Upscale Yet Affordable: Shop the Best-Selling Nissan Maxima
It's time to update your trusty commuter sedan with a newer model, but you're unsure that an upscale sedan with all the latest technology, conveniences, and luxury is within your budget. Fortunately, your search for a used Nissan dealership means you're off to a great start because you know that investing in a used model means getting a better-equipped vehicle for a fraction of the new car sticker price. You also recognize that Nissan's sedan lineup features best-sellers like the Maxima, the upscale sedan you've been eyeing for years.
Your appreciation for the Maxima puts you in good company since it's Nissan's flagship sedan and one of the automaker's longest-running nameplates. In Nissan's sedan lineup, the Maxima is the Altima's more luxurious sibling, courtesy of its plush interior, long list of safety and driver-assist features, and an expansive array of cutting-edge technology. But where exactly should you start your search for the Maxima, and what can you expect from the popular sedan? As your Nissan authority, we've got those answers and more!
Where to Start Your Search
The Maxima made its debut in 1980 as Nissan's first and future best-selling sedan. Thanks to its premium interior and beefy engine, it quickly earned its reputation for being luxurious and fun to drive. As a result, the Maxima became a staple in the Nissan family, which means you'll find plenty of models on the used lot. So, where should you start your search to ensure you get the best-equipped model for your money?
An open-ended search for a used Nissan Maxima gives you every available year model without considering age or generation. For example, this search could result in vintage first-generation models like the 1984 Maxima or fifth-generation models from 2001. Older models like these are typically lower in price because they have more mileage and older features, which is ideal if you're on a strict budget and aren't looking for the latest technology.
Most drivers, however, are looking for newer models with fewer miles and more modern features. If you fall into this category, you'll want to tailor your search to eighth-generation models or those built since 2016. This generation is the latest iteration of the Maxima family. It's laden with modern design details, updated technology, and upscale conveniences, most of which are similar to what you'll find on the 2021 or 2021 Maxima. As a result, you can get behind the wheel of a better-equipped Maxima without paying the new car sticker price.
2016 Maxima
Nissan completely redesigned the Maxima for 2016, marking the debut of the sedan's eighth generation and the reintroduction of the four-door sports car. Lighter, longer, and sitting lower than the previous generation, the 2016 Maxima takes a cue from the Nissan GT-R and roars to life with its 3.5L V6 engine that churns out 300 horsepower and 261 lb-ft of torque for instant acceleration and effortless handling at any speed. Even more impressive is that this power doesn't come at the cost of efficiency, with the 2016 Maxima averaging 10.9 L per 100 km in the city and 7.8 L per 100 km on the highway.
The Maxima's impressive power and handling pair exceptionally well with its modern and futuristic design, both inside and out. Its V-motion front end and signature boomerang lights distinguish the sedan from the exterior. The bespoke interior continues the aesthetic with its premium details, luxuries, and conveniences like the standard Nissan Intelligent Key start, leather seating with diamond-quilted inserts, and exclusive Zero Gravity front seats. The Maxima's technology is also exceptional and boasts a modern cockpit outfitted with a digital Advanced Drive-Assist Display and a center touchscreen display that's home to Google, satellite radio, navigation, and voice recognition.
2017 and 2018 Maxima
The 2017 and 2018 Maximas continue the sedan's eighth-generation and introduce drivers to a few key tech updates. While the 2016 Maxima is impressive with its digital cockpit, if you're looking for seamless smartphone integration, you'll want to start your search with models built since 2017. The 2017 Maxima marks the first year model in which Apple CarPlay comes standard on every trim, which means you'll have access to your smartphone and an array of apps anytime you're behind the wheel.
Beyond making Apple CarPlay standard, the 2017 and 2018 Maximas share the same features as the 2016 model. Its 300-horsepower engine makes the Maxima incredibly fun to drive, while Nissan's expansive suite of safety and driver-assist technology engineer confidence when you're behind the wheel. These features include tools like Predictive Forward Collision Warning, Forward Emergency Braking, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, Intelligent Cruise Control, and Blind Spot Warning, all of which are standard on trims like the SL, SR, and Platinum. You'll also find some models that feature Nissan's Around View Monitor, which gives you a 360-degree view around the sedan.
2019 Maxima
Drivers looking for more aggressive styling and updated features will be pleasantly surprised by the 2019 Maxima. Just three years into the eighth generation, Nissan refreshed the Maxima in 2019. From the outside, the sedan boasts an updated front and rear fascia, new wheel designs, LED lighting, and integrated quad-tip exhaust finishers that reflect its status as a four-door sports car. Inside, the Maxima's Zero Gravity front seats remain a staple on the sedan and optimize your comfort since they're also heated and climate-controlled.
The roar of the Maxima's 300-horsepower engine makes for an engaging driving experience but don't expect the rumble to overpower your ears. The Maxima's Active Sound Enhancement system is a standard on the performance-inspired SR and optimizes the sound of the V6 engine. The SR and every other trim in the lineup also come standard with Nissan's Active Noise Cancellation system that eliminates unnecessary, low-frequency sounds to deliver next-level quietness in the cabin.
Nissan made another significant update to the Maxima in 2019 by introducing the all-new Nissan Safety Shield 360 suite of safety and driver-assist technology. The suite features six advanced tools that reflect Nissan's Intelligent Mobility vision to improve your experience in the driver's seat. These tools, which are standard on the 2019 Maxima Platinum, equip the sedan with Intelligent Emergency Braking with Pedestrian Detection, Rear Intelligent Emergency Braking, High Beam Assist, Blind Spot Warning, Lane Departure Warning, and Rear Cross Traffic Alert.
It’s Time to Start Shopping
Since its debut over four decades ago, the Maxima has built its reputation for doing the unthinkable. It proves that an upscale sedan can offer sports car-like performance and modern features without a sky-high price tag. As you'll soon discover, the Maxima's upscale affordability is even more apparent when you shop for a model on our used lot.
As you start shopping, you'll find that the eighth-generation Maxima is an exceptional value whether you get behind the wheel of a 2016 or a 2020 model. So, how do you narrow your search? It all depends on what you're looking for in the sedan. Fortunately, Nissan makes it easy by distinguishing each model year with unique updates and features. For example, if smartphone integration is a priority, shop for models built since 2017 since Nissan made Apple CarPlay a standard feature. Likewise, if you prioritize safety and driver-assist technology, shop for the 2019 Maxima Platinum or any 2020 Maxima, as these come equipped with Nissan Safety Shield 360.
So, what Maxima will you choose? As your used Nissan dealership, we can confidently say that you're already off to a great start. After all, the Maxima is Nissan's longest-running nameplate and best-selling sedan; it's also one of the only sedans in the automotive industry to prove that luxury and performance aren't mutually exclusive with affordability. And if you ask us, that's pretty impressive! Contact us today to get behind the wheel of a great new-to-you vehicle today.