Background: Many changes are in store for the 2004 front-wheel drive Maxima. Nissan’s largest sedan gets a complete sixth-generation makeover in the 2004 model year. The sharper looking incarnation started reaching dealerships last March. This is also the first time since its 1981 debut that Maxima is built in the United States (rather than Japan) at the company’s Smyrna, Tennessee plant outside of Nashville. More production opportunities arrived in Smyrna when Nissan opened its second U.S. assembly plant in Canton, Mississippi outside of the state capital of Jackson last year. Maxima is part of Nissan’s three sedan strategy which also includes the mid-size Altima and compact Sentra. Nissan received rave reviews with the 2002 Altima redesign and the big-brother Maxima shares the same high-praised platform. While Altima is now the volume leader, Maxima is the more aspirational (and highest priced) of the three sedans. The growing 2004 Nissan lineup also includes the Murano sporty crossover, all-new Titan full-size pickup, Frontier compact pickup, mid-size Pathfinder sport utility, full-size Pathfinder Armada, compact Xterra sport utility and sporty 350Z coupe and roadster. In 2003, Nissan sold 675,826 cars and trucks in the U.S., a much improved number when compared to three years ago.
Engine/trim levels: One engine powers both the sporty SE and upmarket SL trim levels. The SE comes with the choice of six-speed manual or five-speed automatic transmission while SL is a four-speed automatic transmission-exclusive trim. Both automatic versions feature a gated or templated shift design instead of the traditional vertically-arranged set up. The sporty SE automatic transmission includes a mode for those who wish more shifting input with forward gear points without the use of a foot clutch. The sole powertrain is a 24-valve, double overhead cam, 3.5-liter, V-6 engine generating 265 horsepower. This is basically the same engine returning from 2003 except its been fortified with 10 more horsepower. This V-6 is also available in the Altima. The mid-size Altima also offers a four-cylinder powertrain while Maxima is an exclusive six-cylinder vehicle. One of Maxima’s key competitors, Toyota’s Avalon sedan, features a 3.0-liter V-6 producing 210 horsepower. The fuel tank holds 20 gallons of recommended premium unleaded gasoline. With automatic transmission, economy figures check in at 20 miles per gallon city and 27 m.p.g. highway. Manual transmission adds two more miles to the highway figure.
Standard equipment: Both trim levels feature: fog lights, power rack-and-pinion steering, power windows, cruise control, outside temperature display, power door locks, dual zone air conditioning, cruise control, power mirrors, telescoping steering column and AM/FM/compact disc players. The SL editions add a cassette player along with the CD player. The cassette player is optional in SE. A DVD navigation system and heated seats are optional in both trims. Also optional in both trims (and in our test model) was the “Elite” package featuring two independent rear bucket seats replacing the traditional back bench design fitted for three.
Price: Nissan supplied the Daily Herald with a SE trim with automatic transmission and a $26,950 starting price. After factoring several option packages, the bottom line ended at $34,790 with $540 destination charge. The uplevel SL with standard automatic transmission starts at $29,000. The more conservatively styled 2004 Avalon, Toyota’s largest sedan includes a starting price of $26,045. Avalon is one of the few sedans from an Asian automaker to offer front bench seating as an option.
Interior: One feature noticeable upon entry is Maxima’s standard “skyview” roof” with two non-opening see-through glass panels. A conventional power sunroof is optional. Cloth seating is the norm in SE while leather surfaces adorn SL (and is optional in SE). Wood-trim accents are an SL staple while sportier metallic-tone trim is featured in the SE. The dashboard top slopes downward forming an arrow-head design except in the center portion where the vertical stereo/ventilation system runs top to bottom. The molded, three-dimensional instrument panel has three rather small deep-set, independent compartments with the speedometer front and center flanked by left-side fuel gauge and right-side tachometer. At night, back yellow lighting illuminates the analog numbers. Smaller window designs create slightly larger blind spot regions. Four rectangular, vertically arranged ventilation vents are interspersed across the dash. Both fuel tank door and trunk lid release buttons are found on the lower portion of the driver’s door. Arched arm rests add a sporty touch and the driver’s door includes power window and lock controls on the downward trajectory. A square power side window panel is on the far left side of the dashboard. Optional in the test vehicle was the DVD navigation system with a square, deep set screen near the top of the center console region. A series of horizontally arranged, small stereo buttons are situated below. A series of small, sometimes hard-to-find-at-a-glance square and toggle buttons operate all ventilation controls. Headlights switch on and off by twisting the short, stubby turn signal stalk. Front windshield wipers activate from a right-hand side stalk. In between the front bucket seats are the hand-operated parking brake, inline dual beverage holder with retracting cover and the floor-mounted shifter. In four-seat editions, a vertical pass-through window gains access to the trunk region. Maxima’s seating five have backrests that fold completely down. The spacious trunk has 15.5 cubic feet of room and conveniently incorporates shock-absorber type hinges outside the cargo area, eliminating the “crunch factor” posed by inside curved hinges.The temporary spare stows under the flat-floored trunk.
Exterior: The 2004 Maxima includes a wheelbase (distance between front and rear axle) that’s 2.9-inches greater than last model year while the vehicle width grows by 1.4 inches. Maxima is slightly larger than the Altima, but still falls in the mid-size segment. Maxima’s dimensions fall shorter than full-size vehicles such as the Chevrolet Impala. The raised truck lid is very short in length and merges into the rear “C” pillar region. The curved roof merges into the back rectangular window which is smaller than what’s found on many competitors. Side windows are more diminutive as well. This more sheet metal, less glass theme runs through many newly redesigned vehicles from Nissan including the Altima and Murano. The radio antenna is molded into the back window. Eight exterior colors are available. Strap-like, body-colored handles adorn all four doors. Tail lights get housed in red, tri-angular housing. The front grille incorporates horizontal highlights with a vertical, center shield displaying the circular Nissan logo front and center. Six-spoke wheels add a sporty touch.
Safety equipment: Both trim levels include front driver and passenger air bags along with side curtain air bags protecting front and rear occupants, front-seat side air bags, child safety rear door locks, four-wheel anti-lock brakes, energy-absorbing steering column, remote keyless entry and vehicle security system. Also standard is electronic brake force distribution, which optimizes brake force depending on load condition (passenger and cargo) and brake assist (BA), which senses hard or panic pedal application and helps provide maximum braking capacity. Traction control is optional with automatic transmission.
Warranty: Maxima’s basic warranty coverage is good for three years or 36,000 miles (whichever comes first). The powertrain coverage is a bit longer at five years or 60,000 miles. Corrosion coverage is for five years with unlimited miles and roadside assistance is good for three years or 36,000 miles.
Final thoughts: Maxima is priced somewhat higher than its Nissan Altima counterpart but less than most mid-size competitors from high-end Japanese luxury divisions Infiniti, Acura and Lexus. A six-cylinder Altima starts at $23,250 while our test Maxima started at around $27,000. Altima is also available in four-cylinder editions. Nissan has done an excellent job of styling newly-introduced vehicles during the last three years that stand out from the rest of the crowd. Maxima’s low-slung profile is fun to look at and just as fun to drive. |