National - 2009 Nissan Maxima Ride Report Review

Drove a 2009 Nissan Maxima out of RDU; loved it, truly, a 4-door sports sedan as described. I think it's the best sedan in National's inventory; haven't driven CTS/G8 recently for comparison though. The redesign in 2009 quite significantly improved the Maxima. The car had 20K+ miles on it, but performed like a new vehicle. Fuel economy is 19/26; I averaged 25 mpg mostly high speed at 70+mph. Only downside is that it requires premium fuel; V6s shouldn't require premium gas IMO.

A few minor quibbles; the version I drove was the base version, and had only cloth seats. I was expecting leather seats for a car of this price and class. However, the cloth seats were extremely comfortable, and suede-like.

The headlights could be a bit brighter; had trouble telling whether they were even on at times. Windshield wipers could've used an extra, faster setting.

Brakes were excellent, but would've preferred a stiffer response. And no telescoping steering wheel?! Major drawback IMO.

PROS:

- Excellent acceleration, 0-60 in 6 seconds. 291 hp is awesome.
- Excellent handling; mountain roads proved no contest.
- Very comfortable cloth seats.
- Optimal steering wheel size, great steering response.
- Standard moonroof option.
- Standard audio system sounds very good.
- Display very legible, controls well laid out.
- Powerful sculpted exterior, arched wheel wells.
- Door sill the perfect height for resting arm on.

CONS (minor quibbles):

- No telescoping/adjusting steering wheel.
- Headlights a bit dim.
- A bit too much hard black plastic trim on interior dashboard.
- Cloth seats on car of this price?
- Premium gas for a V-6 engine?
- Could use extra setting on windshield wipers
- Needs a stiffer brake feel
- Sport Drive mode felt no different from regular drive mode. Seemed a bit gimmicky.
- No fog lights on base model?!



Sharp exterior, sculpted hood:

http://i37.tinypic.com/2exu70z.jpg

Interior layout:

http://i35.tinypic.com/vh8805.jpg

Sorry, doc, but you missed the standard (even on the base models that find their way to the National fleet) tilt/telescope wheel adjustment.

Lots of high hp V-6s call for premium gas; direct-injected vehicles excepted. One suspects few rental cars actually see this diet.

This is an excellent Premium car, far better than Buick Lucernes or Chrysler 300s could ever aspire to be. HID headlights and something other than a CVT and it would be just about perfect.

Weird, I couldn't find the knob for the tilt/telescoping anywhere on the steering wheel.

I fed mine premium- helped with the driving experience. :)

I'd like to try out the 2010 Buick Lucerne though; it's not going to be as sporty as the Maxima, but it fulfills a different segment. That or a 2010 Taurus SHO (if National ever purchases one- unlikely).

I'd like to try out the 2010 Buick Lucerne though; it's not going to be as sporty as the Maxima, but it fulfills a different segment.

You may be thinking of a 2010 Buick LaCrosse, a car the EPA classes as midsize based on passenger and cargo volume that National would call Full size, if not Premium, if a few should find their way into the fleet.

The Buick Lucerne is EPA classified as Large, was last year's spotlighted Premium car for National, and is decidedly an old man's car. Flee from it if you want something with sporting character or sporting capability.

You may be thinking of a 2010 Buick LaCrosse, a car the EPA classes as midsize based on passenger and cargo volume that National would call Full size, if not Premium, if a few should find their way into the fleet.

The Buick Lucerne is EPA classified as Large, was last year's spotlighted Premium car for National, and is decidedly an old man's car. Flee from it if you want something with sporting character or sporting capability.

Yes, I know, I'm so embarrassed. I meant the 2010 Lacrosse, not the yucky Lucerne.

/hangs head in shame.

I must agree with the post from above. Nissan needs to get rid of the CVT transmission in this car. I had one this past weekend at FLL and it felt like it was always cruising at an rpm where it had the least horsepower. I pretty much drove it in the manual mode the whole time to enjoy the car.

