Auto NSider | 2021 Nissan Maxima Platinum

Do you like surprises?

I do…and Nissan serves up more than a few with their new ’21 Maxima Platinum Anniversary Limited Edition.

The first surprise?

After 40 years…yes…the Max has been around longer than some of you…but even after 40 years, the Maxima has stayed true to its core claim of being a 4-Door Sports Car.

Most vehicles…like so many of us…get at least a wee bit bloated in size and a little forgetful of who we once were somewhere in our 40’s.   Not Nissan’s Maxima.

Sport suspension and a 300 HP 3.5 liter V-6 keep the flame alive in today’s Maxima…delivering a drama-free 60 mph in well under six seconds.

And it’s obvious that the Maxima hasn’t cancelled its membership at the gym, either.   It still sports a toned, muscular body that seems to combine understated elegance with aerodynamic athleticism.

Go for the 37K list price base model and you’ll have a solid five passenger sedan that should outperform at least a few of the others in its class.

Spring for five thousand more…and most probably will…and you’ll get your 19” alloys, paddle shifters, a high-tech sport suspension, premium leather and much more.

And that’s where I’d usually say “stop”…but going “Platinum” and adding Nissan’s never-again 40^th Anniversary Package elevates the Maxima to a new level.

It’s an attention-getter.   I got second-glances all week long behind the wheel…and I guarantee you that they weren’t looking at me.  No.  It’s the “Ruby Slate Gray Pearl” exterior with the black roof…gloss black alloys…and black trim that make this Max look like it’s wearing a two thousand-dollar tailor-made suit.

And the quilted red ascot leather interior would look right at home in something from England with a hefty six-figure asking price.

Again…I’ll usually choose something a bit less than the top-level grim in my personal rides, but Nissan’s roughly 45K Maxima Platinum 40^th Anniversary Package has enough of the right stuff to convince even me to step it up.