Nissan Maxima
Vehicle type: Front-engine, front-wheel-drive, 5-passenger, 4-door sedan
Base price: $38,495
Engine type: DOHC 24-valve V-6, aluminum block and heads, port fuel injection
Displacement: 213 cu in, 3498 cc
Power: 300 hp @ 6400 rpm
Torque: 261 lb-ft @ 4400 rpm
Transmission: continuously variable automatic with manual shifting mode
Dimensions:
Wheelbase: 109.3 in
Length: 192.8 in
Width: 73.2 in Height: 56.5 in
Passenger volume: 98 cu ft
Cargo volume: 14 cu ft
Curb weight: 3545 lb
Fuel economy:
EPA city/highway driving: 22/30 mpg
C/D observed: 18 mpg
The Nissan Maxima has been completely redesigned for 2016, with all-new sheet metal featuring deeply sculpted character lines created using a special stamping technique.
Maxima has evolved over the past 35 years from a tight, sporty four-door to a luxurious full-size sedan. The restyling of the eighth-generation model includes a new grille, headlights and front end.
Maxima offers five trim levels, priced from $32,410 to $39,860. No options packages are available, as each model builds on the previous and comes with lots of standard equipment.
A 300-horsepower 3.5-liter V-6 engine and a completely re-engineered continuously variable transmission with column-mounted shifter paddles are standard for all models.
More than 60 percent of the legendary VQ V-6 engine has been redesigned, from sodium-filled exhaust valves and anodized pistons, to a high-flow induction system.
Drive Mode Select offers two distinct shift options — Normal and Sport. Normal mode is smooth, refined and very fuel efficient. Sport mode kicks it up a notch with sharper throttle response, heavier steering, quicker shifting and a satisfying roar from the engine.
New for 2016, Maxima has “zero gravity” seats, designed to contour to the body’s natural position and especially support the lower and mid back, reducing fatigue and pressure on the lower back.
The NissanConnect navigation/infotainment system (powered by SiriusXM) debuts in the new Maxima. It works through your smartphone and the integrated telematics control unit, and connects you, your world and your car. Play music, access your social network or navigate any city with a host of features and apps.
With the “swipe to meter” feature, directions can be sent from one screen to another with a simple swipe.
Google Search with voice-guided turn-by-turn directions, Bluetooth hands-free phone, audio streaming, and text-messaging assistant are included, as well as two iPod/USB ports and one 12-volt outlet. Navigation and audio voice control is also available.
The tall center stack has been rotated seven degrees toward the driver, positioning every display, button, and knob perfectly for quick, easy, intuitive command and excellent visibility.
A Bose Sound System with 11 speakers and Active Noise Cancellation is standard for the SR, with satellite radio, including SiriusXM Traffic and Travel Link.
My Maxima was the performance-oriented SR for $37,670, in Deep Pearl Blue. It came with Charcoal Premium Ascot leather seating featuring soft diamond-quilted Alcantara inserts. Subtle blue top stitching accented the bolsters, quilted inserts, center console, shift knob, dash, and door armrests.
Liquid Chrome diamond faceted finishers, unique to the SR, highlighted the door panels and curved around the dash. The wraparound design, along with the warm, understated glow of the ambient lighting, echoed the cockpit of a fighter jet. Diamond Cut machined aluminum-alloy wheels, exclusive to the SR, added a touch of pizazz with their mirror effect.
The slope of the floating roof did result in a slight loss of headroom in the rear — 36.7 inches, versus 39.4 inches in the front.
My tester had a heated Premium Ascot double-stitched, textured, contoured, leather-wrapped flat-bottom steering wheel with Alcantara insert. The racing-inspired design allows for added leg clearance in the snug cockpit. The open dual-panel panoramic moon roof also helped give the cockpit a roomy feel.
Boomerang-shaped headlights featured an eye-catching LED signature line that is illuminated as long as the vehicle is turned on. The wraparound taillights were LED-accented, and all light housings were embossed with “4DSC,” subtly indicating the new Maxima’s 4 Door Sport Coupe status.
Below the bumper, dual rolled, chrome-tipped exhaust finishers finished the look.
Intelligent Cruise Control not only kept my Maxima at a steady speed, it also maintained a set distance between me and the vehicle ahead, and could bring us to a complete stop if necessary, although it is not considered a “collision avoidance” technology.
An Integrated Dynamics-control Mode brought three components: Active Trace Control to maintain precise turns; Active Engine Braking to slow the vehicle with less effort by downshifting the CVT under braking; and Active Ride Control to help maintain control by subtly applying the brakes to level the chassis if the vehicle is unexpectedly jolted by a bump or pothole. This is accomplished automatically, and is nearly indiscernible to driver or passengers.
Maxima is more than a stunning sports car. It is a comfortable, fun to drive luxury sedan with a coupelike appearance and lots of advanced technology and amenities. My tester had a Sport Floor Mat accessory package with a trunk mat and trunk net for $255.
With $825 destination charges, the total delivered price was $38,750.
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