The Nissan Maxima has been turning heads since 1977, although then it was called the Datsun 810. Winning over critics and skeptics alike, Datsun's 810 was a smash hit in the midsize sedan market with its superior performance, comfort, and price.

The current Maxima isn’t a best-seller for Nissan, but it’s still a handsome full-size sedan with plenty of technology. It sits at the top of Nissan’s car lineup with a starting price north of $37,000. While Nissan likes to call the Maxima the “four-door sports car,” it has never quite lived up to that nickname outside the third generation. It’s an enjoyable ride, but not nearly as entertaining as a Dodge Charger, and the Toyota Avalon can be had in a hybrid for those who need a fuel-efficient vehicle.

Generations: Eight

• Nissan Maxima 8th generation
• Nissan Maxima 7th generation
• Nissan Maxima 6th generation
• Nissan Maxima 5th generation
• Nissan Maxima 4th generation
• Nissan Maxima 3rd generation
• Nissan Maxima 2nd generation
• Nissan Maxima 1st generation

Pros: Precise steering, powerful engines, comfortable Zero-Gravity seats (current generation)
Cons: Fifth-generation transmissions are unreliable, smallish backseat and trunk, early models were a bit boring

Nissan Maxima Eighth Generation (2016-present)

In its eighth generation, the Maxima was offered in five trims: S, SV, and the new SL, SR, and Platinum. Regardless of spec, the Maxima was equipped with a 3.5-liter V6 engine making 300 horsepower and 261 pound-feet of torque. Power went down to the front wheels through a continuously variable transmission (CVT).

The Nissan Maxima SR trim was meant for enthusiasts, with its specially tuned suspension and a larger front sway bar. For the first time, the Maxima got drive modes, even though they were just Normal and Sport modes.

An 8-inch color display boasts navigation across all trims. Advanced driver-assistance features like adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, forward-collision warning, and rear cross traffic alert were standard on the top three trims, while the range-topping Nissan Maxima Platinum got a 360-degree camera.

Apple CarPlay was made standard for the 2017 model year, as were forward-collision warning and automatic emergency braking. In 2018, Nissan made Android Auto standard as well.

2019 brought a bit of a refresh to the Maxima with revised front and rear fascias, LED lighting, and new wheel designs. Nissan’s Safety Shield 360 suite of advanced driver-assistance and safety features became standard on the top trim. Nissan also added rear door alert and traffic-sign recognition, as well as USB-C ports.

For 2020, Nissan Safety Shield 360 was made standard for all trim levels, and some handling goodies from the SR were added to the rest of the lineup.

In 2021, Nissan streamlined its trims, offering only the SV, SR, and Platinum trims on the Maxima. However, there was also a 40th Anniversary Edition with black exterior trim, red seating, and red contrast stitching on interior parts. The Maxima got no meaningful updates for the 2022 model year.

Nissan Maxima Seventh Generation (2009-2014)

To ring in a completely new, luxury-focused generation, the Maxima came in baseline S or luxurious SV trims. The 3.5-liter V6 got a bump from 2008 with 290 horsepower and 261 lb-ft of torque. Those 290 horses under the hood are amicably tamed by a CVT with unprecedented performance, bringing the Maxima to 60 mph in just 6.5 seconds. The drool-worthy performance and handling were all there, even—or especially—without the Sport option package, at least in part because of its smaller stance and improved technology.

The base Nissan Maxima S comes equipped with 18-inch alloy wheels, automatic headlights, cruise control, a sunroof, keyless ignition and entry, dual-zone automatic climate control, tilt-and-telescoping steering column, power front seats, 60/40-split rear seat, leather touches, auto-dimming rear-view mirror, and an in-dash six-CD changer with an auxiliary audio jack. The S can be upgraded with the Tech or Monitor packages, affording extra multimedia and navigation gizmos.

Upgrading to the Nissan Maxima SV will fetch integrated mirror turn signals, fog lights, more driver’s seat comforts, full leather upholstery, and a nine-speaker Bose premium audio system with Sirius XM satellite radio. This can be further boosted with either the Premium or Sport package, adding features like heated steering wheel, seats, and mirrors, driver memory functions, and paddle shifters for some manual functionality with the continuously variable transmission (CVT).

However, unlike the other guy's CVT, this one handles the 290 hp out of the Maxima's 3.5-liter V6 like a seasoned trainer, taming that wild low-end torque steer and bringing the Maxima to 60 mph in just 6.5 seconds. At 19 mpg city and 26 highway, this CVT also affords pretty decent fuel economy with such a powerful V6. Even at 80 mph the engine doesn't rev over 2,000 rpm, leaving plenty of room for pickup and passing. Autobahn, anyone?

To top it off, this Maxima is also a blast to drive, with hair-trigger steering that does just what you expect and nothing more, though a little less at high speeds. Most drivers don't seem to notice that slight understeer, though, touting the Maxima’s quick pickup and zippy maneuvering just before applauding its obvious beauty without a complaint in sight.

