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Walkaround
Nissan didn't design this car for the lowest common denominator. Its projected volume of 100,000 is fewer than a third of annual Accord, Camry or Ford Taurus sales. While Camrys are usually purchased with the family in mind, Maximas are often bought for the driver. And while most Accords are sold with four-cylinder engines, all Maximas are fitted with the 222-horsepower V6. Nissan claims Maximas outsell V6-powered Camrys and Accords.Maxima's styling is more assertive than many mid-size cars. You'll notice the current model the first time you see it. It's particularly striking from the rear. A dramatic cut-off shape and bold taillight treatment highlight a crisp design. The front end says Maxima in a bold new way with a rounder grille that's separated from the headlights. It looks sportier, more modern, more upscale than the previous generation car. Front and rear glass offer a steeper rake, with a higher, more aerodynamic trunk lid. The windshield curves around dramatically. Accentuated fender flares and wheel arches draw attention to the performance wheels and tires. Distinctive side marker lights and round fog light ports add sports appeal. Longer and wider than before, the Maxima rides on a longer wheelbase. The Infiniti I30 uses the same platform. These cars are mechanically similar, but with completely different exteriors and interiors. The Maxima benefits from its upmarket association. Its chassis is 30 percent more rigid than before; B- and C-roof pillars were reinforced and pipe-style side-door beams heighten crash protection. Increased rigidity helps reduce noise, vibration and harshness. Sound deadening material has also been added. Bottom line: These are quiet, smooth-riding cars.
Interior Features
The Maxima offers more headroom and more legroom than before -- and more than any other mid-size car, including the Accord, Camry and Taurus. My 6-foot 4-inch riding companion barely brushed his hair on the headliner -- and our car was equipped with a sunroof.The rear seats are comfortable, but the Maxima doesn't offer as much space back there as many of the other cars in its class. The trunk is bigger than before and, though the Maxima doesn't lead the class in cargo capacity, it boasts more trunk space than the Accord and Camry. The rear seats split and fold down to make room for longer items. Nissan's California designers shaped the dash into a stylish wave that gives it an airy feel. The steering wheel and other controls were repositioned to improve comfort and the seats were designed to provide more support and dampen road vibration. A roomy center console accommodates 16 CDs or a cellular telephone. Steering-wheel-mounted stereo controls are now optional on the GXE and standard on the other models. The leather GLE and cloth SE interiors are attractive and inviting. The GLE is the most luxurious with wood-tone trim and an automatic temperature control that's a big step up from the manual system. There's readout for ambient temperature. Power seats and an integrated HomeLink transceiver are included. (Most of these are available as options on the SE.) Optional heated seats are a luxury on cold mornings. Nissan worked with Bose to develop an optional stereo designed for supreme sound for both front and rear-seat passengers. We weren't impressed with the GXE interior, however. It doesn't offer the cheerful ambiance of the SE and GLE. The GXE trim looks cheap and will likely look worse in five years. We recommend spending the extra $2,600 for an SE. To be fair, the GXE does come with a high level of standard equipment and the seats are supportive and comfortable.
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