The Nissan Maxima, and the 810 before it, was a fairly popular car. But it was the 1989 redesign, complete with subtle "4DSC" decals in the rear door windows (for "4-door sports car", that really launched the model and proved that Japan could create a stylish, fun-to-drive midsize sedan. This was reinforced when, three years later, the V6 gained a second pair of cams.

But then Nissan rested on its laurels, losing the 1989's clean-cut good looks and independent rear suspension with the 1995 and gaining a few two many inches and pounds with the 2004. It didn't help that the 2002 Altima was better looking and shared the Maxima's V6.

With the 2009 redesign, Nissan claims to have recaptured the 4DSC magic. But have they? I took once with the Sport Package for a test drive to find out.

Styling

There are some stylish elements with the new 2009 Nissan Maxima. The roofline has a Volvoish sweep to it, while the flared fenders and undulating hood surface--intended to evoke the Nissan GT-R supercar--add some welcome muscularity. But the square grille would better suit a truck, the headlights are oddly shaped for no apparent reason other than to be different, and--the biggest problem of all--the various bits are poorly integrated. The fender flares join the body's midsection to form some tortured Zs in the sheetemetal--from some angles the doors look like they've been dented--and the hood fits poorly in its opening. Oldsmobile with its first and second Auroras did the flared fender thing much better. Teardrop shaped depressions around the door handles vie with the headlights for oddest styling element. In the words of a friend along for the test drive, "There's just too much s--- going on."

The interior styling is cleaner and less busy. It's not a standout interior, but not a bad place to be. One very nice touch: the red stitching on the black seats and white stitching on the gray seats. Classy in ways the exterior is not.

Materials, though better than in Nissans from the early 2000s, are still much more Nissan than Infiniti. Which I suppose is fitting, since this is a Nissan, not an Infiniti.

Accommodations

The front seat is high enough relative to the instrument panel, and the A-pillars are narrow enough, that the view forward is quite good. The front seats are fairly comfortable, and provide a modest amount of lateral support in turns.

The rear seat isn't as welcoming. In an attempt to regain that old 4DSC flavor, the new Maxima is smaller than the old one. This, together with that stylish roofline, translates to a low rear seat that has just enough room for the average adult. There's very little toe room under the front seats, and the salesperson said that in cars with the cooled driver's seat even this little bit goes away.

The trunk is about average in volume. But while the rear seat folds, to release it you've got to lean deep into the trunk. Why? In many other cars the releases are near the trunk opening. Then again, if you order the Sport or Premium Package you won't have to worry about this design flaw: cars with those packages have a pass-through instead of a fully folding rear seat.

On the Road

The Nissan Maxima's 3.5-liter DOHC V6 received a bump this year to 290 horsepower. Unlike in earlier generations, no manual transmission is available, only a CVT (continuously variable transmission) that has a manual shift mode in which it mimics a conventional automatic.

At full throttle, the CVT revs the engine to its 6,400 RPM power peak and holds it there. The resulting acceleration is strong, and the engine sounds great. Switch over to manual-shift mode, and I really like that the paddles are fixed to the steering column, not the steering wheel. So matter how much the wheel is turned, the paddles remain in the same predictable location. Torque steer is minimal. This is easily the best CVT implementation I've come across.

Handling is similarly sporty, with a nice tight feel and minimal lean. I felt instantly at home in this car, with a very short learning curve. Yes, the Maxima remains front-wheel-drive, so push it hard and you'll find understeer. But short of the limit it feels balanced. Among midsize front-wheel-drive sedan without clutches, this is about as fun as it gets.

Given the minimal amount of lean in turns, it should come as no surprise that the ride is firm. But it's short of punishing, and enthusiasts will find the ride-handling compromise a good one. Not an enthusiast? Then don't get the Sport Package.

Nissan Maxima Price Comparisons and Pricing

A Nissan Maxima with the sport package lists for just under $35,000. This is getting a bit steep for a midsize sedan without a premium badge.

Compared to the sleek new Mazda6, when both cars are similarly loaded up the Mazda lists for about $3,600 less. Adjusting for remaining feature differences trims the gap by $500.

Compared to the V8-powered rear-wheel-drive Pontiac G8 GT, when both cars are similarly equipped the prices are VERY close.

In neither of these comparisons was the Maxima configured with the Sport Package, as this would have added features the other cars don't have.

Note that prices change frequently, and differences will vary based on feature level. To quickly generate these and other comparisons with the specific features you want, visit my Web site, http://www.truedelta.com. (It's the only site that provides true "apples-to-apples" price comparisons.)

TrueDelta's page for the Nissan Maxima:

http://www.truedelta.com/models/Maxima.php

Last Words

I don't care for how the 2009 Nissan Maxima looks, but I thoroughly enjoyed how it drives. Maybe you like both. If you're also in the market for a front-drive midsize sedan, this one's a good choice.

A Note on Nissan Maxima Reliability

I cannot practically cover reliability within the context of this review. However, many people are interested in such information, so I've started collecting my own data. Results, once they are available, will be posted to my site, http://www.truedelta.com, with updates every three months.

Unlike other sources, TrueDelta will clearly identify what difference it will make if you buy a Maxima rather than another vehicle by providing "times in the shop" and "days in the shop" stats (among others). You will be able to specify the number of years, annual miles, and types of repairs to include in Nissan Maxima reliability comparisons.

Before I can report results, I need reliability data on all cars--not just the Maxima--from people like you. To encourage participation, those who help provide the data will receive <b>free access</b> to the site's reliability information. Non-participants will have to pay an access fee.

For the details, and to sign up, visit http://www.truedelta.com.

A live link to this website and alphabetized links to my other vehicle reviews can be found on my profile page.

Amount Paid (US$): 35,000
Model and Options: Sport Package