2004 Nissan Maxima Review

The sixth-generation Nissan Maxima sedan has arrived as an early 2004 model with a larger body, racier styling and more power and luxury.

The front-drive Maxima was introduced in 1981 and long has been a solid seller, even when sales of other Nissan models were almost in the dumpster.

Maxima owners are very loyal, with some having owned four or five of them. The new Maxima should definitely tempt them to buy it, and Nissan also hopes to pick up a fair number of folks who never considered the car. For one thing, the conservative styling of the old Maximas has been tossed.

Nissan called older versions of the Maxima a "four-door sports car.'' That's never been truer than with the new version. It has stiffer construction and is two inches longer and 1.4 inches wider than its predecessor. The wheelbase--distance between front and rear wheels--has been stretched nearly three inches to enhance the ride.

The new Maxima is based on the Nissan's Altima, which has been a big hit since being redone for 2002. The Maxima even resembles the lower-priced, less luxurious Altima. But the Maxima is longer, wider, higher and heavier than the Altima. The Maxima also is more powerful and has a more substantial feel.

The Altima is meant to compete with such cars as the Toyota Camry and Honda Accord. The Maxima is designed to go up against higher-line autos such as the Acura TL and V-6 versions of the Audi A4.

The new Maxima is the first assembled in America. It comes as the very sporty $26,950 3.5 SE model and the more luxurious $28,900 SL. However, even the SE is definitely upscale.

The 3.5 SE has such items as a sport suspension and 18-inch wheels with wide 45-series tires to provide the sharpest handling. The 3.5 SL has a smoother ride with a slightly softer suspension and higher 55-series tires on 17-inch wheels.

Unusual features for both versions include a fixed "Skyview Roof'' with a tinted glass panel and two interior shades. Other auto sunroofs go sideways across the roof, but this panel is placed longitudinally down the middle of the car over front and rear seats and looks like a feature from an auto show concept car. It looks like two sunroofs from inside the car because of a central interior roof support.

A conventional power sunroof--put sideways across the front of the roof--is a $900 option.

Also unusual is the optional Elite Package that also provides a custom car look to the interior. Instead of a rear bench seat, the package provides two heated rear bucket seats, rear console and a power rear sunshade.

The Elite package rear seat arrangement provides only a narrow pass-through area from the trunk, but the standard rear bench has folding seatbacks to enlarge the cargo area.

That package contains a bunch of items, including a navigation system and premium audio system. It costs $6,400 for the 3.5 SE, but only $3,550 for the 3.5 SL because the latter version is better equipped--and thus has standard items such as leather upholstery that are in the Elite package for the 3.5 SE.

The Maxima has Nissan's silky, sophisticated 3.5-liter V-6, which is rated one of the world's top engines. It generates 265 horsepower (compared to 240 for the Altima version) and provides sizzling acceleration.

The 3.5 SE is available with either a close six-speed manual gearbox or no-extra-cost five-speed automatic transmission, which can be shifted manually. The 3.5 SL comes only with a four-speed automatic.

The new Maxima has five more horsepower than its predecessor, but it delivers about the same acceleration because it's about 200 pounds heavier. It hits 60 mph in 6.5 seconds, with the manual gearbox--and is nearly as fast with the crisp-shifting five-speed automatic transmission. Some torque steer during hard acceleration causes the front end to twitch a bit to the left or right.

Fuel economy is an estimated 20 mpg in the city and around 28 on the highway.

Ride and handling are much improved, especially over rough roads, because a new multi-link independent rear suspension replaces an old-style non-independent design.

Helping handling and stability are a $900 Vehicle Dynamic Control system, which was on my 3.5 SE automatic transmission test car. That system isn't offered with the manual-transmission, which gets a front limited-slip differential for better traction.

The steering is precise, with the right amount of power assist, and nimble handling makes the Maxima almost as much fun to drive during regular driving as a rear-drive sports sedan, which has inherently better balance.

Braking is good, with a standard brake assist feature to help provide sure stops in emergency situations.

Standard safety features include front side air bags and front-rear side curtain airbags for head protection of rear occupants in a collision.

My test car's quiet, stylish interior had the four-seat arrangement, which provided good room for four tall adults. Rear windows lower all the way, but rear door openings should be wider at the bottom. The front bucket seats are very supportive when zipping through curves, and the motorcycle-inspired gauges can be read at a glance.

Most controls are nicely placed, but sound system controls are small and use a central dashboard display screen for readouts. The screen also displays climate settings and trip information--along with information from the optional navigation system. Some people might like the screen, others may find it gimmicky.

The long, deep trunk has only a moderately high opening, but its lid swings up smoothly on hydraulic struts instead of space-eating manual hinges.

The new Maxima should further improve Nissan's fortunes because it offers a good blend of sportiness, luxury and practicality in a racy package.


2004 NISSAN MAXIMA
Prices:
$26,950-$28,900

Likes:
Roomy. Fast. Agile. Luxurious. Sporty optional four-seat layout.

Dislikes:
Rear doorways could be wider. Rather soft brake pedal.