A midsize sports sedan, the Maxima is manufactured and sold by Nissan. The Maxima was first made available in 1976 and was considered an upmarket version of the Nissan Bluebird until it became its own line in 1980. Until 2004 the Maxima was built in Oppama, Japan but currently they are manufactured in Smyrna, Tennessee.
The first Maxima was known as the Datsun 810 in the United states with power provided by two single over head cam L-series I6 engines. One engine was a 2.0 liter and another was a 2.4 liter, with the 2.4 liter being the standard in the United States. This first Maxima were equipped with rear wheel drive. A two door coupe version of the Maxima was introduced in 1979 when the exterior of the vehicle was updated.
The first car to actually be named Maxima was introduced in 1981 and was basically a rebadged Bluebird 910 on a larger base. This first car was offered as an 810 Maxima and by 1982 the 810 had been dropped and the cars were simply called Maxima. In 1994 Nissan made the Maxima available with frong wheel drive and equipped the vehicles with a 3.0 liter engine and a four speed automatic or five speed manual transmission.
The Maxima was redesigned again in 1989 as the J30 model, making it the third generation for the Maxima. Now the Maxima was known as a four door sports car and was powered by a 3.0 liter V6 engine that provided a respectable 190 horsepower. This third generation would last until 1994. This model had independent rear suspension that wasn't avialable on other models and is still thought to be one of the most attractive Maxima body styles to date.
The Maxima was redesigned again in 1995 and was known as the A32 and underwent the facelift to compete with the Toyota Avalon. Providing 190 horsepower, the 3.0 liter V6 engine was the only engine option provided to consumers. The exterior was again refreshed in 1997 by changing the headlights, rear taillights, and a chrome grille. A CD player was added as were side impact airbags.
In 2000 the Maxima was refreshed again and named the A33. The engine now provides 222 horsepower from a 3.0 liter V6 engine. In 2004 the Maxima was updated again and shares its platform with the Altima. The new engine provides 265 horsepower from a dual overhead cam V6 engine.
The Maxima has continued to be one of the best selling Nissan vehicles since it first hit the streets. The Maxima continues to win awards year after year because of its great quality, comfort, and overall great value.
