For a long time, it was something to say you owned a Maxima. It was considered a powerful performance-oriented sedan with near-luxury accommodation that set the fun factor high and the class bar even higher.
It is not usual to tout that a sedan has been shortened, but 2009 Maxima has -- by just about four inches. Check the wheelbase, and you'll also see a lesser number than the previous model. Maxima fans should not fret, as the track grabs some extra width, forcing the fenders out and giving the sedan a really aggressive stance.
The Maxima sits on the same D-Platform as the Altima and Murano. That's all good, but what's really great is that platform is where most of the comparisons can stop. Maxima really is its own car featuring its own sophistication and distinct ride characteristics.
While sophistication may reside more obviously inside the cozy cabin, the steeply raked windshield and bulging sweeps up on both sides of the hood give some muscle and performance attitude to the Maxima.
Once enveloped in the fine leather of Maxima's interior, this was clearly an upgrade over the last couple generations of this sedan. From the strength of the thick steering wheel with audio controls and sporty shifter paddles to the recessed centerpiece navigation system screen, Maxima certainly had an upscale feel to it.
I appreciated the back and side support offered by the front seating. Rear passengers commented on plenty of legroom and comfortable posture for several hour-long routes. Up front, legroom is good and sightlines are outstanding. Power adjustable seating controls get you into the perfect position every time.
One of the best parts of the Maxima is where it exceeds expectations on material quality. I found my tester to have outstanding material fit and finish with only a couple secondary hard plastic parts that were noticeable.
Nissan saw fit to add 35 extra ponies to the Maxima. Featuring a 3.5-liter V-6, the new Maxima can brag about 290 horsepower. Even better than the always-appreciated ponies was the improved fuel economy, 19 city mpg and 26 highway mpg . Mated to the V-6 is a wonderfully tech-savvy continuously variable transmission (CVT). Sure, it's not a manual shifter, but boy does it give those who could care less about shifting a lot of reasons to appreciate an extra hand for the audio or navigation system.
Driving the Maxima is a blast. The Sport model test vehicle featured upgraded springs, dampers and antiroll bars. Opting for this trim level you get what you pay for with a pretty stiff chassis that takes the bumps with moderate recoil. You will get some rocking side to side, but nothing that takes away from the handling or expectations.
Base priced at $30,160, the Maxima S Sedan is an improved car over the previous incarnation. I really like the newer athletic stance and the interior accoutrements are refined and highly functional. The CVT offered surprising punch and the sport paddles put some fun into shifting again. A highly competitive class puts this sedan somewhere in the middle, but several rungs above where it had been.
