Nissan Maxima
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The Nissan Maxima is a
full-size car Full-size car—also known as large car—is a vehicle size class which originated in the United States and is used for cars larger than mid-size cars, it is the largest size class for cars. In Europe, it is known as E-segment or F-segment. ...
manufactured and marketed by
Nissan , trade name, trading as Nissan Motor Corporation and often shortened to Nissan, is a Japanese multinational corporation, multinational Automotive industry, automobile manufacturer headquartered in Nishi-ku, Yokohama, Japan. The company sells ...
and offered as Nissan's
flagship A flagship is a vessel used by the commanding officer of a group of naval ships, characteristically a flag officer entitled by custom to fly a distinguishing flag. Used more loosely, it is the lead ship in a fleet of vessels, typically the fi ...
sedan primarily in North America, the Middle East, and China — and currently in its eighth generation. Having debuted for
model year The model year (sometimes abbreviated "MY") is a method of describing the version of a product which has been produced over multiple years. The model year may or may not be the same as the calendar year in which the product was manufactured. ...
1982 as the Datsun Maxima, it replaced the earlier
Datsun 810 The Datsun 810 is a mid-size car that was sold in North America by the Japanese automobile manufacturer Datsun between February 1977 and 1981. Datsun based the first generation—sold for model years 1977 to 1980—on the four-cylinder Datsun Blu ...
. The name ''Maxima'' dates to model year 1981 when Datsun marketed the upscale 810 as the ''810 Maxima'' in North America. Like the 810, early versions of the Maxima had their origins in the Datsun/Nissan Bluebird. It is renamed to Nissan Maxima when the
Datsun Datsun (, ) was an automobile brand owned by Nissan. Datsun's original production run began in 1931. From 1958 to 1986, only vehicles exported by Nissan were identified as Datsun. Nissan phased out the Datsun brand in March 1986, but relaunche ...
brand was phased out for model year 1985. The Maxima was marketed as an upscale alternative to the Altima and prior to 1993, the
Stanza In poetry, a stanza (; from Italian language, Italian ''stanza'' , "room") is a group of lines within a poem, usually set off from others by a blank line or Indentation (typesetting), indentation. Stanzas can have regular rhyme scheme, rhyme and ...
, distinguished by features such as a premium interior and
V6 engine A V6 engine is a six-cylinder piston engine where the cylinders share a common crankshaft and are arranged in a V configuration. The first V6 engines were designed and produced independently by Marmon Motor Car Company, Deutz Gasmotoren Fabrik ...
. Most Maximas were built in Oppama, Japan, until North American assembly began in
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for model year 2004. In some markets beyond North America, the ''Maxima'' name has also been used on variations of the
Nissan Cefiro The is a front-engine, five passenger, mid-size passenger car manufactured and marketed by Nissan Motors over three generations. Almost all Cefiro's were marketed as four-door sedans, though a five-door wagon body style was briefly available (19 ...
and
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(see below). The Maxima nameplate has been used intermittently in the Japanese domestic market, initially as a luxury version of the Bluebird. __TOC__


First generation (G910; 1981)

The first car to wear the Maxima name, the second generation
Datsun 810 The Datsun 810 is a mid-size car that was sold in North America by the Japanese automobile manufacturer Datsun between February 1977 and 1981. Datsun based the first generation—sold for model years 1977 to 1980—on the four-cylinder Datsun Blu ...
, was introduced in 1980 for model year 1981. It was essentially a Japanese-market Datsun Bluebird (910) with the wheelbase extended to accommodate the inline-six engine. This model replaced the Datsun 810 (first generation). The second generation Datsun 810 was not marketed in Japan, only in North America as the lower trim Datsun 810 Deluxe and upper trim 810 Maxima. Both were available with either sedan or wagon bodywork. In 1981 for the 1982 model year, all 810s were rebranded as Datsun Maxima. In 1983 for model year 1984, the last year of the first generation Maxima, North American Datsuns began carrying the "Nissan" badge as well. Only 1984 model year Nissans have rear "Nissan" and "Datsun" badges, although earlier models had a "Datsun" badge with a small "by Nissan" designation below. For the first model year, the 810 Deluxe came with a five-speed manual transmission, while the upper trim 810 Maxima only came with a three-speed automatic. The Maxima's introduction to North America followed the successful introduction of the
Datsun 240Z The Nissan S30 (sold in Japan as the Nissan Fairlady Z and in other markets as the Datsun 240Z, then later as the 260Z and 280Z) is the first generation of Z GT 3-door two-seat coupés, produced by Nissan Motors, Ltd. of Japan from 1969 until ...
, and used the same engine and transmission while offering luxury content four doors. The sedans have independent rear suspension while the wagon has a leaf sprung live rear axle. The wagon also received rear drums rather than disc brakes. The second generation retained the same 2.4-liter base engine as the previous Datsun 810, although up by 2 to and with more torque available at a lower engine speed. It was also available with the 2.8-liter ''LD28'' OHC inline-six diesel engine (available in the US from mid-1981 through 1983) with either a five-speed manual or a four-speed
automatic transmission An automatic transmission (sometimes abbreviated to auto or AT) is a multi-speed transmission used in internal combustion engine-based motor vehicles that does not require any input from the driver to change forward gears under normal driving c ...
with overdrive. Some of the power steering pumps were sourced from
General Motors The General Motors Company (GM) is an American Multinational corporation, multinational Automotive industry, automotive manufacturing company headquartered in Detroit, Michigan, United States. It is the largest automaker in the United States and ...
' Saginaw Gear division, while others were sourced from Atsugi. This was the second Nissan to use US-sourced parts besides the Borg-Warner T-5 transmission used in the 82–86 Nissan ZX Turbos. The use of USA-made parts was phased in prior to the passage of local content laws imposed by the U.S. Government. The Maxima featured a phonograph-based voice warning system. Warnings an open door, etc. would be relayed through the miniaturized phonograph and played audibly: "door is open, key is in ignition, etc." 1981 models were the first 'talking car' marketed in the US and offered only one voice warning, a female voice reminding the driver to "Please turn off the lights". File:Datsun 810 Wagon.jpg, 1981 Datsun 810 wagon File:Datsun 810 Maxima Wagon Diesel.jpg, Datsun Maxima Wagon Diesel File:1982 Datsun Maxima in Light Blue Metallic, rear left.jpg, 1982 Datsun Maxima sedan


