Used 2020 Nissan Maxima SL for sale 

For the year 2020, Nissan has segregated the Maxima into 6 well-defined trims which are S, SV, SL, SR, Platinum and Platinum Reserve. The S trim will cost you $34,250 while the maxed out Platinum reserve trim will set you back by $42,680. All trims of the 2020 Nissan Maxima are powered by a naturally aspirated 3.5L DOHC 24 valve V6 that churns out 300 horses @ 6,400rpm and has a maximum torque output of 261 lb/ft @ 4400rpm. This is the same engine that powered its predecessor. 

The 2020 Maxima is one of the few cars that come with a bunch of features, even in the base trim. The S trim will get you a large touchscreen with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, 18" machine-finished Alloy wheels, power-adjustable front seats, push-button ignition and all the features of the Nissan's driver assistance suite. As you move up the trim ladder, the list of features only gets more impressive. The Platinum Reserve trim gets Semi-Aniline leather upholstery, "Satin Bronze " faceted interior trim, Charcoal headliner, 19" Dark hyper silver aluminum-alloy wheels and heated rear seats which is not seen in most of its rivals.

Which trim do we recommend?

We suggest you opt for the SR trim which gets the Premium package as a standard for 2020. The SR trim is fine-tuned for a sporty driving experience which is only enhanced by the addition of the panoramic sunroof, a 360-degree camera system, rear automated emergency braking, a driver's seat with memory function, and auto-dimming exterior mirrors.

The tried and tested 3.5L naturally aspirated V6 that powered the 2018 and 2019 Maximas again makes its appearance for the year 2020. This engine is very capable and reliable and hence Nissan decided not to tinker with the unit. The V6 churns out 300 horses @ 6,400rpm and has a maximum torque output of 261 lb/ft @ 4,400rpm. The 2020 Maxima comes with a CVT which results in very smooth and composed driving experience.

However, since Nissan has marketed the Maxima as a "sport sedan", they should have included an option for a manual transmission system as well. While the CVT leaves no room for complaining in day to day driving conditions, you will feel a delay in the power delivery on the highway or when you want to show off your car. 

*2019 Model Year figures used for reference purposes

Toyota's naturally aspirated 3.5L V6 under the hood of the 2020 Avalon produces 301hp @ 6,600 rpm and 267 lb/ft of torque @ 4,700 rpm. While Toyota can boast about having a more powerful engine on paper, you will hardly feel any difference between the two in a real-world scenario. Both of these engines are extremely capable and hence have reappeared in the latest generations of their respective flagship sedans.

How fast is the acceleration?

The 2020 Nissan Maxima is one of the faster cars in the segment. The V6 enables this sedan to do a 0-60mph in just 5.7 seconds. As impressive as this figure is, we suspect that the Maxima could have done a better job if it had a manual transmission available. The 2020 Maxima can also finish a quarter-mile drag race in 14.3 seconds.

Therefore, overtaking cars in the city as well as on the highway should be a fairly easy and enjoyable task on the Maxima. 

Talking about the competition, the Chrysler 300 is the fastest accelerating car in the segment. It does 0-60mph in just 5.3 seconds and completes a quarter-mile in just 13.8 seconds. The Avalon, with a similar engine to that of the Maxima, reaches 60mph from a standstill in 6 seconds and completes a quarter-mile in 14.6 seconds.

How well does it stop?

The 2020 Nissan Maxima is equipped with vented disc brakes and ABS on all the wheels. This car also gets brake assist and Electronic Brake Force Distribution (EBD) as a standard. The 2020 Maxima does fairly well in the 60-0 mph braking test with a distance of 115 feet. The pedals are smooth and offer decent feedback

The brake bite is not the hardest to kick in the segment but does do its job well. 

The Chrysler had the shortest stopping distance in the pack at just 109 feet while the Avalon took 115 feet to come to a complete halt from 60 mph. 

How fun to drive is the Maxima?

The 2020 Maxima is one of the better handling sedans in the segment. The acoustic insulation along with the active noise cancellation on board the lastest Maxima makes for a very quiet ride. However, the available engine sound enhancement system with the SR trim re-tunes and delivers an enhanced engine growl into the cabin making it sound sportier than it is. 

The Maxima drives well in the Normal mode. The linear power delivery makes the handling fairly predictable. The Sport mode works like a minor shot of adrenalin. The instant power bump along with the louder throttle makes the Maxima a really fun car to drive. Considering its dimensions, this can handles sharp turns well. The optimally tuned suspension also does a good job in masking road imperfections and small speed bumps. The SR trim, however, gets a stiffer suspension and steering wheel and the car doesn't feel too comfortable during turns.

All the sportiness of the 2020 Maxima comes at the cost of its fuel economy. While it's not gas guzzler, the efficiency is lower than the 2020 Avalon who is one of Maxima's prime rivals. This sedan will get you a combined fuel economy of 26 MPG. While the daily commutes in the city will result in a fuel economy of 20 MPG, cruising through the highway will increase the fuel economy figure to 30 MPG. The tank capacity is 18 gallons which give a city range of 360 miles and highway range of 540 miles. 

