5th Place: Nissan Maxima

Overview:

Since Nissan first made its Altima big and powerful six years ago, the Maxima has seemed to make little sense. For its higher price, was it really offering anything different? It wasn't always, but it certainly is now. The newest Altima now features much tighter rear quarters than its predecessor or the Maxima, and thanks to discounts, the Maxima is now actually less expensive than its lower-end sibling. The Altima is a bit quicker, a bit more agile, and a bit more fuel-efficient. The Altima also didn't get a low score in the IIHS side crash test, a Maxima failing that kept it from switching in the rankings with the second-place car. But overall, when the Altima lacks a price advantage, the Maxima is the clear better choice. And with its blend of reasonable agility, a comfortable ride, a spacious interior, and strong acceleration, it's generally a solid choice in this class. 

Driving the Maxima:

The Maxima has a firm, but generally comfortable ride, particularly on the uplevel SL version as reviewed here. But some bumps register more sharply than on softer-sprung competitors. The Maxima handles quite well for the fairly large car that it is, but the quick steering could use more heft and feedback. While agile, the Maxima isn't engaging to drive. It's quite quick, but suffers from torque steer. Road noise could be better suppressed. Gas mileage is good by the group's standards, impressive for a heavy car with as much power as the Maxima.

Inside the Maxima:

The Maxima's large front seats are mounted high and well-shaped, but drivers who plan to take advantage of the car's handling capabilities might want more lateral support. The rear is also large, well-shaped, and very comfortable, but there could be more leg room. The interior is generally well-finished with quality materials, but lacks an upscale ambiance. (The Altima's newer design is a slightly more upscale environment.) The gauges are clear, and the instruments are easy to use once you get over a slight learning curve. Drivers sit very comfortably, but rearward visibility should be better. Entry/exit is easy. The trunk isn't particularly large for the Maxima's size, but it's well-shaped.

Maxima pricing:

The Maxima reviewed here comes in well-discounted at $27,685, well-equipped. The smaller Nissan Altima comes comparably equipped at around $1,300 more at the sticker price, but the Maxima's discounts reverse the difference to an advantage of more than $250. At that price, it comes well-equipped, and includes such extra features as a power passenger's seat, active head restraints, and a keyless access and starting system.

Conclusion:

The Maxima, in its last few months on the market before a pricier and undiscounted 2009 redesign appears, is a strong choice as a blend of space, power, ride, and handling. It doesn't have a truly luxurious feel, but it's generally a solid family car marred primarily by unfortunate performance in one crash test. Give it a look before it's gone, especially if you favor agile handling in your large family sedan.

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