2019 Nissan Maxima Trim Levels with Comparisons & Configurations.

The 2019 Nissan Maxima is a great car for the money. Its high-quality interior and easy-to-use features promise to leave you satisfied. Meanwhile, superior crash scores make the Maxima a highly recommended family vehicle. Although the Maxima may not pack the most power in the segment, most people will enjoy its high-tech engine. Fuel economy also isn’t bad for a sporty sedan.

For 2019, Nissan has improved the Maxima by updating the sedan’s exterior styling. Furthermore, more safety tech now comes standard. You’ll have a total five different Maxima trims to choose from. Let’s take a look at the main differences between each trim.

Compare the 2019 Nissan Maxima S vs SV Trims. What is the difference?

The base Maxima S has an MSRP of $33,950. Although the Maxima’s starting price has increased by around $500, you can expect to get more value for your money. All versions of the Maxima come equipped with a 3.5-liter, DOHC V6 engine. It’s rated to churn out an animated 300 horsepower and 261 pound-feet of torque. Power is routed to the front wheels. Nissan’s Xtronic CVT transmission helps limit fuel consumption.

Although the Maxima S sits at the bottom of the lineup, it doesn’t look any less appealing. Like the other trims, it features a restyled V-Motion grille and new LED headlights. A new rear fascia also helps bolster the sedan’s eye-catching appearance. A set of 18-inch machine-finished wheels and quad-tipped exhaust finishers come standard as well. Some of the available exterior colors for the Maxima S include Carnelian Red Tintcoat, Brilliant Silver Metallic, and Super Black.

Even the base Maxima S puts a big emphasis on passenger comfort. Nissan’s ultra-supportive Zero Gravity front seats provide power adjustments. A leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob help give the cabin an upscale character. Cloth seat trim and “Satin Chrome” interior accents come standard as well.

There are a plenty of high-tech goodies inside the Maxima S. An 8.0-inch NissanConnect touch screen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto comes standard. This interface is designed to easily link to your smartphone. Bluetooth streaming audio enables you to access stored music files. You’ll also appreciate the Advanced Drive-Assist Display, which displays valuable information like driving directions and incoming calls. Some of the other key Maxima S features include an eight-speaker sound system, a rearview camera, a hands-free text messaging assistant and remote engine start with Intelligent Climate Control.

To add to the base Maxima’s value, Nissan has equipped with some of today’s most popular safety technologies. Intelligent Forward Collision Warning with automatic emergency braking now comes standard throughout the lineup. You can also benefit from the sedan’s Rear Door Alert feature, which honks the horn to remind you of children and pets riding in the back. Meanwhile, Intelligent Driver Alertness monitors your level of fatigue. Tire pressure monitoring and an auto-dimming rearview mirror further bolster the S trim's security.

From a standpoint of luxuriousness, the Maxima SV is a step above the base Maxima S. It surrounds you with a few more goodies. Nissan Door to Door Navigation and Sirius XM Traffic services help you to find the easiest route to your destination. Leather upholstery comes standard on the Maxima SL. You’ll also enjoy heated front seats. Driver comfort is enhanced by two-way power lumbar and extendable thigh support. HD radio is another one of the Maxima SV’s highlights.

More safety features also come equipped on the Maxima SV. While front and rear parking sensors help prevent fender benders, blind-spot warning monitors the highway for unseen vehicles. Rear cross-traffic alert is built into the blind-spot monitor. Intelligent Cruise Control adjusts your speed when approaching slowing vehicles.

In terms of exterior styling, the Maxima SV looks very similar to the Maxima S. However, heated outside mirrors with LED turn signal indicators are featured on the Maxima SV.

Compare the 2019 Maxima SV vs SR Trims. What is the difference?

The Maxima SR is the sportiest trim in the lineup. Although the Maxima SR does not generate more power, it does receive some extra performance goodies. A sports-tuned suspension with stiffer springs and a larger front stabilizer bar promote sharper handling. Upgraded performance tires further enhance the Maxima SR’s athleticism. You’ll also benefit from Active Ride Control technology, which helps reduce body roll when carving corners. Column-mounted paddle shifters come standard.