The BMW 330i has the best-combined fuel economy figure of 30 MPG followed by the Avalon at 26 MPG. 

The 2020 Nissan Maxima offers a cabin that has a seating arrangement for 5 passengers. The thoughtfully designed and well-executed cabin is filled with soft-touch materials and a bunch of convenience features. The available "zero-gravity" seats, inspired by NASA's Space technology, does a really good job of keeping you fatigue-free during the extended time on the road. The front seat legroom is among the best in the class while the headroom is above average. The power adjusting options along with the available heating and lumbar support make for one of the most premium front seats in the segment. 

Talking about the rear seats, it's not as spacious as the front ones. The leg space may be a little constricted for some passengers and lags behind some of its rivals such as the Toyota Avalon. The quality of the seats are however top-notch and they are extremely comfortable and provides ample support.

What creature comforts do you get?

• Dual-zone auto climate control
• Remote engine start system
• Tilt/telescopic steering column
• Vehicle speed sensing and rain-sensing wipers
• Adjustable LED ambient lighting
• Rear window power sunshade 

What's there to keep you entertained?

The 8'' touchscreen is standard across all trims of the 2019 Nissan Maxima. Everything can be controlled with the touch of a finger and yet Nissan has bordered the screen with redundant physical buttons, to be honest. Talking about the quality of the screen, it is vivid and bright. The touch response is also quick and the UI makes it very easy to operate. 

Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are also present in all the trims. Hence, you'll not have to worry about connecting your smartphone with the car. The S and SV trims come with a standard 8 speaker system. All the higher trims are equipped with a Bose premium 11 speaker system which includes Bose center point 2 surround technology. 

How much cargo can the Maxima store?

The cargo space of the 2020 Nissan Maxima is one of the smallest in the segment with a capacity of 14.3 cubic feet. While it can easily accommodate your daily stuff, you can easily run out of space sooner than you realize. The rear seats are 60/40 split-folding, but they do not level to the floor. Therefore you may have difficulties in storing your camping gear or other similar things.

 The Bimmer again comes out on top with a cargo space of 17 cubic feet followed by the Chrysler and the Toyota with a trunk capacity of 16.3 and 16.1 cubic feet respectively. 

The Maxima received a facelift in 2019 which gave it a sportier look. The exterior shell of the 2020 Maxima is the same as its predecessor. The prominent snout continues to a V-shaped grille with the Nissan logo on in. The LED lights look like a dragon's side profile with the cuts. The chrome on the grille completes the sporty front fascia. 

The lower roofline accounts for a sleek side profile for the all-new Maxima. The rear complements the front. The sharp LED lights with the available spoiler justify Nissan's decision of calling this car a "sport sedan". 

Dimensionally, the Chrysler 300 is the largest in the segment. Avalon is slightly longer than the Maxima, however, the latter has a longer wheelbase than the former. The BMW 330i is the smallest car in the pack. 

What are the highlights of the design?

• DRL LED headlamps
• LED fog lamps
• Quad tipped exhaust finishers
• Sport Spoiler
• Dual power outside mirrors
• Auto-dimming drivers side outside mirrors
• Dual panel one-touch panoramic moonroof

Safety is one of the top priorities at Nissan. The engineers and the designers leave no stone unturned to ensure that all the cars are the safest they can be. Sturdy build quality along with an array of features that are equipped with all the Nissan cars ensure the safety of every passenger inside every Nissan cars running on the roads. 

SAFETY FEATURES

• Nissan advanced airbag system
• ABS
• Brake assist with Electronic Brake Force Distribution System
• Vehicle Dynamic Control and Traction Control System
• Zone Body Construction
• LATCH-compatible rear seats

Nissan Maxima vs Toyota Avalon

Both of these Japanese cars aim to revive the sedan market in the US. The Maxima and the Avalon are more familiar than you think. They are powered by similar engines and have excellent ride quality. However, if space is your priority, Avalon is the car for you. On the other hand, Maxima is the sportier car of the two. Therefore, it ultimately boils down to your choice and preferences as both of these cars are excellent in their rights.

Nissan Maxima vs Chrysler 300

The Maxima and the Chrysler 300 are two of the top choices in their segment. However, they are meant for two different subclasses of customers. If you are looking for a muscular sedan with unadulterated power and space, the all-American Chrysler 300 should be your choice. On the other hand, the Maxima caters to different set customers altogether. The Maxima is more of a family sedan with a hint of sportiness.

It's very hard not to recommend the 2020 Nissan Maxima to anyone who is looking for a family sedan. Yes, this car has got its share of drawbacks such as constricted rear legroom, small cargo space, and lower fuel economy than some of its competitors. But its pros overshadow the cons. The sportier design of the Maxima is unlike any other car in the segment. The V6 churns out enough horses and along with the finely tuned suspension, the drive quality and the handling of this car are probably the best in the segment. The interior is luxurious and easily give the entry-level German cars a run for their money.