2020 Nissan Maxima

Just one year after a major mid-cycle refreshening of the flagship Maxima sports sedan, Nissan adds a number of significant enhancements for the 2020 model year:

• Nissan Safety Shield 360 is now standard across all five Maxima grade levels – S, SV, SL, SR and Platinum
• The previous Premium Package content, including Dual Panel Panoramic Moonroof and Intelligent Around View® Monitor, is now standard on the SR grade
• And, the Integrated Dynamics control Module (IDM) – including Intelligent Trace Control, Active Ride Control and Intelligent Engine Brake – which was previously reserved for the sporty SR grade, is now standard on all grade levels

Along with the above enhancements, the 2020 Maxima continues with all of the significant changes for 2019, including its aggressive, updated styling with standard LED headlights, new front fascia and grille, revised rear fascia with LED taillights and integrated quad-tip exhaust finishers, and new 18-inch and 19-inch wheel designs. In addition, the new interior treatment with available semi-aniline, diamond-quilted Rakuda Tan leather-appointed seating carries over to 2020.

The 2020 Maxima is available in five well-equipped models: Maxima S, SV, SL, SR and Platinum.

A Bold Exterior Appearance, Refined Interior
Maxima’s aggressive, updated exterior features a voluminous front grille with a deep V-motion flow that carries into the hood and down the body to the rear tail lamps and rear fascia. The standard jewel-like LED headlights and Nissan Signature Daytime Running Lights, along with the deep fascia design, add to the Maxima’s premium, high performance appearance.

The distinctive Maxima body is low, sculpted and streamlined to achieve a sweeping aerodynamic profile that has more than a little jet fighter look to it. To bring all this inspiration to life, a special metal stamping technique was developed, adding the distinctive powerful gesture to its bodyline and deeply scalloped doors.

The highly distinctive Maxima profile comes from its “floating” roof appearance with blacked-out A-pillars similar to the Nissan GT-R. Combined with the same blackout treatment applied to the B- and C-pillars, it creates a wraparound canopy appearance. The upper canopy look is accented with an available Dual Panel Panoramic Moonroof (standard on SL, SR and Platinum), which gives front and rear occupants an uninhibited view of the sky. In the rear, the fascia includes integrated quad-tip exhaust finishers, while a sport rear spoiler is also added to the Maxima SR grade.

Seven exterior colors are available: Super Black, Brilliant Silver Metallic, Gun Metallic, Deep Blue Pearl, Pearl White TriCoat (premium color), Carnelian Red Tintcoat (premium color) and Sunset Drift (premium color).

Inside the dramatic Maxima body is a driver-oriented cockpit and comfortable seating for all five occupants. Enhancing the Maxima’s already high level of quality and premium luxury appointments is a seat insert pattern and charcoal headliner and pillars for SR grade and Platinum Reserve Package. The Platinum Reserve Package is highlighted by special Rakuda Tan semi-aniline leather appointments, charcoal headliner and pillars, Satin Bronze faceted interior finishers, Rakuda Tan steering wheel insert for a two-tone appearance and heated rear seats.

The interior retains the Maxima’s “Gliding Wing” layout that emphasizes horizontal movement and easy access to all controls. Rear Door Alert (RDA) is standard for all grade levels, along with SiriusXM® Radio with Advanced Auto Features (SiriusXM® subscription required, sold separately). The Nissan Door to Door Navigation system is standard on all grades except S.

The performance luxury-style interior is again anchored by a “command central” driver’s cockpit and a premium bespoke style crafted execution. The focus on the driver begins with a center stack angled seven degrees toward the driver (a lesson learned from the legendary GT-R) and a “floating” console that puts key controls within easy reach. The Display Commander control on the console allows fingertip control of the center display as befitting a premium sport sedan.

Nissan’s unique Zero Gravity front seats with sport bolstering are standard (8-way power-adjustable driver’s seat and 4-way power-adjustable front passenger’s seat) and offer indulgent softness provided by a three-layer foam design. They are offered in premium cloth, leather-appointed or premium Ascot leather-appointed seating surfaces. Heated and Climate-Controlled front seats and steering wheel are available depending on grade level. The rear seat features a standard 60/40 split fold-down design.

In addition, luxury-level interior quietness is enabled by an available Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) system that works much like noise cancelling headphones, helping reduce unpleasant low-frequency sounds. An Active Sound Enhancement (ASE) system, which works by enhancing existing engine sound from the 3.5-liter V6 into the cabin (Bose® audio equipped models only), is standard on the SR grade. Engaging “Sport” mode takes the stirring engine note a step further with the system allowing even higher engine note amplitude in the cabin.

The premium-level Maxima technology features include NissanConnect® with Navigation featuring Apple CarPlay® and Android AutoÔ on SV and above trim levels. The system includes Nissan Door to Door Navigation with Premium Traffic information. The navigation system also includes an 8.0-inch color display with multi-touch control, two front illuminated USB connection ports for iPod® interface and other compatible devices (one Type-A, one Type-C), Nissan Voice Recognition for navigation and audio, SiriusXM® Traffic and Travel Link™ (SiriusXM® subscription required, sold separately), Bluetooth® Hands-free Phone System, Streaming Audio via Bluetooth® and Hands-free Text Messaging Assistant.

Maxima Platinum models include standard NissanConnect with Navigation and Services featuring Apple CarPlay® and Android AutoÔ. Standard with Maxima Platinum, NissanConnect® Services powered by SiriusXM® provides compatible smartphone and smartwatch access to features such as Remote Engine Start/Stop, Remote Door Lock/Unlock, Valet Alert, and more. Additionally, certain remote features are accessible through the NissanConnect Services Amazon Alexa Skill and Action for the Google Assistant².

