2020 Nissan Maxima Review
Price Range: $12,988 - $27,998





+38
Average
7.4
out of 10
edmunds TESTED
The 2020 Maxima offers an appealing bridge to luxury sedans with sporty handling, above-average performance and a classy interior. Yet despite its ample mass, this midsize sedan doesn't offer a lot of space for either passengers or things. Many rivals also deliver better tech and more features for less money.
2020 Nissan Maxima Review
by the Edmunds Experts
What's new
- Safety Shield 360 package is now standard
- Ride and handling updates for all trims
- Midlevel SR trim gets a panoramic sunroof and a 360-degree camera
- Part of the eighth Maxima generation introduced for 2016
Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2020 Nissan Maxima 3.5 S 4dr Sedan (3.5L 6cyl CVT) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.67 per gallon for premium unleaded in Nebraska.
Monthly estimates based on costs in Nebraska
$187/mo for Maxima 3.5 S
Maxima 3.5 S
vs
$150/mo
Avg. Midsize Car
See Edmunds pricing data
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Reliability Ratings by RepairPal
4 out of 5 stars4/5Above Average
#8 out of 13 among Fullsize Cars
RepairPal Reliability Ratings are based on the actual cost, frequency, and severity of unscheduled repairs and maintenance on make/model data for select 2008-2022 vehicles. The reliability of a specific vehicle may vary depending on its maintenance and driving history, model year, trim, and features.
Cost
The average total annual cost for unscheduled repairs and maintenance across all model years of the Nissan Maxima from 2008-2022.$465/yr
vs. $474/yr
for Average Fullsize Car
for Average Fullsize Car
Frequency
The average number of times this model is brought into the shop for unscheduled repairs and maintenance in a single year. RepairPal calculates this metric by tracking millions of unique vehicles over multiple years to determine an average number of visits per year (omitting small routine visits, e.g., oil changes).1.05x/yr
vs. 0.97x/yr
for Average Fullsize Car
for Average Fullsize Car
Severity
The probability that a repair will be a major issue, meaning the repair costs 3x the average annual repair cost for all models. This threshold will be higher for vehicles that have higher labor rates and parts costs (such as a premium brand).13.6%
vs. 13.4%
for Average Fullsize Car
for Average Fullsize Car
powered by RepairPal Based on RepairPal reliability data as of 8/23/2023. Ratings are provided by RepairPal and Edmunds is not responsible for their accuracy.
Nissan Maxima Reviews
Owner Reviews
5(73%)
4(14%)
3(2%)
2(2%)
1(9%)
Most Helpful Owner Reviews
Trending topics
An Elegant, Sporty Sedan that Packs a Punch!
5 out of 5 starsPaul H, 12/29/2020
2020 Nissan Maxima 3.5 SL 4dr Sedan (3.5L 6cyl CVT)
I could not be happier with my 2020 Nissan Maxima SL sedan. Like the title states, it's elegant, sporty, comfortable, and possesses absolutely effortless power. I looked at upper trim levels of several popular vehicles, but I kept coming back to the Maxima. To me it had the best combination of attributes, with very few cons. Honda Accord and Toyota Camry are nice, but they are more … for guys looking for a family sedan... yawn. The Avalon was nice, but the styling is boring (same as the Kia Cadenza), and although it has the same engine rating of 300 HP, the Maxima just seems quite a bit more powerful, especially in sports mode. The Maxima is flat out fun to drive and it turns a lot of heads to boot, with it's aggressive styling and bold lines. I read many reviews and the critics have never been impressed with the CVT Xtronic transmission, and for good reason. But the latest generation Maxima's have been using the D-Step logic Xtronic CVT's which have proven to be very reliable. I owned a 2014 Nissan Altima and while I never had problems with the CVT (traded it in at 152,000 miles), it did shift kind of odd. Not the 2020 Maxima, you would swear you are driving a very smooth shifting conventional automatic. Plus, although it's classified as a full size sedan, it's actually better described as a midsize sedan on steroids. What I love about it too, it's not your run of the mill sedan. Be prepared to get a lot of compliments. If you are looking for purely a "Dad's" family car to tote around the kids and the dog, you probably should look elsewhere. But if are looking for a classy, entry level luxury sedan, with sporty good looks and awesome acceleration, and is a sheer delight to drive, even to work, look no further then this gem. While it's not a sports car per se, and it's not a pure luxury car, Nissan did a damn good job of giving you a big taste of both. I'm betting you will love it 100%, I sure do!
