Editor's Overview
The 2019 Nissan Maxima continues to march to its own beat, with a powerful standard V6, front drive and an exotic exterior design.
2019 Nissan Maxima Pricing
For Sale Near 20146
2019 Nissan Maxima KBB Expert Review
Nissan’s flagship 2019 Maxima gets a mild refresh this year, helping it stay competitive in a market where 4-door sedans are disappearing faster than the in-dash CD player. However, there are advantages to being one of the last men standing, and the Maxima certainly has a few perks you won’t find in the competition. Unlike the VW Passat or Kia Optima, the Maxima still offers standard V6 power, although it has a tough time competing with the Kia Stinger’s available twin-turbo V6 and rear-drive layout. A long list of standard and available equipment is another of the Maxima’s more attractive attributes, but if you’re looking for rear-seat legroom, a Dodge Charger or Ford Fusion might be a better play.
You'll Like This Car If...
The 2019 Nissan Maxima is an appealing performance sedan with a proven history, powerful V6 engine and lots of high-end features. The Maxima’s unique look, sporty ride and mid-$30K pricing also help.
You May Not Like This Car If...
There are faster and better-handling sedans with rear-wheel or all-wheel drive, a bigger back seat and a newer design. The Kia Stinger, Dodge Charger and Ford Fusion all come to mind. The new turbocharged Altima might also make a good substitute. Numerous driver-assist features standard on the competition are still optional on the Maxima.
What's New for 2019
For 2019, Nissan gives the Maxima revised exterior and interior styling and new wheel designs. Nissan’s Safety Shield 360 is now available and includes automatic emergency braking, high-beam assist and lane-departure warning. Other new features include standard Rear Door Alert, rear-seat side airbags, front-knee airbags and USB Type-C ports.
Driving It
Driving Impressions
While the “4-Door Sports Car” tagline may sound appealing, don’t mistake the 2019 Nissan Maxima for a bargain-basement BMW substitute. Instead, we like to think of the Maxima as a sporty entry-level luxury sedan that has more to offer than your run-of-the-mill Camry or Accord. Power from the Maxima’s 300-horsepower V6 is routed to the front wheels by means of a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT), not exactly the favorite formula of purists. Still, the Maxima’s CVT is one of the best in the industry, aided in its performance aspirations by a set of steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifters and its “D-Step” simulated gearshift logic. Torque steer does make itself known if you stomp the accelerator hard, but it’s a minimal event that rarely shows up once the Maxima is up to speed. The Maxima’s suspension delivers a comfortable ride and admirable cornering abilities, but the steering can feel vague at times, being somewhat numb in the feedback department.
Favorite Features
INTELLIGENT FORWARD-COLLISION WARNING (I-FCW)
Nissan’s Intelligent Forward Collision Warning has the ability to look two cars up, predicting if the car ahead of you is going to have to slam on the brakes when the car ahead of it does the same thing. Standard on every Maxima, the system speeds up reaction time for the automatic emergency braking.
REAR-DOOR ALERT
This clever idea can remind the driver to check for objects, pets or children left in the rear seat. The system monitors if the rear door was opened prior to starting the car. If, by the end of the trip, the rear door isn’t opened again, the Maxima will beep its horn as a warning to check the back seat.
Vehicle Details
Interior
The Maxima’s aging platform shows up most noticeably in its interior. Don’t get us wrong; the Maxima has a handsome cabin and a great set of sport seats, but the infotainment setup is a bit behind the competition, as is rear-seat passenger space. Soft-touch materials abound, and the new semi-aniline diamond-quilted leather seating is a nice touch. The analog gauges are complete, but again seem a bit old-fashioned when compared to Volkswagen’s digital cockpit display. At highway speeds the Maxima’s interior remains fairly hushed, allowing in just the right amount of engine growl and exhaust note when necessary.
Exterior
Nissan has packed a lot of styling into the Maxima sedan, enhanced this year by new jewel-like LED headlights flanking a deeper and more aggressive V-Motion grille. The rear end also gets a new styling treatment, with LED taillights and integrated quad-tip exhaust finishers. New 18- and 19-inch wheel designs round out the major changes. The 2019 Maxima’s silhouette remains the same, with lots of fluidic sculpting and bold character lines. The look is somewhat polarizing and not as sleek or sophisticated as the Kia Stinger, but more dynamic than the Volkswagen Passat.
Notable Standard Equipment
All 2019 Maxima sedans are the same under the hood, sporting a 3.5-liter V6 engine with 300 horsepower and a CVT automatic transmission. Also standard are LED headlight and taillight accents. Even base-model Maxima S sedans come with NissanConnect, an 8-inch touch-screen navigation and infotainment system with voice command, Google search, Bluetooth, Type A and Type C USB ports, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration. You also get an 8-way-power driver's seat, cruise control, push-button ignition and keyless entry with remote start, and a rearview camera. The color 7-inch information screen between the main gauges is standard on all models. Safety equipment includes Intelligent Driver Alertness, forward-collision warning and emergency braking.
