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Nissan Maxima - What the Auto Press Says

The 2009 Nissan Maxima ranks 12 out of 17 Upscale Midsize Cars. This ranking is based on our analysis of 17 published reviews and test drives of the Nissan Maxima, and our analysis of reliability and safety data.

The redesigned 2009 Nissan Maxima is a mixed bag that splits the automotive press.  Some love its sleek styling and find the interior upgrades impressive.  Others see some cheap materials and awkward lines.  Some say the car is sporty, with a smooth V6.  Others say the car doesn't live up to its marketing as a "4-door-sports car," and critics usually blame its continuously variable transmission for any letdown in performance.

This new Maxima "is a tour de force for Nissan," according to The Auto Channel and others.

But Autoblog disagrees. "Does it deliver? Not quite," they write. "It's a handsome sedan with a healthy dose of engagement," but the four door sports car label Nissan gives the car "may be going a bit too far."

The Maxima is one you'll have to test drive to know for certain whether it appeals to you.

For 2009, the Maxima has boosted power from its V6 engine, a fine-tuned suspension that virtually eliminates torque steer, and a shorter wheelbase to better differentiate its styling from the Nissan Altima. Apart from the disappointing CVT, the car's performance has been improved.

Modest changes were also made to the Maxima's available cabin features.

Much of the new equipment, in fact, is borrowed from Nissan's Infiniti luxury brand.   

But the Maxima is not traditionally considered a luxury car.  Its price has begun to intrude on the entry-level luxury class.  Nissan makes an entry-level sports sedan -- the Infiniti G37 -- which outclasses the Maxima in many ways and is not much more expensive.  At this price, the BMW 3-Series is an alternative as well.  Both of those cars offer several transmission options that make Nissan's CVT look sluggish.

• "Nissan gives the 2009 Maxima a serious performance treatment, making the car fun to drive while offering practical cabin technology in this comfortable sedan." -- CNET
• "The all-new 2009 Nissan Maxima is one of the most fun to drive cars in the class." -- New Car Test Drive
• "A stylistic and performance winner." -- The Auto Channel
• "Sports sedan? Not really. Sporty sedan? Yes. Although we'd ask for more communicative steering and a smoother ride, the 2009 Maxima's power and speed will satisfy fans perhaps left a little cold by the last generation, and they won't disappoint those seduced by its clean, rich shape. " -- Car and Driver
• "While...the Maxima is not designed to appeal to consumers who would be looking seriously at the Avalon, the fact is that the Maxima is more luxury than sport when it comes to styling and performance." -- Fort Worth Star-Telegram

Maxima Performance - 8.0 (Very Good)

New Car Test Drive says the 2009 Nissan Maxima is "one of the best-engineered front-drive sporty sedans available, from the accurate, quick steering to the engine power to the remarkably good performance of the CVT," but some auto writers find the car is not a true sports sedan. The Maxima's increased price means that it competes with some genuine sport sedans, and its front-wheel-drive architecture holds it back from genuinely matching those cars.  continue

Maxima Exterior - 9.0 (Excellent)

Writers say the new Maxima makes a bold statement with its new design. To Automobile Magazine, the exterior "is much more exciting than the outgoing car," and it "evokes sporty pretentions as well as a touch of luxury." The Auto Channel says, "From every angle, the new Maxima is stunning and curvaceous." continue

Maxima Interior - 7.9 (Good)

The 2009 Maxima's cabin receives good reviews for its spacious dimensions, abundant amenities and outstanding quality. Popular Mechanics especially likes its "tidy dash layout and clear instrumentation." But there are some who struggle to get comfortable in the driver's seat, and a few are struck by hard plastics unusual at this price point.  The premium package alters the backseat completely, for better and for worse. continue

Maxima Safety - 8.8 (Very Good)

The new Maxima earns a perfect five stars in every federal government crash test.  The insurance industry gives the car its top score, "good," in frontal-impact crashes, but has not yet published a side-impact test result. continue

Maxima Reliability - 7.0 (Good)

The 2009 Nissan Maxima reliability score shown is the Predicted Reliability rating provided by J.D. Power and Associates. This score is based on trending the past three years of historical initial quality and dependability data from J.D. Power's automotive studies, specifically the Vehicle Dependability Study (VDS) and the Initial Quality Study (IQS). The 2009 Nissan Maxima has a new vehicle warranty good for the first three years or 36,000 miles. continue