I must agree with the post from above. Nissan needs to get rid of the CVT transmission in this car. I had one this past weekend at FLL and it felt like it was always cruising at an rpm where it had the least horsepower. I pretty much drove it in the manual mode the whole time to enjoy the car.

I know CVT always gets a bad rap, but driving it in automatic was pretty enjoyable for me. Didn't have to straight out gun the engine all the time; did a fair amount of driving on sinewy mountain roads where horsepower wasn't as critical as handling.

Any National locations carry the Infiniti G37 sedan?

Having driven the Maxima, I would like to drive the twin Infiniti model, with the better transmission, larger hp engine and improved brakes.

I didn't mind the CVT on either the Maxima or the Nissan Rogue I rented at ATL yesterday. I agree that there is too much hard plastic in this car for it's target market. It has almost as much as a Pontiac G6. My biggest complaint - that is the worst key receptacle location, ever. To the right of the wheel, on the dash, in plain view would have been much better. Also, I wasn't crazy about the ergonomics of the controls, but maybe I'm just spoiled by my Volvo. I did prefer the steering wheel controls on the Rogue to the ones on the Maxima, though.

I didn't mind the CVT on either the Maxima or the Nissan Rogue I rented at ATL yesterday. I agree that there is too much hard plastic in this car for it's target market. It has almost as much as a Pontiac G6. My biggest complaint - that is the worst key receptacle location, ever. To the right of the wheel, on the dash, in plain view would have been much better. Also, I wasn't crazy about the ergonomics of the controls, but maybe I'm just spoiled by my Volvo. I did prefer the steering wheel controls on the Rogue to the ones on the Maxima, though.

Key receptacle? I thought the start/stop button was standard on all Maximas.

Key receptacle? I thought the start/stop button was standard on all Maximas.

It had the start / stop button, but it also had a place for you to put the key fob on the left. Is it only for charging? In your second picture, it is directly underneath the mirror controls.

It had the start / stop button, but it also had a place for you to put the key fob on the left. Is it only for charging? In your second picture, it is directly underneath the mirror controls.

Ohhhh, that thing;). I didn't even realize they provided a receptacle for the key fob, as it was in my pocket the entire time.

I'd love to give one of these a try. I'm wondering if I'll find it on a National lot up here, considering that Nissan is making a big presence in the fleet mix. We have the Versa, Sentra, and Altima, plus a few locaitons have the Rogue and Quest.

As for the CVT, I've never liked them, but the only ones I haven't minded are the ones on Toyota hybrids and Nissans. Nissan's CVT is a far cry from the Chrysler unit. When I step on it in a Jeep Patriot I feel like I'm piloting a Cessna 172 down the runway...

Any National locations carry the Infiniti G37 sedan?

Having driven the Maxima, I would like to drive the twin Infiniti model, with the better transmission, larger hp engine and improved brakes.

In previous years Phoenix was a good location for Infinitis. Maybe Paminaz can update you on the current fleet.

The Maxima and G37 are midsize sedans with VQ-series engines but definitely not twins. The Maxima is off a global FWD platform with the Altima. The G37 is off Nissan's RWD 'front-mid' platform shared by the Nissan 370Z and Infiniti FX crossover, among other vehices.

As for the CVT, it may be Nissan's (the industry's?) best implementation, and in relaxed driving I thought it was smooth and pretty unobtrusive, but in spirited driving it just doesn't offer the control and predictability expected in a sports sedan.

The Maxima and G37 are midsize sedans with VQ-series engines but definitely not twins. The Maxima is off a global FWD platform with the Altima. The G37 is off Nissan's RWD 'front-mid' platform shared by the Nissan 370Z and Infiniti FX crossover, among other vehices.

As for the CVT, it may be Nissan's (the industry's?) best implementation, and in relaxed driving I thought it was smooth and pretty unobtrusive, but in spirited driving it just doesn't offer the control and predictability expected in a sports sedan.

Who said FWD cars couldn't make good sports sedans? I couldn't feel much torque steer, if any, in the Maxima. Thought it handled as well as my own RWD sedan.

I will second that you can't tell this car is FWD