New Cars Used Cars Auto Parts Auto Insurance Auto Loans

2009 Nissan Maxima 3.5 SV Sport Road Test

Maxima Photos

0 Nissan Maxima Image
2009 Nissan Maxima 3.5 SV Sport Image 1
2009 Nissan Maxima 3.5 SV Sport Image 2
2009 Nissan Maxima 3.5 SV Sport Image 3
2009 Nissan Maxima 3.5 SV Sport Image 4
2009 Nissan Maxima 3.5 SV Sport Image 5
2009 Nissan Maxima 3.5 SV Sport Image 6

The year 2002 was very important for Nissan of North America. It launched the second generation Altima, growing it from a dull intermediate into a vehicle that redefined what a sporty midsize car could be. With its powerful V6 engine, sport-tuned suspension and affordable pricing, it instantly snapped up awards left, right and center. It shot up the sales charts too, becoming one of America’s most popular cars, not to mention Nissan’s best-selling nameplate. But 2002 also saw the start of a boatload of troubles for its flagship sedan, the Maxima.

The transformation of the Altima meant a considerable overlap between it and its bigger brother. Nissan responded by growing the Maxima, giving it more power, premium amenities and unique styling. The plan seemed solid on paper, as the Maxima had a loyal following and it stacked up well against rivals from Acura and Lexus. The public didn’t respond as well to the new Maxima, however, with its rounded styling, slot-like skylight and buttressed tail. Especially in its twilight days, there really wasn’t much of a reason to purchase the Maxima. The revised ‘07 Altima handled better, was more refined, and offered 15 more horsepower. The sales figures tell the story quite clearly: for every Maxima sold, Nissan shifted five Altimas.


Nissan’s solution has been to look to its past. The Japanese brand turned to the history books for a reminder of a car that most people had forgotten about, an 18-year old sedan that was nevertheless very special. Enthusiasts knew it by its four-character acronym - 4DSC, or 4-Door Sports Car, while those of us who aren’t up on Nissan lore might remember it as the 1990 Nissan Maxima SE. It featured a 190 horsepower V6, a slick five-speed manual transmission and a limited slip differential to ensure pure handling. It didn’t just gain a following, it gained recognition, including a spot on Car and Driver’s 10 Best Car list. With such fond memories, it’s no wonder Nissan brought back the term.

For the second generation 4DSC, Nissan stuck with the front wheel drive formula, using the D-Platform that it shares with the Altima and Murano. In the name of agility, Nissan has lopped off 3.8 inches from the Maxima’s overall length, but has increased overall width and the span of its tracks for an improved stance on the road. Because the new Maxima is significantly wider than the Altima, Nissan’s engineers borrowed aluminum suspension components from the Infiniti M, resulting in a unibody structure that’s much more rigid than either the outgoing Maxima or the current Altima.

Torque steer has always been a problem with high-performance, front wheel drive Nissans, most notably the ‘02 Altima and the outgoing Maxima (especially with a manual transmission). Nissan successfully removed this negative property with the D-Platform Altima by lowering the engine’s center so the geometry of the driveshafts was level. The same goes for the new Maxima, although it features further tweaks to the front suspension. Nissan claims that these alterations were so effective that torque steer has been completely eliminated, even though it now boasts 290 horsepower - 20 more than the Altima. Finally, like most serious sports cars, the Maxima’s ride and suspension settings were polished to perfection at the Nurburgring.

What resides under the Maxima’s hood is the very latest version of the legendary VQ35 engine. It’s not the VQ35HR that’s found under the hood of the 350Z or the G35, but rather an enhanced version of the VQ35DE used in the Altima. Nissan managed to find an additional 20 horsepower by revising the valvetrain and the intake system, while a new six-point mounting system ensures that its 261 lb-ft of torque doesn’t cause any undue stress to the nose-end of the car.

