Image Source Once the dominant force on the roads, sedans have declined in popularity, overshadowed by the rising demand for SUVs and crossovers. Despite this shift, sedans remain essential for many automakers, including Nissan. After all, sedans often offer better handling and fuel efficiency compared to their bulkier counterparts due to their lower center of gravity. For a comfortable cruiser sedan, the Nissan Maxima brings plenty to the table.

Nissan Maxima by Kevauto - CC-BY-SA-4.0 For more than 40 years, the Maxima has served as Nissan’s flagship sedan (including when it first came to the U.S. as the Datsun Maxima). Over the decades, the car has served as the perfect bridge between mainstream affordability and upscale characteristics. And for many, it makes the ideal used car. So, knowing the most reliable years of the Nissan Maxima is essential. With this in mind, let’s explore the best Maxima models to consider as a used car.

Nissan Maxima by Kevauto - CC-BY-SA-4.0 Automakers are constantly improving their vehicles over the years. As a manufacturer makes major modifications to their already well-known model vehicle, they start a new generation of said vehicle. The new generation usually comes out more stylish and powerful, equipped with improved car technologies. However, that’s not all. When a manufacturer starts a new generation of their vehicle, the new improvements haven’t been tested enough, so the manufacturer only fixes the issues for future models.

2020 Nissan Maxima by Kevauto — CC BY-SA 4.0 There are not a lot of four-door sedans out there that we think look more edgy and smooth at the same time. The best year for the Nissan Maxima is the 2018 year because you can start saving some coin on the technology-driven sports-sedan. The Maxima is the older and bigger sibling to the Altama, Sentra, and Versa. Its big body design seats five and hosts a V6 engine powerful enough to haul it around town and kick it with ease on the expressway.