2020 Nissan Maxima
2020 Nissan Maxima Review
- Well-made and attractive cabin
- Tech controls are easy to use
- Sharp handling for a midsize sedan
- The back seat and trunk aren't very spacious
- The ride is firm, and even firmer in the SR trim
- Safety Shield 360 package is now standard
- Ride and handling updates for all trims
- Midlevel SR trim gets a panoramic sunroof and a 360-degree camera
- Part of the eighth Maxima generation introduced for 2015
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.
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.
Our verdict | |
The Maxima offers an appealing bridge to luxury sedans with sporty handling, above-average performance and a classy interior. Yet despite its ample mass, this midsize sedan doesn't offer a lot of space for either passengers or things. Many rivals also deliver better tech and more features for less money. | |
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. | |
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. | |
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. | |
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. | |
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. | |
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. | |
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 | |
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 Edmunds recommend?
Nissan Maxima models
The 2020 Nissan Maxima sedan comes in five trim levels: S, SV, SL, SR and Platinum.
2020 Nissan Maxima pricing
in Ashburn, VA
2020 Nissan Maxima video
2017 Nissan Maxima Expert Rundown Review
NOTE: This video is about the 2017 Nissan Maxima, but since the 2020 Nissan Maxima is part of the same generation, our earlier analysis still applies.
Features & Specs
- Total MSRP
- $35,375
- MPG & Fuel
- 20 City / 30 Hwy / 24 Combined
- Fuel Tank Capacity: 18.0 gal. capacity
- Seating
- 5 seats
- Drivetrain
- Type: front wheel drive
- Transmission: Continuously variable-speed automatic
- Engine
- V6 cylinder
- Horsepower: 300 hp @ 6400 rpm
- Torque: 261 lb-ft @ 4400 rpm
- Basic Warranty
- 3 yr./ 36000 mi.
- Dimensions
- Length: 192.8 in. / Height: 56.5 in.
- Overall Width with Mirrors: N/A
- Overall Width without Mirrors: 73.2 in.
- Curb Weight: 3559 lbs.
- Cargo Capacity, All Seats In Place: 14.3 cu.ft.
Safety
Our experts’ favorite Maxima safety features:
- Intelligent Forward Collision Warning
- Warns the driver if a front collision is imminent.
- Automatic Emergency Braking
- Works with the Intelligent Forward Collision Warning system. Automatically applies the brakes to lessen the impact of a front collision.
- Intelligent Around-View Monitor
- Provides a 360-degree, top-down view of the Maxima to help when parking.
Nissan Maxima vs. the competition
2020 Nissan Maxima
2019 Toyota Camry
Nissan Maxima vs. Toyota Camry
When Toyota last redesigned the Camry, it made an effort to make it sportier and less appliance-like. The styling is bolder and, with the XSE V6, you get strong performance. The Camry also boasts a bigger back seat and trunk. At the upper trim levels, the Maxima has a nicer interior and still maintains its sporty edge. Read Edmunds' long-term road test of the Toyota Camry.
Nissan Maxima vs. Honda Accord
These two are the sporty competitors, but their approaches are different. The Accord is a more mainstream offering, with entry-level Accords being less expensive but less powerful. Our comparison gets more interesting when you consider something like the Accord Sport 2.0T. It has a strong turbocharged engine and an available manual transmission. Read Edmunds' long-term road test of the Honda Accord.
Nissan Maxima vs. Volkswagen Passat
The Passat is nearly everything the Maxima isn't. It's neither sporty nor particularly fast, but it is exceptionally roomy (especially in the back seat) and costs much less than the Maxima. If anything, the Passat simply lacks any real character. Its design is classic, while the Maxima's bold grille and design are meant to get noticed. The Passat's simple, no-nonsense approach is also a strength, but it disappears behind the more exuberant Maxima.
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FAQ
Is the Nissan Maxima a good car?
What's new in the 2020 Nissan Maxima?
According to Edmunds’ car experts, here’s what’s new for the 2020 Nissan Maxima:
- Safety Shield 360 package is now standard
- Ride and handling updates for all trims
- Midlevel SR trim gets a panoramic sunroof and a 360-degree camera
- Part of the eighth Maxima generation introduced for 2015
Is the Nissan Maxima reliable?
Is the 2020 Nissan Maxima a good car?
How much should I pay for a 2020 Nissan Maxima?
The least-expensive 2020 Nissan Maxima is the 2020 Nissan Maxima 3.5 S 4dr Sedan (3.5L 6cyl CVT). Including destination charge, it arrives with a Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of about $34,450.
Other versions include:
- Platinum 4dr Sedan (3.5L 6cyl CVT) which starts at $41,840
- 3.5 SL 4dr Sedan (3.5L 6cyl CVT) which starts at $38,840
- 3.5 SR 4dr Sedan (3.5L 6cyl CVT) which starts at $41,650
- 3.5 SV 4dr Sedan (3.5L 6cyl CVT) which starts at $36,650
- 3.5 S 4dr Sedan (3.5L 6cyl CVT) which starts at $34,450
