Used 2018 Nissan Maxima SL for sale 

The 2018 Nissan Maxima has the same powertrain throughout the range – a 3.5L V6 mated to a CVT delivering power to front wheels. Also, no optional package is available. While the base Maxima S ($33,270) gets plenty of equipment as standard, it has a fabric interior that looks out of place in a full-size sedan. Upgrading to Maxima SV gets you leather-clad interiors, heated front seats, and more. While the panoramic moonroof and 11-speaker Bose audio system are available from Maxima SL ($37,690) onwards, the Maxima SR gets sportier with a sports-tuned suspension and 19-inch wheels.

The SR Midnight Edition ($39,725) adds black wheels and black spoilers as well as plenty of other sportier bits thrown everywhere. The top-of-line Maxima Platinum ($40,940) gets heated and cooled seats with Premium leather and wood trim in the interior.

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Even the base Maxima S has enough equipment to satisfy you. But, we recommend upgrading to the Maxima SL that gets the panoramic moonroof and the gorgeous sounding 11-Speaker Bose Premium Audio System along with safety features like blind-spot warning and Adaptive Cruise Control. Considering that the powertrain remains the same throughout the trim levels, the performance remains almost similar too. 

The 2018 Nissan Maxima gets a Naturally Aspirated 3.5 L engine delivering a forceful 300 horsepower. That power is exclusively routed to the front wheels through a CVT simulating a 7-speed automatic. Although the CVT is impressive as far as CVTs go, it allows the engine to rev to maximum when the gas pedal is mashed to the metal producing an irritating rubber-band effect. However, the CVT works flawlessly under moderate to less than full throttle conditions affording you generous and effortless acceleration. 

The strong engine can easily spin front wheels in a standing start but once at speed, things are well sorted. All these pretty much drive the point home - it's closer to a 4-door grand tourer than a 4-door sports car. The suspension takes care of bumps at low city speed or at highway speed with ease and body roll is far better controlled than the rivals. That said, rivals are more softly sprung and will impress you more if you prioritize rear seat comfort over dynamics. However, the steering is on the numb side and that dampens the experience. There is a Sport mode that weighs up the steering wheel considerably but it does little to change the amount of feedback that the steering offers.

The throaty V6 scoots this full-size barge to 60 mph in 5.8 seconds (fastest among the competition) and an addictive but refined scream will accompany you while your head is pushed deep in the thick diamond-quilted leather seats. The sensible and reliable Toyota Avalon is also a boring choice taking 7.4 seconds for 0-60 mph run while the Impala is faster taking 6.3 seconds to sprint to 60 mph from rest followed closely by the Dodge Charger. The Maxima's 4-door sport sedan tag is justified when considering straight-line acceleration.

The Nissan Maxima offers segment-leading performance and manages to deliver decent fuel economy too - 21 mpg in the city and 30 mpg on the highway for a combined EPA rating of 25 mpg. These figures are exactly the same as the Toyota Avalon. However, the Impala is more efficient. That said, if you want ultimate efficiency in a full-size sedan, get the Avalon Hybrid. The Maxima also delivers a pretty good range of overall 450miles with its fairly big 18-gallon fuel tank and good efficiency.

The Nissan Maxima has the second-largest fuel capacity of 18.0 gallons, which is slightly behind the Chevrolet Impala that has a tank of 18.5 gallons. The Toyota has a fuel capacity of 17 gallons and the Dodge Charger has the lowest capacity of 15 gallons.

As with everything else, the interior of the 2018 Nissan Maxima exudes luxury topped with sportiness. The athletic flat-bottom steering wheel is standard. Even in midrange SL trim, it's draped in premium Ascot leather complete with fine double stitching. The 8-inch touchscreen is tilted towards the driver to highlight that this is a car meant to be driven. While lower trim has metallic accents, the Maxima Limited gets mahogany wood accents. 

The 8-way power driver seats with memory system and manual thigh support extension ensure everyone can find a perfect driving position for relaxed highway cruising or apex hunting. The heated steering wheel and leather-clad gear knob ensure this cabin a feel-good factor.

However, the rear seats in the Nissan Maxima are not as roomy as the competitor and even some midsize sedans are better - further reinforcing that it's made for the driver. The available power moonroof makes the rear seats feel considerably airier though. The Nissan Maxima trunk offers 14.3 cubic feet of luggage capacity - least among the competition. The Avalon and the Dodge Charger provide 16 cubic feet of luggage capacity while the Impala's trunk is cavernous at 18.8 cubic feet. Here is a list of the interior features that are available with the 2018 Nissan Maxima:

• 8-way power driver seats
• Driver memory seats
• Heated steering wheel
• Ambient interior lighting
• Leather upholstery

2018 Nissan Maxima Infotainment System

The big news for the 2018 Nissan Maxima is the added functionality of Android Auto as standard (Apple CarPlay was available as standard already) in its 8-inch touch screen infotainment screen. Although lower trims get an average 8-speaker audio system, the excellent 11 speaker Bose premium audio system is available from the midrange Maxima SL onwards.

