Summary

• With 69 currently listed for sale near Washington, DC and an average price of $14,959.00, 30.4% of 2018 Nissan Maximas for sale on CarGurus are rated as good or great deals.

• Favorably reviewed: Owners rated the 2018 Nissan Maxima 4.8 / 5 stars.

• 56.5% of 2018 Maxima models on CarGurus are accident free.

Why it stands out

The 2018 Nissan Maxima stands out as a large sedan that tries to blend style, performance, and everyday comfort without losing its upscale feel. In this generation, it uses a 3.5-liter V6 rated at 300 horsepower and 261 pound-feet of torque, and Nissan pairs that engine with a continuously variable transmission and front-wheel drive. The result is a car that can feel quick and capable, while larger sway bars help sharpen the handling. It also wears the “Four-door sports car” label again, which fits the Maxima’s long-running identity as a sedan with a more athletic personality than many buyers expect.

The 2018 model also brings a strong list of standard equipment. An 8-inch color display with navigation is included across all trims, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard. Safety equipment is another major draw, with forward-collision warning and automatic emergency braking among the standard features for this model year, along with available driver-assistance technology such as adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert on higher trims. Nissan’s Safety Shield 360 suite was not yet standard across the range for 2018, but the Maxima still earned IIHS “Top Safety Pick” or “Top Safety Pick+” recognition every year it was on sale.

There are tradeoffs, though. The CVT can blunt the car’s responses, which undercuts some of the sporty intent, and the Maxima is still not especially spacious for a sedan of its size. Even so, it remains appealing for buyers who want a well-equipped, good-looking used sedan with strong performance and a reputation for value.

Other model years to consider

• 2016 Nissan Maxima

  • Average price: $11,900.00
  • Good/great deal percentage: 25.8%
  • User rating: 5 / 5
  • Total listings: 66

• 2017 Nissan Maxima

  • Average price: $14,111.00
  • Good/great deal percentage: 27.1%
  • User rating: 4.45 / 5
  • Total listings: 85

• 2023 Nissan Maxima

  • Average price: $25,656.00
  • Good/great deal percentage: 30.8%
  • User rating: 5 / 5
  • Total listings: 39

This analysis is based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from August 11, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.