The Nissan Maxima is powered by a 3.5-liter V6 gasoline engine from Nissan’s VQ family, a naturally aspirated setup that delivers roughly 300 horsepower in recent models.
Below is a detailed look at the engine type, its key specifications, and how it has shaped the Maxima’s performance across its production run, up to its final model years.
Core engine profile
Before the list, note the Maxima’s engine characteristics in brief: a single, high-performance V6 designed for smooth power and reliability, rather than a turbocharged setup.
Key specifications summarized below:
- Engine displacement: 3.5 liters (about 3,498 cubic centimeters).
- Configuration: V6 engine, part of the Nissan VQ family (typically 60-degree V6).
- Valvetrain: Dual overhead camshafts (DOHC) with 24 valves total, often paired with variable valve timing.
- Induction: Naturally aspirated (no turbocharger or supercharger).
- Fuel system: Sequential multi-point fuel injection (SFI).
- Power output: Approximately 300 horsepower and around 261 lb-ft of torque in recent years, with slight variations by year and trim.
- Engine code: VQ35DE (VQ family, 3.5L variants).
The figures above reflect typical specifications for the model years during which the Maxima used this engine, with variations depending on year and market.
Context and lifecycle
The Maxima’s 3.5-liter V6 powered the car through its later generations, but Nissan paused and ultimately ended production of the Maxima after the 2023 model year. While the engine itself remains a familiar Nissan V6, it is no longer offered in a new Maxima lineup.
In practice, if you’re looking for a Nissan with a similar powertrain profile today, you’d examine other models that shared the VQ-based 3.5L V6, or consider newer Nissan/ Infiniti options with updated V6 designs.
Summary
Bottom line: The Nissan Maxima uses a 3.5-liter V6 gasoline engine from Nissan’s VQ family, naturally aspirated and producing about 300 hp, with peak output varying slightly by year and trim. The model itself was discontinued after 2023, marking the end of a long-running Maxima era.
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