Bluetooth streaming is standard across the range as is the SiriusXM Satellite Radio with Traffic and Travel Link, which allows you to get up-to-date and live information on traffic reports and updates as you drive. Here is a list of the infotainment features that are available with the 2018 Nissan Maxima:

• 8-inch Touch Screen Infotainment System
• SiriusXM Satellite Radio
• Traffic and Travel Link
• 8-speaker Audio System standard in lower trims
• Higher trims feature an 11 Speaker Bose Premium Audio System
• Apple CarPlay and Android Auto Integration
• Bluetooth Connectivity

Nissan has positioned the Maxima as a 4-Door Sports Car above the sedate Nissan Altima. Hence, Nissan has thrown all the lines, curves, and styling elements in the Maxima. The Nissan V-motion design philosophy starts with a V-shaped chrome garnish on the grille flanked with purposeful looking. 

The bonnet is tightly sculpted with sharp crease lines and a really substantial bulge in the middle to hint at the hidden power. Maxima's side profile is dominated by a sinuous line running through the center of the door panel. The rear end gets a coupe-like sloping roof with a small trunk lid. Wraparound taillights complete the rear profile,

The Nissan Maxima is light for a Full-Size Sedan at 3478 pounds. At 192.8 inches, it's also the smallest. The low 56.5-inch height and 5.3 inches of ground clearance give it a sporty stance. However, the low 109.3 inches of wheelbase also hints at its comparatively cramped rear seats. Here is a list of exterior features that are available with the 2018 Nissan Maxima:

• 18/19-inch wheels
• LED daytime running lights
• Foglights
• Remote engine start
• Front and rear parking sensors
• Heated mirrors
• Automatic wipers
• Auto-dimming driver-side mirror

The new 2018 Nissan Maxima is loaded with advanced driver assistance systems and active safety features as standard. Advanced chassis construction with the use of high-strength steel to ensure a strong passenger cell and crumple zones for dissipating crash energy ensure high crashworthiness too. Set of airbags in the Maxima include Nissan Advanced Air Bag System with supplemental front airbags, Roof-mounted curtain supplemental airbags with rollover sensor for side-impact, and rollover head protection for front and rear-seat outboard occupants. 

There is also ABS with EBD and Traction Control as standard to ensure the safety of the occupants. NHTSA gave the Maxima an Overall Rating of 5 stars and IIHS rated it Good in many categories, further ensuring that the 2018 Nissan Maxima is a really safe car. The standard safety features include -

• Energy-absorbing steering column
• Zone Body construction with front and rear crumple zones
• LATCH system (Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children)
• Driver and front passenger seat-mounted side-impact supplemental airbags.
• Automatic Emergency Braking
• Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) with Traction Control System (TCS)
• 3-point ALR/ELR passenger seat belt system (ELR for the driver)
• Vehicle Security System
• Intelligent Forward Collision Warning
• Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) 

Nissan Maxima vs Toyota Avalon

The Toyota Avalon, in essence, is the luxurious full-size sedan rendition of everything Toyota is known for – reliability, hassle-free ownership, great resale value, fuel efficiency, and an overall easy to live with characteristics.

It’s the bigger brother of Camry so the rear seat comfort is top class. However, most Toyotas are also boring and Avalon is no different. Looking for fun? Get the Maxima.

Nissan Maxima vs Chevrolet Impala

The iconic Chevrolet Impala is now distinctively styled in its tenth generation. Its base price ($27,895) is considerably cheaper than the Nissan Maxima but it lacks power too.

However, the Impala makes more sense if rear-seat comfort is your priority. But, if you want fun, the Maxima is the answer.

Nissan Maxima vs Dodge Charger

The Dodge Charger has an air of muscle car menace and Fast and Furious charm around it. While the lower trims are cheaper and less powerful, the $34k Charger R/T with bonnet bulging 370 hp HEMI V8 will quench your lust for a muscle car.

Although it lags behind the Maxima in terms of interior quality, it’s comfortable and roomy inside. The Charger has that muscle car look that attracts quite a few buyers. If you are one of those, the Charger is a great deal. 

Nissan continues to promote the Maxima as a 4-Door Sports car that's a bargain among the German sports sedans. Although the engine and suspension are genuinely sporty, the CVT and the steering feel dampens the overall experience. However, when you treat it as a fast luxury sedan, it genuinely impresses. The interior uses top-drawer materials and feels it belongs to a more upscale car. The handling is tight and acceleration is effortless making it an overall good choice to have in the segment.