Notable Optional Equipment
Nissan adds features through the 2019 Maxima's four higher trim levels, with only two option packages. With its leather upholstery, heated front seats, adaptive cruise control, rear cross-traffic alert, blind-spot warning and front and rear parking sensors, even a Maxima SV is a highly recommendable vehicle. The SL adds a dual-panel panoramic moonroof, Bose audio and a heated steering wheel, while the sporty SR loses the panoramic roof but gains a sport-tuned suspension, a more aggressive wheel-and-tire package plus more driver-assist systems. The Platinum trim includes most of the above listed equipment and can be ordered with the Reserve Package that adds heated rear seats, 19-inch wheels and Rakuda Tan semi-aniline leather seats.
Under the Hood
There's only one engine choice available for the Nissan Maxima, but it's a good one: a 300-horsepower, 3.5-liter V6 connected to an Xtronic CVT. It manages decent fuel economy, all while delivering smooth and quiet power to the front wheels. CVTs have come a long way, and Nissan's D-Step shift logic mimics the operation of a traditional automatic by letting the revs rise and fall when at full throttle. A Sport mode livens feel by adjusting throttle response, steering effort and transmission tuning. Given its 300 horsepower, we're impressed that the Maxima doesn't suffer from aggressive torque steer, a peculiar side-to-side wiggle felt in the steering wheel that's common in powerful front-wheel-drive cars. Note that premium unleaded is recommended for the Maxima.
3.5-liter V6
300 horsepower @ 6,400 rpm
261 lb-ft of torque @ 4,400 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 20/30 mpg
Pricing Notes
The 2019 Nissan Maxima sedan has a Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) starting just under $34,850 for a base S model. If you want leather seating and a more supportive driver's seat, spend the roughly $2,000 more for a Maxima SV. The rest of the lineup climbs into the high $30,000s, with the top-line Maxima Platinum starting just under $42,350. At these prices the Maxima starts higher than a Chevrolet Impala and Acura TLX, but the Nissan boasts more standard grunt. It nearly mimics the starting prices of the Toyota Avalon, and undercuts the V6-powered Kia Stinger by nearly $5,000. Before buying, check the KBB.com Fair Purchase Price to see what others in your area are paying for their Maxima. The Nissan Maxima's resale value is expected to fare pretty well, below that of the Kia Stinger GT, in line with the Toyota Avalon and above that of the Impala, Charger and Fusion.
Nissan Maxima Consumer Reviews
Pat
January 31, 2019
Maximas are one of the best cars on the road.
My favorite car ever was a 1999 Maxima. They have become even better with new innovations. The car is peppy, handles and breaks like a...
dramm
November 12, 2018
I understand the mileage
I understand the mileage has a lot to due with its overall value.
jim G
September 05, 2018
Best Sedan Ive Ever Owned!
This is by far the best 4 dr. sedan I have ever owned & I have owned over 15 in the last 25 years. The car rides so smoothly yet it has...
Great Car
August 03, 2018
Best Car
Best car to keep. Up to date technology, comfort, power, easy handling, spacious, great looks, luxury.
Fescobal
July 13, 2018
Great Vehicle super fun to drive
Fun to drive reliable never had any problem always a great vehicle love my Maxi.
Maxima Lover
June 25, 2018
8th Gen Maximas, best cars in its class.
The 8th generation Nissan Maxima is one of the best cars in its class. Ive owned 4 Maximas (2) 7 generations and (2)8 gens. I have the...
H2O_Girl
January 27, 2018
Amazing Car!
I love how this car handles and the front seats are so comfortable! The options are endless from the heated steering wheel to the...
Poppy
January 08, 2018
Affordable high-tech sports sedan
The 2018 Maxima Platinum is the perfect luxury sports sedan. It is comfortable, luxurious, and powerful. It is comfortable to ride and...
Frank
January 07, 2018
Amazing Car
Amazing Car, very smooth to drive, safe and stable
Oxpuke
November 07, 2017
Maxima, in its own class, sports luxury for less
Is it a family sedan, entry level luxury vehicle or a sports car! Yes to all of these. This car is really in a class of its own. Nothing...
2019 Nissan Maxima Photos and Videos
2019 Nissan Maxima Specs
Fuel Economy
Performance
Seating Capacity
Cargo/Interior Space
Basic Warranty
2019 Nissan Maxima Safety Ratings
Class Rankings
How does it compare?
RANK | VEHICLE | HP |
---|---|---|
#1 | 2019 Toyota Camry | 301 |
#2 | 2019 Chrysler 300 | 300 |
#3 | 2019 Dodge Charger | 300 |
#4 | 2019 Nissan Maxima | 300 |
#5 | 2019 Kia Cadenza | 290 |
RANK | VEHICLE | MPG |
---|---|---|
#1 | 2019 Chevrolet Volt | 106 |
#2 | 2019 Ford Fusion Energi | 97 |
#3 | 2019 Honda Accord Hybrid | 48 |
#4 | 2019 Ford Fusion | 42 |
#12 | 2019 Nissan Maxima | 24 |
RANK | VEHICLE | RATING |
---|---|---|
#1 | 2019 Kia Stinger | 5 / 5 |
#2 | 2019 Buick Regal Sportback | 5 / 5 |
#3 | 2019 Chrysler 300 | 4.8 / 5 |
#4 | 2019 Dodge Charger | 4.8 / 5 |
#5 | 2019 Nissan Maxima | 4.8 / 5 |