Nissan Maxima 2007 Review

Yet, to me, it has lots of appeal. Very much, in fact, like the Nissan Maxima.

This sedan also has all the right ingredients, follows a proven recipe and is served up in a pretty package.

So why doesn't it get eaten up by a hungry audience?

Nissan's 3.5-litre V6, the successor to the award-winning three-litre version, is a delightful power plant in the Maxima. It's so good, in fact, that in various states of tune it also does duty in the 350Z and the Murano.

In the latest Maxima, it's mated to a continuously variable transmission that is so simple it has no gears.

Basically, it consists of a steel belt sliding up and down two cones, one driven by the engine and the other connected to the wheels.

For the driver, upchanges are seamless and quiet. If needed, there's a locking mechanism to retain six specific ratios to make the engine less stressed when towing or climbing steep slopes.

The suspension package of this big front-wheel-drive sedan is also simple, though in handling and ride comfort it's highly effective.

The Maxima, the biggest sedan Nissan sells in Australia, offers comfortable seating for five adults and a very accommodating boot.

Styling is distinctive and functional, although to some the sweeping roof and hard-edged grille are a bit aggressive.

Few would criticise the cabin. In the top-line Ti model tested, the interior is leather-trimmed and neatly styled. The dashboard is simple yet effective. There's that word again.

In fact, go over the Maxima and everything appears to be well thought out. It all works simply, reliably and,

yes, effectively.

But it's not perfect. The foot-operated parking brake doesn't match the user-friendly characteristics of the rest of the car.

Nor is there a fold-down rear seat, which limits the Maxima's versatility. I recognise that such seats are becoming like the dodo, but there's no denying they're a bonus.

To cart long, skinny items, however, there's a flip-down access port under the rear seat's armrest.

The Ti variant comes with a vast feature list including rear park sensors, dual-zone climate air-conditioning with extra vents in the rear, cruise control, six airbags and a six-disc CD stacker.

Safety features include ABS brakes, electronic stability control, seat-belt pretensioners and five lap-sash belts. In fact, even the base ST-L model has this safety list.

On the road, the Maxima is quiet, refined and smooth.

Pushed hard, it reveals understeer that is typical of most front-wheel-drive sedans. Thanks to a rigid body and stability control, however, it's a composed and predictable car.

The CVT is responsible for its excellent fuel economy and for the secondary benefit of keeping the engine at relatively low revs.

Potentially, this indicates the engine will have a long and stress-free life.

The price is right, the features are tops and the comfort is excellent. All better than a Chiko roll, in fact.