Facelifted for 1997--new grille, headlights, taillights, bumpers and
trunk lid--the current Maxima made its debut in 1995 and is the fourth
generation in this line. It comes to market in three different models--the
base GXE, the sporty SE and the GLE atop the heap.
The GXE stickers at $21,910 with destination charges, and comes out
of the box well equipped with a smooth 190-horsepower V6, power windows,
mirrors and antenna, plus air conditioning, cruise control, tilt steering
and an AM/FM/cassette sound system. In addition, the Maxima has a large
trunk with rear seat pass-through, plus a rear defroster, intermittent
wipers and center console. The car rides on 15-inch all-season tires with
steel wheels and surprisingly good looking plastic wheelcovers.
Those looking for more on their GXE can upgrade a la carte with a two-way
power moonroof, antilock brakes or an automatic transmission. In addition,
you can also opt for the GXE security and convenience package or the cold
weather package. Both packages require the buyer to purchase an automatic
transmission and the cold weather package also requires ABS.
The SE is the sportiest incarnation of the Maxima and carries a base
sticker price of $23,769, including destination charges. Equipment encompasses
everything mentioned with the interior of the GXE while adding sportier
bucket seats, leather-wrapped shift lever and steering wheel and handsome
black-on-white gauges.
On the outside, the SE features a firmer sports suspension, 16-inch
aluminum alloy wheels with performance tires, fog lamps, a spoiler, black
window trim and body-colored grille bar. This is the one to pick if you
want sport sedan performance.
Like the GXE, the SE can be upgraded with similar stand-alone options
and/or packages to bring its luxury equipment level on par with the GLE.
Our tester was the GLE model, the top of the Maxima line. It stickers
for $26,899, including destination charge. If that sounds like a lot for
a Nissan consider that it comes with an impressive list of features that
put it firmly within luxury car territory. And BMW 328i pricing starts
at $33,470.
Standard equipment on the GLE includes everything contained on the GXE
plus gathered leather seats, an amazing 200-watt Bose stereo, power front
seats, automatic transmission, electronic climate control, wood-tone trim,
remote keyless entry and security system, Integrated Homelink Transmitter,
15-inch aluminum alloy wheels, variable intermittent wipers and illuminated
vanity mirrors.
Options for the GLE include ABS, a two-way power moonroof, rear spoiler
and a cold weather package, which includes heated seats and mirrors, heavy
duty battery and a low washer fluid sensor.
Every Maxima includes standard safety features like dual airbags, crumple
zones, seatbelt pretensioners and side door beams to protect its occupants.
ABS is a $499 option across the Maxima line.
All Maximas share the same smooth and conservative bodywork. The bumpers
and sideview mirrors are body-colored, with subtle chrome accents on the
door handles and around the side windows for the GXE and the GLE, while
the SE gets body-colored front grille bar and black window treatment.
All Maximas have a wonderfully executed interior, which has an open
and airy cabin with good all-around visibility. There is room for five,
plentiful up front, adequate in back.
The gathered leather seats in our GLE added a touch of elegance and
wonderful fragrance to the interior. They are comfortable and supportive,
but are obviously designed for cruising comfort. Attractive wood-tone interior
trim compliments the leather-clad seating. All in all, the cabin feels
warm and luxurious with good operational layout.
Switches and controls are logically placed within easy reach of the
driver with clear layout for easy operation. The GLE's automatic climate
control is placed high up at the center of dash between the driver and
passenger and takes only seconds to master thanks to its clear icons and
digital readout.
It performs as intended, unlike some automatic systems, which have minds
of their own.
Directly below the HVAC controls, dominating the middle of the dash,
is a 200-watt Bose stereo which includes an integrated AM/FM/CD/cassette
sound system with six speakers. This stereo is one of the best you will
find in any car at any price and will put some home systems to shame. Our
only quibble here is that the more frequently used audio controls would
be better placed above the climate controls.
Controls such as the power windows and the door and window locks, are
conveniently placed on the driver's door armrest. The power window switches
have a lift-for-up feature that makes them easy to find and use at night.
Also of note--and new to the Maxima GLE for 1997--is Nissan's Integrated
Homelink Transmitter. This feature allows the driver to operate up to three
different radio-controlled devices--garage doors, house lights, TV sets--from
the sunvisor-mounted controls.
Powering all Maximas is Nissan's wonderful 3.0-liter aluminum V6, which
generates a healthy 190 hp and gives the Maxima a power-to-weight ratio
that's within ounces of the Mustang GT. Not many family sedans can boast
that. In fact, not many vehicles in this class even offer five-speed manual
anymore.
Although a manual transmission will always produce better performance,
the electronically-controlled four-speed automatic produces surprisingly
brisk acceleration, and we were impressed with its flexibility and smooth
operation.
The Maximas ride on front struts and Nissan's clever Multi-Link Beam
suspension at the rear. This not-quite-independent setup may give up a
tiny bit of performance in absolute handling, but it more than makes up
for it in packagability, a trait that pays off in increased trunk and rear
seat space.
In the GLE, the suspension setup is biased slightly more towards comfort
than handling, yet still manages an overall feeling of athleticism. The
Maxima GLE is fun to drive and handles uneven pavement with aplomb, but
it won't put as big a grin on your face as the SE which has bigger tires,
tighter springs, shocks and front struts. On the other hand, the SE's ride
quality is distinctly stiffer.
Like most front-drive cars, the Maxima is subject to understeer--the
tendency for the front end to travel straight ahead--when it's pushed hard
into a corner. But this trait will only be apparent at high speeds, and
it's easily corrected by simply slowing down. No drama, and no surprises.