2016 Nissan Maxima
January/February 2016
Jim Prueter
For 2016, Nissan’s top-shelf sedan, the Maxima, has gotten a complete makeover. The look reprises the “4DSC” (four-door sports car) logo it sported as far back as the days when Nissan was known as Datsun.
For inspiration, designers spent time at the Navy’s Blue Angels precision flying school in Florida. Pains were taken to give the driver’s seat a true cockpit look and feel. The exterior features the new V-Motion grille seen on the Rogue and Murano. A floating roof tops off the flowing angular beltline, also seen on the Murano.
Built in Tennessee, Maxima is offered in five trim levels, all as complete packages without options. If you want more features, you’ll need to buy a higher grade. They run from S at the base end, through SV, SL, SR, and Platinum at the top. All are powered by a new version of Nissan’s 3.5-liter, 300-horsepower, V-6 engine and the Xtronic CVT.
Leather features are available on all but the S model and the top two trim levels boast diamond-quilted leather surfaces. Interior room is good, but headroom is skimpy. Plenty of safety tech — rear-cross traffic alert, blind-spot warning, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and intelligent cruise control — are standard in the top three trim levels. The Maxima received a 5-Star rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
Handling is responsive with minimal body roll on curves. And the car responds predictably, with no white-knuckle surprises.
Overall, I think Maxima is trying hard to be liked. The cabin is well equipped, controls are easy to use, and the car handles well. But will the “4DSC” Maxima compete with the sporty feel of an Audi or BMW? In the Platinum model I drove – not quite.
For inspiration, designers spent time at the Navy’s Blue Angels precision flying school in Florida. Pains were taken to give the driver’s seat a true cockpit look and feel. The exterior features the new V-Motion grille seen on the Rogue and Murano. A floating roof tops off the flowing angular beltline, also seen on the Murano.
Built in Tennessee, Maxima is offered in five trim levels, all as complete packages without options. If you want more features, you’ll need to buy a higher grade. They run from S at the base end, through SV, SL, SR, and Platinum at the top. All are powered by a new version of Nissan’s 3.5-liter, 300-horsepower, V-6 engine and the Xtronic CVT.
Leather features are available on all but the S model and the top two trim levels boast diamond-quilted leather surfaces. Interior room is good, but headroom is skimpy. Plenty of safety tech — rear-cross traffic alert, blind-spot warning, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and intelligent cruise control — are standard in the top three trim levels. The Maxima received a 5-Star rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
Handling is responsive with minimal body roll on curves. And the car responds predictably, with no white-knuckle surprises.
Overall, I think Maxima is trying hard to be liked. The cabin is well equipped, controls are easy to use, and the car handles well. But will the “4DSC” Maxima compete with the sporty feel of an Audi or BMW? In the Platinum model I drove – not quite.
JIM PRUETER, an automotive writer based in Phoenix, has provided reviews and advice about cars for more than 20 years.
Details
Fuel Economy
- 12 MPG City
- 30 MPG Highway
The Good
- A tour de force restyle inside and out
- Advanced safety features and excellent crash test results
- Powerful, fuel-efficient V6 engine
The Bad
- Styling might be too avant-garde for some
- Smaller rear seat and trunk space than competitors
- Mostly faux “4DSC”
Vehicle Type:
Car
Base Price:
$32,410
As Tested:
$37,935