When you think back to the last forty years of the automotive industry, you’ll find a few things that are best described as irrelevant today. Discontinued models, boxy station wagons, or brand names that have ceased altogether make up an industry of years past. It’s the vehicles that stood tall amongst the competition that not only made their way into the history books but are still a part of the market today. Drivers today may not recognize the Datsun brand, but their legacy remains within various models on the market. An example of this is the 2022 Nissan Maxima which continues the legacy left behind by the Datsun 810 and sequentially the Datsun Maxima. The 2022 Maxima is a luxury sedan inside and out. All of the features on offer, whether standard or available, deserve your attention.
Overall, the shopping experience is kept simple. The 2022 Maxima is available in one of three trim levels, and the base model, the SV, sports a starting MSRP of $37,240.* A couple of highlighted features for the base model include a V6 engine and heated front seats. Base model sedans are never guaranteed to offer one or both of these features, so it’s important to note. Stepping up to the SR trim level enhances the experience with integrated paddle shifters for manual gear shifting and a sport-tuned suspension, among others. Lastly, opting for the Platinum trim adds a few more features on top of the SR, such as automatic windshield wipers, a rustic yet elegant maple wood interior, and more.
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The performance level of the 2022 Maxima is kept both simple and effective. There’s only one engine available for this year’s Maxima, and this is a 3.5L V6 engine. An advantage of this is a base model that performs identically to its higher-tier counterparts. Combined with a Continuously Variable Automatic Transmission (CVT) and being surprisingly fuel-efficient are the greatest strengths of this V6 engine. Let’s say that you want to save some money, so you decide the SV will be the way to go. Your 2022 Maxima will still present you with 300 hp and 261 lb-ft of torque. The Maxima sits near the top of base-level performance against much of its competition.
V6 engines can be fuel-hogs, but they can also generate incredible results. Although the 2022 Maxima is only available in FWD, the benefit is generally higher EPA-estimated ratings. The result is a sedan that not only performs admirably well but also has EPA-estimated ratings of 20 MPG in the city and 30 MPG on the highway. Not only will you get to your destination with exceptional power, but you’ll save money with fewer gas station visits too.
Maxima models also come with a built-in drive mode selector. By selecting between Normal and Sport, your Maxima will kick up the power to insinuate a more sporty-like ride. Selecting Sport is made better with the SR or Platinum trims which come with a sport-tuned suspension. Along with the choice of amplification for engine sounds within your cabin to suit your preference, the Maxima has all the bells and whistles needed to create a versatile sedan. Those who need a tamer ride with the occasional activation of sport mode will be satisfied with the performance of the 2022 Maxima.
In the vast sea of available automobiles, sedans with a lap of luxury will be more enjoyable to experience. The automotive industry is one example of when getting what you pay for is the most relevant. An immediately recognizable feature is leather seating which comes standard on the Maxima, although more premium Ascot Leather is standard on the two succeeding trims. The same goes for the steering wheel – leather comes standard, Ascot Leather comes on higher trims. Heated seats are also standard, and these same seats also offer ventilation on the SR and Platinum trims. The Platinum trim goes one step further and extends the heated seats to the back row. It’s not entirely common to see this feature on sedans, even within this price range.
Of course, the material of the seat is only one aspect of what makes a seat comfortable. First of all, it’s still far too common for vehicles to come standard with a manually-adjustable driver’s seat. You won’t have to worry about this with the 2022 Maxima, thanks to its standard 8-way power-adjustable driver’s seat. What we see with modern-day sedans is a power-adjustable driver’s seat accompanied by a manually-adjustable passenger seat, but why? Too many vehicles focus on giving the driver all of the comforts, but the 2022 Maxima's interior pays attention to every passenger. One example of this is the aforementioned heated seats in the rear row, but another example is the 4-way power-adjustable passenger seat that comes standard.
What’s a modern-day sedan without a trove of modern-day amenities? The 2022 Maxima expectedly comes with a built-in infotainment center. Not so expectedly is the lengths that Nissan took to enhance the experience altogether. Best of all, there are very few differences between the three trim levels. Every trim comes with an 8-inch display for its infotainment center, and there are numerous ways to access your media. Bluetooth and USB A and C are both included, but the most noteworthy feature is a 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot on every trim level for a seamless and secure internet connection wherever you go.
Streaming music from your phone is possible through Bluetooth streaming, the AUX port, or a USB connection. Connecting your phone with a USB cable will open up another avenue of accessing your media – Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. This way, you can access the songs stored directly on your phone, or you can access streaming apps such as Spotify. Plus, whether you’ve tried it before or not, your 2022 Maxima will come with a free 3-month subscription to SiriusXM radio. On SiriusXM, there’s a station for everybody and every occasion, so utilize that three months to find your favorites.
The safety features inside of the 2022 Maxima are as impressive as every other facet of the vehicle, thanks to Nissan Safety Shield 360, which comes standard with the Maxima. Safety Shield 360 combines six advanced safety features to give every driver an extra layer of reliability on the road. The first feature worth discussing is Blind Spot Warning, which will display a signal on your side-view mirrors if a vehicle is approaching your blind spot. The information that you receive from this warning will inform you to let that vehicle pass before you switch lanes. The next feature that will assist with freeway travel is Lane Departure Warning. By utilizing a tactile vibration on the steering wheel when your vehicle is misaligned with its lane, you’ll be alerted to correct your steering.
High Beam Assist is also included with Nissan Safety Shield 360, which replaces your traditional manual headlights with a new set that will turn on and off automatically as needed. To protect the rear side of your vehicle, both Rear Automatic Braking and Rear Cross Traffic are standard. Starting with Rear Automatic Braking, the Maxima will come to a halt when reversing if the vehicle detects that an object is obstructing the path, such as a trash bin or telephone pole, for example. However, what about the mobile obstructions? For this, we have Rear Cross Traffic Alert, which will monitor the area behind you and send out an audible signal if it senses an approaching vehicle behind you.
Lastly, we have Automatic Emergency Braking with Pedestrian Detection. The way this works is by alerting you when there is a reason you should be slowing down or stopping and applying brake pressure if you do not respond quickly enough. Whether it’s a street-crossing pedestrian or a vehicle that comes to a sudden stop, your vehicle will always be looking out for you. The importance of this can’t be understated and can be the difference-maker that prevents a costly and hazardous collision. And, of course, bringing your vehicle to a stop in times of emergency can also be life-saving, which is invaluable.