Second generation (PU11; 1985)

On October 17, 1984, the first
front-wheel drive Front-wheel drive (FWD) is a form of engine and transmission layout used in motor vehicles, where the engine drives the front wheels only. Most modern front-wheel drive vehicles feature a transverse engine, rather than the conventional longit ...
Maxima (based on the Bluebird U11) was introduced for the 1985 model year. This Maxima was available with a , 3.0-liter ''
VG30E The VG engine family consists of V6 engines designed and produced by Nissan for several vehicles in the Nissan lineup. The VG series was introduced in 1983, becoming Nissan's and Japan's first mass-produced V6 engine. VG engines displace between ...
''
V6 engine A V6 engine is a six-cylinder piston engine where the cylinders share a common crankshaft and are arranged in a V configuration. The first V6 engines were designed and produced independently by Marmon Motor Car Company, Deutz Gasmotoren Fabrik ...
and a four-speed automatic or a five-speed
manual transmission A manual transmission (MT), also known as manual gearbox, standard transmission (in Canada, the United Kingdom, and the United States), or stick shift (in the United States), is a multi-speed motor vehicle transmission (mechanics), transmission ...
. In Japan, a smaller 2.0-liter version of this engine was fitted. These engines were the first V6 engine to be mass-produced in Japan. The second generation was assigned
compact Compact as used in politics may refer broadly to a pact or treaty; in more specific cases it may refer to: * Interstate compact * Blood compact, an ancient ritual of the Philippines * Compact government, a type of colonial rule utilized in British ...
status in the US market. This was the last generation to be available as a
station wagon A station wagon ( US, also wagon) or estate car ( UK, also estate), is an automotive body-style variant of a sedan/saloon with its roof extended rearward over a shared passenger/cargo volume with access at the back via a third or fifth door ( ...
, a version which had been offered since the Datsun 810 days. In late 1986, the 1987 Maxima was introduced with a freshened exterior and interior. Automatic shoulder belts were now found on both the 1987 sedan and wagons built after February 1987. Luxury amenities were offered on both the "base" GL, later renamed GXE and SE trim levels. Such features for the GL/GXE included digital touch entry system on the driver and passenger side door panel, power windows, locks, antenna, power seats, remote trunk release, voice warning system, optional leather seating, optional heated front seats, an optional Electronics Pkg (a sedan exclusive, it included a digital instruments and a trip computer) and an optional power sunroof (sunroof was standard on Maxima wagons). 15-inch alloy wheels were standard for the Maxima. An exclusive option for 1988 was the Sonar Suspension System -which was part of the Electronics Pkg- replacing the trip computer that was previously offered. This feature used sonar waves to monitor the road conditions ahead and adjusted the shocks accordingly for the most controlled ride. 1988 was also the year that the previously standard digital touch system offered on the GXE sedan became part of the 'Electronics Package' option as well. The SE (and some GXEs) offered dual power seats, a five-speed manual transmission, three-way shock adjustable suspension, front and rear windshield defroster, and a factory-installed security system. The SE also has a small rear spoiler, all-wheel disc brakes, black side rear view mirrors, and
body molding Automotive molding or car body molding are decorative and protective moldings on the car body. The term applies both to the detail and the material. Car moldings include side body molding, lower body molding, door moldings, window moldings, footr ...
(GXE got body-color side rear-view mirrors and matching body molding). Again, the Maxima's prime competitor was the similarly specified
Toyota Cressida The is a compact, later mid-size sedan manufactured and marketed in Japan by Toyota between 1968 and 2004. Prior to 1972, the model was marketed as the Toyota Corona Mark II. In some export markets, Toyota marketed the vehicle as the Toyota Cres ...
, which remained rear wheel drive. The Maxima provided a combination of luxury and sporty features while the Cressida was generally seen as being softer and more luxurious. The Japanese market received either four-door hardtop sedan or pillared sedan bodywork and a 2.0-liter V6 engine (with an available turbocharger). It received the smaller V6 engine so that it would comply with Japanese Government dimension regulations that tax larger vehicles. The station wagon bodywork was not available in the home market, with the hardtop exclusive to '' Nissan Bluebird Store'' Japanese dealerships.