Mated to the engine is the latest iteration of Nissan’s XTronic CVT transmission. With every passing year, the software and control algorithms are improved for efficiency, durability and performance, but there are a couple of notable upgrades. On certain trim levels, the CVT’s six artificially generated ratios can be accessed through paddles which shift 30-percent faster, and there’s a new “Ds” (Drive sport) mode which actively keeps the revs up for maximum acceleration during sporty driving. Sadly, this is as close as you’ll get to having a proper manual transmission - a transmission with a clutch has been permanently dropped. The combination of the new engine and transmission has also yielded improvements in fuel economy.

So, have all of Nissan’s efforts paid off? Though 290 horsepower is a seemingly impossible amount of power to shuffle through the front wheels without ill effects, the Maxima does not suffer from torque steer. Repeated romps on the throttle produce a slight hint of wheelspin, but the steering doesn’t tug or pull. Like the Altima, it goes light for a moment, but otherwise it tracks straight. The firmed up suspension of this Sport Package-equipped 3.5 SV shows good body control, and despite the fitment of 19-inch wheels, impacts and bumps are well suppressed. Ultimately, being a front wheel drive car with a lot of power, the Maxima will inherently run wide in corners, and it can, at times, feel a bit on the bulky side due to its width. But all things considered, it is a genuine improvement over the outgoing car as well as the Altima.

All of this engineering and mechanical innovation has been wrapped up in sheet metal that aims to illustrate the integrity of its performance, and emphasize the “sport car” in 4DSC. Sports cars offer more than just performance. Attitude and good looks are also part of the package, attributes the Maxima isn’t short on. The blobs and the curves are gone, replaced by sheet metal that’s pulled taut under its muscular frame. Between the L-shaped headlamps, strangely upright front end (think GT-R), and the inwardly tapered doors and roofline, the Maxima is one of the most aggressive looking four-doors on the market. From the tail, I spot a considerable amount of Altima Coupe, specifically in the shape of the lights, as well as the shoulders that integrate the rear quarter fenders with the trunk’s lid. After the Accord, Camry and even the Altima, this is one appealing sedan.

But the Altima has an alter ego. Nissan’s pursuit of the 4DSC title did not come at the cost of luxury or refinement. NVH levels have been considerably reduced thanks to its improved rigidity and extra noise insulation (though the VQ’s tune is enhanced via special piping near the firewall) which ensure a whisper quiet ride. Equally as impressive is the interior, which is good enough to pass for an Infiniti. The shape of the dashboard and console are more pleasing to the eye, and are made from finer grades of plastic, while the standard heated steering wheel comes straight from the Infiniti FX. There’s plenty of technology available too, including Nissan’s latest navigation system which features touchscreen controls, an integrated music-storage hard drive, reverse camera and more. With the decrease in exterior size, total cabin volume is actually down compared to the current car, although its rear quarters feel just as roomy thanks to deeply sculpted front seatbacks.

With a starting price of $29,290, the new Maxima S is $660 more than the outgoing model, but there’s more standard equipment. All models come standard with high-quality cloth seats (heated and leather-trimmed seats are optional), push-button start, proximity sensing intelligent key, and a Bose six-disc CD changer. Comparably equipped, you’d have shelled out over $40k with the outgoing model.

So, has Nissan successfully recreated a Maxima worthy of the 4DSC title? If you’re looking solely in the realm of front wheel drive cars outside the domain of sport compacts, the Maxima is a pretty good sports sedan. The only problem is that if all four-door sports sedans are taken into consideration, the Maxima isn’t as strong. It can’t, for instance, match the abilities of Infiniti’s sports car-based G35 sedan. However, as a sport-luxury flagship vehicle for an entry-level brand, the Maxima is spot on target.

