Skip to main content

2020 Nissan Maxima gets more standard safety tech, keeps V6 grunt

The Nissan Maxima was once one of the sportiest sedans you could buy, so sporty that Nissan was able to get away with calling it a “four-door sports car.” But like an aging athlete, the Maxima has slowed down a bit over the years. Nissan still tenaciously clings to the old “four-door sports car” memories, even as the Maxima has become more of a rival for big, cushy sedans like the Toyota Avalon than those from BMW. That will remain the status quo as the 2020 Nissan Maxima rolls into the new model year with only minor changes.

Recommended Videos

The Nissan Safety Shield 360 bundle of driver aids introduced as an optional extra for the 2019 model year is now standard across the board. Previously available only on the SR and Platinum trim levels, Safety Shield 360 includes autonomous emergency braking, blind spot monitoring, rear cross traffic alert, lane departure warning, and automatic high beams. A driver-alertness monitor is standard as well, while adaptive cruise control and a 360-degree camera system are optional.

No changes were made under the hood. The Maxima is powered by a 3.5-liter V6, which makes 300 horsepower and 261 pound-feet of torque, which is plenty of grunt for a car of this size. The V6 drives the front wheels through a continuously variable transmission (CVT). All 2020 Maxima trim levels get the Integrated Dynamics-control Module (IDM), which was previously offered only on the SR model. IDM uses small brake applications to settle the car after it’s gone over a bump.

The Maxima SR still gets sportier suspension tuning, and an Active Sound Enhancement feature that amplifies the sound of the engine. For 2020, the SR also gets features previously available only in an optional Premium Package — including a panoramic moonroof and 360-degree camera system — as standard equipment. The Maxima still doesn’t get the ProPilot Assist driver-assist system available on the Leaf, Altima, Rogue, and Rogue Sport.

The interior remains largely unchanged from 2019. Like many other Nissan models, the Maxima gets Zero Gravity seats designed using NASA research on the human body. Nissan considers the Maxima its flagship, and the top Platinum trim level is available with a Reserve package that adds upscale features like semi-aniline leather. But the gap between the Maxima and the Nissan Altima has shrunk since a redesign of the latter sedan.

Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard on all trim levels except the base S. Nissan also offers a variety of connected services, including Google Assistant compatibility, an Amazon Alexa skill, and door-to-door navigation that sends walking directions to and from the car to your smartphone. The standard Rear Door Alert feature is designed to keep drivers from leaving children or pets unattended in the back seat.

The 2020 Nissan Maxima is available in five trim levels: S, SV, SL, SR, and Platinum. The base S model starts at $35,145. The midrange SV and SL start at $37,195 and $39,535, respectively. The SR and top Platinum trim levels are priced fairly close together at $42,345 and $42,435, respectively. All prices include a mandatory $895 destination charge. The 2020 Maxima is on sale now.

Please enable Javascript to view this content

Stephen Edelstein
Stephen is a freelance automotive journalist covering all things cars. He likes anything with four wheels, from classic cars…
You can now lease a Hyundai EV on Amazon—and snag that $7,500 tax credit
amazon autos hyundai evs lease ioniq 6 n line seoul mobility show 2025 mk08

Amazon has changed how we shop for just about everything—from books to furniture to groceries. Now, it’s transforming the way we lease cars. Through Amazon Autos, you can now lease a brand-new Hyundai entirely online—and even better, you’ll qualify for the full $7,500 federal tax credit if you choose an electric model like the Ioniq 5, Ioniq 6, or Kona EV.
Here’s why that matters: As of January 2025, Hyundai’s EVs no longer qualify for the tax credit if you buy them outright, due to strict federal rules about battery sourcing and final assembly. But when you lease, the vehicle is technically owned by the leasing company (Hyundai Capital), which allows it to be classified as a “commercial vehicle” under U.S. tax law—making it eligible for the credit. That savings is typically passed on to you in the form of lower lease payments.
With Amazon’s new setup, you can browse Hyundai’s EV inventory, secure financing, trade in your current vehicle, and schedule a pickup—all without leaving the Amazon ecosystem.
It’s available in 68 markets across the U.S., and pricing is fully transparent—no hidden fees or haggling. While Hyundai is so far the only automaker fully participating, more are expected to join over time.
Pioneered by the likes of Tesla, purchasing or leasing vehicles online has been a growing trend since the Covid pandemic.
A 2024 study by iVendi found that 74% of car buyers expect to use some form of online process for their next purchase. In fact, 75% said online buying met or exceeded expectations, with convenience and access to information cited as top reasons. The 2024 EY Mobility Consumer Index echoed this trend, reporting that 25% of consumers now plan to buy their next vehicle online—up from 18% in 2021. Even among those who still prefer to finalize the purchase at a dealership, 87% use online tools for research beforehand.
Meanwhile, Deloitte’s 2025 Global Automotive Consumer Study reveals that while 86% of U.S. consumers still want to test-drive a vehicle in person, digital tools are now a critical part of the buying journey.
Bottom line? Amazon is making it easier than ever to lease an EV and claim that tax credit—without the dealership hassle. If you're ready to plug in, it might be time to add to cart.

Read more
Gemini AI coming to cars as Android Automotive update suggests it’s due soon
The 6.8-inch Pioneer digital media receiver installed in a vehicle's dashboard.

Google appears to be getting ready to sends its Gemini AI into cars through an Android Automotive update.

This would make sense as Android Automotive already uses Google's Assistant to help with those much-needed in-car hands-free requests.

Read more
Watch from the passenger seat as the new Porsche 911 GT3 sets a record at the Nürburgring
911 GT3 with Weissach Package (Manual Transmission), Nürburgring Nordschleife 2025, Porsche AG

If you've ever wanted to race at top speeds around one of the most iconic racetracks in the world, then now is your chance. A new Porsche 911 GT3 just set a record for the fastest time around the Nürburgring in a road car with a manual transmission, knocking almost 10 seconds off the previous best time. And Porsche has released a video of the run filmed from the cockpit, so you can experience the thrills for yourself.

The record was set by legendary driver and Porsche brand ambassador Jörg Bergmeister at the wheel of a 911 GT3 with the Weissach package, setting a time of 6:56.294. That's 9.5 seconds ahead of the previous record set by the Dodge Viper ACR in 2017 -- though there's some math involved in these time calculations as the track was reconfigured in 2019.

Read more