Growing up, Nissan vehicles helped turn me into a car nut. From Patrols to Frontiers and stick shift Sentras, this brand fascinated me. However, one car in that lineup got me hooked to the point that I tried to convince my mom to buy one several times. The Maxima. Also known as the Cefiro in the Philippines. Several family friends had them. One of my aunts had one here in the U.S. Meanwhile, our family stuck to the rugged trucks and SUVs, since I never successfully talked my mom into a Nissan Maxima. Regardless, I still grew fond of Nissan, having grown up riding around in Patrols, Hardbodies, and Frontiers/Navaras.
Alongside the legendary GT-R, the Maxima became my fascination. From its RWD beginnings to its final generations as a sporty FWD midsize sedan, it always caught my attention. As I grew, I always dreamed of owning one. Working at MotorTrend and other automotive outlets, I got the opportunity to drive the eighth and final generation. No matter the version, driving it made me smile. Although I can no longer buy one brand new, I continue to appreciate the nuances that make the Maxima such a great sedan. Even four years after the last time I drove one, I remember it vividly. Moreso than usual because it came to me during the COVID-19 pandemic, a time when everyone felt trapped and unable to move.
Nissan Maxima: Friend to the Rescue
At the height of lockdown in early 2021, everyone only went out for essentials. I did the same thing, plus used the time to enjoy the empty roads, relax, and clear my mind. The 2021 Nissan Maxima came at the right time. I scheduled it to create some food-related content and how it relates to the car. However, it also brought some nostalgia. The 300-hp 3.5-liter V6’s prodigious power brought me back to my childhood cruising around in a green Nissan Patrol. What about the CVT, you ask? It worked well in the Maxima, always remaining responsive and keeping the engine at the heart of the action.
The example I drove that week was the 40th Anniversary Edition. Based on the Platinum trim, it came finished in Ruby Slate Pearl with a black roof coupled with a nice helping of black exterior accents and gloss-black 19-inch alloy wheels. Inside, the semi-aniline leather seats came in a hot shade of two-tone red and black, complete with 40th Anniversary Edition embossing. It even came with white faces for the tachometer and speedometer as a throwback to past Maximas.
This car spoke to me. It brought me back to my roots. Every moment behind the wheel felt like coming home to where it all began. Although this Maxima lacked the SR’s sport-tuned suspension and larger rear stabilizer bar, it drove with impressive confidence. Smooth over all types of pavement, stable through turns with little body roll. On the other hand, the steering felt unnaturally heavy at low speeds and lightened up the faster you went. While unusual, it didn’t dampen my enthusiasm for this car. I looked for every excuse to go out for a cruise or drive up Angeles Crest just to hear that V6 engine sing.
Maximum Throwback
By the time the Maxima 40th Anniversary Edition graced my garage, it lived on borrowed time. I knew that it was only a matter of time until Nissan discontinued this iconic sedan. Despite the 4-Door Sports Car marketing, the Maxima strayed far from that. Yes, it handled well, but it always felt like a sporty cruiser because of its size.
I didn’t care. I loved the Maxima’s road manners. In a way, it reminded me of the Nissans I grew up with. Its quiet confidence and high-speed stability brought me back to the cars I rode in everywhere we went in our province. The fact that it wears a mainstream badge, especially one so near and dear to me, hit home. I took the car out as much as I could to reminisce about my childhood. Although it’s not an SUV like our old Patrols, the Maxima still managed to scratch that nostalgia itch. It’s like reconnecting with an old friend after a long time.
The Maxima is one of many cars that I adore due to childhood nostalgia. Having the opportunity to drive several examples made me understand why I desired it so much as a kid growing up in the Philippines. It’s the big sedan that moves like an athlete, yet it offers a nice blend of comfort and agility that makes you happy driving it at any speed. Did the CVT of the last generation ruin it for me? No. Frankly, it helped me appreciate the lack of conventional gears, which allowed me to appreciate other vehicles, specifically hybrids, plug-in hybrids, and EVs. Even with its simulated shifts, I still found a way to enjoy it, especially with that sweet-sounding 3.5-liter V6 and its seamless 300 hp and 261 lb-ft of torque.
What About the Future?
Nissan discontinued the Maxima after the 2023 model year, and I mourned its loss. Unlike some of my media colleagues who didn’t care for the car, I held a deep appreciation for it. This front-drive beast sits among a flurry of other vehicles I wish I had the chance to own. That includes the Mazda6, Volvo C30, and Hyundai Kona N.
As of this writing, I doubt I’ll ever get a chance to own a Maxima because it appears Nissan cancelled the next-generation all-electric model. However, I am grateful for the times I spent with the outgoing model, specifically that 40th Anniversary Edition. The Nissan Maxima helped form my interest in all things automotive. I gained an appreciation for things that the average enthusiast didn’t care for. As a result, I gained a distinct taste in cars.
Time spent behind the wheel of several Maximas cemented this, and I will always remember this sedan as one I wanted for a while. It may not be the sharpest or quickest, but it always put a big, joyful smile on my face. That’s the most important bit, and the one that matters most. Cheers to the Nissan Maxima, the big sedan that helped turn a young kid into a bona fide car nerd.
