2023 Nissan Maxima

Nissan fans will be well acquainted with the Maxima; this full-size sedan has sported the same styling for over half a decade and still features outdated tech. Under the hood lies an old-school naturally aspirated V6 engine producing 300 hp, which it sends to the front wheels via a dull and sometimes unrefined continuously variable transmission. At least the Maxima's interior is well built and the feature list solid, while every safety review of the Nissan Maxima has noted how well it holds up in a crash. The 2023 Maxima sails off into the sunset with hardly a tweak this year. The Nissan Maxima's competitors are traditional sedans such as the Mazda 6 and Honda Accord, but does the new high-riding Toyota Crown crossover sedan suggest that the traditional sedan template the Maxima uses has become irrelevant?

The 2023 Maxima starts with an MSRP of $38,140, excluding tax, registration, and a destination fee of $1,095. The base model is followed by the SR, which costs $43,300. The Platinum trim Maxima has a price of $44,250. In comparison, the excellent new Honda Accord starts at only $27,295 but competes in a lower performance class than the 300-hp Maxima. The similarly powerful Charger starts at around $5k less than the base Maxima.

Large sedans with big V6 engines and front-wheel drive layouts don't tend to impress much in terms of sporty driving, but the Maxima delivers a refreshingly capable driving experience. With all that weight over the front wheels, the V6 manages to put down its power nicely, and the Maxima will outsprint most of its rivals, powering it to 60 mph in well under six seconds. That weight also leads to some mild understeer in the corners, but it's perfectly manageable. The suspension is tight but not overly stiff and delivers a good balance between comfort and sporty driving. The SR trim takes things a little too far with an overly stiff ride, but the upshot is surprisingly sharp handling - if that's what you're after in a big sedan. The steering is light enough for comfortable city driving, and its refined cabin and supple highway ride make it a great cruiser. It's no sports car, but this is still one of the better-balanced vehicles in its class.

The Nissan Maxima has reached the end of its career, and to many Nissan fans, this will be sad news, but the honest truth is that the Maxima has always been a bit of an also-ran. It's competent but ultimately forgettable, and although it looks good, drives nicely, has lots of power, and features a refined interior, it doesn't set any new standards. If we were to give the Maxima some kudos, it would be for its quality interior that includes many standard features. It is also worth mentioning that this car is one of the safest in its class, with previous model years sporting top awards from the NHTSA and IIHS. The tight rear seat and small trunk are uncharacteristic of a large sedan though, which might be deal-breakers for some. The Maxima has been relegated to history like other soon-to-be-dead rivals such as the Chrysler 300 and it really shows its age against the innovative new Toyota Crown - which proves you can have a sedan and crossover all in one.

All Maxima models share the same engine and most safety features, so we would suggest going for the cheapest model. The SV packs a 300-hp V6 punch and handsome styling with standard LED headlights and 18-inch alloy wheels. The interior of the SV is decked in leather upholstery and features dual-zone climate control, power-adjustable and heated front seats, leather upholstery, and an eight-inch touchscreen display with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and SiriusXM radio with navigation and built-in Wi-Fi. Its safety systems include blind-spot warning, emergency forward and reverse braking, and pedestrian detection. Why pay more for a few frivolous features?