The Nissan Maxima is a four-door sedan priced slightly above the Altima and designed to compete with entry-level luxury vehicles like the Acura TLX, Audi A4, Buick LaCrosse, Lexus ES 350 and Volvo S60. In addition, Maxima matches up well against loaded large sedans like Chevrolet Impala, Chrysler 300, Ford Taurus, Kia Cadenza and Toyota Avalon.
For 2016, the Maxima is completely redesigned. It rides a new platform that's 2.2 inches longer and 1.3 inches lower than its predecessor. Nissan claims weight is down and structural rigidity is increased. In addition to new exterior and interior styling, the 2016 Maxima gets more power and additional tech and safety features.
With prices starting at $32,510, the '16 Maxima comes in five trim levels: S, SV, SL, SR and Platinum. All are powered by a 3.5-liter V6 engine that's updated for 2016 to make an even 300 horsepower - up 10 from last year. Sole transmission is a CVT automatic driving the front wheels.
Standard safety features include antilock brakes, traction and stability control, front-side and side-curtain airbags and rearview camera. Also available are blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, forward collision warning with automatic braking, 360-degree parking camera system, driver drowsiness monitor and the Nissan Connect smartphone app, which adds automatic collision notification, remote starting, emergency calling and stolen vehicle locating.
Key available features include dual-zone automatic climate control, 8-inch touchscreen display, navigation system, panoramic sunroof, heated steering wheel, active noise cancellation, premium 11-speaker Bose audio system and adaptive cruise control. SR models get a sport-tuned suspension, active ride control, LED headlights and premium leather upholstery with simulated suede interior trim.
The Maxima is built in Tennessee and has an $825 destination charge.
Maxima has always been one of the sportiest mainstream front-drive sedans available and the 2016 version doesn't deviate from that formula one bit. It doesn't have the roadholding chops to stay with true rear-drive sports sedans like the BMW 3-Series or Cadillac ATS, but It's more than up to the challenge of your typical highway on-ramp or twisting road.
The frim steering is delightfully accurate and the brakes have ample stopping power. Nissan was wise to offer a basic, sport-tuned suspension on most models and an enthusiast-minded suspension with 19-inch wheels on the SR. That way, buyers can choose the Maxima that best fits their driving style. All models, save for the SR, sport a firm but comfortable ride that has good bump absorption and minimal body roll. Opt for the SR and the ride gets considerably busier, but handling limits become much more impressive.
Maxima's engine has always been one of the best in the industry, providing ample power and unmatched smoothness. Because the Maxima engine makes power with displacement, rather than a turbocharger, there's no lag while the turbo gets up to boost and power delivery smooth and linear. Step on the gas and Maxima will vault from 0 to 60 mph in a scant 5.7 seconds. That's very fast for the class. More impressive is the way the CVT works with the engine to instantly provide passing power while still maintaining fuel efficiency. Despite the engine's 300 horsepower, there isn't much front-drive torque steer, though the traction control system does allow for some wheel slip when accelerating from a stop.
EPA fuel economy ratings are 22 mpg city and 30 mpg highway. Those numbers aren't exceptional, but they are on par with most competitors. In real-world driving, expect to average about 25 mpg overall in an even mix of suburban commuting. It's easy to average 30 mpg in straight highway driving.
Road and wind noise are nicely muted and the engine stays quiet most of the time. Appropriately, it produces a hearty growl in hard acceleration.
Nissan designers did their homework and the interior of the 2016 Maxima sports impressive materials that ooze luxury and a design that's modern without being busy. Quality fabrics and plastics are used throughout and soft-touch surfaces abound. The gauge cluster and control layout is extremely functional; putting the most used features well within the driver's reach. The navigation and infotainment system is easy to use and integrates well with satellite radio and cell phones, but it's a shame that Nissan chose to go with a proprietary app environment rather than the user-friendly systems offered by Google and Apple.
The "Zero-Gravity" front seats are more comfortable than most. They offer great support for any size driver and hold you firmly in place on twisty roads. Front-seat head and leg room are quite good, though outward visibility is a bit pinched to the rear and the low roofline makes getting in and out a little more difficult than a typical large sedan.
Unfortunately, the rear seat isn't quite as roomy as you might think. Not that it's cramped, but the low roof cuts into head room and overall width isn't as good as in the Chevrolet Impala , Chrysler 300 or Ford Taurus.
Maxima offers 14.3 cubic-feet of cargo room in the trunk. That's about average for the class but trails some of its larger competitors. Interior storage is great with lots of open and covered bins throughout. One particularly nice touch is a cell phone pocket at the front of the center console that features a USB port as well and an auxiliary power outlet and audio port.
The 2016 Nissan Maxima offers a fantastic blend of sport, comfort, technology and safety features, and style. Prices are certainly reasonable for lower trim models, but rise quickly when you add on features and options. The "old-school" V6 puts more "modern" turbo four engines to shame in both power delivery and smoothness while providing similar fuel economy numbers. It's your looking for a roomy, comfortable and athletic front-drive sedan, Maxima is a must see.
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