Our second Maxima
5 out of 5 starsTim Judd, 07/11/2018
2018 Nissan Maxima Platinum 4dr Sedan (3.5L 6cyl CVT)
We look be the new Maxima. We had a 2012 and absolutely loved it. Very stylish cars, sporty and reliable. Drives like a sports car - love the power of these cars. A great vehicle to own!
Better MPG than expected!
5 out of 5 starsCody, 10/25/2020
2020 Nissan Maxima 3.5 SV 4dr Sedan (3.5L 6cyl CVT)
I traded in a 2009 GMC Sierra that was rusting apart, I looked around for several months before purchasing. I was initially looking at the new camry and altimas that offered AWD, but when I test drove the maxima I knew immediately I would be purchasing it.
Black on black SV trim 32,000 miles so far!
I average 27.5-28 mpg in remote eastern ky, which Is amazing for a V6 with all the … rolling hills/foothills of the Appalachian mountains.
The maxima rides very smooth. The seats are probably some of the most comfortable seats I’ve set in.
One thing I was worried about going back into a car after driving a truck was that feeling of being on the ground and getting behind trucks and suvs and having trouble seeing around them. When driving the maxima I do not have that feeling of being on the ground, and I can see around other vehicles easily!
CONS
Minor Drawbacks/room for improvement:
1) I wish the headlights were set an inch or two higher
2) No memory seats (at least not in the SV trim)
PROS:
1) sporty sedan that you won’t see every 3 seconds
2) Get up and go!!
3) huge trunk!
4) looks, comfort, and style for days
Would definitely purchase again!
Undercover Luxury Vehicle
5 out of 5 starsLEO, 09/15/2018
2018 Nissan Maxima Platinum 4dr Sedan (3.5L 6cyl CVT)
I owned an infiniti G37 before falling in love with my blue platinum Maxima. I was looking to trade in for a Q50 but the luxurious and well appointed interior, the exciting exterior design and the almost uniqueness of the model (there are not too many out there) made me purchase a great vehicle for almost $15K less than a similarly equipped Infiniti. The Mileage is great, also the … premium gas is recommended, not required as in Luxury brands. The only downfall is the service experience. You will not get the same level of service as on a luxury brand but so far I had not any issues requiring service visits , just the first regular maintenance which you can perform anywhere. SO far after 8 months it is the best vehicle I have ever owned. I would recommend it
We have a limited number of reviews for the 2020 Nissan Maxima, so we've included reviews for other years of the Maxima since its last redesign.
2020 Maxima Highlights
3.5 S
Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee | $34,450 |
---|---|
Engine Type | Gas |
Combined MPG | 24 MPG |
Cost to Drive | $187/month |
Seating | 5 seats |
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place | 14.3 cu.ft. |
Drivetrain | front wheel drive |
Warranty | 3 years / 36,000 miles |
Safety
Our experts like the Maxima models:
- Intelligent Forward Collision Warning
- Warns the driver if a front collision is imminent.
- Automatic Emergency Braking
- Works with the Intelligent Forward Collision Warning system. Automatically applies the brakes to lessen the impact of a front collision.
- Intelligent Around-View Monitor
- Provides a 360-degree, top-down view of the Maxima to help when parking.
NHTSA Overall Rating
5 out of 5 starsThe National Highway Transportation Safety Administration offers independent analysis.
- Frontal Barrier Crash RatingOverall5 / 5Driver5 / 5Passenger5 / 5
- Side Crash RatingOverall5 / 5
- Side Barrier RatingOverall5 / 5Driver5 / 5Passenger5 / 5
- Combined Side Barrier & Pole RatingsFront Seat4 / 5Back Seat5 / 5
- RolloverRollover5 / 5Dynamic Test ResultNo TipRisk Of Rollover9.5%
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