Third generation (J30; 1988)

The redesigned Maxima debuted on October 24, 1988 for the 1989 model year, internally designated ''J30''. Larger dimensions made it the second Japanese sedan sold in North America to qualify as a "mid-size" (after the
Mazda 929 The Mazda 929 is a full-size car which was sold by the Japanese automobile manufacturer Mazda between 1973 and 1997. Mazda used the 929 nameplate for export markets only, badge engineering In the automotive industry, rebadging is a form of ...
). Nissan used a "4DSC" window decal on the third generation Maxima in North America, marketing it as a "four-door sports car." This generation was briefly marketed in Japan, replacing the Nissan Leopard sedan at '' Nissan Bluebird Store'' locations. A refresh occurred in August 1991 for the 1992 model year (from July 1991 production), adding a driver's side SRS airbag. The facelifted version was no longer offered in Japan. It now featured the , 3.0-liter ''
VG30E The VG engine family consists of V6 engines designed and produced by Nissan for several vehicles in the Nissan lineup. The VG series was introduced in 1983, becoming Nissan's and Japan's first mass-produced V6 engine. VG engines displace between ...
'' V6, with the , '' VE30DE'' unit standard on the SE model starting in 1991. In the United States, the ''VG30E'' engine, which featured a variable intake manifold on automatic and manual transmission models, was used on all 1989 to 1994 GXE models and 1989 to 1991 SE models. This generation Maxima was fitted with an independent rear suspension, and continued to offer the road scanning, electronic
Super Sonic Suspension An active suspension is a type of automotive suspension on a vehicle. It uses an onboard system to control the vertical movement of the vehicle's wheels relative to the chassis or vehicle body rather than the passive suspension provided by large sp ...
(sonar). The digital touch entry system on the GXE (in conjunction with the new Luxury Package) allowed the windows to be lowered and the moon roof opened from outside the vehicle on a keypad integrated on the front door handle, without the key in the ignition. One of the industry's first heads up displays was also included in the package, for model years 1989-92. The system projected a holographic image of the vehicles speed on a small screen in the windshield. The VE30DE engine was exclusively offered on the 1992–1994 Maxima SE. It was a 3.0-liter, 24 valve, DOHC motor. Its iron block was topped with aluminum cylinder heads and featured a dual length intake manifold (5-speed model only), variable intake valve timing, coil on plug ignition, plus a limited-slip differential. The VE30DE was rated at at 5600 rpm and at 4000 rpm, and had a 6500 rpm redline. SE models include white-faced gauges, twisted-spoke turbine wheels (.5 inch wider than GXE wheels and similar in design to wheels offered on the Z31 300ZX), body-colored grille, twin-tip mufflers, factory-tinted tail lights, black trim replacing chrome, firmer sport suspension, and optional 5-speed manual transmission. The automatic transmission on all GXEs (RE4F02A) was a compact unit from Jatco, which featured "sport" and "comfort" modes that shifted at different points. The 1992 to 1994 SE received an optional automatic transmission (RE4F04V) that had stronger internals, but kept the "sport" and "comfort" modes. The SE also had a rear spoiler and black side mirrors, whereas the GXE has body-color side mirrors. During this year, the Maxima was first introduced to the European market, replacing the
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. For European markets, the model range was: 3.0, 3.0 S, and 3.0 SE.
Nissan Australia Nissan Motor Co. (Australia) Pty. Ltd. is the Australian subsidiary of Nissan and a former automobile manufacturer currently headquartered in Mulgrave, Victoria. The company assembled passenger cars of the Japanese brand Nissan. History Nissan ...
began importing the J30 series for a May 1990 release to replace the locally assembled
Nissan Skyline (R31) The is a brand of automobile originally produced by the Prince Motor Company starting in 1957, and then by Nissan after the two companies merged in 1967. After the merger, the Skyline and its larger counterpart, the Nissan Gloria, were sold in ...
sedan and station wagon. Powertrain comprised the 3.0-liter ''VG30E'' V6 rated at and a four-speed automatic. Nissan made the Maxima available in two equipment grades, the M and Ti. The M featured air conditioning, alloy wheels, central locking, cruise control, power steering, and power windows. The Ti added a rear spoiler, climate control air conditioning, anti-lock brakes, electric seats and a PIN touch-pad locking system. The M-based LE of late 1991 featured a CD player and sunroof. There was also a leather/sunroof pack optional on Ti. Nissan Australia released a facelift in January 1993 that included a new grille insert, revised tail lamps, wheels and cabin trim. A driver airbag was now fitted to the Ti, and made optional on the new Executive trim that replaced the M. The J30 in Australia was replaced in February 1995 by a new Maxima based on the Nissan Cefiro (A32). The three variants assembled locally in New Zealand had
automatic transmissions An automatic transmission (sometimes abbreviated to auto or AT) is a multi-speed transmission used in internal combustion engine-based motor vehicles that does not require any input from the driver to change forward gears under normal driving co ...
and the
VG30E The VG engine family consists of V6 engines designed and produced by Nissan for several vehicles in the Nissan lineup. The VG series was introduced in 1983, becoming Nissan's and Japan's first mass-produced V6 engine. VG engines displace between ...
Engine only. Versions sold in Japan and Europe had a
manual transmission A manual transmission (MT), also known as manual gearbox, standard transmission (in Canada, the United Kingdom, and the United States), or stick shift (in the United States), is a multi-speed motor vehicle transmission (mechanics), transmission ...
option as an alternative to the automatic transmission that was standard in North America and Australia/New Zealand. The Maxima ''SE'' was on ''
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'' magazine's Ten Best list for 1990. Another Bluebird Maxima continued on as a
Nissan Bluebird (U12) The is a compact car with a model name introduced in 1957. It has been Nissan's most internationally recognized sedan, in multiple body styles, and is known for its dependability and durability. The Bluebird originated from Nissan's first vehic ...
and solely as a
station wagon A station wagon ( US, also wagon) or estate car ( UK, also estate), is an automotive body-style variant of a sedan/saloon with its roof extended rearward over a shared passenger/cargo volume with access at the back via a third or fifth door ( ...
with the '' VG20ET'' engine during this period until the introduction of the U13 Bluebird, and the Avenir replaced the Bluebird wagon altogether.


