The Many Evolutions of the Nissan Maxima

Last updated 3 months ago

Nissan broke the midsize sedan mold in the 1970s with the Datsun 810—a car with sophistication, a full set of features, and a competitive price to top it all off. Keep reading to find out how the Datsun 810 midsize sedan evolved into the 2012 Nissan Maxima.

Datsun 810

Praised by Road & Track as one of the best midsize sedans of the late 1970s, the Datsun 810 had a lot to offer. Fully independent suspension, rear-wheel drive, and a 2.4L engine with direct injection were just a few of its fine features. This Datsun had a price of only $5,100—thousands less than comparably equipped cars made by other manufacturers. The 1980s saw a Datsun 810 with new, debonair styling, and the late 1980s welcomed an 810 with a wealth of mechanical improvements.

Nissan Maxima in the 1990s

In a move to further please the American market, Nissan stretched the Maxima out a few inches and made it quieter and more luxurious than the previous model. Thanks to a more efficient engine and a lighter overall curb weight, this Maxima was sportier than ever before. This streamlined style quickly became a feature that Americans came to expect from Nissan’s midsize sedans.

Sixth- and Seventh-Generation Nissan Maxima

Nissan really went all out for the sixth-generation in order to improve a car that, by many accounts, was already near-perfect. This vehicle’s styling was unlike any other car on the road and featured a new 222 horsepower V6. The seventh-generation Nissan Maxima was noticeably more luxurious, especially on the inside.

2012 Nissan Maxima

Touting all the luxuriousness of its predecessor and then some, the eighth-generation Nissan Maxima has been declared as one of the best-handling midsize sedans on the market, even without the sport package. Today’s Maxima has a 290 horsepower V6 that is powered by an efficient CVT transmission.

Take a drive in the 2012 Nissan Maxima at Brown’s Dulles Nissan and discover why it has such a sterling reputation for high performance, efficiency, and affordability. Call us at (571) 723-4629 for more information about our inventory.