Test drive: Maxima offers a lot to like

Nissan adds even more zing to its flagship model as we hit the road for a week of driving in the redesigned 2007 Maxima SE.

Featuring a fresh front and rear fascia as well as a new interior, Maxima adds its “Xtronic” Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) as standard equipment, complete with a manual shift gate with six pre-selected gear ratios. The manual gate appeases those seeking more sportscar like response from this front-drive, sporty 4-door sedan.

Additionally, Nissan first offered its CVT in the Murano SUV way back in 2003, proving the transmission’s worth. Today, Nissan’s CVT is heralded as one of the best out there.

Maxima indeed creates a bold first impression. Its edgy styling is particularly evident at the rear, where a vertical, short trunk and performance-bred spoiler toughen up the look.

We also love the headlight package and the 18-inch alloy wheels that add further appeal.

Of course, this all comes on top of Maxima’s already proven legacy of looks and performance.

Among our favorite features are the cornering headlights — it’s almost mesmerizing at first to see the lights swing with the car through a corner — and the wide, Skyview glass-panel roof that stretches from front to back and side to side. The standard front side airbags and curtain side airbags also deserve mention.

Under the hood, Maxima’s standard 255-horsepower, 24-valve, 3.5-liter double-overhead-cam V-6 engine is a significant power plant, yet one that still allows a stated EPA rating of 28 highway and 21 city. However, if you use the 255-horses like we did, don’t expect 28 anytime soon.

Still, acceptable fuel mileage can be attained thanks to the CVT’s “perfect rpm” induced operating characteristic.

On the highway, Maxima’s ride is among the best in recent memory, including the more expensive luxury sedans we’ve driven. This comfort comes via a fully independent suspension that includes struts with coils up front, a multi-link rear, and stabilizer bars fore and aft.

The smooth, yet secure, feeling from the steering wheel is exactly the “driver input” we seek. Also of mechanical note is Maxima’s four-wheel, anti-lock disc brakes with traction control — they work flawlessly.

Inside, a wealth of comfort and convenience welcome consumers. From dual-zone climate control to eight-way power driver’s seat, illuminated steering-wheel-mounted audio controls, integrated information center and auto-dimming rear-view mirror, Maxima is loaded.

Nissan also has its Intelligent Key feature on the Maxima — no need to stick the key in the ignition, just have it with you. The impressive base interior features are in fact mild in comparison to what comes with the Driver Preferred Package, which adds a salty $3,750 to our tester’s price.

Among the features are Bluetooth hands-free phone, power-folding, memory side mirrors, two-position memory and power lumbar support driver seat, heated steering wheel, Xenon HID headlights and a rear sonar system (back-up alert).

Also part of the preferred package is the Sensory Package, featuring leather-appointed seats, four-way power front passenger seat, heated front seats and heated exterior mirrors; and the premium audio package, a Bose with six-CD changer, MP3 and speed sensitive volume. XM Satellite radio is another option that adds $350.

Sharing in the $7,000-plus options are $140 splash guards front and rear, $900 power glass sunroof with rear tilt and one-touch open feature; a $170, five-piece floor and trunk mat set; and $1,800 DVD-based navigation system.

While the options list is impressive, and expected on test vehicles, it seems a bit overdone to have extras that represent 25-percent of a car’s base value. Thus, prospective buyers can be more selective as to how they spend option monies.

Other important numbers include a 20-gallon fuel tank, 111.2-inch wheelbase, 3,591-pound curb weight and 16 cubic feet of trunk space.

We close the door on our Maxima test drive with plenty of positive thoughts, and give it an 8.5 on a scale of 1 to 10.

Likes: Ride, powerful engine, CVT, looks, comfort.

Dislikes: Turning radius, likes premium fuel, fuel economy suspect.