Overview

What's New for 2012:
- New option package
- Slight cosmetic changes to exterior and interior features

Exterior Features
The Nissan Maxima is a large, sporty, near-luxury sedan that is available in two trim levels: S and SV. Eighteen-inch alloy wheels are standard, with 19-inch wheels available. Other standard exterior features include automatic headlights and keyless entry and ignition.

Interior Features
The Maxima S trim level offers cloth upholstery, power front seats, dual-zone automatic climate control, auto-dimming rearview mirror, Bluetooth connectivity, and an 8-speaker sound system. The SV trim upgrades to leather upholstery; more ergonomic features to the driver's seat; premium Bose audio system; and more. The trunk provides 14.2 cubic feet of cargo space.

Optional Features
Exterior options on the Maxima include dark silver alloy wheels, sportier grille, HID Xenon headlights, fog lights (standard with the SV trim), and a rear spoiler. Various option packages add Xenon headlights, premium leather upholstery, heated front seats and steering wheel, touch-screen electronics interface, summer tires, and a voice-activated navigation system.

Under the Hood
The Nissan Maxima's standard power plant is a 3.5-liter V-6 engine rated at 290 horsepower. A continuously variable transmission (CVT) is standard, sending power to the front wheels.

Fuel Economy
EPA fuel-economy figures for the 2012 Nissan Maxima are 19/26/22 mpg (city/highway/combined).

Safety
Standard safety features on the Maxima include anti-lock disc brakes, stability control, traction control, and a full complement of air bags. A rearview camera is optional with the SV trim.

In tests conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), the Nissan Maxima received a "Good" rating--the Institute's highest--in frontal-offset and side-impact crash protection, and "Acceptable" in roof strength.