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Claudia Hommel
Cabaret Singer
Extraordinaire
Cordell Koland
Car Writer
Weekly Reviews
 2006 Nissan Maxima by Cordell Koland The Maxima gives Nissan something that its popularly priced competitors cannot claim‹a genuine entry-level luxury car with a long-standing reputation for style, performance and reliability. Meanwhile parent company Nissan is on a roll. The company sales saw a whopping 10 percent increase in 2005 and the goal of reaching the magic 1 million mark of combined car and truck sales seems a given at this point. If Nissan were a football team one would say it has balanced attack. The company has one superstar, the Altima, which accounts for about one-quarter of its sales. Then it has half a dozen cars and trucks‹including the Maxima‹that sell in the 70,000 to 100,000 annual sales range and give the company depth and staying power. The Maxima first arrived in the U.S. in 1981 and the current model marks the sedan's sixth generation. A quick glance at the Maxima's rear end reveals dual exhaust with four ports and chrome finishers. Any time you see four tail pipes sticking out the rear, you know the vehicle is making a statement about performance. Nissan's overarching strategy is to position the Maxima above its Japanese competitors, such as the Honda Accord and the Toyota Camry, and toward the import sporty luxury sedans. The tools of this attack include luxury content, a distinctive design, an elegant interior, and a powerful V-6 engine. One of the more unusually design elements is what Nissan calls its Skyview Roof. The new fixed glass panel is a relatively narrow strip of glass that runs the length of the roof to let in more light. A conventional sliding moonroof is offered as an option. The Maxima is available in two models: The sporty 3.5 SE (our test vehicle) and the luxurious 3.5 SL. The SE model features a performance-tuned suspension and large 18-inch aluminum-alloy wheels shod with V-rated P245/45R18 tires for optimal handling prowess. The SE also offers the choice of a six-speed close-ratio manual transmission or a gated five-speed electronically controlled automatic transmission with manual shift mode. Dedicated performance enthusiasts undoubtedly will opt for the six-speed manual, but the automatic gets the job done nicely. While the base SE carries a MSRP of $27,900, there are plenty of options that can drive the price up to the mid-$30,000 range to match the luxury content offered by Acura, Audi, and Lexus. The Maxima's exterior design seems to have improved with a few years of age. The profile is clean with the roofline extending into the rear deck area giving the car a coupe-like flair. While the interior is functional, the center console with a huge vertical expanse of silver plastic seems cheap. Additionally, I have long-term concerns how this plastic panel will withstand the travail of hard use and the elements. As in times past, the heart and soul of the new Maxima is its hard-charging 3.5-liter V-6 engine, The motor is a variant of Nissan¹s highly acclaimed VQ engine family that develops 265 horsepower and propels the car from zero to 60 mph in about seven seconds. VQ engines are noted for smoothness, power and efficiency through reduced internal reciprocating mass that keeps vibration in check. Micro-finished crank journals and cam lobes, and molybdenum-coated lightweight pistons minimize friction. Also utilized are continuously variable valve timing, a variable induction system, a silent timing chain and electronically controlled throttle. The result is an engine that combines both refinement and responsiveness right up to the red line. On the road the Maxima delivers a quiet, refined driving experience. But put it on a mountain road and the other part of its personality comes into view. We had no problem in a game of "catch-me-if-you can" with an impertinent BMW who blasted past on one of our favorite mountain roads. The Maxima offers good road feel and responsive steering. As is the case with cars that aspire to luxury status, the Maxima offers a load of safety equipment. This includes dual-stage front air bags with seat belt sensors. Both front-seat side-impact supplemental air bags and curtain side-impact supplemental air bags are also included as well as active head restraints to minimize whiplash injury. Braking is provided by four-wheel, anti-lock disc brakes. Front rotors are class leading at 12.6 inches in size. Also standard is electronic brake force distribution, which optimizes brake response depending on load condition and Brake Assist, which provide maximum braking capacity under panic-stop conditions.
Vehicle: Nissan Maxima SE Price as tested: $35,815 Engine: Type: 3.5-liter V-6 Horsepower: 265 @ 5,800 rpm Torque: 255 lbs.-ft. @ 4,400 rpm Fuel economy, automatic transmission City 20 mpg Highway 28 mpg Curb Weight: lbs. 3,485 Cordell Koland is an automotive journalist based in California's central coast. He can be reached at cordellkoland@oakparkjournal.com |
