2010 Nissan Maxima
- 2009 Nissan Maxima
- Used Nissan Maxima
Based on analysis of 19 Maxima reviews and test drives.
Nissan Maxima - What the Auto Press Says
The 2010 Nissan Maxima ranks 13 out of 15 Upscale Midsize Cars. This ranking is based on our analysis of 19 published reviews and test drives of the Nissan Maxima, and our analysis of reliability and safety data.
The 2010 Nissan Maxima is a car searching for an identity. Nissan calls it a "four-door sports car," but most in the automotive press say it's more like a family car with just a hint of spice. Its interior is a strange mix of upscale and cheap -- but it may be a good bargain for those looking for a sedan that's just a bit sporty.
The 2010 Nissan Maxima is hard for the automotive press to put its collective finger on. It's not as sporty as Nissan's marketing wants you to believe, but it will out-corner many similarly-priced sedans. It's not as upscale as its price would indicate, but it does borrow some bits from the Infiniti parts bin, giving at least an impression of luxury.
Redesigned just last year, the Maxima combines a punchy V6 engine, a fine-tuned suspension that virtually eliminates torque steer, and a shorter wheelbase to better differentiate its styling from the Nissan Altima. Some writers say that its Continuously Variable Transmission robs it of much of the punch its engine should provide.
Some in the automotive press like the car, but many feel that it doesn't live up to the promises Nissan makes for it. Nissan marketing calls the Maxima "the four-door sports car." Auto writers, however, find it a nice family sedan with a slightly sporty character. "It's a handsome sedan with a healthy dose of engagement," Autoblog writes, but the four-door sports car label "may be going a bit too far." If you're looking at the Maxima as an alternative to a Honda Accord or Toyota Camry, you may find it a slightly more athletic option that meets your needs. It is not, however, a sport sedan to compete with Audi or BMW products.
Price is another concern. The Maxima's sticker 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.
The Maxima carries into 2010 virtually unchanged after a 2009 redesign. It is available in a base 3.5S, or a more upscale 3.5 SV model. A sport package, with tighter suspension settings, and a luxury-oriented Premium package are available on SV models.
- "Fun to drive while offering practical cabin technology in this comfortable sedan." -- CNET
- "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...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 - 8.3 (Very Good)
The 2010 Nissan Maxima is a fine performer when compared to most family sedans. New Car Test Drive says the 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 the Maxima's price, and Nissan's marketing, often pits it against entry-level luxury sport sedans - where its front-wheel-drive architecture holds it back from genuinely matching those cars. Read More
Maxima Exterior - 8.6 (Very Good)
The Maxima borrows some styling cues from Nissan's sports car line, melding them successfully into a family sedan. Reviewers are impressed. Automobile Magazine captures the consensus when it says the exterior "evokes sporty pretentions as well as a touch of luxury." Read More
Maxima Interior - 8.0 (Very Good)
The 2010 Maxima's cabin wins a mixed verdict from the automotive press. It offers plenty of space, a nice list of standard features and comfortable ergonomic design. Popular Mechanics especially likes its "tidy dash layout and clear instrumentation." But some test drivers find it hard to fix the driver's seat in a comfortable position, and the materials are a strange mixture of upscale and cheap. The premium package alters the backseat completely, for better and for worse. Read More
Maxima Safety - 8.8 (Very Good)
The 2010 Maxima earns five stars in every federal government crash test. The insurance industry hasn't tested the 2010 model, but gave the mechanically-similar 2009 model its top score, "good," in frontal-impact crashes. The insurance industry has not yet published a side-impact test result. Read More
Maxima Reliability - 6.0 (Mediocre)
The 2010 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 2010 Nissan Maxima has a new vehicle warranty good for the first three years or 36,000 miles. Read More
