The Grown Up Altima? 2020 Nissan Maxima Review
video description
Date: 2020-06-05
Related videos
Comments and reviews: 10
Noah
Definitely agree with a lot of your statements. I've driven the Avalon and Maxima in my company fleet. I still think I prefer the Maxima. Every time I take one home, people always look and notice it on the road in the midst of all the Chevy Equinox's and other boring crossovers. I like the coziness of the interior, I wish the infotainment display had better resolution, and even though it is fast and enjoy putting my foot down, the CVT after a while just kinda makes it a little boring. Shifting to the 2nd simulated gear than putting your foot down though really lets you feel the acceleration power of it and it is good. I've not driven a top trim Avalon Touring, only the XLE and I'm not a fan of the gear spacing in the 8 speed. Second gear takes a huge dip in RPM and really slows acceleration after that. I hope they do not discontinue the Maxima though. If they just gave it a traditional automatic, AWD, a better res and faster infotainment screen, and a bit more room in the back and trunk, I think that would do wonders for the sales.
reply
Definitely agree with a lot of your statements. I've driven the Avalon and Maxima in my company fleet. I still think I prefer the Maxima. Every time I take one home, people always look and notice it on the road in the midst of all the Chevy Equinox's and other boring crossovers. I like the coziness of the interior, I wish the infotainment display had better resolution, and even though it is fast and enjoy putting my foot down, the CVT after a while just kinda makes it a little boring. Shifting to the 2nd simulated gear than putting your foot down though really lets you feel the acceleration power of it and it is good. I've not driven a top trim Avalon Touring, only the XLE and I'm not a fan of the gear spacing in the 8 speed. Second gear takes a huge dip in RPM and really slows acceleration after that. I hope they do not discontinue the Maxima though. If they just gave it a traditional automatic, AWD, a better res and faster infotainment screen, and a bit more room in the back and trunk, I think that would do wonders for the sales.
reply
FamousWithoutBrad
Hey Alex, I'd love to get your opinion on the Maxima as a used car. I bought a 2017 Maxima SL new back in 2016, and I think it's been a great overall car, and a huge addition with apple car play if you have an iPhone. There was no Android Auto on the 2017 Max.
I have 67, 000 miles, and i honestly love this car and I absolutely recommend it as a used car purchase. It's a great overall car, amazing gas mileage (I get on average 26mpg, and the highest I've had is 33 for highway) for a v6.
I'm not lying to myself and saying its a true sports car, but its a great car overall and would recommend to anyone on the used market.
However, everyone bashes the CVT and I honestly think most people have an opinion without ever having the opportunity to drive this car. Would you recommend this car used? Also what's your opinions about the CVT overall reliability on the Maxima? I've never had issues with mine, and I believe the CVT in the Maxima is different than the one in the older rogue/sentras
reply
Hey Alex, I'd love to get your opinion on the Maxima as a used car. I bought a 2017 Maxima SL new back in 2016, and I think it's been a great overall car, and a huge addition with apple car play if you have an iPhone. There was no Android Auto on the 2017 Max.
I have 67, 000 miles, and i honestly love this car and I absolutely recommend it as a used car purchase. It's a great overall car, amazing gas mileage (I get on average 26mpg, and the highest I've had is 33 for highway) for a v6.
I'm not lying to myself and saying its a true sports car, but its a great car overall and would recommend to anyone on the used market.
However, everyone bashes the CVT and I honestly think most people have an opinion without ever having the opportunity to drive this car. Would you recommend this car used? Also what's your opinions about the CVT overall reliability on the Maxima? I've never had issues with mine, and I believe the CVT in the Maxima is different than the one in the older rogue/sentras
reply
Mark
Plastic fake metal trim, piano black inserts, monotone gray color scheme; the entire interior looks cheap, and a bit like something that Ford would do. And that drive train combo? IMHO, a good engine is a waste of both money and horsepower whenever it's mated to a CVT. I'm surprised that they're able to sell them in significant numbers, but there is obviously a market for these heaps.
Personally, if I were looking to purchase something similar in size at the 40, 000 mark, and was willing to consider a vehicle with a CVT, I would definitely go for the Subaru Outback XT in the upper end trim. It's just as quick, has far more utility and cargo space, a much more attractive interior, and along with being off road capable, it also has better fuel economy. For me, there is no comparison.
reply
Plastic fake metal trim, piano black inserts, monotone gray color scheme; the entire interior looks cheap, and a bit like something that Ford would do. And that drive train combo? IMHO, a good engine is a waste of both money and horsepower whenever it's mated to a CVT. I'm surprised that they're able to sell them in significant numbers, but there is obviously a market for these heaps.
