2016 Nissan Maxima

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absolutely! AUTO REVIEW | By Steve Kursar –

The 2016 Nissan Maxima is a family sedan masquerading as a sports car. Or, is it the other way around? Either way, this all-new Maxima features a bold new exterior design, high quality interior materials plus great handling and performance. You can transport the entire family in style in this roomy four-door and then zip through traffic as if you are behind the wheel of a nimble two-door, which makes it hard not to fall in love with this new car.

The first Maxima appeared on United States highways as a Datsun before the company rebranded as Nissan just a couple of years later. Originally marketed as Japan’s large sedan, the Maxima was the first automotive with a warning system that spoke to the driver. The system wasn’t quite as clever as today’s Siri. However, it did warn drivers that a “door is open.” It was ahead of the times then – maybe too advanced. Drivers didn’t like her, and the voice disappeared from future models.

The current Maxima is the eighth generation of the vehicle, and Nissan made sure that its flagship model would do the automaker proud. They market the Maxima as a “Four-Door Sports Car,” but it is so much more than that. The overall design and the quality of the fit and finish propels this car into the near luxury class.

The 2016 Maxima’s exterior is almost identical to the futuristic Nissan Sport Sedan Concept that was introduced as a concept vehicle in 2014. It was a bold, aggressive design that happily found its way into the production Maxima.

With an MSRP of $32,410, the base Maxima comes standard with technology features that most other cars in the same class offer as expensive options. One of these is the  eight-inch color display that can be controlled with intuitive, smartphone-like gestures, such as swiping and pinch-to-zoom. Even navigation comes standard on all models, along with Nissan Voice Recognition and a hands-free messaging app that works with Android phones.

The only engine offered is a 300 hp, 3.5 liter V6 mated to a continuously variable transmission (CVT) that gets EPA rated fuel economy numbers of 30 mpg on the highway and 22 mpg in the city. There is a Sport mode that increases the engine throttle response, steering feel and transmission tuning to give the driver a more aggressive feel behind the wheel.

The new Maxima was designed to increase your heart rate when you take control. If you’re looking for bland, look elsewhere.

Follow Steve Kursar at  KursarOnCars.
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