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May 5, 2010
2010 Nissan Maxima 3.5 SV Review
by
Rob Rothwell
, Auto123.com
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The Maxima is Nissan’s upscale sports sedan. It’s a mid-size front-wheel-drive four-door performance sedan that seats up to five occupants. Although 2010 doesn’t bring any noteworthy changes to the Maxima, it’s worth another road test review given its bounty of attributes and relative obscurity in the marketplace.
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| The Maxima is Nissan’s upscale sports sedan. (Photo: Rob Rothwell/Auto123.com) |
Conspicuous styling
In style, the Maxima is unique among the slippery silhouettes that dominate today’s automotive design exercises. It portrays a broad-shouldered hourglass body that is shapely and beautifully proportioned; that steel panels could be stamped in such complex contortions is a credit to the engineers making this degree sculpting possible while maintaining narrow, precise body gaps.
The overt sculpting is most apparent as one slides behind the wheel and looks out over a gorgeously contoured hood that flows between a pair of raised fender creases. It’s unusual to see this degree of hood profile in a modern car, and I have to say that it’s pretty darn cool.
Whether the compound lines of the Maxima’s irregular body excites one’s senses or not, it’s clear that Nissan has given the car personality and distinction. And for that, I give kudos.
I also extend kudos for some aspects of its modern, urbane cabin.
Plenty of room and comfort
Before I say another word about the Maxima’s cabin, I have to rage about how comfortable the driver’s seat is that accompanies the optional Sport Package. This leather-clad perch featured an extendable seat cushion that placed its leading edge into the crook of my knee joint, providing outstanding thigh support.
I don’t understand why this function isn’t more prevalent. Folks with long legs cherish the extra support, especially on long trips. Okay, with seat comfort accounted for, it’s time to further dissect the Maxima’s interior furnishings.
There is plenty of room at all seating positions in the Maxima, and unlike some sleeker looking sedans, headroom in the rear seat is ample. Along with room and wonderfully supportive seating, the cabin is replete with upscale materials and outstanding build quality.
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| There is plenty of room at all seating positions in the Maxima, and unlike some sleeker looking sedans, headroom in the rear seat is ample. (Photo: Rob Rothwell/Auto123.com) |
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