Car - Road Test Review: 2009 Nissan Maxima

Road Test Review: 2009 Nissan Maxima
2009 Nissan Maxima
NADAguides.com



The 2009 Nissan Maxima is a well-balanced, well-equipped and well, a great value for one of America’s favorite mid-size sedans. The Maxima won’t necessarily stand out in a crowd of cars, but that’s not the intention for the Maxima. The car was built to be driven - period. Not too hard and not too soft, this daily driver has enough room to comfortably seat four adults and enough horsepower to give it a slight air of sportiness.

The Maxima is Nissan’s true flagship vehicle. I know many would like to debate that the Z is their flagship, but I would argue that the Maxima has been Nissan’s mainstay and most consistent vehicle over the years.

What I love most about the Maxima is the roominess, particularly with the passenger seats. Many of today’s cars have small second row seating, but you can always count on a spacious interior with the Maxima. With a starting price of $30,160, it comes equipped with most standard features like 4-wheel anti-lock brakes, a 6-CD changer audio system, keyless entry and steering wheel-mounted audio controls.


 
The tire and wheel package are also something to get excited about. Nissan takes great pride in developing a sporty wheel with a slightly larger diameter size, which gives the car a performance-oriented stance and clean look. The tire package also fills the wheel wells nicely so you don’t have that uncomfortable gap that screams, “larger wheels and tires please.”

The exterior of the Maxima is clean and Nissan carries over many of the design cues from its other models. With the physical size of the Altima getting larger over the years, there are times I can’t tell the two apart because their lines are so similar.



Although the Maxima fits into the crowded sea of mid-size sedans, there is one differentiation point that separates it from the pack. Nissan knows better than any other automaker how to combine the right amount of balance between ordinary and sporty. The driving experience is comfortable, but because of the 3.5-liter DOHC 24-valve V6 engine, the Maxima can get down right sporty if the conditions are right.

As noted above, a V6 engine producing 290 hp and 261 ft-lbs. of torque is powering the Maxima. The automatic transmission in the vehicle we tested comes with steering-wheel mounted shifters, which add to the performance factor.



Safety is also a priority with Nissan. The Maxima has a 5 Star crash test rating and comes complete with dual front, side, and overhead airbags.

The Nissan Maxima has an MSRP of $30,160 and the price as tested is $32,860.

To learn more about the 2009 Nissan Maxima and other new cars, please visit www.nadaguides.com.    
Source: www.nadaguides.com