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2009 Nissan Maxima: Seventh Heaven
Or at least that’s the emotion Nissan hopes the new Maxima evokes when their flagship sports sedan hits the market in late June. First launched in 1985, the Maxima is now in its seventh generation and an all-new exterior design and increased performance has prompted Nissan to bring back Maxima’s slogan as the original “4-Door Sports Car.”
When asked to attend the press launch for the Maxima my thoughts immediately went to my early teenage years when the “Max” was a hit in the streets of most metro areas. The Maxima, in my mind is one of few vehicle models that has maintained a decent look over its life span. We have never said “the new Max is ugly!” as with other long running models. That being said, the Maxima did get progressively softer as it got older and Nissan needed to make significant changes to avoid becoming irrelevant in the marketplace.
Looking at the Maxima’s exterior you see the aggressive design cues that Nissan was going after. Maxima comes with a sporty front grille and spoiler package which along with eagle-eye front headlights, preface a nicely curvaceous hood for an enjoyable frontal view. Wide front and rear side wheel flares give the Maxima a stable stance, with a rear end view that will be a hit or miss depending on customer taste. Depending on model, Maxima will be sitting on 18” or 19” wheels and Bridgestone all-season or summer tires.
S and SV models will be available for the Maxima, both equipped with Nissan’s 3.5-liter V6 engine mated to an Xtronic CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission) producing 290 horsepower and 19/26 city/highway mileage from a 20-gallon fuel tank. A Sport or Premium package in SV models will allow buyers to customize the Maxima to their individual wants. Major options include wheel size, dual panel moonroof, rear spoiler, rear seat folding option and more.
Inside, Maxima’s interior has an upscale look and feel to it. Both driver (standard manual thigh extender included) and passenger seating were very comfortable and form fitting. I rarely get that immediate feeling of supreme comfort from a vehicle not marketed to the ultra-rich. Dash and center consoles are Infiniti-like in view and feel with shifter knob offset to the driver for easier reach. Standards and options include a Bose stereo system with 6 CD changer, XM Satellite Radio, 9.3 gig hard drive which allows for audio storage, navigation system with voice recognition, Bluetooth, dual-zone temperature control and more.
All safety systems are standard and include the usual driver and passenger airbags, front seat side impact airbags, roof-mounted side curtain airbags, active head restraints, emergency inside trunk release and more. A tire pressure monitoring system, vehicle security system immobilizer, front/rear vented disc brakes, ABS, brake assist, electronic brake force distribution, and more are also standard on Maxima.
Drive characteristics of the Maxima were above average. I wouldn’t say that the feel is sports like, yet it is fun to drive. We did observe more engine noise than would have liked during hard acceleration but vehicles with CVTs are notorious for this. Handling and braking were firm and I did not feel the Maxima getting away from me during semi-aggressive maneuvers. Maximas come with a DS (drive sport) mode which allows for more spirited driving but you will not mistake such for BMW performance. A nice touch is the paddle shifters that are mounted to the steering column and not the steering wheel. This makes for easier shifting in turns if you choose to use them.
Overall, the 2009 Maxima will turn heads with its new design and increased performance. With a whole generation of Maxima admirers on the road, the new Max will only build on an already solid reputation. Time and consumer response will tell if Maxima has found its Seventh Heaven here on Earth.
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