2010 Nissan Maxima
NISSAN REDESIGNS SPORT SEDAN
The Maxima sedan has been a mainstay in Nissan’s lineup for nearly three decades. Well over two million copies of this flagship model have been sold. Last year, Nissan delivered over 50,000 Maximas in the U.S. in what everybody agrees was a down market. Part of the reason for this success was that the 2009 Maxima got a complete makeover.
Nissan’s designers gave it a new body that distinguished it more from its smaller sibling, the Altima. The styling of the latest Maxima sneaks up on you. At a distance, it doesn’t stand out, but up close, the Maxima looks athletic. Arrowhead-shaped headlights, bulging fenders and sharp creases on the hood and flanks hint at the muscle this car possesses. But it could still use a more agressive grille.
The Maxima comes in two versions, S and SV. The S model is nicely equipped with pushbutton entry and start, sunroof, 18-inch alloy wheels, automatic climate control, power front seats, an in-dash CD changer and cloth upholstery. The SV adds features like, leather seats, a nine-speaker Bose sound system, and power lumbar support.
My test car had the SV trim, and I was particularly impressed with the high quality and functional design of the cabin. The leather seats were handsome and well contoured for vigorous driving. The audio and climate controls reminded me of those in an Infiniti. And the roomy interior provided more than adequate head- and legroom, both front and rear, for adults.
Nissan consolidated its option packages for 2010, and now offers just three—Premium, Sport and Technology. The Tech option provides a voice-activated navigation system with real-time traffic alerts. The Premium and Sport packages both offer paddle shifters, xenon headlights, heated front seats, and upgraded leather.
If you happen to choose the Sport option, you also get 19-inch wheels, a stiffer suspension, a rear spoiler and metallic interior trim. However, my test car came with the Premium setup, and it had luxury features like, a dual-panel sunroof, a rearview camera, rear bucket seats and a power rear-window shade.
Nissan propels the Maxima with its free-revving 3.5-liter V-6 that pumps out 290 hp. It’s mated to a continuously variable transmission (CVT) with manual mode and six programmed “gears.” This combo gets 19-26 mpg. Most CVT’s are a drag for enthusiasts, but this one is well tuned and very responsive, especially in the manual mode. Conveniently mounted paddle shifters enhance driving pleasure.
Nissan bills the Maxima as the “4-door sports car.” This is undoubtedly an overstatement, but the Maxima does qualify as a sports sedan. It feels well balanced on back roads, maintaining its composure on the twisty bits. The steering is nicely weighted, and always tells you what the wheels are doing. However, I was a little put off by the brake pedal, which felt soft. The ride quality on my test car was excellent—always sure-footed, and compliant over bumps.
Maxima pricing starts at $31,180 for the S, and $33,900 for the SV. My test car, an SV with the Premium package, had a bottom line of $37,130.
Snapshot Review:
Nicely Finished
Ample Luxury Features
Excellent power
Sporty handling
