Road TestCar reviews - Nissan - Maxima - 250 ST-L sedanNissan modelsOverviewNissan has shrunk the V6 for its entry-level Maxima, but may have grown its allure24 Dec 2009 THE latest-generation Maxima really deserves to succeed in Australia, because it exceeds our expectations. And we’re not talking about the flagship model either, but rather the everyday base $33,990 250 ST-L featuring a derivation of one of our favourite V6 engines ever. The old Maxima put style ahead of functionality, but this one – though not as attractive – goes a long way to impress both medium and large car buyers looking for great value for money. Model release date: 1 April 2009 to 1 October 2013 All car reviewsAlfa Romeo Abarth Alpine Alpina Audi Aston Martin BMW Bentley Chevrolet Chery Citroen Chrysler Dodge Cupra Ferrari DS Ford Fiat FPV Foton GWM Great Wall Holden Haval HSV Honda Hyundai Hummer Isuzu Infiniti Jeep Jaguar Lamborghini Kia LDV Land Rover Lotus Lexus Maserati Mahindra McLaren Mazda Mercedes-Benz Mercedes-AMG Mini MG Nissan Mitsubishi Peugeot Opel Proton Porsche Renault Ram Rover Rolls-Royce Skoda Saab SsangYong Smart Suzuki Subaru Toyota Tesla Volvo Volkswagen Previous modelNISSAN’S sixth-generation Maxima seemed more than a little influenced by Renault design, with its clean surfaces inside and out. But it was still an incredibly comfort-orientated sedan, with soft suspension settings to match the large and inviting seats, so keen drivers were left out in the cold. This is despite the inclusion of the world-renowned 170kW/333Nm 3.5-litre VQ35 V6 petrol engine. Paired first with a four-speed automatic gearbox and then – from early 2006 – a smooth CVT gearbox, the Maxima’s performance was peerlessly sweet for the money. Three models were offered, the base ST-L, mid-range Ti, and upmarket Ti-L. However, after a strong sales start, the J31 Maxima fell victim to skyrocketing petrol prices and the global move away from large cars. |
Road TestClick to share
|
Facebook Twitter Instagram