2009 Nissan Maxima a High-Quality Entry-Stage Luxury Sedan

2009 Nissan Maxima is a high-quality entry-stage luxury sedan that is well value the fair amount of cash Nissan’s charging for it. In fact, when fully loaded, it undercuts similarly equipped luxury-budged sedans by thousands, while in some cases being dynamically superior.

While wrapped in sharp, unique styling, the 2009 Nissan Maxima was put together using the best bits and pieces found in the Nissan and Infiniti warehouses. The fundamental front-wheel-drive architecture comes from the sporty Altima midsize sedan; however, its length was reduced and width enlarged to get better handling. Nissan’s ubiquitous 3.5-liter V6 engine shows up yet again, in this case with an ample 290 horsepower on tap. The Altima’s outstanding continuously variable transmission (CVT) is the lone transmission choice, but in the Maxima’s SV trim, it comes with metal paddle shifters that manage artificial transmission “gear” ratios. The low-friction, high-feel power steering is comparable to the Altima too, but once again, it was improved to provide a more driver-focused experience.

2009 Nissan Maxima Image Gallery:


Inside, the Maxima are an analog clock and fancier gauges missing from being 100 percent Infiniti. Materials and construction are thus as good as or better than those on an Infiniti G35, while the same sort of high-tech and high-lux equipment is available, from one of the finest iPod integration systems available to a cooled driver seat. Interior space is in reality a smidgen less than the Altima, so don’t expect the range-topping Maxima to be some sort of full-size Avalon competitor.

The 2009 Nissan Maxima should be on the must-look list of any luxury-car, buyer seeking for something in the 30-grand range; particularly something that recommends foul-weather-friendly front-wheel-drive. Vehicles that offer a similar quantity of high-tech equipment for a low price include the Acura TSX and TL, Hyundai Genesis and Volkswagen Passat. Vehicles that offer less equipment when almost same priced, but feature more driving fun and/or brand status, include the Audi A4, Infiniti G35 and Lexus IS. We think the Maxima stacks up well with any of these options, but where it finally stands depends on your definition of a luxury car or in other words, how much you’re willing to throw down for a Nissan sedan.

The 2009 Nissan Maxima is a midsize entry-level luxury sedan available in S and SV trim levels. The base model S approaches standard with 18-inch alloy wheels, automatic headlights, cruise control, a sunroof, keyless ignition/entry, dual-zone automatic climate control, a tilt/telescoping steering column, eight-way driver and four-way passenger power front seats, a 60/40-split rear seat, cloth upholstery, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, a trip computer, an auto-dimming inside mirror and an in-dash six-CD changer with an auxiliary audio jack.

The Maxima SV adds fog lamps, a driver seat manual thigh-support extender and power lumbar support, leather upholstery, a compass, a Home link universal garage remote and a nine-speaker Bose stereo upgrade.

The SV can be set with either the Premium or Sport packages, which offer much of the same equipment but differ in key areas. Both add transmission paddle shifters, xenon headlights (available separately, but curiously, this requires adding Bluetooth, too), a driver-side auto-dimming outside mirror, heated front seats, driver memory functions with automatic entry/exit, a power tilt/telescoping steering column, a heated steering wheel, rear bucket seats with a center trunk pass-through (60/40-split feature removed), upgraded leather upholstery and trim, Bluetooth (available as a stand-alone option) and XM Satellite Radio.

The Premium Package is distinguished by a dual-panel sunroof, a rearview camera, a seven-inch LCD screen, a cooled driver seat, rear-seat audio and HVAC controls, automatic up/down rear windows, a power rear window shade, wood trim, an audio-visual auxiliary audio jack and a dedicated iPod interface. The Sport Package marks a sport-tuned suspension, 19-inch alloy wheels, a rear spoiler and metallic-look interior trim. High-performance summer tires are an additional option with the Sport Package.

The Technology Package available on the Maxima SV includes a voice-activated navigation system with real-time traffic, a rearview camera, an auxiliary audio-video jack, a dedicated iPod interface, XM Satellite radio, a single in-dash CD player (which replaces the six-disc version) and 9.3GB of digital music storage. This package is cheaper when merged with the Premium Package; since several features are not separated. The heated front seats, steering wheel and outside mirrors can also be had in the Cold Package.

Every 2009 Nissan Maxima comes with a 3.5-liter V6 engine producing 290 hp and 261 lb-ft of torque. Power is sent to the front wheels via a CVT that can be overridden by six artificial “gear” ratios preferred by the driver with steering-column-mounted paddle shifters (SV trim only).

At track, the Maxima SV went from zero to 60 mph in 6.3 seconds. Its fuel economy is an EPA-estimated 19 mpg city/26 mpg highway and 22 mpg combined.

Every 2009 Nissan Maxima comes with regular antilock disc brakes, stability and traction control, front-seat side airbags, full-length side curtain airbags and front and rear outboard active head restraints. A rearview camera is optional.

The 2009 Nissan Maxima features design and craftsmanship honorable of its luxury-car price. In fact, the Maxima’s cabin in Premium and Sport appearance is probably a bit nicer than that of Infiniti’s G35 sedan. Buttons and knobs move with well-damped precision, while the dash and door sill tops are enclosed in a soft-touch material. The many buttons and knobs for audio controls, climate controls and the existing navigation system are well-placed and well-spaced so each function is easy to find, whether you’ve gotten into the car for the first time.