Nissan Maxima 2007 review

Nissan's Maxima is a family-six with more than its fair share of style. A result of the partnership between Japanese Nissan and French Renault it has big sweeping lines that have endeared it to many buyers. So much so that sales since the latest model’s introduction to Australia in December 2003 have far exceed those of the somewhat dowdy models that preceded it.

The bold, almost futuristic, lines of the Maxima's exterior are carried through to the cabin. Take a look at the interesting full-width sweep of the dashboard, with its inset instrument panel. 

Interior space is good because this is not only a large car, but also comes with a tall roof, as well as a long cabin, the latter by courtesy of Maxima using front-wheel drive. The front seats are large and well padded, though they aren't really sporting in their nature by the way of aggressive side bolsters. Many like it that way, but a little more side support would have been appreciated at times on winding roads.

Legroom in the back is particularly impressive and you really can carry four large adults in comfort. However, the Maxima isn’t quite as wide as the Commodore/Falcon, so try if for size if you want to cart three big teenagers in the rear.

Nissan Maxima, again because of its front-drive layout, has a very large boot.  It’s well-shaped and reasonably easy to load, though the distance from the back to the front can make it a bit of a reach to get to the far end. The boot uses a ski port to let it cater for extra-long loads. 

Our road test car was the topline Maxima Ti with a powered sunroof, upmarket audio system, leather trim and aside-curtain airbags over the lower-cost models. Additionally, the topline $44,990 Maxima Ti-L has a rear-seat entertainment package with a combined DVD/VCD/CD/MP3 player.

Nissan Maxima Ti-L also comes with the safety and convenience of sonar parking to let you know something is close behind while you are reversing. A handy feature on a large car with a tall tail.

The big Nissan feels positively sporty in the engine department. Which comes as no surprise when you realise the powerplant is a modified version of the 3.5-litre V6 used in the 350Z sports model. In Maxima its maximum output is 170 kW, compared to the 206 kW in Z-car guise. The engineers have concentrated on a more easygoing spread of power and torque that’s better suited to use in a sedan.

These days the Maxima automatic transmission is a CVT, that is it’s continuously variable in its operation to keep the engine at the correct spot in its torque band according to driver needs.

It works well and there’s plenty of acceleration for safe overtaking. The Maxima's engine is smooth and quiet under virtually all conditions and the CVT helps to make it feel even better. 

Ride comfort is good, though the Maxima has that slightly firm feel that may not appeal to all. This Nissan's suspension is not sporty. Handling is safe and predictable, but the settings are on the soft side. The steering is rather light and may not appeal to the keen driver. So our overall feeling is that the car should be less firm in the suspension. It’s not too bad a package, though, but we recommend you try it on rough roads if these are likely to be encountered in your routine driving.

Fuel usage is better than average for a car in this class, partly due to the CVT, but also because this is a modern, efficient engine. Most owners will only use about eight to ten litres per hundred kilometres in moderate country driving. Suburban use will see this rise to about 11 to 12 litres per hundred.

Nissan has been keen to gain a solid share of the Australia family-car market for many years. It does so by providing Maxima with a torquey engine and good interior space. However, it still hasn’t really gained a place in a market segment that’s ’owned’ by Commodore and Falcon. Nevertheless, it really does deserve consideration  and those family-car buyers willing to think outside the square should at least rock up to their Nissan dealer and try a test drive in a Maxima.

Model Range

Maxima ST-L 3.5-litre four-door sedan - $39,990
Maxima Ti 3.5-litre four-door sedan - $44,99