View More Cars

Recently Added To Our Network

1991 Nissan Maxima GXE   Chicago, IL Price: $1,800
1995 Nissan Maxima GLE   Manasquan, NJ Price: $4,900
1996 Nissan Maxima GLE   Fort Worth, TX Price: $4,994
1996 Nissan Maxima GLE   Denver, CO Price: $5,991
1996 Nissan Maxima GLE   Naples, FL Price: $5,997
1997 Nissan Maxima GLE   Manasquan, NJ Price: $4,900
1997 Nissan Maxima GLE   Tempe, AZ Price: $3,894
1997 Nissan Maxima GLE   Seattle, WA Price: $6,882
1998 Nissan Maxima GLE   Lynn, MA Price: $1,699
1998 Nissan Maxima GLE   North Olmsted, OH Price: $5,488
1998 Nissan Maxima GLE   Simi Valley, CA Price: $4,999
1998 Nissan Maxima GLE   Tustin, CA Price: $5,992
1999 Nissan Maxima GLE   Hollywood, FL Price: $4,992
1999 Nissan Maxima GLE   Hialeah, FL Price: $4,994
1999 Nissan Maxima GLE   Red Lion, PA Price: $6,495
1999 Nissan Maxima GLE   Valley Stream, NY Price: Contact Seller
2000 Nissan Maxima GLE   Englewood, CO Price: $8,490
2000 Nissan Maxima GLE   Daphne, AL Price: $5,895
2000 Nissan Maxima GLE   Abington, MA Price: $8,431
2000 Nissan Maxima GLE   Clearwater, FL Price: $6,993
2000 Nissan Maxima GLE   Englewood, CO Price: $10,490
2000 Nissan Maxima GLE   Chandler, AZ Price: $6,995
2000 Nissan Maxima GLE   Lutherville Timonium, MD Price: $6,991
2001 Nissan Maxima GLE   Hayward, CA Price: $9,781
2001 Nissan Maxima GLE   Knoxville, TN Price: $7,491
2001 Nissan Maxima GLE   Thousand Oaks, CA Price: $6,999
2001 Nissan Maxima GLE   Naperville, IL Price: $5,794
2001 Nissan Maxima GLE   Jacksonville, FL Price: $8,992
2001 Nissan Maxima GLE   Roseville, CA Price: $10,992
2001 Nissan Maxima GLE   Roseville, CA Price: $11,991
2001 Nissan Maxima GLE   Kalispell, MT Price: $8,990
2002 Nissan Maxima GLE   East Hanover, NJ Price: $9,995
2002 Nissan Maxima GLE   Abington, MA Price: $8,131
2002 Nissan Maxima GLE   Bellingham, WA Price: $11,995
2002 Nissan Maxima GLE   Melbourne, FL Price: Contact Seller
2002 Nissan Maxima GLE   Brooklyn, NY Price: $8,900
2002 Nissan Maxima GLE   Covina, CA Price: $6,999
2002 Nissan Maxima GLE   Buena Park, CA Price: $10,991
2003 Nissan Maxima GLE   Graham, NC Price: $11,921
2003 Nissan Maxima GLE   Aurora, CO Price: $8,998
2003 Nissan Maxima GLE   Orlando, FL Price: $10,691
2004 Nissan Maxima 3.5 SE   Yuma, AZ Price: $13,957
2004 Nissan Maxima 3.5 SE   Saint Paul, MN Price: $11,973
2004 Nissan Maxima 3.5 SE   East Dubuque, IL Price: $14,929
2004 Nissan Maxima 3.5 SE   East Dubuque, IL Price: $13,982
2004 Nissan Maxima 3.5 SE   Terre Haute, IN Price: $16,888
2004 Nissan Maxima 3.5 SE   Clearwater, FL Price: $14,994
2004 Nissan Maxima 3.5 SE   Prattville, AL Price: $14,995
2004 Nissan Maxima 3.5 SE   Thousand Oaks, CA Price: $14,999
2004 Nissan Maxima 3.5 SE   Lighthouse Point, FL Price: $13,986
2004 Nissan Maxima 3.5 SE   Allston, MA Price: $9,900
