Maxima Jazzes Up its Flagship Sedan

By Ben Miller
Contributing Editor

Nissan is using some jazzy music in its television commercials to sell its new Maxima. But nearly every other auto manufacturer is using jazzy in commercials to sell their cars. Nissan may have the best jazziest music, though. But jazzy music alone isn't going to sell the Maxima. A total redesign of the car -- the flagship of Nissan's fleet -- has also been completed for the 2000 model.

The Maxima has been around for almost 20 years now and this is the fourth makeover of the car since 1981. The car has sold about an average of 124,000 units since 1994 but 1998 sales dropped off markedly (1999 sales weren't available), by more than 10,000 units, so Nissan thought it was time for a new Maxima.

The first thing you'll notice about the new Maxima is that it's one zippy little performer. Even with the optional (for the base level GXE model) automatic transmission, the Maxima moves like an expensive German import. Nissan's tweaked the Maxima's 3.0-liter V6 engine for 2000, increasing horsepower to 222 (32 more than last year's model).

Inside, the features included on even the basic Maxima belie the fact that the base car costs about $22,000. It's nice to see things like air conditioning, cruise control, power windows/door locks/rear view mirrors, and tilt steering wheel as standard equipment on the car. The Maxima just feels well made; knobs and levers don't feel like they'll be coming off in your hand in a few years. Slam the door a few times and the sound is similar to slamming the door on a well-made German import.

Naturally, Nissan officials sound like they're speaking another language when they describe the car. The head of Nissan North America said the goal of the new Maxima was "to remain true to its 'Maxima-ness'," and said the balance between performance and luxury with the new car was a "60-60 percent blend." (Where did this guy go to school?)

The test Maxima GXE with an automatic transmission had a price of $22,749. The biggest option was the "Comfort and Convenience Package" ($1,069), which included a power driver's seat, variable intermittent wipers, center console, upgraded stereo system, and 16-inch alloy wheels. With floor mats ($79) and destination charges ($520), the total price was $24,417. Nissan is aiming the new Maxima at lesser-powered competitors including the Toyota Camry V6, the Honda Accord V6 and the Lexus ES300.

In the battle for the souls of the performance sedan-buying public, the Maxima is a worthy competitor. And the music Nissan uses to sell the car on TV is better, too.