Nissan Maxima 2009 Review

Nissan Maxima 250 ST-L, 350 ST-S and 350 Ti

What we liked
>> 2.5-litre V6 surprises
>> Comfortable ride
>> Leather standard on all models

Not so much
>> 'Soft' dynamically
>> Doesn't look very different from the old model
>> Steering lacks feedback

Overall rating: 2.5/5.0
Engine/Drivetrain/Chassis: 2.5/5.0
Price, Packaging and Practicality: 3.0/5.0
Safety: 2.5/5.0
Behind the wheel: 2.5/5.0
X-factor: 3.0/5.0

About our ratings

OVERVIEW
-- big dreams need a big car...
Nissan has the ambitious aim of becoming the leading fully-imported brand in Australia by 2012 -- a target that means taking on and beating current title-holder Mazda, as well as Mitsubishi and Honda. A major factor in deciding the winner will be the fortunes of medium four-doors like the Mazda6, Honda Accord and Accord Euro, as well as other popular sedans including the Toyota Camry, Holden Commodore and Ford Falcon.

Into this battle comes Nissan's latest Maxima to tackle both medium and large cars thanks to a new strategy from the Japanese firm... Namely, the addition of a new 2.5-litre V6 alongside the traditional 3.5-litre to help broaden the Maxima's appeal.

The decision to move production of the car from Japan to Thailand has additionally allowed Nissan Australia to keep the car priced competitively, while still providing a high-level of specification.

"The new Maxima will play an increasingly important role in the large and medium car market by offering the best blend of distinctive luxury -- at an attainable price," says Dan Thompson, Nissan Australia Chief Executive Officer.

"We are doubling the appeal of the new Maxima in Australia with our new two-engine model strategy and very attractive entry price."

PRICE AND EQUIPMENT
-- three models, top spec...
In order to keep the pricing down, Nissan is offering a simple three-tier line-up: the 250 ST-L, 350 ST-S and 350 Ti. The ST-L starts at $33,990, the ST-S from $37,990 and the Ti topping the line-up at $46,990.

Nissan has equipped each model comprehensively and kept the options to a minimum.

The ST-L runs on 17-inch alloy wheels and gets leather seats, xenon headlights, LED taillights, dual zone climate control, eight-way adjustable driver and four-way passenger power front seats and six-stack CD player.

Moving up to the 350 ST-S not only adds the bigger 3.5-litre V6 but rear parking sensors, rear spoiler, keyless entry and heated front seats. The Ti tops the line-up including all of the abovementioned items, as well as DVD/satellite navigation, seven-inch full colour touchscreen, DVD player, reversing camera, 11-speaker BOSE sound system and Bluetooth connectivity.

The strategy of keeping the line-up and options list short is part of the plan to make sure stock numbers don't rise. The last thing Nissan (or any company) needs at this point is a lot of unsold cars with minor specification and trim changes clogging up dealerships.

On the downside the plan means there are compromises that had to be made. One such compromise was the decision not to provide reach adjustable steering. That means for some drivers finding the ideal driving position could be hard; or impossible.

MECHANICAL
-- new platform and new engines...
Like its SUV sibling, the recently launched Murano, the Maxima utilises Nissan's new D-platform. The focus of the new platform has been squarely on maintaining a comfortable and refined ride, in keeping with the tradition of the previous Maxima.

One major factor in achieving this is the adoption of an X-shaped cowl top structure to increase the stiffness of the car and reduce NVH undesirables. The structure allows for improved rigidity between the upper and lower front structures and the instrument panel.

There has also been extensive use of ultra-high tensile steel throughout the body to try and strengthen the structure further. The result of all these changes is a 40 per cent increase in torsional rigidity.

The suspension is new and comprises Macpherson struts at the front and an independent multi-link system at the rear. The dampers are also new both front and rear, and incorporate built-in rebound springs in a further bid to enhance the ride/handling balance.

By far the most significant change for the new model is the introduction of the 2.5-litre V6. It's a new engine for Nissan, not just the Maxima. Dubbed VQ25DE the engine produces 134kW at 6000rpm and 228Nm at 4400rpm. Nissan was quick to point out that the engine returns fuel economy figures of 9.5L/100km -- something that undercuts the four-cylinder Toyota Camry by half a litre.

The long-serving 3.5-litre V6, known as VQ35DE, is also pressed into service for the new Maxima. It's an updated version of the engine used in the previous generation car. Power peaks at 185kW at 6500rpm while torque tops at 326Nm at 4400rpm. Nissan claims consumption figures of 10.2L/100km for the 3.5-litre unit.

Low-down torque was a significant priority for the engineers working on both engines. That means 80 per cent of the torque available from both units comes on stream from as low as 1600rpm.