Fourth generation (A32; 1994)

Designed from early 1990 to March 1991, the fourth generation Maxima arrived in May 1994 for the 1995 model year as the ''A32''. A new ''
VQ30DE The VQ is a family of V6 24V automobile engines developed by Nissan with displacements varying from 2.0 L to 4.0 L. It is an aluminum block DOHC 4-valve (per cylinder) design with aluminum heads. It is fitted with Nissan's EGI/ECCS ...
'' 190 hp (141 kW), 3.0 liter V6 was the only engine option for the North American market. The VQ30DE earned a first spot on the
Ward's 10 Best Engines 10 of the World's best engines is an annual list of the ten ''"''best''"'' automobile engines available in the U.S. market, that are selected by '' Ward's AutoWorld'' magazine. The list was started in 1994 for Model Year 1995, and has been drawn ev ...
List, and the VQ has now been recognized consecutively for every year since its introduction (as of 2012, 18 years running). The independent rear suspension of the previous generation was replaced with a lighter and cheaper
torsion bar A torsion bar suspension, also known as a torsion spring suspension, is any vehicle suspension that uses a torsion bar as its main weight-bearing spring. One end of a long metal bar is attached firmly to the vehicle chassis; the opposite end termi ...
solid axle Solid is one of the four fundamental states of matter (the others being liquid, gas, and plasma). The molecules in a solid are closely packed together and contain the least amount of kinetic energy. A solid is characterized by structura ...
system, part of a general trend of cost cutting by Japanese manufacturers in the wake of the bursting of Japan's economic bubble of the late 1980s. The Maxima's primary competitor, the
Toyota Cressida The is a compact, later mid-size sedan manufactured and marketed in Japan by Toyota between 1968 and 2004. Prior to 1972, the model was marketed as the Toyota Corona Mark II. In some export markets, Toyota marketed the vehicle as the Toyota Cres ...
, was discontinued after the 1992 model year, with Toyota touting the front-wheel-drive
Toyota Avalon The is a full-size sedan produced by Toyota. It is Toyota's largest front-wheel drive sedan and serves as its flagship vehicle in the United States, Canada, China and the Middle East. It was also produced in Australia from April 2000 until Jun ...
, a stretched version of the
Toyota Camry The Toyota Camry (; Japanese: トヨタ・カムリ ''Toyota Kamuri'') is an automobile sold internationally by the Japanese auto manufacturer Toyota since 1982, spanning multiple generations. Originally compact in size (narrow-body), the Camry ...
introduced in 1994, as its replacement. The North American 1995 Maxima included a
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Sound System on the GLE (optional on the SE) which had a 6 speaker sound system, a
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system was also an option (non-Bose). The fourth generation Maxima was highly praised for its quiet, roomy interior. This Maxima was ''
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''s
Import Car of the Year The ''Motor Trend'' Car of the Year (COTY) is an annual ''Car of the Year'' award given by ''Motor Trend'' magazine to recognize the best new or significantly refreshed car in a given model year. Background ''Motor Trend'', which debuted in 1 ...
for 1995. The Maxima ''SE'' again made ''
Car and Driver ''Car and Driver'' (''CD'' or ''C/D'') is an American automotive enthusiast magazine. In 2006 its total circulation was 1.23 million. It is owned by Hearst Magazines, who purchased prior owner Hachette Filipacchi Media U.S. in 2011. It was fou ...
'' magazine's Ten Best list for 1995 and 1996. The 1995's VQ30DE (3.0 liter) engine produced and of torque. With the manual transmission 0–60 mph took 6.6 seconds with a quarter-mile time of 15.2-seconds at 92.4-mph, making it both the quickest and fastest (142 mph top speed) Japanese sedan on the North American market at that time. A top-of-the-line 1994 Maxima GLE equipped with a four-speed automatic transmission turned in a 6.7 second 0-60-mph run with a 15.6-second/89.4-mph quarter-mile time. At the time, the Maxima was one of few four-door, six-cylinder cars sold in North America with a standard manual transmission. A viscous limited slip differential came standard on Canadian SE models equipped with the 5-speed manual (in the US, the VLSD was restricted to the
Infiniti I30 The is a front-engine, five passenger, mid-size passenger car manufactured and marketed by Nissan Motors over three generations. Almost all Cefiro's were marketed as four-door sedans, though a five-door wagon body style was briefly available (199 ...
). The automatic was a no cost option, which most Maximas were equipped with. In October 1996, the Maxima's exterior was refreshed for 1997, with new five-spoke alloy wheels, plastic (clear-lens) headlights vs. the previous glass headlights, a slightly different front and rear fascia with new redesigned tail-lights, the rear-facing part of the trunk was smoothed out to match the tail-lights, redesigned fog-lights and badge designs, and a chrome grille insert for GLE's (body color for SE models) was added. Among interior changes were a different steering wheel and
CD player A CD player is an electronic device that plays audio compact discs, which are a digital optical disc data storage format. CD players were first sold to consumers in 1982. CDs typically contain recordings of audio material such as music or aud ...
. Front seat-mounted side impact airbags were added as an option for 1998 and 1999 SE and GLE models. There were also structural modifications to improve crash worthiness for the 1997 to 1999 models. The 1999 Nissan Maxima also saw some minor changes: an Anti-Theft Engine Immobilizer was standard using a chip in the ignition key, as well as some minor body trims. The 1999 Maxima SE was also available with a Limited Package which consisted of Titanium tinted SE-Limited emblems on the front doors, titanium tinted trunk emblems, and titanium tinted 16" alloy wheels. The interior gauge cluster was also titanium tinted and the optional leather seats were perforated and embossed with SE on the backrests. The front floor mats were also embossed with SE-Limited logos. As the Maxima badge was retired in Japan, this particular generation was sold there as the
Nissan Cefiro The is a front-engine, five passenger, mid-size passenger car manufactured and marketed by Nissan Motors over three generations. Almost all Cefiro's were marketed as four-door sedans, though a five-door wagon body style was briefly available (19 ...
A32. The Cefiro badge had previously been used on a
Nissan Laurel The Nissan Laurel is a front-engine, rear-drive two- and four-door sedan manufactured and marketed by Nissan from 1969 to 2002. Introduced in 1968 as a new model positioned above the 1968 Datsun Bluebird 510, the Laurel offered the luxury of the ...
-based, higher specification model with rear-wheel drive (see A31 Cefiro). For the Japanese market, a Cefiro-badged station wagon was also available. One version of the Cefiro (Brougham VIP spec) was sold in the US as the
Infiniti I30 The is a front-engine, five passenger, mid-size passenger car manufactured and marketed by Nissan Motors over three generations. Almost all Cefiro's were marketed as four-door sedans, though a five-door wagon body style was briefly available (199 ...
, yet the Cefiro had subtle differences including different fog light arrangements, one-piece headlights and a few assorted engine options (VQ20/25/30DE). The Cefiro was actually introduced first, in August 1994, and was originally available with 2 and 2.5-liter V6 engines with JIS. This generation was also sold as the Maxima QX in Europe and other parts of the world, and was mostly identical to the Japanese Cefiro except for minor trim differences. In Europe a smaller, two-liter V6 engine with was available in addition to the larger 3.0, to suit local taxation structures.