2004 Nissan Maxima 3.5 SE   Jacksonville, FL Price: $13,192
2004 Nissan Maxima 3.5 SE   Framingham, MA Price: $9,995
2004 Nissan Maxima 3.5 SE   Fort Lauderdale, FL Price: $12,779
2004 Nissan Maxima 3.5 SE   Denver, CO Price: $13,491
2004 Nissan Maxima 3.5 SE   Chesapeake, VA Price: $9,995
2004 Nissan Maxima 3.5 SE   Chicago, IL Price: $10,995
2004 Nissan Maxima 3.5 SE   Libertyville, IL Price: $11,995
2004 Nissan Maxima 3.5 SE   Fayetteville, AR Price: $15,489
2004 Nissan Maxima 3.5 SE   Bronx, NY Price: $10,495
2004 Nissan Maxima 3.5 SE   Bronx, NY Price: $11,495
2004 Nissan Maxima 3.5 SE   Lithia Springs, GA Price: $9,994
2004 Nissan Maxima 3.5 SE   Raleigh, NC Price: $14,988
2005 Nissan Maxima 3.5 SE   Memphis, TN Price: $11,942
2005 Nissan Maxima 3.5 SE   Canonsburg, PA Price: $16,988
2005 Nissan Maxima 3.5 SE   Cheyenne, WY Price: Contact Seller
2005 Nissan Maxima 3.5 SE   Hollywood, FL Price: $12,992
2005 Nissan Maxima 3.5 SE   Huntington Beach, CA Price: $13,876
2005 Nissan Maxima 3.5 SE   East Dubuque, IL Price: $16,422
2005 Nissan Maxima 3.5 SE   Peoria, AZ Price: $15,991
2005 Nissan Maxima 3.5 SE   Thousand Oaks, CA Price: $16,999
2005 Nissan Maxima 3.5 SE   Abington, MA Price: $14,731
2005 Nissan Maxima 3.5 SE   Signal Hill, CA Price: $13,926
2005 Nissan Maxima 3.5 SE   Palmdale, CA Price: $19,451
2005 Nissan Maxima 3.5 SE   Boerne, TX Price: $9,988
2005 Nissan Maxima 3.5 SE   Shawnee, OK Price: $15,950
2005 Nissan Maxima 3.5 SE   Columbus, OH Price: $18,492
2005 Nissan Maxima 3.5 SE   Oxnard, CA Price: $15,995
2005 Nissan Maxima 3.5 SE   Tampa, FL Price: $18,991
2005 Nissan Maxima 3.5 SE   Houston, TX Price: $9,592
2005 Nissan Maxima 3.5 SE   Rochester, NY Price: $16,590
2005 Nissan Maxima 3.5 SE   Auburn, WA Price: $17,988
2005 Nissan Maxima 3.5 SE   Simi Valley, CA Price: $16,999
2005 Nissan Maxima 3.5 SE   Denver, CO Price: $13,991
2005 Nissan Maxima 3.5 SE   Tustin, CA Price: $12,994
2005 Nissan Maxima 3.5 SE   Miami, FL Price: $15,994
2005 Nissan Maxima 3.5 SE   Charleston, IL Price: $16,985
2005 Nissan Maxima 3.5 SE   Lithia Springs, GA Price: $14,190
2006 Nissan Maxima 3.5 SE   Miami, FL Price: $16,991
2006 Nissan Maxima 3.5 SE   El Monte, CA Price: $16,593
2006 Nissan Maxima 3.5 SE   Denver, CO Price: $14,991
2006 Nissan Maxima 3.5 SE   Torrance, CA Price: $16,691
2006 Nissan Maxima 3.5 SE   Coeur D Alene, ID Price: $18,995
2006 Nissan Maxima 3.5 SE   Clearwater, FL Price: $16,593
2006 Nissan Maxima 3.5 SE   Clearwater, FL Price: $15,992
2006 Nissan Maxima 3.5 SE   Columbia, TN Price: $21,595
2006 Nissan Maxima 3.5 SE   Littleton, CO Price: $18,888
2006 Nissan Maxima 3.5 SE   Fontana, CA Price: $16,955
2006 Nissan Maxima 3.5 SE   Daphne, AL Price: $16,990
2006 Nissan Maxima 3.5 SE   Racine, WI Price: $18,880