Nissan Maxima 2016 First Drive
Posted by Mansoor A. Bukhari on Apr 9, 2016
The Nissan Maxima has created a cult following for itself since it came out in the market in 80s and 90s as Nissan was itself at the peak of creating well known sports cars like the Skyline and Z. Back then, the whole street tuning culture was picking up and people started noticing the Japanese cars as the perfect tool for fun that is less expensive than supercars. So Nissan gave the Maxima the 4DSC or 4 door sports car tagline and it worked like a charm. Then, the brand became lazy and started selling it as the upbeat Altima. But, now the maker finally realized that it is time to be better and hence they came up with the new Maxima.
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Key Features: Engine 3.5 litres V6 Transmission CVT Power 300 BHP / 330 Nm Top Speed 220 km/h Price AED 145,000Exterior
First things first, the Maxima is a head turner. So, Nissan has ticked that important checkbox. The striking blue color and the revolutionized Nissan front fascia really spruced things up for the Maxima. Even though the car has been out in the market for quite a while, it still managed come into notice of many. This is a car which attracts – something not seen with Nissan in a while. Hence, applauds to the design team. They have made a winner.
Interior
The Maxima is still based on the old platform that is shared with the Altima and that means there is plenty of interior space for five adults. Moreover, there is ample boot space as well. This is good for a sedan but not sure this will translate well in being a great sports sedan. But, anyways, the luxurious SR trim offers leather seats, flat bed steering wheel, diamond patterned stitching, metallic trim and ambient lighting at night. There is a MID between the gauges. Moreover, the touchscreen in the center console does feel sluggish and outdated but it is simple to use and that’s what matters. Also, the cabin is very quiet and that I believe is worth paying for.
Drive
To qualify for a 4DSC badge, you need to have a feel of thrill when driving. Alas, that is not the case with the Maxima. Sure, the 3.5 liter V6 produces 300 BHP now from 290 BHP in the previous generation. But, that doesn’t translate being a fun car. The main culprit is the weight distribution. The car feels heavy in the front and understeers a lot in corners. The CVT gearbox is better in sports mode and you don’t feel like driving an Altima anymore. But, there is still something missing and Nissan needs to look into that.
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Verdict
The new Maxima is better than previous generation any given day. But, it still needs improvement to reach that benchmark set by its forefathers.
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