Nissan has redesigned its popular Maxima sedan for the latest generation in hopes that its newest version will return to its glory days as the four-door sports car.
While the jury may still be out on whether the Maxima has accomplished Nissan's lofty goal, what we do know is that the new Maxima features a low, squared-off grill, swept-back, split headlamps and an aggressively curvy rear end.
Its interior clearly draws inspiration from the Infiniti M35 and M45 sedans, including a round control knob mounted high on the dash. Subtle chrome touches inside and out also follow current Nissan and Infiniti design trends. The innovative dual sunroof from the outgoing model is carried over to the new model.
Updates for the latest model year include a refreshed exterior with a new front grille design, rear combination lights and unique 18- and 19-inch aluminum-alloy wheel designs. Inside, the interior’s enhancements include a new meter cluster illumination color (white), Dark Piano-hairline trim, a Atlantic Cherry wood tone trim and a Beige interior color. There’s also a new audio segment display a revised audio/HVAC knob design.
Like many cars as of late, Nissan says that the new Maxima's suspension was tuned on Germany's vaunted Nurburgring race track. It features a 290-horsepower V6 engine and, despite a 35 horsepower increase, Nissan says that fuel consumption will still come in at 19 city, 26 highway in both trims.
The Maxima features a three-mode Xtronic CVT with available paddle shifters and optional 19 inch wheels. Two models are on offer - the entry-level 3.5 S and the feature-laded 3.5 SV.
The Maxima 3.5 S comes standard with features such as a Bluetooth system, dual zone automatic temperature control with an in-cabin microfilter and rear vents, cruise control, an auto-dimming rear mirror, remote-operated up/down for windows, a tilt and telescoping steering wheel and mood lighting - among other features.
Opting for the 3.5 SV will add to that list such features as Homelink universal transceiver, 8-way power passenger seat, driver's thigh seat extension and the ability to option in navigation, XM NavTraffic and XM NavWeather, Zagat Survey restaurant reviews and a 7-inch QVGA information screen.
New for the latest model year is a special Limited Edition Package, which features smoked appearance headlights, High Intensity Discharge (HID) Xenon headlights, a compass in the rearview mirror, 18-inch aluminum-alloy Dark Hyper Silver colored wheels, a rear spoiler, dark satin chrome front grille, fog lights, illuminated kick plates, outside mirrors with integrated turn signals and metallic trim on the center cluster, center console and door armrest grips.
Key competitors
Nissan has put some effort into making the Maxima the sporty alternative to many large sedans, making it a bit unique in a sense, but nonetheless it will still find stiff competition in the Buick LaCrosse, Volkswagen Passat and Lexus ES350.