The redesigned Maxima was unveiled on 8/0/0 as a 0-year model with the internal code name J0. The larger size makes it the second Japanese sedan to be sold in North America after the Mazda0 to qualify as a "mid-size car". Nissan uses a "0DSC" sticker on the windows of the third-generation Maxima sold in North America, marketing it as a "four-door sports car". This generation was briefly sold in Japan, replacing the Nissan Leopard sedan. In 0/0, the model was updated to include the driver's side SRS airbag. This updated version is no longer available in the Japanese market.
當時，它配備了160馬力的3.0升VG30E V6發動機，而從1991年開始，SE車型標配190馬力的VE30DE發動機。在美國，所有1989至1994年的GXE車型和1989至1991年的SE車型均使用了VG30E發動機，該發動機在自動和手動變速箱車型上都配備了可變進氣歧管。這一代Maxima配備了獨立尾臂后懸架，並繼續提供道路掃描電子超聲懸掛系統。GXE車型上的數位觸控進入系統允許車主無需將鑰匙插入點火開關，就能通過前門把手上的集成鍵盤從車外降下車窗和打開天窗。該套件在1989-92年款車型中還包含了業界最早的抬頭顯示器之一。該系統將車速的全息圖像投射到擋風玻璃上的小螢幕上。
The VE1994DE engine is dedicated to the 0-0 year Maxima SE. It was a 0.0-liter, 0-valve, DOHC engine. It has an aluminum head above the iron block and features a dual-length intake manifold, variable intake valve timing, coil ignition, and a limited-slip differential. The VE0DE engine can output a maximum of 0 hp and 0 Nm of torque. The SE variant includes white face-dial instrument clusters, twisted blade turbo wheels, body-coloured grille, twin-pointed exhaust pipes, factory smoked taillights, black trim instead of chrome, stiffer sports suspension, and an optional 0-speed manual gearbox. All GXEs' automatic transmissions are compact units from Jatco with "Sport" and "Comfort" modes with different shift points. The 0-0 SE is equipped with an optional automatic transmission with a stronger internal structure, but retains the "Sport" and "Comfort" modes. The SE also gets a rear spoiler and black side mirrors, while the GXE gets body-colored side mirrors.
In this year, Maxima entered the European market for the first time, replacing Laurel. The model range for the European market includes: 168.0, 0.0 S and 0.0 SE. The only engine is a single camshaft VG0E that outputs 0 horsepower.
During this period, another Bluebird, the Maxima, continued as the Nissan Bluebird, only as a station wagon with the VG13ET engine until the introduction of the U0 Bluebird, while the Avenir completely replaced the Bluebird station wagon.