Additional NissanConnect Services security features include Automatic Collision Notification, Emergency Call, Stolen Vehicle Locator and more. Convenience services range from Connected Search, destination directions downloaded right to the navigation system and even journey planning – with routing of up to four waypoints and destination (NissanConnect Services subscription required, sold separately).

Maxima entertainment systems include an available 11-speaker Bose® audio system, which was created to deliver the ultimate premium audio experience befitting Nissan’s flagship sedan. The system includes Bose® Center Point® Surround Stage technology, which can deliver a surround sound experience from even a two-channel audio source, and a driver’s seat optimization mode that allows for a driver-centric audio stage.

Other available convenience features include a power tilt/telescoping steering wheel with an “Easy Entry” system, heated steering wheel, Around View® Monitor, Remote Start¹ via Key Fob and a power rear sunshade.

Sporty Performance
Once again in 2020, the heart and soul of Maxima remains its 300-horsepower 3.5-liter VQ-series V6 engine and performance-oriented Xtronic transmission. The engine applies lessons learned from the Nissan GT-R, such as sodium filled valves, to achieve a high specific output of 85.7 horsepower/liter. Torque is rated at 261 lb-ft.

Well-matched to the engine is an advanced Xtronic transmission, which, with its lack of fixed ratios, affords the specific advantage of always being in the right gear at the right time. A wide gear ratio range allows for strong acceleration from a standing start and the D-Step shifting logic allows rapid shifts at high throttle openings. The shift logic holds rpm when it detects high-G cornering, allowing for smooth re-acceleration on corner exits.

Maxima also features a Drive Mode Selector (Sport and Normal modes) that adjusts throttle response, transmission tuning and steering feel. Active Sound Enhancement tuning is standard on SR grade. In Sport mode, the engine throttle response increases, the Xtronic transmission programming changes for more aggressive shifting under braking and gear holding, the steering weight increases and the Active Sound Enhancement system further amplifies the engine note in the cabin.

The Maxima suspension is an independent subframe-mounted strut/coil spring design in front. In the rear is an independent multi-link double wishbone design with ZF Sachs dampers. The rear dampers feature a monotube design, often found in performance applications, for enhanced performance and fade resistance. Large stabilizer bars are found in the front (26.0 mm) and rear (26.5 mm).

Responsive braking is provided by 4-wheel power-assisted vented disc brakes, standard 4-wheel Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), Electronic Brake force Distribution (EBD) and Brake Assist (BA). Steering is provided by a vehicle speed-sensitive hydro-electric power-assisted steering (HEPS) steering system. Maxima comes with standard 18-inch machined finish aluminum-alloy wheels and 245/45R18 all-season tires.

For 2020, all Maxima grades adopt the SR grade’s Integrated Dynamic-control Module (IDM) system – which adds an extra element of electronic chassis management. For example, Intelligent Ride Control (I-RC), a feature within the IDM system, uses targeted brake applications after the vehicle encounters a bump or undulation to immediately improve the level of the body, allowing Maxima to offer a ride quality that defies its sports sedan intentions. Maxima SR also adds unique suspension damper tuning and a larger front stabilizer bar.

Nissan Intelligent Mobility and Nissan Safety Shield 360
Every 2020 Maxima offers available Nissan Safety Shield 360, a suite of six advanced driver-assist systems that supports the Nissan Intelligent Mobility vision to redefine how cars are driven, powered and integrated into society. Safety Shield 360 includes Automatic Emergency Braking with Pedestrian Detection, Blind Spot Warning, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, Lane Departure Warning, High Beam Assist and Rear Automatic Braking.

In addition to Safety Shield 360, the 2020 Maxima offers available Intelligent Cruise Control (ICC) and Traffic Sign Recognition (TSR). Intelligent Driver Alertness (I-DA)³ is standard on all grade levels. The I-DA system provides an audible and visual warning if the system judges that the driver may be drowsy (using analysis of steering inputs to detect changes in the driving behavior). Intelligent Around View® Monitor (I-AVM)⁴, which provides a 360-degree “surround view” of the vehicle, is standard on SR and Platinum grades.

Maxima comes equipped with standard Nissan Advanced Air Bag System (AABS) for the driver and front passenger seats, which includes supplemental front air bags, seat belt sensors and an occupant classification sensor. Also standard are front seat-mounted side-impact supplemental air bags and roof-mounted curtain side-impact supplemental air bags with rollover sensor for front and rear outboard occupant head protection. Maxima also has standard rear seat-mounted side-impact supplemental air bags and driver and front passenger knee supplemental air bags, bringing the total to 10 supplemental air bags.

Also standard are 3-point rear seat belts for all seating positions, front seat belts with dual pretensioners, load limiters and adjustable upper anchors, emergency inside trunk release, Zone Body construction with front and rear crumple zones, LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for CHildren) and Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) with Easy-Fill Tire Alert. Maxima also features standard Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) with Traction Control System (TCS).

The 2020 Maxima is available in five well-equipped models: Maxima S, SV, SL, SR and Platinum. One option package is offered – the Reserve Package (Platinum grade) with heated rear seats, exclusive 19-inch aluminum-alloy wheels, Rakuda Tan semi-aniline leather-appointed seats with diamond-quilted leather inserts, Charcoal headliner and pillars, Satin Bronze interior faceted finishers. The previous Premium Package content (Dual Panel Panoramic Moonroof, auto-dimming driver-side outside mirror, outside mirrors with reverse tilt-down feature, Intelligent Around View Monitor (I-RVM), and driver-side seat memory) is now standard on the 2020 Maxima SR.

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