The 20th Anniversary Maxima was essentially an SE with Leather Trim and Comfort & Convenience options, including 17-inch wheels, a limited-slip differential, bronze-finish headlamp lenses, lower-body "aero" components, and aluminum trim.

There is also a 20th Anniversary Edition Badge on the trunk lid. Front side airbags now were part of a new Meridian Edition option package, which also included heated seats. Steering-wheel audio controls were standard on the SE and GLE, optional for the GXE.

The 2001 Nissan Maxima comes in four models: GXE, SE, GLE and the new SE 20th Anniversary Edition .A four-speed automatic is optional on the base GXE. The GXE, GLE and SE come with the same 222-horsepower, 3.0-liter V6 engine.

The Maxima's V6 is continuously rated as one of the top engines in the automotive world. The entire model lineup has a sporty suspension and four-wheel disc brakes with ABS. The SE has a larger centre exhaust pipe and muffler which increases exhaust flow and in turn increases horsepower.

While other Maxima's produce 222 horsepower from their 3.0-litre V6, the SE gets 227 hp. Besides the SE, the Maxima is available in base GXE and more upscale GLE trim levels. A five-speed manual transmission is standard on the GXE and SE, with a four-speed automatic optional. The GLE is only available with the automatic.

ABS brakes are standard on all Maximas, as are dual front depowered air bags that inflate to various levels depending on the severity of a crash. A traction control system is standard on the GLE model as well as on all Maximas with an automatic transmission. A standard Bose audio system includes steering-wheel mounted controls.