Nissan Maxima 0-60 Time & Specs

By: Max F. Arellano / April 02, 2024

The Nissan Maxima 0-60 time is generally in the high 5-second range across all eighth-generation trims, definitely faster than its bland, soul-crushing design would suggest.

In this article, we'll take a look at the 0-60 time of various Nissan Maxima trims and see how the Maxima's acceleration stacks up against its rivals.

Nissan Maxima 0-60 Time & by Trim

The 8th generation of Nissan Maxima was introduced in 2016 and faced no changes to its design or powertrain up until its discontinuation in 2023.

3 of the different trims were tested during this time period, and feature very similar 0-60 times, something that's expected as they all feature the same powertrain.

Maxima SR

 
• 0-60 Time: 5.9 seconds
 
• Quarter Mile: 14.4 seconds
 
• Engine: 6 Cyl 3.5 Liter
 
• Transmission: CVT
 
• Drive Type: FWD
 
• Body Style: Sedan
 
• Horsepower: 300 HP
 
• Torque: 261 lb-ft

Trim Level Explanation: The Maxima SR is focused on delivering a sportier driving experience within the Maxima range.

It features a sport-tuned suspension, paddle shifters for manual control over the CVT, and unique styling cues like a rear spoiler and Alcantara leather inserts.

The SR trim is designed for those who prioritize driving dynamics and sporty aesthetics in their full-size sedan.

Maxima Platinum

 
• 0-60 Time: 5.7 seconds
 
• Quarter Mile: 14.2 seconds
 
• Engine: 6 Cyl 3.5 Liter
 
• Transmission: CVT
 
• Drive Type: FWD
 
• Body Style: Sedan
 
• Horsepower: 300 HP
 
• Torque: 261 lb-ft

Trim Level Explanation: The Maxima Platinum is the top-tier trim (excluding the Platinum Reserve package), loaded with advanced technology and luxury features.

It includes amenities such as quilted leather seating, a surround-view camera, and safety technologies like automatic emergency braking and blind-spot monitoring. It aims to blend performance with peak luxury and tech for a refined driving experience.

Maxima Platinum Reserve

 
• 0-60 Time: 6.0 seconds
 
• Quarter Mile: 14.6 seconds
 
• Engine: 6 Cyl 3.5 Liter
 
• Transmission: CVT
 
• Drive Type: FWD
 
• Body Style: Sedan
 
• Horsepower: 300 HP
 
• Torque: 261 lb-ft

Trim Level Explanation: The Maxima Platinum Reserve is the epitome of luxury within the Maxima lineup, offering the highest level of comfort, premium materials, and exclusive features.

It builds on the already luxurious Platinum trim with semi-aniline leather seats, unique interior trim options, and special exterior accents to set it apart as the most premium offering.

Nissan Maxima 0-60 Time vs Rivals

Now that we've established that the Nissan Maxima 0-60 time is essentially in the high 5-second range, let's see how this compares to other cars in the full-size sedan market.

Dodge Charger

Similar to the Maxima, the Charger's last production year was 2023.

Other than the Hellcat trim, which smokes the Maxima in straight-line acceleration and is nowhere near the same price range, Chargers can be seen as occupying a similar space in the market as the Maxima.

The R/T trim features a V8 engine that produces 370 horsepower, propelling the Charger to 60 mph in 4.9 seconds. It cost ~ $42,000, essentially the same as the Maxima. Given its superior 0-60 time, it wins the price-performance competition pretty handily.

Secondly, there's the GT, a V6 variant of the Charger which gets to 60 mph in 6.4 seconds and cost ~$37,000 in 2023. When compared to this trim, the Maxima starts to look attractive, as it's faster and offers a much more luxurious interior.

Toyota Avalon

Moving on to another discontinued car, we have the Toyota Avalon, Toyota's former flagship sedan. It features 2 powertrains, a 3.5 liter V6 that produces 301 horsepower, and achieves a 0-60 time of about 6 seconds.

It is priced similarly to the Maxima and offers the same level of luxury.

Considering the Maxima's CVT transmission has been met with ridicule, some people might prefer the Avalon's 8-speed automatic.

The Hybrid Avalon gets to 60 mph in a glacial 7.8 seconds, while costing essentially the same as its V6 brother at ~$37,000 - way too much money to ask for a car that slow.

Honda Accord

Finally, we have the Accord, not quite a full-size sedan, but its interior is actually larger than the Maxima's so it often draws comparisons.

The Nissan Maxima loses the price/performance battle here. The Accord's 2.0T trim uses a 2-liter turbocharged engine that takes it to 60 mph in 5.5 seconds.

Not only is it faster than the Maxima, it's significantly cheaper. The average MSRP of the Maxima was about $40,000 in 2023, whereas the faster Accord of that year was just $33,000.

Again, the Maxima does offer a much more luxurious interior to the Accord, its saving grace.

Conclusion

The Nissan Maxima offers above-average acceleration compared to many base-level trims in its segment.

However, you don't have to look too hard to find cheaper sedans of similar size that offer better acceleration.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why are Maximas so fast?

Maximas are considered fast for their segment due to their powerful 3.5-liter V6 engine, which produces around 300 horsepower.

This engine, combined with a tuned Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) that maximizes power delivery and efficiency, allows the Maxima to offer strong acceleration.

Additionally, the Maxima's sport-tuned suspension contributes to its responsive handling, enhancing the feeling of speed.

Is a Maxima or Altima faster?

The Nissan Maxima is generally faster than the Nissan Altima, especially when comparing models equipped with the Altima's base engine.

However, the Altima with its available 2.0-liter VC-Turbo engine, which offers around 248 horsepower, narrows the performance gap, though the Maxima still typically has the edge in raw acceleration due to its higher horsepower output.

How fast is a Nissan Maxima 3.5 S?

The Nissan Maxima 3.5 S, with its 300-horsepower 3.5-liter V6 engine, can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in approximately 5.7 to 6.0 seconds, similar to other Maxima trims.

This performance is attributed to its potent engine and efficient CVT, which work together to provide quick acceleration.

Is Infiniti faster than Maxima?

Whether an Infiniti is faster than a Maxima depends on the specific models being compared. Infiniti, Nissan's luxury brand, offers several models with powerful engines, like the Infiniti Q50 with a 3.0-liter twin-turbo V6 engine that can produce up to 400 horsepower in its Red Sport 400 trim, making it faster than the Maxima.

However, comparing base models or models with similar power outputs, the performance might be more closely matched, though the Infiniti models are generally positioned as more performance-oriented.

Is a Maxima faster than a Charger?

The Dodge Charger's performance varies widely across its model range. Base Charger models with the V6 engine are slower than the Maxima, with 0 to 60 mph times also in the high 5-second to low 6-second range.

However, Charger models equipped with V8 engines, such as the R/T, Scat Pack, and Hellcat, are significantly faster than the Maxima, with the Hellcat variant capable of achieving 0 to 60 mph in the low 3-second range.

Therefore, while a base Charger and a Maxima might be closely matched in speed, the higher-performance Charger trims are much faster.