This eighth-generation edition of Nissan’s maxima flagship sedan is all new
This eighth-generation edition of Nissan’s flagship sedan, the 2016 Maxima, is all new, with styling inside and out inspired by a fighter jet, Nissan says. A glimpse of that design theme is apparent in the wraparound windshield, which has hints of an aircraft’s canopy. The blacked-out A-pillar enhances that image. The black panel on the C-pillar creates the illusion the roof, now 33 millimetres lower than the previous generation's, is floating above the car, adding to the jet canopy theme.
Unique boomerang-shaped headlamps, accented by a strip of LED daytime driving lights, dominate the front corners of the Maxima. An automatic on/off feature with adjustable sensitivity is standard with the halogen headlights on the base SV and mid-range SL models; the sporty SR and premium Platinum trims have LED projector headlamps. Fog lights are standard on all four trim levels.
New two-piece LED tail-lights continue the boomerang lighting design theme at the rear of the Maxima. New LED lights are also mounted on the outside mirrors to signal turns.
The styling of the new Maxima is based closely on Nissan’s Sport Sedan Concept model, with the redesigned front end anchored by the company’s signature V-Motion grille. Designers have bolstered the Maxima’s defining theme of a four-door sports car by making this iteration lower (by 33 mm) and longer (by 55 mm) than the previous generation. In addition to its lower and wider proportions, flared fenders and prominent sculpturing of the body’s side panels augment the car’s sporty flavour.
Diamond-cut machined 19-inch aluminum alloy wheels, fitted with 245/40R19 all-season tires developed specifically for this car by Goodyear, are standard on the performance-oriented SR trim level. The other three Maxima trims are fitted with 18-inch aluminum alloy wheels with painted inserts; the tires are 245/45R18 all-seasons.
The interior design continues the fighter jet theme, with the layout intended to feel like a cockpit. The centre console is tilted seven degrees toward the driver, just like in Nissan’s GT-R sports car. Leather trim is standard across the model lineup and heated front seats and a heated, leather-wrapped, flat bottomed steering wheel are also standard.
The rear seats have 60/40-split seatbacks that fold down, while rear ventilation ducts deliver heated or cooled air from the standard dual-zone automatic climate control system.
An eight-inch colour screen, with navigation as a standard feature on all models, dominates the centre of the instrument panel. Its touch display, with swipe and pinch-to-zoom capabilities, will fit well with smartphone users. They’ll also appreciate the pair of USB ports up front, as well as the conveniently located slot for storing a mobile phone. The system also features voice-recognition control for navigation and audio.
A seven-inch display nestled between the tachometer and speedometer in front of the driver not only relays pertinent information about the vehicle, but displays navigation information that can be shifted from the main console screen with a swipe of a finger.
Although all models are fitted with leather-trimmed NASA-inspired Zero Gravity front seats, which proved to be extremely comfortable and supportive during our media drive around Esterel, Quebec, the sports-oriented SR trim level includes premium Ascot leather appointments with diamond-quilted camel Alcantara inserts in the seats and door panels. The contrasting black and camel décor provides an especially premium feel to the cabin – and looks fantastic.
The heated, D-shaped steering wheel, standard on all trim levels, gets special upgrades on the SR model. Camel-coloured Alcantara inserts contrast beautifully with the premium leather wrap.
The Maxima is powered by a redesigned version of Nissan’s highly respected VQ-series V-6 engine. The 3.5-litre poweplant has more than 60% new parts, including sodium-filled valves (borrowed from the GT-R) that are designed to cope with higher compression ratios (10.6:1 in this application) and hotter combustion temperatures. This double-overhead camshaft engine, with sequential multi-port electronic fuel injection, generates 300 horsepower at 6,400 rpm and 261 lb-ft of torque at 4,400 rpm – output that’s adequate for most drivers.
The engine’s output is delivered to the front wheels through a new, performance-oriented Xtronic continuously variable transmission that features a wider ratio range, D-step shift logic and adaptive shift control. The console-mounted shifter can be used in a manual mode to simulate gear changes, while the SR model is also fitted with paddle shifters on the steering column.
Drive mode buttons on the console allow the driver to choose between Normal and Sport modes, with the latter increasing throttle response, transmission tuning and steering feel. I found the Sport setting resulted in a throttle response with very touchy tip-in and steering feel that was overly heavy.
Changes to the engine have resulted in an estimated 15% increase in highway fuel economy. Its official consumption ratings are 10.9 litres/100 km in city driving and 7.8 on the highway, with premium grade fuel recommended.
LATEST NEWS
LATEST REVIEWS
For people who want an SUV to haul around a race track in record time
New plug-in hybrid will become flagship of Range Rover luxury SUV line
A tallish and thrilling Italian hotrod