Fifth generation (A33B; 2000)

Introduced in May 1999, the MY 2000 Maxima was designed at Nissan's
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design studio 1996–1997 under the direction of
Jerry Hirshberg Gerald Paul "Jerry" Hirshberg (June 30, 1940 – November 10, 2019) was an American automotive designer, industrial designer, musician and painter. Early life and education Hirshberg studied mechanical engineering at Ohio State University and re ...
, and was internally designated ''A33B''. The fifth generation Maxima was a
badge engineered In the automotive industry, rebadging is a form of market segmentation used by automobile manufacturers around the world. To allow for product differentiation without designing or engineering a new model or brand (at high cost or risk), a manu ...
variant of the JDM ''A33''
Nissan Cefiro The is a front-engine, five passenger, mid-size passenger car manufactured and marketed by Nissan Motors over three generations. Almost all Cefiro's were marketed as four-door sedans, though a five-door wagon body style was briefly available (19 ...
, which was itself marketed globally, including by Nissan North America's luxury ''Infiniti'' brand as the I30 and subsequently as the I35. The A33 Cefiro was marketed in Europe as the Maxima QX. The engine was a 3.0 L ''
VQ30DE The VQ is a family of V6 24V automobile engines developed by Nissan with displacements varying from 2.0 L to 4.0 L. It is an aluminum block DOHC 4-valve (per cylinder) design with aluminum heads. It is fitted with Nissan's EGI/ECCS ...
'' V6 for all versions except the SE, which produced . The vehicle has a 0–60 mph time of 7.0 seconds. This variant of the VQ30DE was referred to as the VQ30DE-K. The A33b was offered in GXE (base), GLE (luxury, with 16 inch alloy wheels) and SE trim levels, the latter offering a rear trunklid spoiler. For the 2001 model year, Nissan offered an SE model trim package commemorating the model's 20th anniversary. In addition to SE content, the commemorative edition used the Infiniti I30 engine, ground effect rocker panels, drilled metal "brushed metallic" pedals, brushed metallic shifter, and stainless steel door embossed sill plates. The optional leather interior was perforated, unlike that in the regular SE. Finally, the "SE Comfort and Convenience Package" included a sunroof and 17" dark chrome alloy wheels. For the 2002 model year, the Maxima received a mild facelift. The A33B received the 3.5 L '' VQ35DE'' producing and of torque, the engine used in the Infiniti I35. The facelifted version received a larger, revised grille and front bumper openings, revised foglamps with vertical lines in the glass lens, larger Nissan emblem on the grille, a revised headlamp design with
high-intensity discharge High-intensity discharge lamps (HID lamps) are a type of electrical gas-discharge lamp which produces light by means of an electric arc between tungsten electrodes housed inside a translucent or transparent fused quartz or fused alumina arc tub ...
(HID) low beams, a six-speed manual transmission with optional helical
Torsen Torsen Torque-Sensing (full name Torsen traction) is a type of limited-slip differential used in automobiles. It was invented by American Vernon Gleasman and manufactured by the Gleason Corporation. Torsen is a portmanteau of Torque-Sensing. ''TO ...
limited-slip differential A limited-slip differential (LSD) is a type of differential that allows its two output shafts to rotate at different speeds but limits the maximum difference between the two shafts. Limited-slip differentials are often known by the generic t ...
borrowed from the Japan market Nissan Skyline GT-R (identified by brushed, metal pedals for the accelerator, brake, and clutch), revised 17-inch 6-spoke alloy wheels in silver on the SE model, new 17-inch 7-spoke machined alloy wheels on the GLE model, clear Altezza-style taillights, a revised rocker moulding/side skirt standard on all models, and interior and refinements over the 2000 to 2001 models. Some interior differences include slightly redesigned seats, a smaller screw-on shift knob on automatic models along with a different shift pattern, a redesigned steering wheel, revised headunits, and a different cup holder lid. Facelift SE models equipped with the six-speed manual transmissions were capable of 0-60 acceleration of 6.0 seconds with a 1/4 mile time of 14.7 seconds at 97 mph. The 2002-2003 models also posted better braking numbers, requiring 182 feet to stop from 70 mph, compared with the 195 feet of the earlier model. For 2003, Nissan offered an option to SE trim, marketed as the "Titanium Edition," which included glossy titanium color 6-spoke alloy wheels and titanium interior accents. In the United States, the ''Meridian Edition'' option included heated front seats, steering wheel and outside mirrors; the Leather Package included leather-appointed seats, 4-way power passenger’s seat and power driver’s seat with memory function and entry/exit feature (SE A/T, std. GLE). Other options included Power Glass Sliding Sunroof with tilt (SE, GLE); front seat side- impact supplemental air bags (SE, GLE); traction control system (SE automatic, GLE); helical limited-slip differential (SE manual); Bose? audio system (SE, std. GLE) and Nissan Navigation System (SE, GLE). In Russia and Europe, the Maxima was marketed as Nissan Maxima QX. File:2000 Nissan Maxima GXE in Satin Blue Pearl Titanium Metallic, rear left.jpg, Rear view of pre-facelift Maxima GLE (US; 2000) File:2002-2003 Nissan Maxima.jpg, Facelifted Nissan Maxima GLE (US; 2002-2003) File:2002 Nissan Maxima SE, rear 12.31.19.jpg, Rear view of facelifted Nissan Maxima SE (US; 2002)


