2007 Nissan Maxima Review

Nissan Maxima – Review: The Maxima delivers on style but isn't destined to be a classic and the build quality could keep it in summer school. Inside, the Nissan Maxima is comfortable, quiet and stylish but the use of cheap plastic abounds and keeps the real aluminum trim from excelling to its potential. It also delivers on power and torque through a CVT transmission but the torque steer from the front wheel drive and the less than adequate handling detract and lower the overall grade curve. Though the Nissan Maxima strives to be its best it falls short and lands somewhere between honor roll and valedictorian.

Trim Choices

The Nissan Maxima is offered in two trim lines, the SE and SL. Both are V6 models offering up the same torque and horsepower ratings but with different trim specifications. Standard on the SE are 18-inch aluminum wheels, V-rated tires, traction control, a power driver seat and real brushed aluminum interior trim. Choose the SL and you get 17-inch wheels, xenon headlights, a Bose stereo system with six cd changer, a digital compass, heated, power leather seats and side mirrors and wood tone interior trim.

Changes

The big change for 2007 includes a refreshing of the exterior with an updated grill, hood and headlights in addition to new front and rear bumpers and side sills. Additional additions include a rear spoiler, 17 and 18-inch 7-spoke wheels and quad tailpipe tips. Inside the changes include a redesigned center stack, larger shoulder bolsters for the seats and a redesigned sliding center armrest for greater comfort. The interior of the SE also gets real aluminum trim accents and optional perforated leather seats. All of the changes are subtle but help to keep the Maxima fresh and updated.

Performance

The engine is the best part of the 2007 Nissan Maxima. The 3.5-liter V6 engine delivers 255 horsepower and 252 lb. –ft. of torque through the front wheels, resulting in moderate torque steer. Quick lane changes are easy as is passing, and the V6 revs up to redline with little complaining. The Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) transmission, new for this year, is one of the few CVTs we have driven that doesn't seem to zap the power from the car. There is also a manual mode for those that desire but paddle shifters have not found their way into the Maxima.

Handling

When it comes to a comfortable ride, quiet interior, good brakes and steering, the 2007 Nissan Maxima delivers a good all-around package. If I were to ask for improvements, it would be in the steering, which I felt was too light and in the handling, which I felt under steered too much.

Visibility

With all the glass in the 2007 Nissan Maxima, there are no blind spots. Large side mirrors and a good view out the rear window make for easy driving and lane changes.

Fun to Drive

The 2007 Nissan Maxima is a car that does everything well but doesn't excel in any one area. The sharp looking design sets it apart from the crowd, but it isn't a head turner. Inside, it is quiet and comfortable, but doesn't give you the feeling of luxury or sportiness. When it comes to handling, there isn't anything to write home about. The engine is torquey and the transmission seamless, but there just isn't a memorable aspect that makes the Nissan Maxima unforgettable.

Front Comfort

Nissan designers did a good job making the interior comfortable, from the seats to the interior controls. All of the necessary controls and switches are within easy reach and are intuitive to use. The front seats are well cushioned and the eight-way adjustable driver seat has power lumbar support that should satisfy even the most finicky of drivers. The Maxima is also equipped with a seat memory system that moves the seat and steering wheel up and back allowing for easier entry and exit.

Rear Comfort

Getting into and out of the rear of the 2007 Nissan Maxima is a breeze, thanks to a wide opening door and lots of interior room. The back seat is spacious with lots of head, leg and foot room and a fold down center arm-rest adds to the comfort. The seats are well- cushioned and an assist handle is also available if needed for easier egress. Something I expected and didn't find in the rear of the Nissan Maxima was a separate climate control system. This would be a nice addition for a flagship model.

Interior Noise

The interior of the 2007 Nissan Maxima is surprisingly quiet. Wind noise is almost non-existent with just a bit of road noise transferring from the tires and suspension. Engine noise is also minimal until you decide to hit the go pedal, then a growl invades the cabin filling it with a high revving mechanical symphony. Inside there was an intermittent rattle from the sunroof area that couldn't always be duplicated, but overall the interior proved to be quiet and comfortable.

Loading Cargo

Loading bulky or heavy bags into the trunk of the Nissan Maxima can be a challenge due to the high liftover height. Overall, the trunk is very spacious with 15.5 cubic feet of cargo space but closing the lid without an interior pull results in hand and fingerprints all over the deck lid. Another bad design is the release mechanism for the folding rear seats. Dropping them almost requires crawling into the trunk to reach the pull straps to release the seats and then either leaning further in to push them forward to ensure they have released or walking around to the door to pull them down.