To give the new Maxima SR a meaner attitude, Nissan equips it with some race-inspired appearance upgrades. A larger set of 19-inch black wheels give the sedan a sportier stance. You’ll also notice the Maxima SR’s sport spoiler. LED fog lights are found on the front. Unlike the lower trims, the SR trim offers an exclusive Sunset Drift Chromaflair paint color. Available as an option, Nissan’s blacked-out Midnight Edition appearance package gives the Maxima SR an even more stunning look. A reverse tilt-down feature for the outside mirrors is available as well.

Aside from delivering a sportier drive, the Maxima SR boasts some attractive interior upgrades. Adjustable ambient LED lighting enables you to change the interior’s mood. Alcantara seat inserts give the SR trim another luxurious touch. Heating and cooling seat functions come standard. Meanwhile, aluminum sport pedals add more excitement to your driving experience.

If you’re a music fan, you’ll especially enjoy the Maxima SR’s Bose premium sound system with Center 2 Surround technology. Active Sound Enhancement amplifies the sound of the engine. Additional USB ports also come equipped on the Maxima SR.

Extra safety innovations make the Maxima SR especially appealing. Drivers who routinely travel in crowded areas will appreciate the upgraded forward collision system, which provides pedestrian detection. Intelligent Lane Intervention also helps keep you safe by providing steering assistance when needed. Traffic sign recognition brings more security to the Maxima SR. A 360-degree parking camera with Moving Object Detection and reverse automatic braking are optional.

Compare the Maxima SR vs Platinum Trims. What is the difference?

The Nissan Altima Platinum is designed to offer a plusher driving experience. Diamond-quilted leather upholstery lines the interior. It goes without the SR trim’s performance upgrades, including the sports-tuned suspension and Active Ride Control. An exclusive set of 19-inch alloy wheels help give the Platinum trim a more unique look.

NissanConnect Services gives you the ability to remotely lock your vehicle via your smartphone. By providing Speed and Boundary Alerts, this feature gives the parents of teen drivers an extra peace of mind. You’ll also enjoy the Platinum trim’s power steering column. A one-touch panoramic sunroof and rain-sensing wipers also come standard on the Platinum trim. Driver-assist safety features, such as rear automatic braking and the 360-degree parking camera, are standard on the Maxima Platinum.

Compare the Maxima Platinum vs Platinum Reserve Trims. What is the difference?

The Platinum Reserve trim sits atop the Maxima lineup. It features all of the Platinum trim’s goodies plus heated rear seats. You’ll also notice the Platinum Reserve trim’s exclusive charcoal headliner and semi-aniline leather upholstery. A special set of 19-inch Hyper Silver wheels further set apart the range-topping Platinum trim.

Final Thoughts

It’s easy to recommend buying the base Maxima S. It comes loaded with the features that today’s car shoppers care about the most, including a smartphone-friendly touch screen and automatic emergency braking. Nissan’s Zero Gravity front seats provide great relaxation. Nissan enhances the base model's value by equipping it with LED headlights. You’ll also enjoy the base Maxima’s soothing V6 engine. Furthermore, the base Maxima S has an attractive appearance.

If you desire features like blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert and heated leather seats, consider getting the Maxima SV. It’s only around $2,000 more than the base Maxima S.

Drivers who desire sharper handling will want the Maxima SR, which has an MSRP of $39,530. However, keep in mind that the Maxima SR does ride a bit stiffer than the other trims. The available Bose premium sound system and climate-controlled seats come standard.

While the Platinum trim is nice, its starting price surpasses the $41,000 mark. You may be able to live without upgrades such as diamond-quilted leather upholstery and rear automatic braking. Because the Maxima Platinum and Maxima Platinum Reserve are so close in price, you’re better off stepping up to the range-topping Platinum Reserve trim. It looks and feels like a premium luxury sedan.

2019 Nissan Maxima Key Features

Even the Maxima’s standard Zero Gravity front seats are incredibly comfy on long drives. Nevertheless, you’ll especially enjoy the upgraded driver’s seat. The two-way lumbar adjustments and extended though support will be greatly appreciate. The available cooled seats perform great during the summertime.

Aside from the performance-focused Maxima SR, all of the other trims feature the same suspension setup. You can anticipate experiencing a very plush highway ride. While the Maxima SR’s stiffer springs and various performance technologies enhance handling, the ride will be harsher. This is especially true when driving over rough pavement.

Nissan gives Maxima shoppers access to two different audio systems. The standard eight-speaker system sounds good enough to keep your attention. However, many testers praise the available Bose premium stereo system for its clarity. It comes with a total of 12 speakers, which are optimized for the best possible sound from every angle.