The 2018 Nissan Maxima has some of the most unique styling seen on a full-sized sedan in today's marketplace. Styling is swoopy, futuristic and undeniably sporty. Blacked-out A- and B-pillars, along with a black strip on the rear C-pillar, make the roof appear to float and gives the whole car a unique look.
Underneath the hood rests a 3.5L V6, a revised version of the engine that powered the previous Maxima generation. Here, it makes an even 300 horsepower. That power is sent to the front wheels via a continuously variable transmission (CVT.) Rather than having set gears, CVT transmissions are able to choose any ratio, essentially adapting on the go to whatever the driver is demanding, be it smooth fuel-efficient cruising on the highway or hard acceleration up an onramp.

While the outside of the Maxima is striking, the interior has received equal attention. The new interior design is clean and functional, but not without its little flourishes. Keeping with the sport sedan theme, the cockpit is now more focused on the driver and features hand-stitching on several of the trim pieces.

The Maxima is offered in five different trim levels: S, SV, SL, SR and Platinum. Standard equipment on the base S model is still somewhat comprehensive. The S includes an eight-inch color screen that houses the standard navigation system, an 8-way power adjustable driver's seat and 4-way power adjustable front passenger seat, dual-zone automatic temperature control, a rearview camera, a 7-inch advanced driver assist display, HD radio with a subscription to SiriusXM, 18-inch wheels, LED daytime running lamps, LED taillights and dual exhaust tips.

The SV trim improves upon the interior of the S by adding leather seating surfaces, heated front seats, front and rear parking sensors and additional movement settings for the power front seats.

The SL trim adds several safety features, a massive moonroof and a Bose premium sound system. Included safety features on the SL include a predictive front collision warning system and a blind-spot monitoring system. The front sensors on the car also enable intelligent cruise control, which automatically speeds up and slows down the Maxima to maintain a set distance to the car ahead of it on the highway.

The SR trim is for buyers who are a bit more serious about using the Maxima as a 4-door sports car. Nissan's integrated dynamic-control module allows for active changes to the suspension and engine, allowing drivers to tune their car for better handling or more engine braking at the push of a button. The SR also gets 19-inch wheels and Alcantara, diamond-stitched seats, and though it comes with most of the features on the SL trim, it does not include the moonroof.

Platinum models, of course, offer the most of everything. In addition to getting the trick interior seating from the SR trim, the Platinum trim also includes the huge dual-pane moonroof from the SL trim. Other goodies on the Platinum trim include an around-view monitoring system, fully climate-controlled front seats, a motorized tilting and telescoping steering wheel, rain sensing wipers and wood accents for the interior.

Striking Styling

Powerful Engine

Efficient CVT Transmission

Sporty Driving Experience

Upscale Luxury Features

The 2018 Nissan Maxima carries over mostly unchanged this year adding Android Auto smartphone integration to all trim levels. The SR Midnight Edition now includes Intelligent Driver Awareness previously exclusive to the Platinum trim level.

The Nissan Maxima starts at a little over $33,000, so while it would never be accused of being an economy car, it is also priced below most luxury vehicles in the marketplace. The Maxima offers more space than an equivalently priced Audi, BMW or Mercedes, and it also offers more pace than a high-end Camry or Accord. The Maxima tries to let buyers have their cake and eat it too, reproducing the fun driving experience offered by European sports sedans, without reproducing their higher prices and smaller cabins.