2016 Nissan Maxima Spurs Nostalgia
2016 Nissan Maxima SR
Class: Midsize Cars
Fuel Economy: 22/30
Base Price: $37,670 (Model as driven $38,750)
Recently my wife and I had the opportunity to spend a week with the 2016 Nissan Maxima SR. For me it spurred a bout of nostalgia as I drove a Maxima when I was in my twenties. Today’s Maxima has certainly come a long way, but one thing remains the same: it was a fun car to drive then and now!
A great handling car, the Maxima is comfortable and loaded with amenities from premium leather-appointed, climate-controlled seats to ambient LED lighting and lots of high-tech, innovative gadgets in between. Navigation is always a plus for the traveling duo that we are and an upscale Bose sound system is the perfect companion for travel.
Stay safe with a hands free Bluetooth system as well as many other great safety features: driver, front passenger side-impact and curtain air bags; LATCH (lower anchors and tethers for children); predictive forward collision warning; forward emergency braking; blind spot warning and much more!
Nissan has kept up with the times well sporting a curvy exterior that turns heads and asks the question: is that a Nissan? Also, on the exterior, turn signal indicators on the heated outside mirrors are a nice addition. This is such a help in terms of blind spots and I consider it to be a valid safety feature as well.
The 2016 Nissan Maxima is no stranger to power delivering 300 horsepower and 261 lb-ft torque via a 3.5-liter DOHC 24-valve V6 engine! Normal and Sport options are available on the Xtronic transmission drive mode selector so I can enjoy a true sports car ride or settle down with a “family” ride.
At a glance, here’s what is new with the 2016 Nissan Maxima:
- Authentic sports car cues through low and wide proportions, powerful body sculpting, flared fenders and available machine-finished 19-inch wheels
- New 3.5-liter DOHC 24-valve V6 with more than 60 percent new parts – rated at 300 horsepower @ 6,400 rpm and 261 lb-ft torque @ 4,400 rpm and high specific output of 85.7 hp/liter
- New performance-oriented Xtronic transmission with wider ratio range, D-step shift logic, Adaptive Shift Control (which includes G-sensor) and unique Sport mode
- Maxima SR features a sport-tuned suspension with monotube rear dampers with unique damper tuning and a larger stabilizer bar in the front, along with a Performance Chassis Damper (similar to 370Z NISMO)
- Standard NissanConnect with Navigation and 8.0-inch capacitive color display with smartphone-like controls and swipe-to-meter functionality
- Available premium Ascot Leather-appointed seats with diamond-quilted inserts (Alcantara® diamond-quilted inserts on SR model)
- Available Predictive Forward Collision Warning (PFCW), Intelligent Cruise Control (ICC), Driver Attention Alert (DAA) system, Forward Emergency Braking (FEB), Blind Sport Warning (BSW) and Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA)
- Available NissanConnect Services powered by SiriusXM with automatic collision notification, remote start via smartphone, emergency call, stolen vehicle locator and more
- Available Active Sound Enhancement (ASE), Bose® premium audio system with 11 speakers and Active Noise Cancellation (ANC)
This Nissan offered power and agility with efficient fuel economy while seating five folks comfortably. I love the sporty look and would recommend the 2016 Nissan Maxima to those looking for a family car or to those searching for performance and style. Whichever it is for you, enjoy your ride!
Nissan provided the Maxima, insurance and a tank of gas for this test drive. All opinions are my own. Photos are courtesy of Nissan.
