Car reviews: Nissan Maxima

2004 Nissan Maxima new car from Nissan motors

It's no secret that just a few years ago, Nissan was hurting. New Nissan models were slow to reach the new car market, and sales were down in spite of prices. After much hyped management changes began to shake things up at the start of the new decade, Nissan's once sinking ship began to turn around. New Nissan motors products hit the showrooms in droves, and buyers began to take notice. In 2003, Nissan and its Infiniti luxury division introduced five new models. Nissan launched an all-new 350Z sport coupe and Nissan Murano crossover vehicle. And Infiniti turned out two new sedans, the G35 and M45; the sporty G35 coupe; and its own crossover vehicle, the FX35/FX45.

Nissan motors has taken on the challenge of revamping its popular midsize Maxima sedan. Now in its sixth generation, the Nissan Maxima 2004 remains a family-friendly yet sporty sedan, and for the first time in its history, the Maxima will be built here on domestic shores at Nissan's Smyrna, Tenn., manufacturing facility, the same plant that turns out Nissan's Altima, Frontier and Xterra vehicles. With the roomy and powerful Altima drawing a healthy share of family sedan buyers, this Maxima will be positioned exclusively as Nissan's premium midsize sedan.

An award-winning V6 engine has been powering the Maxima - first a 3.0-liter version, and then the 3.5-liter beginning 2002 - and the 2004 Maxima is no different, although the V6 has been refined to produce 265 horsepower and 255 pound-feet of torque - an increase of 10 hp and 9 lb-ft over the 2003 version. Nissan tells us that the additional power was created by modifying the intake duct and exhaust muffler to improve the intake/exhaust flow ratio. The new muffler also adds power while giving the Maxima an exhaust note worthy of a performance sedan

The Maxima now comes in two trim levels, the 3.5 SL luxury model and the sportier 3.5 SE. The 3.5 SL comes with a standard four-speed automatic transmission with a performance-oriented gated shifter, and the 3.5 SE gets either a five-speed automanual, also with a gated shifter, or a six-speed close-ratio manual gearbox. All Maximas with an automatic transmission have the option of adding Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) with Traction Control System (TCS) for added stability. A torque-sensitive helical limited-slip differential is optional when you select the six-speed manual in order to provide immediate locking should more traction be required, though our manual-shift 3.5 SE test car did not have that option.

Braking performance certainly adequate with no unwelcome surprises in any situation. Additionally, the brake pedal was easy to modulate. Four-wheel antilock disc brakes and Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD) come standard, as well as BrakeAssist (BA), which senses panic braking and aids the driver by applying maximum pressure.

Suspension components include an all-new independent multilink design in the rear that has been adapted for the Maxima from the Japanese-market Nissan Skyline, along with an independent strut design in front. The 3.5 SE has a sport-tuned version of this suspension, as well as a set of 18-inch aluminum-alloy wheels and tires.

Inside, the Maxima's vast interior seems downright cavernous. The five-passenger version (a four-passenger setup with a rear center console is optional) provides wide and supportive front seats. Front passengers will experience mucho legroom measuring 43.6 inches - over an inch more than the Acura TL or Pontiac Grand Prix. Rear-seat passengers will also be pleased to find 36.5 inches in which to stretch their legs - again, more room than the TL and Grand Prix offer. With the wide, flat expanse of the rear seating area, installing a child's safety seat was nearly as convenient as when securing a seat in a minivan. The seat fit neatly in the center position, without rocking on a hump even during gentle turns.

The interior was swathed in what Nissan describes as "luxury cloth," which really amounts to faux suede. We really liked the look and feel of the upholstery, especially the covered door panels and the way the cloth trim wraps around the dash. Aiding the illumination of the comfy interior during the day is the natural light streaming through the Skyview roof, a two-window opening in the Maxima's roof instead of a sunroof. The Skyview is designed to allow light into the cabin while maintaining a solid roof structure, and our only disappointment is that the skylights do not open.

The 240-watt eight-speaker audio system with CD and cassette player and steering wheel-mounted controls is easy to operate after a quick glance over the LCD display screen and corresponding buttons. Choosing an uplevel Maxima 3.5 SL trim would buy you a 320-watt eight-speaker Bose premium system instead, but after performing a stereo evaluation, we doubt you'll find it necessary to spring for the extra power.

The Maxima 3.5 SE is a well-equipped sedan with few options available.

For 20 years Nissan motors has been able to boast about the Maxima consistently earning the title of number one-selling import V6 sedan in the United States. Will the 2004 Nissan Maxima continue the tradition into the beginning of a third decade? With a base price of $27,000, the Maxima 3.5 SE is a nice car