Sixth generation (A34; 2004)

The sixth generation Maxima, code-named A34, was marketed soley in the United States, Canada and Mexico. It was developed from 1998 to 2002, with a March 2001 design freeze. It was introduced in production form as a 2004 model at the 2003 North American International Auto Show. In the US, it came with the '' VQ35DE'', a
DOHC An overhead camshaft (OHC) engine is a piston engine where the camshaft is located in the cylinder head above the combustion chamber. This contrasts with earlier overhead valve engines (OHV), where the camshaft is located below the combustion c ...
V6 engine that produced 265  hp (198 kW) at 5,800 rpm, and of torque at 4,400 rpm and a standard SkyView fixed glass paneled roof that ran down the center of the roof (from front to back) or an optional traditional style moonroof. Sixth generation Maximas were available in two trim levels, SE and SL. The sporty SE model came standard with 18 inch alloy wheels, P245/45R18 V-rated tires, stiffer suspension, rear spoiler, and an optional 6-speed manual transmission. The luxurious SL model came standard with 17 inch alloy wheels, P225/55R17 H-rated tires, wood interior trim, 6-disc CD changer,
Bose Bose may refer to: * Bose (crater), a lunar crater * ''Bose'' (film), a 2004 Indian Tamil film starring Srikanth and Sneha * Bose (surname), a surname (and list of people with the name) * Bose, Italy, a ''frazioni'' in Magnano, Province of Biella ...
stereo, leather seats, and HID headlights and optional heated front seats. The manual transmission was never offered in the SL model and the suspension is tuned for a softer ride. For all models, the rear
independent suspension Independent suspension is any automobile suspension system that allows each wheel on the same axle to move vertically (i.e. reacting to a bump on the road) independently of the others. This is contrasted with a beam axle or deDion axle system in w ...
returned, this time using a multilink setup similar to the Altima. For 2007, the U.S. Maxima became available with a standard Xtronic CVT (
Continuously Variable Transmission A continuously variable transmission (CVT) is an automatic transmission that can change seamlessly through a continuous range of gear ratios. This contrasts with other transmissions that provide a limited number of gear ratios in fixed steps. T ...
) (similar to the CVT found in the
Nissan Murano The is a mid-size crossover SUV manufactured and marketed by Nissan since May 2002 for the 2003 model year, and currently in its third generation. As Nissan's first crossover SUV for the United States and Canada, the Murano was designed at Nissan ...
) as the only transmission choice; a manual transmission was no longer offered; however the CVT featured a manual mode. It featured a freshened front fascia (lacking the center block, the new grille closely resembled that of the 2007 Altima). Headlights were also more squared around the edges. New interior changes included an Intelligent Key system with integrated ignition tab, new center console, and new white-and-orange gauges as opposed to the older pure orange ones. For 2008, the Maxima's fuel economy dropped from 21 MPG-City / 28 MPG-Highway to 19/25 due to new EPA measurement methods. A Platinum Edition package of convenience features was added for 2008 on both SE and SL trim levels. In Australia, the Maxima had the same engine, but Nissan set the maximum power to only . The Australian version was code-named J31, shared the VQ engine, initially only came with a four-speed
automatic transmission An automatic transmission (sometimes abbreviated to auto or AT) is a multi-speed transmission used in internal combustion engine-based motor vehicles that does not require any input from the driver to change forward gears under normal driving c ...
, and had quite noticeable styling differences to the North American version as it was based on the
Nissan Teana The is a mid-size sedan produced by Japanese automobile manufacturer Nissan. It was exported as the Nissan Maxima and Nissan Cefiro to certain markets. It replaces the Nissan Bluebird, Laurel and Cefiro. It shares a platform with the Nissan ...
. In 2007, it received a minor mid-life facelift and an all-new CVT
automatic transmission An automatic transmission (sometimes abbreviated to auto or AT) is a multi-speed transmission used in internal combustion engine-based motor vehicles that does not require any input from the driver to change forward gears under normal driving c ...
. The North American Maxima was known for a balance between sport and luxury; other models tended to focus more on comfort.


