2020 Nissan Maxima

 The SL trim comes packed with a lot of features for the price it's being sold at and which is why it is the trim to go for. This trim adds a heated steering wheel, a 6-way power passenger's seat, two rear USB ports, dual-pane panoramic moonroof, front and rear parking sensors, an 11-speaker Bose premium audio system, and universal garage door opener. 

The 2020 Nissan Maxima is well-equipped across the range, but choose the SR model for the sportiest experience- The Car Connection

A total of five trims are offered for the Nissan Maxima. These include S, SV, SL, SR, and Platinum. The Maxima has a starting MSRP of $34,450 for the S trim and it climbs up to nearly $42,200 for the Platinum trim. These prices exclude the destination charge of $895. All the trims include essential features to suit the tastes of all kinds of customers. 

This year, Nissan has made the Nissan Safety Shield 360 standard in every Maxima. Also, a panoramic sunroof and a 360-degree camera are now standard in the SR trim. Exclusive to the Platinum trim is the $1,140 Platinum Reserve package that adds heated rear seats, a Charcoal-colored headliner, Rakuda Tan leatherette upholstery, and unique interior trim. 

The fact that 91 octane is recommended adds even more cost- Edmunds

The Nissan Maxima's powertrain is pretty fuel-efficient in its field. In the city, it returns 20 MPG while the highway mileage is rated at 30 MPG. The combined mileage comes out to be 24 MPG. The Maxima's fuel estimates are quite similar to its rivals but the efficiency is better than the rest of the field. 

The credit goes to Nissan's X-Tronic CVT transmission which is known to be fuel-friendly. Unlike its rivals, the Maxima requires premium unleaded. Owing to the 18-gallon fuel tank, the Maxima can deliver up to 360 miles in the city and 40 miles on a highway which equates to 432 miles of combined range. This is the best in comparison to its class rivals. 

It's pretty obvious that the Toyota Avalon is the most fuel-efficient sedan in this segment. But due to its small fuel tank, it delivers the lowest range in this competition. Also, due to the same powertrain under the hood, the fuel estimates of the Dodge Charger and the Chrysler 300 are the same. 

The 2020 Nissan Maxima has a generally nice interior, marked by a user-friendly infotainment system- Cars.USNews

The Nissan Maxima's cabin is pleasing to look at and is made of high-quality materials. The interiors get contrast stitching made out of orange and a dark charcoal headline on the SR trim. The Platinum trim gets upgraded leather upholstery as well. What stands out in the interiors are the front seats, which for the segment is leagues ahead in terms of comfort and grip levels that it offers to the customers. The seats themselves are very supportive and offer multiple levels of adjustments.

The power-adjustable seats allow for a splendid view of the outside for the driver and the front passenger, which aids in the drivability of this big sedan. Heated and ventilated front seats are also available on the higher trims. The Platinum trim adds a power-adjustable, heated leather-wrapped steering wheel. The front row offers abundant passenger space but the rear row falls short of legroom compared to other large sedans. The headroom is decent enough to accommodate a grown adult. 

The NissanConnect infotainment system features an 8-inch touchscreen display and supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The interface is straightforward and easy to use. The screen features clear graphics and the menu structure is simple to understand. The standard 7-inch digital instrument cluster also features good graphics. The lower trims come with an 8-speaker stereo while the top trim buyers will enjoy the Bose premium sound system with 11 speakers. 

The Maxima continues to offer 14.3 cubic feet of space which aren't the biggest in the segment but is enough for carrying small suitcases or carry bags for a short weekend trip. The rear seats can be folded nearly flat to store longer items. The square-shaped trunk and the wide opening of the tailgate make it easy to store more items. Some other cabin features are:

• Power tilt & telescopic multi-function leather, heated steering wheel 
• Power front heated, ventilated seats
• Ambient lighting
• Panoramic sunroof
• Dual-zone automatic climate control
• Proximity keyless entry
• Cloth & leather upholstery
• 8-inch touchscreen display w/ Apple CarPlay & Android Auto
• 11-speaker Bose premium audio system
• 7-inch digital instrument cluster
• Voice recognition

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Nissan has packed a lot of styling into the Maxima sedan- Kelly Blue Book

The Nissan Maxima received a refreshed styling last year. So, the design remains unchanged. Upfront, in the middle, you get the latest Nissan's V-motion grille which is a bit edgier. The LED headlights ditched the projector beams for an elaborate array of reflectors. The Maxima sits on 18-inch alloys while higher trims get 19 inches. The Maxima has a short wheelbase due to which the rear row is short on legroom. 

