Nissan Maxima Overview

With a free-revving V6 engine, the Nissan Maxima has always been the mid-size sedan of choice for those who place driving enjoyment high on their priority list.

The Maxima's credentials are impressive. All models come standard with a 222-horsepower V6 engine that is one of the best, if not the best, available today. A rigid chassis fitted with a sports suspension, four-wheel disc brakes, high-performance tires, and a five-speed manual gearbox give the Maxima a sporty demeanor, while sporty styling makes it look ready for action. The Maxima is practical as well, with roomier front seats and a bigger trunk than the Accord or the Camry.

Nissan is celebrating a birthday for the Maxima this year by offering an SE 20th Anniversary Edition with performance and visual upgrades. The Maxima was totally redesigned and re-engineered for the 2000 model year, so it gets few updates for 2001.

Nissan may never sell as many Maximas as Honda sells Accords or Toyota sells Camrys, but Nissan does sell more Maximas than the V6 versions of the Accord and Camry.