The only gearbox is the X-tronic CVT which includes the new Adaptive Shift Control (ASC) that has been designed to adjust to the driver's style and optimise its characteristics accordingly. There is also a manual mode that allows the driver to choose his own path through the six-speeds.

Front ventilated discs and solid rear discs provided the stopping power across each model.

PACKAGING
-- a makeover with a local touch...
At first glance the new Maxima looks a lot like the old model. But closer inspection reveals the car has undergone a complete makeover with changes to every panel. It is a clear case of evolution not revolution that allows Nissan to freshen-up the familiar shape and style of the outgoing Maxima without rocking the boat.

Xenon headlights, LED taillights and alloy wheels standard across the range help to give the car a feeling of refinement not yet standard in the class. According to Darren Holland, brand manager of passenger vehicles for Nissan Australia, the idea was to bring "a new level of design sophistication to the medium and large car segment."
 
It's worth noting here that 'our' Maxima is a version of the Nissan Teana -- and therefore quite a different car from the sportier US market Maxima. According to Nissan, special attention was paid to make sure the tweaks made to the Teana found favour with the unique tastes of Australian buyers. After consultation with their colleagues in Japan the local operation has been able to include a number of 'Australian only' tweaks for the new Maxima.

The 17-inch alloys used on all three models are the most notable local inclusive but the front grille's shadow chrome finish, side sills and rear spoiler on the 350 models are other significant touches.

SAFETY
-- all the usual stuff plus an extra set of eyes...
The big story on the safety front is the addition of a reversing camera on the Ti model. The system is equipped with predictive path technology which Nissan says helps improve safety and ease of use when reversing the car.

While the camera is exclusive to the top-of-the-range Ti, all three models are equipped with the usual safety items. Stability control (in Nissan speak: VDC -- Vehicle Dynamic Control), antilock brakes, traction control, brake assist, electronic brakeforce distribution and six-airbags are all standard.

COMPETITORS
-- double the appeal means doubling the rivals...
As mentioned above, the addition of the 2.5-litre V6 is designed to pit the Maxima against the four-cylinder sedan crowd. Given the yawning gap between the Tiida and Maxima, Nissan really needs to find some traction in the midsize battleground if it is reach its 2012 target.

The biggest problem Nissan has with the Maxima when trying to tackle medium sized cars is also one of its main positives. While most midsizers are focused on sporty driving dynamics such as the Honda Accord Euro, Ford Mondeo and Mazda6, the Maxima is very much a luxury-oriented cruiser. That gives it a point of difference, but given the popularity of the Euro and Mazda6, there is a big question mark over whether or not it's the type of difference midsize buyers want.

What the Maxima does offer to both potential medium or large car buyers is a value proposition. The list of standard features on the 250 ST-L means at $33,990 it stacks up well against the opposition.

Consider a leather equipped Accord Euro starts at $41,990, a Mazda6 Luxury is priced from $42,910 and Toyota Camry Grande from $39,990 and there is hope for Maxima in the medium sedan segment. It will, however, take hard work.

Then there are the large cars like the Ford Falcon G6, Holden Commodore Belina, Honda Accord V6, Hyundai Grandeur and new Skoda Superb to give the 350 ST-S and Ti models stiff competition.

ON THE ROAD
-- more about comfort than excitement...
The previous generation Maxima came in for criticism for its soggy handling and lifeless steering. It's fair to say Nissan failed to walk the fine line between dynamics and comfort and fell too far towards a plush ride and not enough towards an engaging drive.

The focus for the new model remains firmly on comfort but the changes to the suspension have livened up the drive. It's still a smooth and refined ride, and there is definitely no mistaking it for a sports sedan, but there is more feeling through the controls.

The steering is improved. The weighting is better and the car turns in now more crisply, but there's still not enough feedback.

On the engine front the 2.5-litre V6 surprises. On paper it looks underwhelming but on the roads we tackled during the launch it impressed with its ability to pull smoothly through the rev range and cruise comfortably at speed. We'll reserve our full verdict until we've given it a workout in an urban environment, but on current evidence it is a worthy addition to the line-up and more than capable of taking on the four-cylinder brigade.

The 3.5-litre V6 was a highlight of the old Maxima and remains a solid performer in the new range. It feels strong and solid taking on all challenges we threw at it.

The CVT continues to impress by offering smooth acceleration and fuel economy benefits. One question only further time in the car will answer is just how close both engines can get to their claimed fuel economy figures. Real world driving usually puts a greater strain on consumption and exactly what the Maxima returns in such conditions will be interesting to note.

As expected in a large(ish) car, rear legroom and headroom are good. Passengers up to six foot will be accommodated with ease and those slightly taller will still fit with reasonable comfort.

While its focus on comfort will not appeal to all, Nissan has done a good job improving on the outgoing Maxima. While there are cars that offer the same comfort with better dynamics (the Ford Falcon G6 springs to mind) there are not many and certainly not at the price Nissan is offering.

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