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The Nissan Maxima was no longer popular when the automaker discontinued it after the 2023 model year. However, this is still a solid option for buyers looking for the best sedans without sacrificing performance. In fact, the Nissan Maxima competes with many more sporty options and has high ratings almost across the board. In some ways, it’s comparable to the 2023 Toyota Camry.

The 2023 Nissan Maxima is among the best sedans for performance

The 2023 Nissan Maxima has quite a bit to offer for people who want the perfect balance of practicality and performance. According to Edmunds, it comes standard with a 3.5-liter V6 engine that makes 300 horsepower and has a torque of 261 lb-ft. The 2023 Nissan Maxima is a front wheel drive car and, predictably, uses a continuously variable transmission. 

The Nissan Maxima is underrated.
2023 Nissan Maxima | Nissan

The Maxima is one of the best sedans for speed, as it only needs about 5.7 seconds to get from 0 to 60 miles per hour. Its top speed is 132 miles per hour, and the car has four drive modes. They are normal, sport, eco, and snow. Regarding fuel economy, it averages 20 miles per gallon in the city and 30 MPG on the highway. There are more efficient options, but this isn’t bad for a V6. 

For comparison, it takes the similarly sized 2023 Toyota Camry between 6.3 and 8.2 seconds for the feat. However, it offers a little better fuel economy than the Nissan. 

It has higher ratings than the 2023 Toyota Camry

The 2023 Nissan Maxima is also one of the best sedans because it has solid scores pretty much across the board. It even won The J.D. Power Award for initial quality, which is fitting because the marketing research firm gave it a 93 out of 100 for reliability. This falls into the ‘best’ category of ratings. For comparison, the 2023 Toyota Camry has an 88. 

The Maxima has an overall 85 out of 100, while the 2023 Toyota Camry has an 83. Both options are among the best sedans, but the Maxima is much less popular, as it sold less than 10,000 units in 2023. 

High ratings and solid performance aren’t the only factors that make the Nissan Maxima one of the best sedans that people didn’t buy. It also has a luxury-like interior that has room for five people. This car also has a ton of standard features, including dual-zone automatic climate control, power front seats, and an eight-inch touchscreen display. 

The 2023 Nissan Maxima is one of the recent models that deserves to be labeled underrated. However, the automaker has a Maxima EV planned for the near future.