Seventh generation (A35; 2009)

The Maxima was redesigned for the 2009 model year and made its debut at the 2008 New York International Auto Show. The seventh generation Maxima (A35) is built on the
Nissan D platform , trading as Nissan Motor Corporation and often shortened to Nissan, is a Japanese multinational automobile manufacturer headquartered in Nishi-ku, Yokohama, Japan. The company sells its vehicles under the Nissan, Infiniti, and Datsun brands, ...
sharing this platform with the fourth generation Nissan Altima and second generation
Nissan Murano The is a mid-size crossover SUV manufactured and marketed by Nissan since May 2002 for the 2003 model year, and currently in its third generation. As Nissan's first crossover SUV for the United States and Canada, the Murano was designed at Nissan ...
. The exterior and interior design are somewhat similar to the
Infiniti G The Infiniti G Line is a series of compact executive cars produced by Infiniti, a luxury division of Nissan, for the 1991–1996 and 1999–2016 model years. The first two generations of the Infiniti G (P10 and P11) were sedans based on the Nis ...
and Infiniti M, with an updated navigation interface and optional
USB Universal Serial Bus (USB) is an industry standard that establishes specifications for cables, connectors and protocols for connection, communication and power supply (interfacing) between computers, peripherals and other computers. A broad ...
interface system that works with the main console monitor and steering wheel controls. It serves as Nissan's North American top front wheel drive sedan at Nissan dealerships. It came equipped with a revised version of the '' VQ35DE'' engine producing and of torque. A revised version of Nissan's Xtronic CVT (
continuously variable transmission A continuously variable transmission (CVT) is an automatic transmission that can change seamlessly through a continuous range of gear ratios. This contrasts with other transmissions that provide a limited number of gear ratios in fixed steps. T ...
) with paddle shifting was the only transmission offered, with no manual or regular automatic available. A
diesel Diesel may refer to: * Diesel engine, an internal combustion engine where ignition is caused by compression * Diesel fuel, a liquid fuel used in diesel engines * Diesel locomotive, a railway locomotive in which the prime mover is a diesel engin ...
version was expected to be released for the 2010 model year, although those plans were not realized. The new Maxima was offered in S and SV trims with several premium and technology packages available. The Maxima's design traded height and length for a sleeker styling, although the width was increased slightly. The keyless ignition uses a push button to start and stop the engine. In the U.S., the seventh generation Maxima went on sale in late June 2008. The SkyView center glass was replaced by a retractable panoramic moonroof for A35 series Maxima. Performance: * 0–60 mph: 5.8 sec. * Skid Pad Lateral acceleration: 0.85 g * 1/4 Mile: 14.5 sec. at * 60–0 mph:


Model year changes

;2012 For 2012, Nissan modestly freshened the Maxima's exterior, with a new grille, taillights and new alloy wheels in 18- and 19-inch diameters. Three new exterior colors, Java Metallic, Dark Slate, and Pearl White are available. The cabin received a few small trim changes, but was mostly carried over from 2011. A new $710 Limited Edition package on the Maxima 3.5 S bundled smoked xenon headlights, a compass in the rearview mirror, 18-inch dark-silver-finish alloy wheels, rear spoiler, dark satin chrome grille, foglights, outside mirrors with integrated turn signals and metallic trim. ;2013 The 2013 Nissan Maxima still remained the same for the most part and was available with three new option packages for the new model year. There is the Bose Audio Package, a Bose audio upgrade with SiriusXM Satellite Radio functionality. The "SV Value Package" includes the premium Bose audio setup along with heated front seats, a heated steering wheel and heated outside mirrors. The Sport Package included alloy wheels and a climate-controlled driver's seat, combined with the Maxima Monitor Package (a rearview camera system, seven-inch color monitor, USB port and an iPod storage net). ;2014 Nissan's flagship Maxima sedan entered the 2014 model year in late August 2013 with the addition of a new S Value Package. This has smoked appearance HID Xenon headlights, a compass in the rearview mirror, rear spoiler, fog lights, outside mirrors with integrated turn signals and metallic trim treatment. The Monitor and HID Xenon Packages were no longer available, while the SV received most of the Monitor package as standard. There were two new exterior colors: Gun Metallic (replaces Dark Gray) and Midnight Garnet (replaces Tuscan Sun); for eight available exterior colors total. The 3.5 S and 3.5 SV were the available models, each powered by a 3.5-liter V6 engine mated to an Xtronic CVT. 2014 was the last year for this generation Nissan Maxima, despite it carrying over into 2015 as a 2014 model year. Nissan stated "they will have plenty 2014 Nissan Maximas on dealer lots until the all-new 2016 Nissan Maxima arrives" in calendar year 2015.


