Is the 2022 Nissan Maxima Too Outdated?
The 2022 Nissan Maxima offers practicality and performance. And mixed reviews. Is the new sedan just not innovative enough to outshine its competitors?
Written by Elaine Duvet
Reviewed by Kathleen Flear
It’s a new year, and if you’re like us, you’ve got your eye on the latest luxury sports cars. But is the 2022 Nissan Maxima really a
sports car
? Some enthusiasts would argue otherwise.We found mixed reviews when it comes to this high-tech powerhouse. If you’re in the market to
buy a new car
, check out what the critics have to say about Nissan’s new four-door thrill ride.Nissan still can’t grasp the 'sports car'
Close, but no cigar. Nissan still doesn’t have a handle on producing a competitive track car. It can barely pass as a luxury sedan. The 2020 Nissan Maxima is available in SV, SR, and Platinum trims.
The 2022 Maxima looks promising, but it's not as fun to drive as its competitors.
Consumer Reports
notes that when merging on busy highways “the standard continuously variable transmission (CVT) produces angst-inducing engine noise and feels disconnected to the whole acceleration experience.” It’s not the smoothest ride in town, but it's smooth enough. Passengers may feel a bit of discomfort when the 2022 Nissan Maxima takes on bumps and road imperfections. According to
Edmunds
, the Nissan “Provides sporty handling. But you can get similar or superior performance from other top midsize sedans and benefit from more interior room and fresher styling.”Unfortunately, the steering doesn’t give much feedback and makes you work harder than you should to maneuver into a parking spot during your daily errands. It’s a snug ride, so you may want to think twice before taking this car on your next
road trip
.The comfort of the interior isn’t much to write home about either. The front seat is cramped, even more so if you’re tall and need ample headroom. The padded center console is intrusive, so there’s not much room for your legs either. And since it's so low-slung, you’ll probably have to duck to get into the backseat.
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There’s still a lot to love about the 2022 Nissan Maxima
It is fast, however. According to
Consumer Reports
, “The 3.5-liter V6 eagerly unleashes every one of its 300 horses, dashing from zero to 60 mph in just 6.5 seconds while still returning a commendable 25 mpg overall albeit on premium fuel.” It’s estimated to get around 25 mpg and functions best on premium fuel. The SR trim offers sporty features like sport suspension, paddle shifters, an 11-speaker Bose audio system, and a heated steering wheel. With a price point starting around $42,000, we’ve come to expect highlights like these and would love to test out that steering wheel in the dead of winter.
Though Edmunds argues the infotainment is outdated, the 2022 Nissan Maxima’s touch screen is one of our favorites. The system has an elegant finish and the attention to detail has not gone unnoticed. It’s user-friendly, with quick system response and intuitive voice commands.
The cabin has a plush interior, and on the Premium models, the diamond-quilted stitching on the seats is sure to impress. The padded front seats are inspired by NASA research, and claim to be “zero gravity.”
The midsize sedan is also convenient to drive with kids, as it features LATCH car seat anchors. This is a great alternative to using seat belts to secure your child’s car seat.
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