“Smaller interior that comparable vehicles. Does not fit 3 adults in back seat well. Styling is meh. Platinum version has all the bells and whistles. Bose sound is good, but too much midrange; color me disappointed (still better than most other systems; prefer Beats system in Dodge).”
2020 Nissan Maxima: What's New, Specs & Features
Last updated August 13, 2026
The most important change for the 2020 Nissan Maxima is that the Safety Shield 360 safety suite is standard on every trim. This is a light equipment update rather than a redesign, with the SR also gaining previously optional premium features as standard.
About the 2020 Nissan Maxima
8th generation (2016-2023), fifth model year; 2020 follows the 2019 refresh.
Nissan positions the Maxima as a “4-Door Sports Car” rather than a traditional big family sedan. Its core appeal is a standard 300-hp V6, bold styling, a driver-focused cabin, and a more upscale feel than many mainstream sedans. Compared with roomier, softer rivals, the Maxima leans harder into quick response, dramatic design, and a premium atmosphere while still offering everyday sedan comfort and smartphone-friendly tech.
The 2020 Maxima is a V6-powered sedan offered in five trims, from the well-equipped S to the comfort-focused Platinum. The SV adds leather, heated front seats, and navigation; the SL brings a panoramic moonroof and Bose audio; and the sportier SR combines sharper suspension tuning with paddle shifters, a panoramic moonroof, and a 360-degree camera.
What changed, by category
Safety
Safety Shield 360 became standard on every trim. It includes blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic alert, rear automatic braking, lane departure warning, automatic high beams, and front automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection.
Structural
Nissan’s chassis-control system became standard across the lineup rather than being limited to sportier versions.
Styling
The SR’s previously optional dual-panel panoramic moonroof became standard. The rear spoiler changed from standard to optional on the S, SV, SL, and Platinum.
Tech
The SR’s 360-degree camera system moved from optional to standard equipment.
2020 Nissan Maxima specs and features by trim
| Feature | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | V6, 3.5 Liter | V6, 3.5 Liter | V6, 3.5 Liter | V6, 3.5 Liter | V6, 3.5 Liter |
| Transmission | Automatic, Xtronic CVT | Automatic, Xtronic CVT | Automatic, Xtronic CVT | Automatic, Xtronic CVT | Automatic, Xtronic CVT |
| Drivetrain | FWD | FWD | FWD | FWD | FWD |
| Fuel Type | Gas | Gas | Gas | Gas | Gas |
| MPG City | 20 mpg | 20 mpg | 20 mpg | 20 mpg | 20 mpg |
| MPG Highway | 30 mpg | 30 mpg | 30 mpg | 30 mpg | 30 mpg |
| Horsepower | 300 hp | 300 hp | 300 hp | 300 hp | 300 hp |
| Torque | 261 lb-ft | 261 lb-ft | 261 lb-ft | 261 lb-ft | 261 lb-ft |
| Trunk/Cargo | 14.3 cu-ft | 14.3 cu-ft | 14.3 cu-ft | 14.3 cu-ft | 14.3 cu-ft |
| Rear Legroom | 34.2 in | 34.2 in | 34.2 in | 34.2 in | 34.2 in |
| Seats | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Doors | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Alarm System | |||||
| Automatic Emergency Braking | |||||
| Blindspot Sensors | |||||
| Front & Rear Parking Sensors | |||||
| Lane Departure Warning | |||||
| Rain Sensing Windshield Wipers | |||||
| Rear View Camera | |||||
| 360 Camera | |||||
| Alloy Wheels | |||||
| Auto-Dimming Exterior Mirrors | |||||
| Fog Lights | |||||
| Heated Mirrors | |||||
| Memory Exterior Mirrors | |||||
| Panorama Moon Roof | |||||
| Rear Spoiler | |||||
| Navigation System | |||||
| Premium Audio | |||||
| Satellite Radio | |||||
| Smartphone Interface | |||||
| Cooled Seats | |||||
| Dual-Zone Climate Control | |||||
| Heated Front Seats | |||||
| Heated Rear Seats | |||||
| Heated Steering Wheel | |||||
| Interior Ambient Lighting | |||||
| Leather Seats | |||||
| Memory Driver's Seat | |||||
| Memory Steering Wheel | |||||
| Proximity Keyless Entry | |||||
| Push-Button Engine Start | |||||
| Rear Window Shades | |||||
| Remote Start | |||||
Frequently asked questions
Was the 2020 Nissan Maxima redesigned?
No, the 2020 Nissan Maxima was not redesigned. It followed the 2019 styling refresh and mainly received safety and trim-equipment updates.
What safety features became standard on the 2020 Nissan Maxima?
Every 2020 Nissan Maxima has Safety Shield 360 as standard. The suite includes blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic alert, rear automatic braking, lane departure warning, automatic high beams, and front automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection.
What changed on the 2020 Nissan Maxima SR?
The 2020 Maxima SR made its former Premium Package equipment standard. That means the dual-panel panoramic moonroof and 360-degree camera are standard, along with the lineup-wide Safety Shield 360 suite.
Did the 2020 Nissan Maxima get a new engine or transmission?
No, the 2020 Maxima kept the same 300-horsepower 3.5-liter V6 and continuously variable automatic transmission used for 2019. There was no powertrain change for this model year.
Is the 2020 Nissan Maxima a major upgrade over the 2019 model?
No, the 2020 Maxima is a modest equipment update over the 2019 model. Its main advantage is standard Safety Shield 360 on every trim, while the SR also gains a standard panoramic moonroof and 360-degree camera.
2020 Nissan Maxima Reviews
What owners are saying about the 2020 Nissan Maxima.
4.3
2020 Nissan Maxima
(127 reviews)
“Check out the passenger front seat. It can not be adjusted to sit higher. Very low to ground and hard to enter for a taller person. For a shorter person driving, it is hard to reach the door handle to close the door.”
“Runs good, great features, heated and cool seats, all around cameras, drives smooth, interior has a great look.”