Eighth generation (A36; 2016)

The eighth-generation Maxima was unveiled at the April 2015 New York International Auto Show. Sporting an athletic body redesign, Nissan calls it a "four-door sports car", a marketing term also used on the third generation J30 series (1988-1992). The Nissan Sport Sedan Concept shown in the 2014 Detroit Auto Show previewed the exterior design of the vehicle. The vehicle is 82 pounds lighter than before, with a revamped interior taking inspiration from aerospace. The '' VQ35DE'' engine was carried over with minor updates and more power, now rated at and of torque. The Maxima is available with six exterior color options and three trim levels: SV, SR, and Platinum. There was also an SR Midnight Edition that was introduced in 2016. The Midnight Edition blacked out most chrome (Grille, rims, rear chrome, exhaust tips, etc.) and added a more sporty appearance to the Maxima. The Midnight Edition was discontinued after the 2018 model year. For the 2021 model year a 40th Anniversary edition is available with unique Ruby Slate Grey Pearl paint, black exterior & interior trim, black wheels, 40th Anniversary floor mats & exterior badge and a unique white face gauge cluster. This generation Maxima made its debut in China at the 2015
Guangzhou Auto Show China (Guangzhou) International Automobile Exhibition (), also called Guangzhou International Motor Show () or Auto Guangzhou (), is an auto show held by Guangzhou Zhanlian Exhibition Service Co., Ltd, in November and December every year in the G ...
with the Chinese name 西玛, which they used as the previous generation
Nissan Cima The is a luxury sedan produced by Nissan for the Japanese market. The car's name is derived from Spanish for "summit". Earlier generations installed a hood ornament with an image of an acanthus leaf. The acanthus leaf was commonly used by class ...
. An updated Maxima was revealed at the 2018 LA Auto Show and released later that year. The Maxima for Mexico was facelifted on July 9, 2019. It is offered in the Advance, SR, and Exclusive trim lines. The Nissan Maxima was discontinued from the Mexican market after the 2020 model year. For the US and Canada, Nissan plans to end production of the Maxima in 2023. However, the Maxima name could be used on an upcoming electric sedan which will get an Infiniti equivalent. Performance: * : 5.9 sec. * Skid Pad Lateral acceleration: 0.87 g * 1/4 Mile: 14.4 sec. at * :


Sales


Other versions

In other markets, the Maxima J30 series sold internationally between 1990 and 1994, albeit with different frontal styling to the North American version. Between 1994 and 2003, the "Maxima" name was applied to the
Nissan Cefiro The is a front-engine, five passenger, mid-size passenger car manufactured and marketed by Nissan Motors over three generations. Almost all Cefiro's were marketed as four-door sedans, though a five-door wagon body style was briefly available (19 ...
sold in Australasia, Europe, and South America. From 2003 until 2013, Nissan in Australasia also retailed the
Teana Teana is a town and ''comune'' in the province of Potenza, in the southern Italian region of Basilicata. The name Teana is a derivative of the Greek word "Theano", the wife of Pythagoras, the philosopher and mathematician. Local legend stat ...
under the Maxima badge. In the Philippines, the T12
Nissan Auster The Nissan Violet is a model of car that appeared in Japan in 1973, and was exclusive to Japanese Nissan dealerships called ''Nissan Cherry Store '' as a larger companion to the Nissan Cherry. In 1977 the second generation arrived. This was spl ...
was sold as the Maxima. In the United Kingdom, the "Maxima" name was also used in the mid 1980s as a high series trim designation on the B11 Sunny, N12 Cherry and the Japanese built versions of the T12 Bluebird/Stanza. File:1990 Nissan Maxima (J30) Ti sedan (2015-08-07) 01.jpg , J30 (1990–1994)
(sold worldwide) File:1995-1996 Nissan Maxima (A32) 30J sedan (2011-04-28) 01.jpg , A32 (1994–1999)
(Australasia, Europe, South America) File:1999-2001 Nissan Maxima (A33) ST sedan 01.jpg , A33 (1999–2003)
(Australasia, Europe, South America, Iran) File:2003 Nissan Maxima (J31) ST-L sedan (2016-01-04) 01.jpg, J31 (2003–2009)
(Australasia) File:2009 Nissan Maxima (J32) 250 ST-L sedan 01.jpg , J32 (2009–2013)
(Australasia)


References

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External links

* {{Authority control Maxima Cars introduced in 1981 1990s cars 2000s cars 2010s cars 2020s cars Rear-wheel-drive vehicles Front-wheel-drive vehicles Mid-size cars Sedans Station wagons Vehicles with CVT transmission Motor vehicles manufactured in the United States