2020 NISSAN MAXIMA | 1N4AA6FV5LC374877

Body Styles

The Maxima is a four-door full-size sedan with a low-slung, coupe-like profile and muscular stance. Its "floating roof" design—achieved through blacked-out C-pillars—adds visual lightness and motion to the silhouette. The front fascia is aggressive, with a V-Motion grille, boomerang-style LED headlights, and deeply sculpted bodywork. Its proportions emphasize a long hood, high beltline, and short rear deck, giving the Maxima a commanding presence. Measuring nearly 4.9 meters in length with a wide track, the car blends executive-sedan dimensions with bold, sport-inspired detailing.

Model Name Meaning (Manufacturer)

The name “Maxima” originated in the early 1980s as a trim level of the Datsun 810, symbolizing a step above the standard lineup. Over time, it became its own nameplate, representing Nissan’s flagship sedan in North America—where it came to stand for maximum luxury, maximum performance, and maximum value in a non-premium package.

Model Name Meaning (Languages)

“Maxima” derives from Latin, meaning “the greatest” or “the highest.” Its phonetic simplicity and Latin root give it a strong, confident, and global presence, suggesting prestige and completeness without needing translation. The name aligns well with the vehicle’s role as the top-tier offering among Nissan’s sedans.

Body & Interior Colors and Rims

The Maxima was available in a range of bold and mature colors, reflecting its dual personality as both a luxury sedan and a performance-oriented four-door. Deep hues like Super Black, Gun Metallic, and Pearl White were complemented by Sunset Drift Chromaflair—a rich, copper-orange tone that shifted under changing light. Scarlet Ember and Carnelian Red added vibrant contrast, while Deep Blue Pearl and Brilliant Silver offered understated elegance. Each color was designed to enhance the dramatic body sculpting and floating roof design.

Inside, the Maxima featured one of the most luxurious cabins in its segment, with Zero Gravity seats wrapped in premium Ascot leather or quilted semi-aniline hides in upper trims. Color schemes included Charcoal, Cashmere, and Rakuda Tan, often paired with contrast piping and diamond-pattern stitching. The Platinum and SR trims introduced satin-finish matte wood, brushed aluminum, or Dark Chrome faceted trim inserts. Ambient lighting, stitched dashboards, and the driver-focused “cockpit” layout created a sense of occasion, with tactile materials and ergonomic placement of controls enhancing the overall quality impression.

Wheel options ranged from standard 18-inch machined-face alloys to aggressive 19-inch gloss black aluminum wheels in SR trims. Designs varied from turbine-inspired blades to five-spoke split Y-patterns, with dark finishes used to emphasize the Maxima’s sporty intentions. Each set was calibrated for aesthetic cohesion with the model’s bold design and tuned for a balance between style and comfort.

Top Expensive Options

• Premium Ascot Leather with Diamond Quilting: $1,500
• Dual-Panel Panoramic Moonroof: $1,200
• NissanConnect with 11-Speaker Bose Audio: $1,100
• Intelligent Around View Monitor with Moving Object Detection: $900
• Heated and Ventilated Front Seats with Power Memory: $1,000
• LED Fog Lights and Premium Exterior Package: $800
• 19-inch Gloss Black Aluminum-Alloy Wheels: $1,000
• Rear Window Power Sunshade: $700
• Intelligent Driver Alertness & Traffic Sign Recognition: $600
• Premium Interior Ambient Lighting Pack: $500

vs Competitors

In a segment dominated by comfort-focused sedans like the Toyota Avalon, Chrysler 300, and Kia Cadenza, the Maxima distinguished itself with more dynamic styling, firmer suspension tuning, and a genuinely sporty V6 engine. Against the Avalon, the Maxima offered more engaging handling and sharper aesthetics. Compared to the 300, it lacked rear-wheel drive and V8 power, but responded with superior efficiency, a tighter chassis, and a more modern cabin. In contrast to newer crossovers that have replaced many full-size sedans, the Maxima remained true to its roots—a car designed for spirited drivers who still value the sedan format. It may not match German luxury sedans in brand cachet, but it delivers comparable tech, comfort, and design flair at a significantly lower price.

Fun Fact

The Maxima's 3.5-liter VQ35DE V6 engine—one of the most long-lived and acclaimed in the industry—earned a spot on Ward’s 10 Best Engines list multiple times over two decades. This same engine architecture powered everything from Infiniti sport sedans to Nissan’s 370Z, giving the Maxima a genuine performance pedigree disguised in a luxury-sedan shell.