What's New for the 2018 Nissan Maxima?

The Maxima has never been more tech-savvy. In addition to Apple CarPlay, Android Auto connectivity is now standard equipment. That means that all drivers can access apps like Maps and Messages directly from the central touchscreen, no matter what kind of smartphone they're using. What's even better is that this technology lets you use your phone's Siri or Google Assistant voice controls, so you can call home, hands-free, or alter your navigation destination - all without lifting a finger from the wheel. Later this year, you'll find the Maxima SR Midnight Edition on the lot. It adds to the SR's sporty performance with sharp exterior styling, including blacked-out wheels. Get more details below and then browse new Maxima models on our site.

Trims Differences

When you arrive to test-drive your Maxima, you'll find five trim models available: the base S, mid-range SV, stylish SL, sporty SR, and high-end Platinum. Whatever your lifestyle or budget, there's a Nissan Maxima just for you. The entry-level Maxima S starts you off with comfort features like dual-zone automatic climate control and a leather-wrapped steering wheel. But it's with the Maxima SV that you really start to see the interior luxury for which the Maxima is known, with soft leather upholstery, cozy heated front seats, and an upgraded driver seat with extendable thigh support, keeping tall drivers comfortable for the long haul. In the Maxima SR, driving enthusiasts will find all the performance upgrades they crave, including a sport-tuned suspension and column-mounted paddle shifters. Later this year, you'll be able to add the Midnight Edition package to the SR, sprucing it up with stylish black wheels, a rear spoiler, and a 360-degree parking camera. If you want everything the Maxima has to offer, check out the top-trim Platinum. In it, you'll find many of the SR's performance upgrades, including active engine braking systems to help you take sharp corners. But you'll also find exclusive luxury features - including upgraded leather upholstery and a power-adjustable steering column - that make you feel like you've spent big bucks on an expensive European luxury sedan. Although, by comparison, you're actually saving big bucks with the Maxima.

Engine, Transmission & MPG Specs

There's a reason that Nissan calls the Maxima its four-door sports sedan - and that reason is under the hood. The 2018 Maxima 3.5-liter V6 engine kicks out 300 horsepower and 261 pound-feet of torque, so you can sail into fast-moving traffic in style. The engine is paired with a continuously variable transmission, making the most of what you spend at the pump by balancing sports-car-like power with an EPA rating of 21 city/30 highway mpg.

Five Star Safety

When you purchase a Maxima, you'll never lack for peace of mind. After it earned top scores in every single crash test, the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety named the Nissan Maxima one of its 2018 Top Safety Picks. And, in government crash tests, the Maxima came away with a perfect five-star rating for overall protection. Moreover, the Maxima offers a wealth of safety features designed to help you avoid the dangers of the road. All models come standard with forward collision mitigation, which can automatically hit the brakes when it senses an impending crash. A rearview camera is also standard equipment, so you can spot any skateboards left in your driveway or runaway grocery carts in parking lots and pull out of driveways and parking spaces with confidence. The classy Maxima SL model adds blind-spot monitoring, which helps you switch lanes on the highway without making any careless mistakes. In the Platinum, you get NissanConnect telematics services, which come in handy in a pinch. This technology includes features like on-demand roadside assistance and automatic collision notification.