2020 Nissan Maxima S

Model Highlights

The 2020 Nissan Maxima features a novel design on a full-sized sedan in today's marketplace. Styling is swoopy, futuristic, and undeniably sporty. Blacked-out A- and B-pillars, along with a black strip on the C-pillar, make the roof appear to float, giving the whole car a unique appeal.

Underneath the hood rests a 3.5L V6, a revised version of the engine that powered the previous Maxima generation. Here, it makes 300 horsepower. That output is sent to the front wheels via a continuously variable transmission (CVT.) Rather than having set gears, CVTs are able to choose any ratio, essentially adapting on the go to whatever the driver is demanding, be it smooth fuel-efficient cruising on the highway or hard acceleration up an onramp.

While the outside of the Maxima is striking, the interior has received equal attention. The interior design is clean and functional but not without its little flourishes. Keeping with the sport sedan theme, the cockpit is now more focused on the driver and features hand-stitching on several of the trim pieces.

The Maxima is offered in five different trim levels: S, SV, SL, SR, and Platinum. Standard equipment on the base S model is still somewhat comprehensive. The S includes an 8-inch color screen, an 8-way power adjustable driver's seat and 4-way power adjustable front passenger seat, dual-zone automatic temperature control, a rearview camera, a 7-inch advanced driver assist display, HD radio with a subscription to SiriusXM, 18-inch wheels, LED headlights, daytime running lamps and taillights, and dual exhaust tips.

The SV trim improves upon the interior of the S by adding leather seating surfaces, heated front seats, a navigation system, rear parking sensors and additional movement settings for the power front seats.

The SL trim on the other hand adds a massive moonroof, a front and rear sonar system, a heated steering wheel and an 11-speaker Bose premium sound system.

The SR gets 19-inch wheels, LED front fog lights, auto-dimming side mirrors and Alcantara heated and ventilated diamond-stitched front seats and a charcoal headliner.

Platinum models, of course, offer the most of everything. In addition to getting the trick interior seating from the SR trim, the Platinum trim also includes the huge dual-pane moonroof. Other goodies on the Platinum trim include an around-view monitoring system, fully climate-controlled front seats, a power tilting and telescoping steering wheel, rain sensing wipers and wood accents for the interior. A Platinum Reserve package offers satin bronze faceted finishes, diamond-quilted Rakuda Tan semi-aniline leather appointments and heated rear seats.

Vehicle Value

The Nissan Maxima starts at a price point in the company of luxury offerings of the Mercedes C-Class, the Acura TLX and the Lexus IS. The Maxima offers more space than an equivalently priced Audi, BMW, or Mercedes, and it also offers more pace than a high-end Camry or Accord. The Maxima tries to let buyers have their cake and eat it too, reproducing the fun driving experience offered by European sport sedans, without reproducing their higher prices and smaller cabins.