The seventh-generation Maxima rivaled luxury cars of the time with options like a hard-drive navigation system, voice recognition, real-time traffic, rear-view camera, digital music storage, and iPod interface in the Tech package. The Premium package offered a heated power tilt-telescoping steering wheel, heated outside mirrors, driver’s seat memory functions, heated and cooled driver’s seat, heated passenger’s seat, rear bucket seats, and Bluetooth, while the Sport package added that and a sport-tuned suspension with 19-inch wheels.

2010 and 2011 saw no significant changes to the Maxima, but the sedan got a refresh in 2012 with revised grille, taillights, and interior trim. The Maxima remained unchanged for 2013, but xenon headlights, a USB port, a 7-inch touchscreen, a rearview camera, and satellite radio became standard equipment in 2014.

Nissan Maxima Sixth Generation (2004-2008)

Taking cues from Toyota, Nissan moved Maxima production to a US-based plant for the sixth generation, borrowing the Nissan Altima platform and again expanding the interior room. The move meant the end for the baseline model in favor of just two trims—the sporty SE and the high-end SL.

In 2004, the Maxima had a 3.5-liter V6 under the hood, pushing out 265 horsepower and 255 pound-feet of torque, besting the 2003 model. The SE was paired with a five-speed automatic transmission standard, but a six-speed manual was on tap as well. The SL trim was only available with a four-speed automatic.

While the SE had a sport-tuned suspension, 18-inch wheels, an eight-speaker CD stereo, keyless entry, and power accessories, the SL offered a softer ride with 17-inch wheels, heated leather seats, a 320-watt Bose stereo, wooden interior accents, and plenty of other surprisingly standard accessories that would rival those found in even a modern luxury car.

The 2005 and 2006 models saw few changes, but in 2007, Nissan brought in the Xtronic CVT, leaving all other shifting options behind. For 2008, the Maxima didn’t get any significant upgrades.

Nissan Maxima Fifth Generation (2000-2003)

Nissan Maxima trims for its fifth generation were GXE, SE, and GLE. Nissan improved the power plant, opting for a 3.0-liter V6 with 222 horsepower and 217 pound-feet of torque. A five-speed manual transmission was standard on lower trims, but a four-speed automatic was also available and was standard on the top trim.

In 2001, Nissan added an SE 20th Anniversary Edition with five more ponies under the hood and a viscous limited-slip differential.

In 2002, the Maxima started its climb to performance land, with a 3.5-liter V6 with 255 horsepower and 246 pound-feet of torque. A six-speed manual transmission was standard on the SE trim, while others got a four-speed automatic. Small tweaks to the headlights and taillights were made for this year, and navigation was available as well.

There were no major changes in 2003.

Nissan Maxima Fourth Generation (1995-1999)

The fourth generation came in GXE, sporty SE, or GLE trim, and it had more rear legroom and a longer wheelbase. This generation outperformed its predecessor in every regard, with a wholly new engine and driving dynamics to match, but it fell short on style. It wasn't ugly, it wasn't dated—it just wasn't what drivers expected of a new Maxima.

The 3.0-liter V6 pushed out 190 horses and 205 pound–feet of torque, mated to a five-speed manual transmission. The Maxima remained unchanged in 1996, but in the following year, buyers were treated to revised front and rear fascias. 1998 was an unchanged year, and traction control was added in 1999.

Nissan Maxima Third Generation (1989-1994)

A "four-door sports car" was born in the 1989 Maxima, which dropped the wagon altogether and gained six hp in the 3.0-liter V6, plus unprecedented elbow room and stunning style. The sporty SE gained a 190-hp 3.0-liter V6 in '92 and a retuned suspension to match, reaching 60 mph in just seven seconds. Nissan decided to let the Maxima enjoy its perfection for an entire generation with just a few cosmetic tweaks along the way.

Nissan Maxima Second Generation (1985-1988)

The Maxima's second generation entered the market with front-wheel drive (FWD) and several serious upgrades for both the sedan and wagon packages.

For one thing, the Maxima now came with a 154-hp 3.0-liter V6—a full 34 horses better than its predecessor. The GL sedans and wagons came with the four-speed automatic standard and the SE sedan could only be equipped with the five-speed manual, but with superior improvements to its comfort, capacity, braking, suspension, and overall driving dynamics, the Maxima quickly became the leader of the pack.

The Maxima went through a bit of a facelift through this generation, also renaming the baseline trim to GXE and allowing the choice of an automatic transmission in the sportier SE. Nissan also added in a specialized suspension that detected road conditions and adjusted itself accordingly, foreshadowing the striking innovations to come for the Maxima’s next incarnation.

Nissan Maxima First Generation (1981-1984)

Here we get the first mention of the Maxima, although it was technically on the second generation of a Datsun 810. A 2.4-liter V6 produced 210 horsepower, and a five-speed transmission pushed power to the rear wheels. A three-speed automatic was added in 1983, but the car saw no changes in 1984.