Nissan Maxima 2016 Review: Features, Performance, and Design

The Nissan Maxima has created a cult following since its debut in the 80s and 90s, coinciding with Nissan's peak in producing renowned sports cars like the Skyline and Z. During that era, the street tuning culture was on the rise, and Japanese cars became the ideal choice for enthusiasts seeking fun at a lower cost than supercars. The Maxima was marketed as the 4DSC, or 4 Door Sports Car, a strategy that was successful. However, Nissan later shifted focus to the Altima. Fortunately, Nissan recognized the need for improvement, leading to the introduction of the new Maxima.

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Exterior

First things first, the Maxima is a head-turner. Nissan has successfully checked that important box. The striking blue color and the revamped Nissan front fascia have significantly enhanced the Maxima's appeal. Despite being on the market for some time, it continues to capture attention, a feat that hasn’t been seen from Nissan in a while. Kudos to the design team for creating a true winner.

Interior

The Maxima retains a platform shared with the Altima, providing ample interior space for five adults along with generous boot space. This is commendable for a sedan, though it may not fully align with the expectations of a great sports sedan. The luxurious SR trim offers:

• Leather seats
• Flat bottom steering wheel
• Diamond patterned stitching
• Metallic trim
• Ambient lighting at night

The cabin also features a multi-information display (MID) between the gauges. However, the touchscreen in the center console feels sluggish and outdated; nonetheless, its simplicity makes it user-friendly. The cabin remains impressively quiet, a quality worth paying for.

Drive

To earn the 4DSC badge, a car must provide a thrilling driving experience. Unfortunately, the Maxima falls short in this regard. The 3.5-liter V6 engine now produces 300 BHP, up from 290 BHP in the previous generation, but this increase does not equate to a fun driving experience. The primary issue lies in the weight distribution, making the car feel heavy in the front and prone to understeering in corners. The CVT gearbox performs better in sports mode, making it feel less like an Altima; however, a key element still seems to be missing, which Nissan needs to address.

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Verdict

The new Maxima is undoubtedly an improvement over its predecessor, but there is still room for growth to reach the high standards set by earlier models.

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