Nissan Working On A New Maxima, Redesigned Sentra Due In 2019

BY Michael Gauthier | Posted on

Nissan’s big debut at the New York Auto Show was the 2019 Altima but that didn’t stop the company from talking about its other sedans.

Speaking with Roadshow, Nissan North America’s vice president of product planning confirmed the company is already working on the next-generation Sentra and noted it is “probably the vehicle where we have the most opportunity.” Michael Bunce went on to acknowledge the current model is a tad underwhelming so “We have a lot of ground to make up there.”

We’ll find out how successful the changes are soon enough as Bunce reportedly confirmed the next-generation Sentra will be unveiled in 2019. While the current model has been criticized for its uninspired styling and anemic 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine, that produces 124 hp (92 kW) and 125 lb-ft (169 Nm) of torque, the Sentra has done surprisingly well with consumers as Carsalesbase data shows Nissan sold 218,451 units in the United States last year. Those numbers are nothing to sneeze at but they pale in comparison to sales of Honda Civic (377,286) and Toyota Corolla (308,695).

Bunce also confirmed the company is working on an all-new Maxima. Little is known about the car but the VP suggested Nissan will “really push the envelope” and deliver “something greater than people ever thought or imagined a Maxima could be.”

The current Maxima was unveiled three years ago with a bold design and one of the nicest interiors ever fitted to a Nissan model. These changes helped to boost sales but they’re still just a fraction of what they used to be years ago.

There’s no word on when the new model will be unveiled but it could draw inspiration from the latest Altima which offers all-wheel drive and a 2.0-liter VC-Turbo four-cylinder engine that produces 248 hp (184 kW) and 273 lb-ft (369 Nm) of torque.

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  • Soob

    Would be more interested if they weren’t going to have CVTs.

    • Honda NSX-R

      Especially for the Maxima. If it didn’t have that CVT I would’ve bought it

      • IFDU

        I actually had a Murano and a Maxima as a loaner and the CVT wasn’t so bad for some reason. But Nissan’s smaller cars/engines? Forget about it!

    • Dennis Scipio

      My mom owns a 2015 Nissan Rogue and her car hasn’t had any issues since she bought it.

      • Honda NSX-R

        My family’s 2010 Nissan Sentra (which I mostly drive anyway) just hit 113,000 miles,hasn’t had any CVT issues ever since, but I do wish the driving experience wasn’t as uninspiring, especially with that CVT groan.

  • TrevP

    I think I like Nissan’s sedans more than Toyota’s sedans lately

  • Mr. Crankypants

    Funny how the Maximas “split C-pillar/floating roof” spread so quickly to other makes and models. Now they have to push the envelope again.

    • Nordschleife

      It’s going to be the S-class of Nissan.

  • ErnieB

    This has to be one of the ugliest cars on the road.. hope they put a little thought into their redesign..

  • Commonsenseonthefield

    The Maxima has NEVER drawn inspiration from the Altima. It has always been the leader in design language for Nissan. If anything, the next Maxima will inspire the design of the next Altima

  • MarkoS

    The Maxima has grown out of its roots, Perhaps a AWD 5-Door coupe would be a good direction for it to go. I am not holding my breath on the Sentra, that hasn’t been interesting in decades.

  • staceys

    This has to be one of the ugliest cars on the road.. hope they put a little thought into their redesign..

  • Six_Tymes

    “While the current model has been criticized for its uninspired styling and anemic 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine, that produces 124 hp (92 kW) and 125 lb-ft (169 Nm) of torque, the Sentra has done surprisingly well with consumers”

    quite contradicting.

    my wife owns a 2014, we both love it, i am impressed every time i drive it, its road handling, steering and smooth ride. there is nothing wrong with the engines power, its got plenty for the weight of the car, the CVT is the weekest link, but that doesnt bother my wife, so its a win. great gas mileage too, and wasnt over priced when we bought it like honda and totyota are.

    • Nordschleife

      Well if you feel that way. Imagine how you’ll feel when they make the new one.

  • THANKS FOR THE WARNING, NOW WE CAN BRACE OURSELVES.

  • Liam Paul

    I hope it will be a better design then the new altima that just drop n disappointed many

  • ME

    The issue here is size. Nissan painted themselves in the corner with the increase in size with the of the Altima. This puts the Maxima & Q50 at a greater disadvantage. Now that the Altima has AWD it further distracts buyers from Infiniti and Nissan’s top tier sedan.

  • Nordschleife

    Unless the Maxima steals the Q50’s powertrain it will still be less than. I will say that even at 3 years old I find it better looking (exterior wise) than the new Altima.

  • Commonsenseonthefield

    My prediction is the next Maxima will be positioned as a poor man’s alternative to a Tesla Model S