When deciding between two model years of the same car, it often doesn’t seem to matter unless there are significant changes involved. For the 2023 model year, news from Nissan states that all Maxima grades (i.e., trim levels) will adopt Nissan’s new brand logo inside and out, and the Maxima Platinum adds a semi-aniline leather-appointed seating surface and illuminated kick plates. For those wondering if the latest model is worth the price bump, let’s compare the 2023 and 2022 Nissan Maxima models.

Nissan’s new logo

Nissan has updated its logo, a decision not made flippantly, as the automaker would have to spend more money making sure to have the same design across all its platforms and vehicles. This change is because the company’s executives wanted something that would look good when illuminated and work better on digital platforms. The Nissan logo has significance as it references the company’s Japanese roots. Japan calls itself Nippon, which translates as ‘land of the rising sun.’

2023 Nissan Maxima performance specs and features

The 2023 Nissan Maxima has a 3.5-liter V6 engine rated at 300 hp and 261 lb-ft of torque, as does the 2022 Nissan Maxima. The Drive Mode Selector allows you to toggle between the Sport and Normal modes in the 2023 and 2022 year models. The 2023 year model has a fuel economy of 20 mpg in the city, 30 mpg on the highway, and 24 mpg combined, which the 2022 year model also has. In terms of engineering, there are hardly any differences between the two model years, if any.

Technology features of the old and new Maxima

The 2023 year model is packed with safety features that will make any driver happy and secure. Safety features include Blind Spot Warning, Pedestrian Detection, Automatic Emergency Braking, Automatic Rear Braking, and more. Additional technologies include Traffic Sign Recognition, Intelligent Driver Alertness, and Intelligent Cruise Control. With the Traffic Sign Recognition feature, the system notifies drivers when it detects a speed limit or other traffic signs they might not immediately notice.

Outside of the safety features, the 2023 model has two front USB ports, door-to-door navigation, and a WiFi hotspot that can control your vehicle functions through a smartphone and smartwatch app. The touch-screen is 8 inches and features Android Auto and Apple CarPlay compatibility.

Nissan Maxima design changes

The interior and exterior design of the 2023 Nissan Maxima strikes a great first impression. It comes standard with LED headlights and daytime running lights. One common question is about the purpose of daytime running lights, which help other drivers see your vehicle better and aren’t designed to light the road. When it’s rainy or foggy, it’s easy to miss a dark car, but you’re more likely to notice lights. For the interior, one of the feature options includes a premium Ascot leather-wrapped steering wheel and satin chrome stitching on the dashboard, seats, steering wheel, and console.

What’s different between the 2023 and 2022 Nissan Maxima?

There aren’t a lot of differences between the 2023 and 2022 Nissan Maxima year models, but there are some differences. Is the 2023 Nissan Maxima worth the price bump? Since the year models are virtually identical, the price bump wouldn’t make much difference unless you absolutely need the features the 2023 year model doesn’t have.