2008 Nissan Maxima Safety Review [ 2009 , 2007 ]
Based on analysis of 46 Maxima reviews and test drives.
Safety - What the Auto Press Says
The 2008 Nissan Maxima receives fair scores in government and insurance industry crash tests. "The Maxima is competitive with its peer group in terms of safety equipment, with dual-stage front-seat airbags, front-seat side airbags, and side curtain airbags," says Automobile Magazine.
In government crash tests, the 2008 Maxima earned five out of five stars for the driver's and front passenger's protection in frontal crashes, and five stars for both front seat and backseat occupants' protection in side crashes. The Maxima has a four-star rollover rating. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety gives the Maxima the highest rating, "Good," for frontal crashes, but only "Marginal," the second lowest score, for side impact tests.
Accident Avoidance
Standard accident avoidance equipment includes a Traction Control System, and four-wheel Anti-lock Braking System with Electronic Brake force Distribution and Brake Assist. Nissan's version of electronic stability control, Vehicle Dynamic Control, is optional on both Maxima models. The system can sense when the Maxima is losing its steered line of trajectory through a turn and helps get it back on course by applying brake force or adjusting engine power to individual wheels. The option includes a full-size spare tire with alloy wheel.
Crash Protection
The Maxima features a zone body construction with front and rear crumple zones, an energy-absorbing steering column, high-strength side-door guard beams, and hood buckling creases and safety stops. CNET says the Maxima's "Airbag coverage is impressive." Nissan's Advanced Air Bag System includes dual-stage supplemental front air bags, seat belt sensors and an occupant-classification sensor. Also standard are driver and front-passenger side-impact supplemental air bags, and roof-mounted curtain side-impact supplemental air bags for front and rear-seat outboard occupant head protection. All seating positions have three-point safety belts and active front head restraints.
