The Nissan Maxima was first introduced in 1981 and now, four decades later, we have a special limited 40th Anniversary Edition. The Maxima is well-known for its performance and driving excitement, having won various awards over the years, including the 1995 MotorTrend Import Car of the Year award and being featured on Car and Driver’s 10 Best list for its performance, sportiness, and luxury levels.
The 2021 Maxima is offered in three well-equipped models: Maxima SV, SR, and Platinum. I recently had the opportunity to test drive the Platinum 40th Anniversary Edition. More details on this experience will be shared for both existing and new Maxima enthusiasts.
Exterior
The 40th Anniversary Edition of the Nissan Maxima pays homage to the vehicle’s legacy with a unique two-toned Nuance grey/black exterior and celebratory ruby red 40th-anniversary color interior on the Platinum Reserve trim level. The exclusive features of the 40th Anniversary Edition include black trim, badges, exhaust tips, and 19-inch gloss black aluminum-alloy wheels that add a finishing touch to this meticulously crafted vehicle.
Interior
The 2021 Nissan Maxima offers a range of interior trim options. The 40th Anniversary Edition boasts stylish red semi-aniline, leather-appointed seating with 40th Anniversary embossing. The interior features red contrast stitching, satin dark chrome interior faceted finishers, and white speedometer and tachometer faces reminiscent of older Maxima models. The interior is spacious, functional, and comfortable, catering to both aesthetics and practicality with heated rear seats for added comfort.
Engine/ Powertrain
The 2021 Maxima comes in three models: Maxima SV, SR, and Platinum, all equipped with a 300-horsepower 3.5-liter VQ-series V6 engine paired with a performance-oriented Xtronic transmission, delivering power and smooth acceleration.
Driving Experience
The 2021 Nissan Maxima, along with its predecessors, offers sports sedan performance, with exceptional handling, ride quality, and overall driving experience. It is both fun and comfortable to drive, appealing to a wide range of drivers and standing out as a great all-around vehicle.
Safety
The Maxima lineup features Nissan Safety Shield 360 as standard, including Automatic Emergency Braking with Pedestrian Detection, Blind Spot Warning, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, Lane Departure Warning, High Beam Assist, and Rear Automatic Braking. Additional safety features available on the Maxima include Traffic Sign Recognition, Intelligent Lane Intervention, and Intelligent Around View Monitor. Intelligent Cruise Control and Intelligent Driver Alertness technology come standard across all grade levels.
Conclusion
The 2021 Nissan Maxima upholds its reputation in its 40th year of production. This elegantly designed sports sedan offers an exceptional driving experience and great value for its price point. The SV version starts at an MSRP of $36,990, while the Platinum version, as tested, is priced at an MSRP of $45,850.
For more information on the Nissan Maxima, visit the official Nissan USA page here.
