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By
EWAN KENNEDY
12 February 2007
Nissan's Maxima is a family-six with more than its fair share of
style. A result of the partnership between Japanese Nissan and French
Renault it has big sweeping lines that have endeared it to many buyers.
So much so that sales since the latest model’s introduction to
Australia in December 2003 have far exceed those of the somewhat dowdy
models that preceded it.
The bold, almost futuristic, lines of the Maxima's exterior are
carried through to the cabin. Take a look at the interesting
full-width sweep of the dashboard, with its inset instrument
panel.
Interior space is good because this is not only a large car,
but also comes with a tall roof, as well as a long cabin, the
latter by courtesy of Maxima using front-wheel drive. The front
seats are large and well padded, though they aren't really
sporting in their nature by the way of aggressive side bolsters.
Many like it that way, but a little more side support would have
been appreciated at times on winding roads.
Legroom in the back is particularly impressive and you really
can carry four large adults in comfort. However, the Maxima isn’t
quite as wide as the Commodore/Falcon, so try if for size if you
want to cart three big teenagers in the rear.
Nissan Maxima, again because of its front-drive layout, has a
very large boot. It’s well-shaped and reasonably easy to load,
though the distance from the back to the front can make it a bit
of a reach to get to the far end. The boot uses a ski port to let
it cater for extra-long loads.
Our road test car was the topline Maxima Ti with a powered
sunroof, upmarket audio system, leather trim and aside-curtain
airbags over the lower-cost models. Additionally, the topline
$44,990 Maxima Ti-L has a rear-seat entertainment package with a
combined DVD/VCD/CD/MP3 player.
Nissan Maxima Ti-L also comes with the safety and convenience
of sonar parking to let you know something is close behind while
you are reversing. A handy feature on a large car with a tall
tail.
The big Nissan feels positively sporty in the engine
department. Which comes as no surprise when you realise the
powerplant is a modified version of the 3.5-litre V6 used in the
350Z sports model. In Maxima its maximum output is 170 kW,
compared to the 206 kW in Z-car guise. The engineers have
concentrated on a more easygoing spread of power and torque that’s
better suited to use in a sedan.
These days the Maxima automatic transmission is a CVT, that is
it’s continuously variable in its operation to keep the engine
at the correct spot in its torque band according to driver needs.
It works well and there’s plenty of acceleration for safe
overtaking. The Maxima's engine is smooth and quiet under
virtually all conditions and the CVT helps to make it feel even
better.
Ride comfort is good, though the Maxima has that slightly firm
feel that may not appeal to all. This Nissan's suspension is not
sporty. Handling is safe and predictable, but the settings are on
the soft side. The steering is rather light and may not appeal to
the keen driver. So our overall feeling is that the car should be
less firm in the suspension. It’s not too bad a package, though,
but we recommend you try it on rough roads if these are likely to
be encountered in your routine driving.
Fuel usage is better than average for a car in this class,
partly due to the CVT, but also because this is a modern,
efficient engine. Most owners will only use about eight to ten
litres per hundred kilometres in moderate country driving.
Suburban use will see this rise to about 11 to 12 litres per
hundred.
Nissan has been keen to gain a solid share of the Australia
family-car market for many years. It does so by providing Maxima
with a torquey engine and good interior space. However, it still
hasn’t really gained a place in a market segment that’s ’owned’
by Commodore and Falcon. Nevertheless, it really does deserve
consideration and those family-car buyers willing to think outside
the square should at least rock up to their Nissan dealer and try
a test drive in a Maxima.
AT A GLANCE
MODEL RANGE
Maxima ST-L 3.5-litre four-door sedan - $39,990
Maxima Ti 3.5-litre four-door sedan - $44,990
FEATURES
ABS Brakes: Standard
Air Conditioning: Standard
Automatic Transmission: Standard
CD Player: Standard
Central Locking: Standard
Cruise Control: Standard
Driver Airbag: Standard
Passenger Airbag: Standard
Front Side Airbags: Standard
SPECIFICATIONS (Nissan Maxima ST-L 3.5 litre four-door sedan)
ENGINE:
Engine Capacity: 3.498 litres
Configuration: Transverse V6
Head Design: DOHC, four valves per cylinder
Compression Ratio: 10.3:1
Bore/Stroke: 95.5 x 81.4mm
Maximum Power: 170 kW @ 5600 rpm
Maximum Torque: 333 Nm @ 2800 rpm
DRIVELINE:
Driven Wheels: Front
Manual Transmission: Not offered
Automatic Transmission: Continuously variable
Final Drive Ratio: 3.789:1
DIMENSIONS, WEIGHT AND CAPACITIES:
Length: 4890mm
Wheelbase: 2775mm
Width: 1765mm
Height: 1470mm
Turning Circle: 11.4 metres
Kerb Mass: 1470kg
Fuel Tank Capacity: 70 litres
Towing Ability: 500kg (1200kg with braked trailer)
SUSPENSION AND BRAKES:
Front Suspension: Independent struts, MacPherson struts, coil
springs, anti-roll bar
Rear Suspension: Multi-link, coil springs, anti-roll bar
Front Brakes: Ventilated Disc
Rear Brakes: Disc
PERFORMANCE:
0-100 km/h Acceleration: 7.8 secs
Standing 400 Metres: 16.1 secs
FUEL CONSUMPTION:
Fuel Type: Petrol 98RON
Fuel Consumption - Combined Cycle (ADR 81/01): 11.7 L/100km
STANDARD WARRANTY:
Three years/100,000km
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Marque Publishing Company
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