Makes · Nissan · Nissan Maxima
2018 Nissan Maxima towing capacity
Trim-level maximum towing capacity — 2,240 lbs across packages. Exact capacity depends on configuration. Payload is separate from towing capacity and is shown where GVWR and curb weight (or manufacturer payload) exist.
Tow Planner
Select your exact configuration and tell us what you're towing. We'll compare trailer weight, payload, tongue weight and the available vehicle limits. Year-level towing and payload answers below are available without selecting a configuration.
Which configuration do you have?
5 configurations
5 possible configurations match your selections.
What are you trying to do?
Choose a job to open interactive tools. Year-level towing and payload answers appear below even before you pick a configuration.
What can a 2018 Nissan Maxima tow?
In our dataset, 5 configurations list a maximum trailer rating of 2,240 lbs. Confirm the figure for your exact build.
- Minimum published towing capacity in this dataset: 2,240 lbs
- Maximum published towing capacity in this dataset: 2,240 lbs
- Configurations with a towing rating: 5 of 5
Highest-rated example: 3.5 — 2,240 lbs
Lowest-rated example: 3.5 — 2,240 lbs
Highest towing configurations
Top configurations by published maximum trailer rating for the 2018 Nissan Maxima. Payload is shown only when present in the dataset.
| Trim | Cab | Drivetrain | Bed | Axle ratio | Max towing | Payload |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 | — | — | — | 5.25 | 2,240 lbs | 1,033 lbs |
| 3.5 | — | — | — | 5.25 | 2,240 lbs | 1,163 lbs |
| 3.5 | — | — | — | 5.25 | 2,240 lbs | 1,066 lbs |
| 3.5 | — | — | — | 5.25 | 2,240 lbs | 1,089 lbs |
| 3.5 | — | — | — | 5.25 | 2,240 lbs | 1,145 lbs |
Towing capacity by axle ratio
| Axle ratio | Towing range | Configurations |
|---|---|---|
| 5.25 | 2,240 lbs | 5 |
2018 Nissan Maxima payload capacity
Payload is not the same as towing capacity. Where both GVWR and curb weight exist in the catalog, payload is GVWR minus curb weight (or the manufacturer payload field when present). Payload covers people, cargo in the truck, hitch equipment, and trailer tongue weight — not the full trailer weight.
- Observed payload range: 1,033 – 1,163 lbs
- Configurations with payload data: 5
Highest-payload configurations
- 3.5 — 1,163 lbs
- 3.5 — 1,145 lbs
- 3.5 — 1,089 lbs
- 3.5 — 1,066 lbs
- 3.5 — 1,033 lbs
Quick configuration comparison
Observed towing ranges from the 2018 Nissan Maxima dataset. Values are min–max of published ratings in each group — not a claim that every unit in the group can tow the top figure.
Not enough grouped configuration differences to compare in this dataset.
Compare this vehicle
Preselected: 2018 Nissan Maxima. Pick a second vehicle on the compare page.
Towing capacity by trim
| Trim | Max towing | Curb weight | Payload* | HP | Torque | Axle | Wheelbase |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Platinum 4dr Sedan | 2,240 lbs | 3,608 lbs | 1,033 lbs | 300 | 261 | 5.25 | 109.3 |
| 3.5 S 4dr Sedan | 2,240 lbs | 3,478 lbs | 1,163 lbs | 300 | 261 | 5.25 | 109.3 |
| 3.5 SL 4dr Sedan | 2,240 lbs | 3,575 lbs | 1,066 lbs | 300 | 261 | 5.25 | 109.3 |
| 3.5 SR 4dr Sedan | 2,240 lbs | 3,552 lbs | 1,089 lbs | 300 | 261 | 5.25 | 109.3 |
| 3.5 SV 4dr Sedan | 2,240 lbs | 3,496 lbs | 1,145 lbs | 300 | 261 | 5.25 | 109.3 |
* Payload = manufacturer payload when present, otherwise GVWR − curb weight. Towing capacity is a separate rating and is not the same as payload.
What affects the rating
Higher figures usually need the tow package, the right axle ratio, and enough cooling. Passengers, fuel, gear, and tongue weight all eat into what you can safely pull — stay under both the trailer rating and the vehicle’s payload.