Driving Experience of the 2013 Nissan Maxima Sedan in the UAE
After a busy week, the weekend has finally arrived! However, this weekend is not just any ordinary break; it was highly anticipated by car enthusiasts in the UAE due to the "Monster Jam" event, which we attended in the 2013 Nissan Maxima Sedan.
Exterior Design
Like almost every other manufacturer, the Maxima features LED headlights. Additionally, you'll notice that the taillights have been darkened, and the new 19-inch rims give the Maxima a sporty appearance.
Interior
The interior is well-organized and constructed with quality materials. The dashboard design is a blend of the Nissan 370Z and the Infiniti G37, which we found appealing. The front and rear seats are spacious, plush, and incredibly comfortable, making them ideal for long journeys.
You won’t have to worry about the heat, as the air conditioning keeps the cabin cool regardless of the temperature outside. We were particularly impressed with the sunshade, which features an extension—a feature we rarely see outside of SUVs.
On the downside, the Maxima does not come equipped with as many features as its Korean competitors. For instance, its rival, the Kia Cadenza, includes voice recognition, automatic headlights, seat massagers, a panoramic sunroof, rear multimedia controls, and a blind-spot monitoring system, all while being priced over 15,000 AED less than the Maxima!
When comparing it to its Japanese competitors, such as the new Accord and the new Avalon, the Maxima’s interior differs from theirs, and the price also varies significantly, as the Maxima is much cheaper than even the base models of the new Accord and Avalon (check out the comparisons on our website).
Performance
In terms of performance, the Maxima features a 3.5-liter engine that produces 290 horsepower and 353 Nm of torque, combined with a continuously variable transmission (CVT). This makes it more powerful than the new Honda Accord and the new Toyota Avalon.
Given all the positive feedback we had heard about the Maxima’s acceleration, we were eager to test it for ourselves to see what this car could do. Whether we left the transmission in drive or changed gears manually, the acceleration was disappointing.
The firm and sporty suspension allows the Maxima to handle high speeds exceptionally well, but the downside is that you feel every bump in the road. The grip on the road is certainly present, better than the Avalon and comparable to the Accord.
Although the continuously variable transmission CVT provided smooth acceleration, there was a noticeable drone when driving under 50 km/h. Does the continuously variable transmission CVT help with fuel efficiency? That question remains unanswered.
Another issue I encountered was with the onboard computer that displayed the distance to empty. With a full tank, it indicated a potential range of 350 km, which surprised us. However, we were even more astonished when it showed a potential range of 417 km with half a tank. It could be a glitch in the computer, but it still left us shocked!
Summary
After driving over 600 km in two days, we found that while the Maxima is a well-built car with large wheels, it is not a sports car! It offers power and good value compared to its Japanese competitors, but when compared to its Korean rivals, they provide more features for the price.
