2016 Nissan Maxima | First Drive | Autotrader
68For decades, the Nissan Maxima has been many things: a technological marvel, a sport sedan and essentially a luxury sedan -- and the all-new 2016 model attempts to combine all that into one package.
Nissan's own research shows that the Maxima is the most recognized Nissan model, so getting the car just right is important.
Still Makes Sense
If anyone at Nissan was thinking of not building a 2016 Nissan Maxima, we can see why. Over the years, the Altima has grown in size and popularity. Plus, the Altima has many different versions available, so its appeal is very broad.
However, the Maxima makes sense, too. We see the Maxima's key competitors as large sedans such as the Buick LaCrosse, Chevy Impala, Kia Cadenza, Toyota Avalon and maybe the Hyundai Genesis.
Given that competition, creating a stand-out sedan comes down to just two things: design and engineering. Virtually every sedan available today is a pretty good car. Most have been freshly updated, are reasonably reliable, and can be packed with tons of great features.
New Inside and Out
Nissan knows that getting meaningful attention for the Maxima is about more than just packing features into the car. Stand-out design is what will get the new Maxima noticed. Creased, sculpted and stretched in all the right places, the 2016 Nissan Maxima looks like a car from the future. Its almost garish grille and big wheels make it a little intimidating, but its tasteful chrome accents, rakish roofline and dual exhaust outlets give the Maxima an elegant look, too.
Under its skin, even the Maxima's structure is new. This time around, there's plenty of the expected high-strength steel, but at the same time, this high-strength steel is lighter, reducing the car's weight by 82 pounds.
That lower weight combined with a more efficient engine and a continuously variable transmission make the new Maxima the most fuel-efficient sedan in its class. Environmental Protection Agency estimates put it at 25 miles per gallon in combined city and highway driving.
Inside, the new Maxima's interior matches the car's stunning exterior look with features such as a flat-bottomed steering wheel, diamond quilted seats on the Platinum version, matte-finish wood grain, sport-style gauges, a Bose audio system and a standard navigation system on all versions of the Maxima.
On the Road
But the car's striking look inside and out doesn't really matter unless that attitude is backed when you get behind the wheel. On the road, it's obvious that the promise of a sport sedan is more than just marketing hype. The acceleration, steering and braking are all a little more responsive than other sedans. The Maxima is fun to drive, but it's still comfortable. If you like the Toyota Avalon, but it leaves you wanting a little more of an edge, test drive the Maxima.
The problem with the Maxima is that it's hard to categorize. Nissan compares it to many cars such as the BMW 328i, but the overall package feels more like an affordable 5 Series.
If you want a large, full-size luxury sedan, the Maxima isn't for you. But if you want a sport sedan that's also comfortable, the Maxima should be at the top of your shopping list.
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