The polished black windshield pillars, mirrors, and C-pillars create an illusion that the roof is floating above the body. The Maxima is a long car and the sheet metal shows off that length with dramatic effect from the hood to the trunk. At the back, the Maxima received quad exhaust pipes, a revised bumper, and fresher LED taillights. The sportier SR trim adds a rear decklid and bigger wheels but otherwise, all Maximas look sharp. 

The Dodge Charger and the Chrysler 300 have the widest wheelbase here and therefore a roomier second-row. However, the 300's ground clearance is low for an easy egress and ingress. The wheelbase of the Toyota Avalon is short but its cabin is spacious. In fact, this short wheelbase contributes for a quick burnout from a standstill. Some other exterior features are:

• LED auto high-beam headlamps
• LED taillamps
• LED fog lights
• LED DRLs
• Chrome door handles
• Quad exhaust chrome tips
• Black grille with chrome accents
• Chrome window trim
• Heated exterior mirrors
• 18, 19-inch alloy wheels

The 2020 Nissan Maxima has great crash-test scores and active safety tech is now standard across the range- The Car Connnection

The Nissan Maxima is one of the safest cars in its segment. It received a 5-star rating for its overall performance in crash tests by NHTSA. It was also honored with the Top Safety Pick+ award by IIHS, which is considered the highest rating by the organization. It received top ratings in all categories except for the headlights for which IIHS gave an 'Acceptable' rating. 

Nissan doesn't compromise on safety features on its flagship sedan, the Maxima.  You get all the bells and whistles in terms of the safety equipment on offer. Nissan Safety Shield 360 is now standard on every Maxima, which is a suite of top driver-assist features. More safety features add to the list as you move up the trim level. Some of these safety features include:

• Lane departure warning
• Blind-spot monitoring
• Rear cross-traffic alert
• Rearview camera
• 360-degree camera
• Front & rear parking sensors
• Forward collision warning
• Pedestrian detection
• Forward & reverse automatic emergency braking
• Driver attention monitor
• Traffic sign recognition
• Adaptive cruise control
• Rain-sensing windshield wipers
• Auto high-beam headlights

2020 Nissan Maxima vs 2020 Toyota Avalon

Both the sedans are similarly priced but the Toyota Avalon is more fuel-efficient and handles better on the road. Inside, the Avalon's interior is more good-looking and has a roomier second-row. Trunk space is also better in the Avalon but it is similar to the Maxima in terms of infotainment features. Like the Maxima, the Avalon offers a bundle of standard driver aids. 

2020 Nissan Maxima vs 2020 Dodge Charger

The Dodge Charger is much cheaper than the Maxima and also offers the option of a monstrous V8. However, the Maxima excels in ride quality. When it to comes to fuel efficiency, the Maxima is a tad bit better. The cabin of the Charger uses low-quality plastics but it is spacious while its cargo capacity is also greater than the Maxima. The Charger's list of safety techs is smaller than the Maxima. 

2020 Nissan Maxima vs 2020 Chrysler 300

The Chrysler 300 is a luxurious sedan, still not quite as modern as the Maxima. It looks elegant but seems like it belongs to the last generation. The interiors are well-appointed but lack the aesthetics of the Maxima. Yes, it has good ride quality and a quiet cabin but so does the Maxima. The Maxima would be a much better car to live with options and comes with a good variety of advanced safety features.

The 2020 Nissan Maxima is an all-rounder. It offers good performance, superb driving dynamics, precise handling, and a stylish exterior. In the current market where the sales of the full-size sedans are slowing down, the Maxima offers stupendous value for the kind of money that you are paying for it. Also, with a lot of competition bowing out this year, Nissan has a good chance to garner those sales and make a strong impact on the market.