Used 2023 Nissan Maxima

The 2023 Nissan Maxima pushes both the performance and luxury limits of mainstream sedans. Prices start at $38,140.

There’s a little clique of sedans that aren’t the typical commuter or rental-fleet regulars. The Maxima is one of them. It packs a 300-horsepower V6 as standard and bedecks its cabin with premium materials.

Sadly, that clique is about to become even smaller. Nissan intends to discontinue the Maxima after this model year, although the company might re-purpose the name for an all-electric sedan it has in the pipeline.

As this generation of Maxima heads for the exit, it does so with a particular combination of virtues.

Nissan’s idea of raising a mainstream sedan to near-luxury levels and then adding a gutsy V6 is fundamentally good. The 2023 Maxima has a well-judged amount of muscle — 300 horsepower is more than adequate for most people spending all their time on public roads.

Whereas a company like BMW would have installed rear-wheel drive, the Maxima has front-wheel drive exclusively. It’s less sporty but more easily managed. Whenever understeer occurs, where the nose fails to hold a tight line through quick corners, a gentle lift off the throttle will get things settled down again.

Nissan takes this approach further by adding Intelligent Trace Control as standard. It can apply light braking to the inside rear wheel to help the 2023 Maxima tackle curves with precision.

We have decided to gripe about the continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT), though. Despite being a tolerable example of a CVT, it’s never going to be as responsive and quick-shifting as a conventional automatic with real gears.

This still leaves us with a nicely powerful car that’s easy to drive. The suspension is composed yet forgiving; the SR has the sportiest setup, which might be too firm for some tastes. The steering would be better with more feel, but we could live with it.

Traditionally, the Maxima has been lumped together with large sedans such as the now-discontinued Toyota Avalon. But its interior dimensions are closer to a typical midsize sedan like the Nissan Altima.

For example, the Maxima’s rear legroom has 34.2 inches. The Altima has an extra inch. The Maxima’s trunk area is 14.3 cubic feet. The Altima’s is 15.4.

Looking on the bright side, space up front is plentiful, while the materials and the way they’ve been put together are of above-average quality. The front seats are road-trip comfortable, the cabin is quiet (the top two trims have active noise cancellation), and the flat-bottomed steering wheel performs the dual tasks of adding a sporting air as well as making it easy for the driver’s knees to slide under.

This year, the Platinum trim gains seating surfaces of semi-aniline leather, along with illuminated kick plates.

The black-adorned rear pillars that launched a thousand “floating roof” designs. Well, not a thousand, but quite a few. They appeared first on this Maxima and are still a distinguishing feature.

The Maxima’s trail-blazing times are behind it, however. The sedan form, in general, is looking like an endangered species these days.

The SV trim has 18-inch alloy wheels, while the SR and Platinum wear 19-inch rims. To complement the SR’s standing as the sportiest 2023 Maxima, it finishes those wheels and other exterior elements in black.

1. V6 engine
There’s a lot to admire about a lively Nissan V6. It’s even won awards. It responds well to an assertive right foot and sounds good as it does so.

2. Infotainment system
The good things about this setup include a rotary control as well as a touchscreen, plus satellite radio, Wi-Fi, and Apple CarPlay/Android Auto as standard.

3. Advanced Drive Assist Display
To be honest, it’s not that advanced, but this standard 7-inch LCD screen slots between the analog gauges and allows the driver to see information like average fuel consumption, or adjust various systems. It’s all controlled with buttons on the steering wheel.

4. Self-dimming rearview mirror
There’s always some person who doesn’t realize their headlights are on full beam. This is simply a great convenience feature for when that unaware driver ends up behind the 2023 Maxima.

5. Paddle shifters
Maximizing the 2023 Maxima’s driver engagement, the sporty SR trim adds paddle shifters mounted beneath the steering wheel to click up or down the gears. Simulated gears, at least, since the Maxima has a CVT.

6. Heated rear seats
Exclusive to the top Platinum trim, these add to the luxury feel of the 2023 Maxima sedan.

Every new Maxima sedan is propelled by a 3.5-liter V6. No turbochargers or superchargers are involved. Output is 300 horsepower and 261 lb-ft of torque, and premium gasoline is required.

This energy goes through an automatic transmission to drive just the front wheels.

3.5-liter V6
300 horsepower @ 6,400 rpm
261 lb-ft of torque @ 4,400 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 20/30 mpg

3/36 Warranty

Nissan’s new-car warranty is 3 years or 36,000 miles, whichever occurs first. The powertrain is covered for 5 years or 60,000 miles.