Nissan Maxima reviews

1996 Nissan Maxima Driving Impressions

Lurking beneath the Maxima's demure body design is the soul of a predator. When Nissan designers redesigned the Maxima, they built the engine--a 190-hp 3.0-liter dual-overhead-cam 24-valve V6--from lighter aluminum alloy, allowing the the Maxima to shed 100 lbs., down to 3010 lbs. They also tweaked the engine's electronic controls. The result? A heart-stopping time of 6.7 seconds in the zero-to-60 sprint for the Maxima SE. That's quicker than any other Japanese sedan sold on these shores--including the ones with 8-cylinder engines. It's also faster than the Taurus SHO.

But buyers of 4-door sedans are more interested in the car's performance in freeway passing situations or emergency maneuvers than stoplight acceleration. And the Maxima SE is similarly brisk in freeway traffic, pulling smartly ahead of the crowd when it needs to.

The SE is equipped with Nissan's patented Multi-Link Beam suspension. By minimizing camber change, this new system provides precise handling and stability during cornering. Though its maximum performance limits aren't quite as high as the previous system, it's more compact, improving interior space, and cheaper to manufacture.

The reduction in camber change also means that softer bushings and shocks can be used, thereby reducing suspension friction. That translates into a smoother, softer ride.

Some sport-driving enthusiasts have indeed found the overall ride and handling to be too soft, at least in comparison to the previous edition of the Maxima. However, that is not as much a problem with the sport-tuned SE. In any case, the average driver will likely welcome the trade-off of road feel for softer ride.

The 5-speed manual transmission responded obediently, meshing nicely with the potent V6 engine. Steering was sure and responsive for the most part, although in really hard corners the Maxima's rear end seemed to lag behind the front end, a more or less universal front-drive trait known as understeer. But another trait that commonly goes with front-drive understeer is absolute predictability, ease off the throttle and the nose of the car tucks back on line.

When the cruise control was engaged at 65 mph, the Maxima purred along at a quiet 3300 rpm. Nissan designers have also reduced noise and vibration levels at higher speeds, another plus in the mainstream midsize market.

Initially, the power-assisted antilock brakes seemed a bit grabby. But, halfway through our test drive, rain began to fall. And on a wet surface, the brakes rose to the occasion, providing straight, assured stops every time.