While everyone is going stir crazy over the Nissan Z Proto's arrival, Nissan has quietly unveiled a special edition model for one of its veteran nameplates. It’s called the Nissan Maxima 40th Anniversary Edition, and, as the name clearly indicates, it’s a celebratory model of the Maxima’s 40-year run in the U.S.

Yes, the Maxima has been in America that long. It’s the longest-running nameplate in the country, and to mark that occasion, Nissan went all-out in dressing the Maxima 40th Anniversary with all the bells and whistles.

The Nissan Maxima has been around this long in the U.S.?

Yes, the Nissan Maxima has been around that long. It arrived in the U.S. in 1981, even though it wasn’t called a Maxima and, just as important, it wasn’t badged as a Nissan.

A year later, the 810 was rebranded as the Maxima, and two years after that, the Datsun Maxima officially became the Nissan Maxima. Forty years and eight generations later, the Nissan Maxima remains as one of Nissan’s foundational models. It has lost a lot of its luster in recent years as buyers have gravitated towards crossovers and SUVs, but the Maxima nameplate still stands amid all of this upheaval.

What makes the Nissan Maxima 40th Anniversary Edition special?

The exterior, for example, benefits from a two-tone gray and black paint finish that’s not available in any other Nissan model. In keeping with the visual theme, Nissan also dressed the set of 19-inch wheels, as well as all the trim, badges, and even the exhaust tips in black.

The interior, on the other hand, is where the fun begins. Deep red semi-aniline leather with matching black accents adorn the seats. The red stitching on the doors and dashboards provide much-needed contrast. In lieu of plaques, Nissan embossed “40th anniversary” logos on the seats to properly identify this version of the Maxima as a special edition model.

The rest of the interior trim is finished in dark chrome, preserving the dark motif of the special edition Maxima. There is, however, one detail that counts as an exception. Look closely at the faces of the speedometer and tachometer and you’ll notice that they’re silvery white. That’s not a happy accident nor is it something random that Nissan threw in for giggles. The silvery-white dials are a nod to past Maxima models.

Should we expect any upgrades to the Maxima’s 3.5-liter V-6 engine?

No, there aren’t any, and it’s wise not to expect anything. The Nissan Maxima 40th Anniversary Edition does not benefit from any engine upgrades, suspension tweaks, or any other technical addition that improves its performance capabilities. On the bright side, the special edition Maxima, which is offered on the second-highest Platinum trim as its base unit, benefits from the aforementioned V-6 engine that produces 300 horsepower and 261 pound-feet of torque. The engine is mated to a CVT transmission that sends power to the front wheels.

In full bloom, the Maxima 40th Anniversary Edition should be able to sprint from 0 to 60 mph in 5.9 seconds and hit a quarter-mile in 14.4 seconds at 101 mph.

2021 Nissan Maxima 40th Anniversary Edition specifications

How much is the Nissan Maxima 40th Anniversary Edition going to cost?

Nissan hasn’t revealed pricing details for its special edition Maxima. That should come soon enough, though. For now, we’re estimating that the Maxima 40th Anniversary Edition will cost around $45,000 when it's out in the market. For what it’s worth, a 2020 Nissan Maxima Platinum sells for just under $40,000.

Final Thoughts

The Nissan Maxima hasn't received the credit it deserves in recent years. Sure, it's not the most rounded sports sedan in its segment, but it does punch above its supposed weight class. It's a fun car to drive provided you set your expectations at an appropriate level. Throw in all the exclusive touches befitting a true special edition model and the Maxima 40th Anniversary Edition suddenly becomes a far more appealing model than most people will give it credit for.