2022 Nissan Maxima

　　

2022 Nissan Maxima Review

byMark TakahashiCorrespondent

　　Mark Takahashi has worked in the automotive industry since 2001. He has written thousands of car-related articles and tested and reviewed hundreds of vehicles over the course of his career. Mark has also contributed to Motor Trend, Auto Aficionado, Chevy High Performance and several motorcycle magazines in various roles. Mark is also a juror on the North American Car, Truck and Utility Vehicle of the Year Awards and can be seen regularly on the zzdcar YouTube channel and sometimes representing the company in media interviews.

　　The years have not been kind to the Nissan Maxima. There was a time when its "four-door sports car" tagline was justified, but the current generation offers little in the way of excitement. To its credit, the Maxima still uses a 300-horsepower V6 engine and provides sporty handling. But you can get similar or superior performance from other top midsize sedans and benefit from more interior room and fresher styling.

　　

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2022 Nissan Maxima 3.5 SV 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 SV

　　Maxima 3.5 SV

　　3.5 SV 4dr Sedan (3.5L 6cyl CVT) - $37,840 MSRP3.5 SR 4dr Sedan (3.5L 6cyl CVT) (Most Popular) - $43,000 MSRP3.5 Platinum 4dr Sedan (3.5L 6cyl CVT) - $43,150 MSRP

　　vs

　　$165/mo

　　Avg. Midsize Car

　　Check out our test team's Expert Rating for more information on where the 2022 Maxima comes up short. But hope is not entirely lost. There are rumors that a new Maxima is in the works, and that it may even be all-electric. If these rumors become reality, perhaps the Maxima's "four-door sports car" promise will once again be fulfilled.

　　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 says it is. 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 cancellation — 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.

　　Continue reading zzdcar Expert Rating below