The swansong Nissan Maxima comes packed with athletic performance, an upscale cabin, and an abundance of driver safety features. With sleek styling, five seats, 300 horsepower, and an MSRP of around $40,000, there’s much to like about the 2023 Nissan Maxima. Yet, there are four reasons potential buyers may want to think twice about choosing one.

Reason #1: Cramped interior and small trunk

The 2023 Nissan Maxima boasts a well-trimmed, well-built interior, complementing its sporty styling culminating in a swept-back rear roofline. While this makes the Maxima look like a competent cruiser, its flair is more form than function. Passenger space is limited, and despite its place in the large sedan segment, Edmunds says, the cabin feels “small.” Those in the front will be satisfied with headroom, but “intrusions in the footwells and high armrests make things feel cramped.” Rear passengers are gifted even less room.

Styling also affects available cargo space. The Nissan Maxima’s 14.3 cubic feet of trunk space is the lowest in the large car segment. Comparatively, the Nissan Altima, a midsize car, has 15.9 cubic feet. That is a difference between a couple of grocery bags. Luckily, the Maxima has a split-folding rear seat to enhance space.

Reason #2: Compromised visibility

The smart-looking 2023 Nissan Maxima continues to trip over itself as visibility is compromised. Larger A-pillars and a long, bulging hood make it more challenging for drivers to judge corners. Moreover, the rear roofline increases blind spots behind and to the sides of the sedan. Fortunately, the Maxima has a well-stocked driver safety and assistance suite to counteract styling faults.

Reason #3: Dated infotainment system 

The 2023 Nissan Maxima is part of the eighth-generation car introduced seven years ago. That’s the same time difference between the iPhone 7 and iPhone 14. The infotainment resolution and response time are sufficient, but the graphics are outdated. Competitors offer much nicer systems. Yet, the Maxima features an eight-inch touchscreen with Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, satellite radio, navigation, voice recognition, and a Wi-Fi hotspot. And that’s all in the base SV model.

Potential buyers looking for state-of-the-art tech and entertainment features may want to look elsewhere. Nevertheless, its age does provide ease of use with physical knobs and buttons, a waning technological feature these days.

Reason #4: It’s not necessarily a ‘sports car’

The Maxima may not really be the “four-door sports car” Nissan calls it. Front-wheel drive and a continuously variable transmission aren’t typically found on high-performance sedans. Otherwise, some reviewers have slight issues with the Nissan Maxima’s driving dynamics.

U.S. News claims the Maxima has “vague steering.” They say it “cruises comfortably over smooth and bumpy roads alike,” but there “isn’t much steering feedback.” Edmunds adds that those selecting the sportier SR trim must trade ride comfort for sharper handling. Even though the Maxima is built more as a business suit than a tracksuit, the Maxima still makes for a confident backroad barnstormer.

Should potential buyers avoid the 2023 Nissan Maxima?

Other options do the work of a sedan better than the Nissan Maxima. For example, the Dodge Charger offers seemingly acres more room for passengers and cargo alike. Customers can also choose from a bevy of impressive engines, with outputs from 292 to 797 horsepower. A capable 3.5-liter V6 is the only option for the Maxima.

There are faults in the new Nissan Maxima. It does sacrifice some functionality for its handsome exterior and is slightly confused in trading performance for comfort on different trim levels. Regardless, if one can overcome the more significant issue of interior space, the 2023 Nissan Maxima is an excellent choice.