Nissan Maxima: Maximus prime
On first sight one may think Maxima have employed the chassis of its cousin the Infiniti G35 with is rear wheel drive. Instead the Maxima rides on a D-platform that underpins the Altima and the Murano. Looking at the design, the 2009 Maxima is a handsome beast with exaggerated “Coke-bottle” plan view with some hardlines […]
On first sight one may think Maxima have employed the chassis of its cousin the Infiniti G35 with is rear wheel drive. Instead the Maxima rides on a D-platform that underpins the Altima and the Murano.
Looking at the design, the 2009 Maxima is a handsome beast with exaggerated “Coke-bottle” plan view with some hardlines high on the fenders to emphasize its shape. The headlight look like arrow heads and we don’t know function of such design. Unfortunately, Nissan has chosen to join the crowd in using the characteristic BMW side-window profile at the C-pillar, which could be the hand work of marketer imposing it upon design department- perhaps looking for German brand magic. The same goes with the interior design where the focus is on the driver.
The main problem is that Maxima drives on a front wheel platform. It is all but impossible to make a front wheel drive handle like a sports car. Obviously the front end becomes heavy especially with a V6. There is every tendency for body roll if you don’t have sport suspension. But Nissan decided to make Maxima a quick enough everyday drivers car with excellent V6 engines and it still remains as one. In addition, according to Ann Arbor of Automobile, the steering turn in nicely most of the time without the understeer experienced in front wheel.
But hang on! There is one aspect most car enthusiast may love about the Maxima-the auto-transmission. On full throttle the car will not hunt for gear due to its CVT transmission. Moreover it’s more economical. The Maxima can also maintain a straight line launch on full throttle.
The Maxima still remains one of the great passenger cars to desire but I won’t agree necessarily as a sport car.