Personally, if I were looking to purchase something similar in size at the 40, 000 mark, and was willing to consider a vehicle with a CVT, I would definitely go for the Subaru Outback XT in the upper end trim. It's just as quick, has far more utility and cargo space, a much more attractive interior, and along with being off road capable, it also has better fuel economy. For me, there is no comparison.
reply
HellKitty
Nissan has had an identity crisis between the Altima and Maxima since 2009. The Altima has always been within 5% of the size of the Maxima and offered most of its features. The only major difference this time is the Altima went with a turbo 4 vs continuing with the ubiquitous VQ. Nissan should have developed the Maxima into a niche vehicle similar to the Stinger w/ RWD but not really a luxury car(to protect the Q50, but more of a true Charger competitor. The Altima is a really good car which really makes the current Maxima obsolete.
reply
Nissan has had an identity crisis between the Altima and Maxima since 2009. The Altima has always been within 5% of the size of the Maxima and offered most of its features. The only major difference this time is the Altima went with a turbo 4 vs continuing with the ubiquitous VQ. Nissan should have developed the Maxima into a niche vehicle similar to the Stinger w/ RWD but not really a luxury car(to protect the Q50, but more of a true Charger competitor. The Altima is a really good car which really makes the current Maxima obsolete.
reply
Tyrel
I have a glowing yellow sonata and my favorite part about this maxima is the color. Way too many black, white and silver cars. Its bland but people do it to blend in and for resale. I like a splash of color it catches your eyes and makes you go damn thats pretty especially in the sunlight or say night time. or fog helps you see them more and we fant forget about parking lots its easy to find. Also i use to have a 2016 impala with the v6 rated at 305 hp and the main reason I bought that was it used regular gas instead of premium
reply
I have a glowing yellow sonata and my favorite part about this maxima is the color. Way too many black, white and silver cars. Its bland but people do it to blend in and for resale. I like a splash of color it catches your eyes and makes you go damn thats pretty especially in the sunlight or say night time. or fog helps you see them more and we fant forget about parking lots its easy to find. Also i use to have a 2016 impala with the v6 rated at 305 hp and the main reason I bought that was it used regular gas instead of premium
reply
Shared
One can always argue safety equipment is more important but I disagree with your statement that reverse auto braking is more important than adaptive cruise control. First off you can get cars for massively less than the Maxima that have adaptive cruise as standard in multiple trims so what s Nissan s justification for being last in class? Second if you live anywhere with traffic you know what a huge plus adaptive cruise is. It s literally something many use every day.
reply
One can always argue safety equipment is more important but I disagree with your statement that reverse auto braking is more important than adaptive cruise control. First off you can get cars for massively less than the Maxima that have adaptive cruise as standard in multiple trims so what s Nissan s justification for being last in class? Second if you live anywhere with traffic you know what a huge plus adaptive cruise is. It s literally something many use every day.
reply
Swadaeel
Great review!
I disagree with your CVT complaint. I know you're not a big fan, but there's nothing worse than an automatic car that has a delay when using the paddles. The CVT has an instant response, similar to a DCT without the crispness. Take an Accord or an Acura. Using those paddles are awful! There's a noticable delay. So until those transmissions start shifting manually like they have a purpose, I'd rather have the CVT than a conventional auto.
reply
Great review!
I disagree with your CVT complaint. I know you're not a big fan, but there's nothing worse than an automatic car that has a delay when using the paddles. The CVT has an instant response, similar to a DCT without the crispness. Take an Accord or an Acura. Using those paddles are awful! There's a noticable delay. So until those transmissions start shifting manually like they have a purpose, I'd rather have the CVT than a conventional auto.
reply
Alan
Alex nailed it. The mid size sedans are so competitive they have to get the best features and benefit from much higher volumes, so the larger sedans have little incremental benefit. Worse, people who want truly big get an SUV. Charger & 300 have a sales advantage because there is no obvious FCA mid size sedan to compete with them. Acura, Cadillac, Buick and Ford have all downsized their largest sedans and there may be more that follow.
reply
Alex nailed it. The mid size sedans are so competitive they have to get the best features and benefit from much higher volumes, so the larger sedans have little incremental benefit. Worse, people who want truly big get an SUV. Charger & 300 have a sales advantage because there is no obvious FCA mid size sedan to compete with them. Acura, Cadillac, Buick and Ford have all downsized their largest sedans and there may be more that follow.
reply
martin
Best engine soundtrack, best steering wheel, best seats, best looking sedan, best colors combo. but I wonder how they ll get out of bankruptcy without questioning their transmissions. Even if the jatco trany are more reliable than before, I believe that the stigma of nissan on this subject is irrevocable: they should offer reliable dct. if it happens or simply conventional automatic even to the detriment of fuel economy.
reply
Best engine soundtrack, best steering wheel, best seats, best looking sedan, best colors combo. but I wonder how they ll get out of bankruptcy without questioning their transmissions. Even if the jatco trany are more reliable than before, I believe that the stigma of nissan on this subject is irrevocable: they should offer reliable dct. if it happens or simply conventional automatic even to the detriment of fuel economy.
reply
dredawg679
Damn I wish Nissan could get their stuff together especially when it comes to reliability and they use CVTs but gas mileage is so good with the 8, 9 and 10 speeds it's time the drop them it's a great looking and sounding car lost behind a Nissan badge and Nissan lack of direction such a same. Alex keep up the great work man and I pray you and your family are safe in these crazy times
reply
Damn I wish Nissan could get their stuff together especially when it comes to reliability and they use CVTs but gas mileage is so good with the 8, 9 and 10 speeds it's time the drop them it's a great looking and sounding car lost behind a Nissan badge and Nissan lack of direction such a same. Alex keep up the great work man and I pray you and your family are safe in these crazy times
reply
Add a review, comment
Other channel videos
