The current Maxima, introduced for 2004, could be considered a midsize family sedan, a large family sedan, or a premium entry-lux sedan, and strong arguments could be made for any of the three. The car's interior space, price, and premium feature content was enough to convince, at least here, that the car could compete with the rest of this group. And it did a very good job of combining traits from the three possible market classes that it has been said to reside in, with a very roomy and comfortable interior, quick acceleration, reasonable ride and handling, and a low price that includes upscale features such as a navigation system and a heated steering wheel. Whatever you consider the Maxima, it is a solid value.

        The Maxima has a firm, almost stiff ride. Though it absorbs road imperfections well enough, it can feel jittery at low speeds and on poor pavement. This firmness helps it feel more nimble than competing large sedans, though its sheer size holds it back from the level of agility found in many of the other cars in this group. The steering is quick to respond, and provides decent feedback, but is a bit vague and too light. The 3.5-liter V6 provides impressive acceleration, though the car's front-wheel-drive setup is unable to handle the power enough to prevent torque steer, which is easily noticeable even under moderate acceleration. The engine is generally quiet, and generates no unwanted noise during acceleration. Wind noise is well-suppressed, but road noise is audible. The Maxima returns decent fuel economy, even with its powerful V6.

      Inside, the front seats are large, roomy, very supportive, and extremely comfortable overall. Rear passengers are similarly well-treated, and though there is no vast leg space, the high, well-shaped seat lets all but the tallest passengers enjoy excellent comfort levels. An available Elite Package replaces the rear bench seat with two bucket seats, but is no more comfortable. The interior is very nice by family car standards, but falls short here, failing to look or feel suitably premium for this class. The gauges are clear, and the instruments are well-placed. Drivers sit very comfortably, but visibility is obstructed somewhat by the sloping roofline. Large doors and high seats ease entry/exit, though the sloping roofline forces some ducking when getting in and out of the rear. The trunk is roomy, though not exceptionally so considering its exterior size.

          The Maxima did not excel in crash testing. It earned a rating of Best Pick in the IIHS offset crash test, but was only Marginal in its side crash test. NHTSA scores were also unremarkable, it earned five stars for the driver and four for the front passenger in the frontal crash test, and four stars for both the driver and for the rear passenger in the NHTSA side crash test.

        The Maxima reviewed here was both well-equipped and inexpensive by the standards of this group. Its equipment list features no notable omissions, and includes such standard-fare items as a sunroof, 6-disc CD changer, a navigation system, all the expected airbags, and traction and stability control. Also included were more-unique items, such as a heated steering wheel, a power tilt/telescoping steering wheel with memory, and power-folding exterior mirrors. Considering how the Maxima remained only $502 above the minimum price for this group even with those options, it is a very good value.

       Overall, the Maxima is not particularly impressive as a premium car, as it lacks the refinement, ride comfort, and interior decor. But it is still a very good car, even by the standards of this class, with prompt acceleration, a very comfortable interior, and a low price that includes many high-end and a few rather unique features. If you are looking for a luxury car, the Maxima is not for you. But it is an impressive value, and worth a look in this class.

Pros:

-Interior Space

-Features for the Money

-Acceleration

-Trunk Volume

Cons:

-Interior Quality

-Torque Steer

-Ride Comfort

Overall:

While it is not a true premium car, the Maxima remains an impressive vehicle.

Version Reviewed:

3.5SL

Price of Version Reviewed:

$29,502

Powertrain:

3.5-liter V6