rated for you by America's best test team.

　　

Performance

7.5/10

　　How does the Maxima drive? The Maxima isn't quite the "four-door sports car" that Nissan claims. It's not even really a sport sedan. But it is a sporty midsize sedan, with above-average handling and strong acceleration from a V6 engine. Oddly, the Maxima feels heavy at low speeds but lighter and more agile as speed increases.

　　This sensation largely comes down to the steering feel. In many cars it's the opposite — lighter at parking-lot speeds and heavier at higher speeds. In turns and corners, the Maxima's dynamic limits are fairly low, but the car communicates well enough that drivers can be confident not to overstep them. Overall, this Nissan is a friendly and easy car to drive.

　　

Comfort

8.0/10

　　How comfortable is the Maxima? The Maxima's quiet cabin — a joint effort involving acoustic glass, ample sound-deadening materials and active noise-canceling — gives the sedan a premium feel out on the road. The ride is firm and controlled, and the suspension does well at absorbing bumps and road imperfections. (A firmer sport suspension is available for drivers willing to trade ride comfort for sharper handling.) Overall, the Maxima rides better than most midsize family sedans and more like an entry-level luxury car.

　　The Maxima's seats also straddle the line between sporty support and long-distance comfort. They'll keep you in place through fast corners but remain comfortable for long stretches.

　　

Interior

7.0/10

　　How’s the interior? The Maxima's interior looks great, the controls are easy to use, and the infotainment system's structure is logical. But there's a price to pay for the Maxima's sleek exterior design. Passenger space is limited, and the cabin feels small. Front passengers get decent headroom, but intrusions in the footwells and high armrests make things feel cramped.

　　Rear passengers endure even less legroom and headroom. And getting in and out of the Maxima, particularly for those in the rear seat, is more work than it should be. Visibility also leaves something to be desired, and the front corners of the car are hard to judge. Useful side mirrors and safety aids help for awareness.

　　

Technology

7.0/10

　　How’s the tech? Nissan's technology features are easy to use, but aside from up to two USB-C ports (in addition to two regular ones) and Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, the infotainment feels dated and behind the curve. The stereo and touchscreen are adequate, especially if you like bass, but other midsize sedans cost less and offer more fully featured systems and better audio.

　　Most basic infotainment features can be controlled through voice command, but we found the system finicky about word choice and phrasing. Driver aids are also limited. Adaptive cruise control works well and can bring the car to a complete stop, but Nissan's innovative ProPilot package isn't offered.

　　

Storage

7.0/10

　　How’s the storage? Considering the Maxima's size, its overall cargo capacity is disappointing. The Maxima lags behind similarly sized cars in both small-item storage and trunk space, but the trunk has a wide and low opening, which makes for easy loading. Additional useful features include holding hooks for hanging shopping bags and in-trunk pull tabs to release the fold-down seats.

　　The Maxima has four clearly marked lower car-seat anchors across the back seat and sufficient space for most car seats. The downside is the sloping rear door opening that will require some parental contortions for access.

　　

Fuel Economy

6.5/10

　　How’s the fuel economy? At 24 mpg combined (20 city/30 highway), the Maxima falls short of midsize competitors with upgraded engines. In our time with the car, we had trouble matching EPA numbers, falling short even of the city mpg number. The fact that 91 octane is recommended adds even more cost.

　　

Value

7.0/10

　　Is the Maxima a good value? The Maxima tries to thread a line between a near-luxury car and one that delivers better-than-average performance. It doesn't quite succeed at either. Sure, the interior looks nice with a veneer of luxury and many touch points covered in soft or premium materials. It also offers a measure of sophisticated handling and performance, but nothing you can't get from another competitor for less money.

　　

Wildcard

8.0/10

　　The Maxima manages to capture a sense of luxury and sportiness in an accessible package, even if it doesn't quite excel at either. It's a car designed to make the driver feel good. Largely it succeeds, even if it's far from the best value.

　　

Which Maxima does zzdcar recommend?

Chances are that if you're looking at the Maxima, you want something that rides and handles like a sports car. In that case, we'd opt for the SR. It comes with retuned suspension dampers, stiffer springs and a larger front stabilizer bar to optimize the car's handling ability. It also has paddle shifters to give some control of the continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) back to the driver.

　　

2020 Nissan Maxima models

The 2020 Nissan Maxima 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 a CVT automatic.

　　The S has a robust list of standard features, including adjustable driving modes, power-adjustable front seats, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel. Infotainment tech includes an 8-inch touchscreen, Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and an eight-speaker audio system with satellite radio.

　　Standard safety systems include a rearview camera, rear parking sensors, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot and rear cross-traffic alert, lane departure warning, automatic high beams and automatic rear braking.

　　The Maxima SV adds a few more comforts, such as heated front seats, leather upholstery, navigation and adaptive cruise control, while the SL goes further with a panoramic sunroof, upgraded Bose sound system and active cabin noise-canceling, among other items.

　　The SR is considered the lineup's sport model, and with that comes a sport-tuned suspension and paddle shifters, along with luxury features such as ventilated front seats, a surround-view parking camera, simulated-suede seat inserts and lane keeping assist.

　　The top-trim Platinum skips the SR's performance add-ons, but it keeps the ventilated front seats and adds a few other luxury touches, including memory settings for driver preferences and upgraded leather upholstery and interior trim.

　　

2020 Maxima Highlights

Trim: 3.5 S3.5 SV3.5 SL3.5 SRPlatinum3.5 S

　　

Base MSRP	$34,450
Engine Type	Gas
Combined MPG	24 MPG
Cost to Drive	$193/month
Seating	5 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	14.3 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	front wheel drive
Warranty	3 years / 36,000 miles