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Nissan Maxima sedan rises to top of class with souped-up V6
Bob Plunkett
Date Posted: 5/10/2005
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GREENFIELD, Calif. -- Look at that keen new shape.
Maxima, flagship sedan in Nissan's fleet, presents a new face with bold grille framed by four-bulb High Intensity Discharge (HID) xenon headlamps. These aggressive design elements are followed by chiseled yet smooth flanks intended to cheat the wind as the hunk romps down a road.
And romp it can, thanks to an enlarged 3.5-liter six-cylinder engine lurking beneath the hood that produces 33 more power points than the previous 3.0-liter plant.
Output totals to 255 hp at 5800 rpm, with torque of 246 lb-ft at 4400 rpm.
These new power numbers move Maxima to the top of the class among mid-size sedans and forge a new definition for sportiveness yet practicality in a four-door.
Maxima in the 2002 editions divides into three trim designations -- the price-leading entry model GXE followed by a sport-tuned SE version and luxurious GLE.
All carry the expanded 255 hp V6 and a four-speed electronically controlled automatic transmission, although Maxima SE stocks as the standard a rare six-speed manual.
We cycle through all variations during a day of tests in California's Monterey County but select the SE with manual stick for an extended session covering both multi-lane freeways and narrow two-slot routes.
First, a lickety-split dash south on the 101 freeway out of Salinas reveals the strength of Maxima's new powertrain. There's so much power held behind the accelerator, with only a light tap needed to propel the mass of shapely metal forward to illicit speed.
It's particularly strong when moving above 50 mph, where a modest nudge of the pedal prompts Maxima to pounce -- almost instantly -- to 70 mph and beyond. The action transforms the sometimes risky maneuver of passing a slower vehicle into both a quicker and, ultimately, safer transit.
We peel off the 101 at Greenfield and steer a course into golden hills of the Santa Lucia Range following winding blacktop of the G18, a narrow two-laner that on this day bears scant traffic.
It becomes the ideal venue for demonstrating the agile handling attributes of our Maxima SE with the tight six-speed manual stick.
Rack and pinion steering with speed-sensitive power translates to another asset for safety in this car by enabling quick-cut turns and nimble swings through so many curvy sections.
All of the new Maximas also carry an independent strut front suspension system and a compact multi-link beam arrangement in back that produces a smooth ride quality and contributes to the car's stability while cornering. It also sets up more rear seat legroom for riders in the cabin because the compact design enables an extension in the wheelbase.
This arrangement is essentially the same suspension as employed on the previous Maxima, although there are front and rear stabilizer bars aboard to block excessive lateral roll of the body through a sharp corner.
A disc brake mounts at each of the four wheels with all tied by computerized links to sophisticated anti-lock controls (ABS) plus the new asset of Brake Assist (BA) and Electronic Brake force Distribution (EBD).
All systems combine to provide precise linear control of what becomes a fun-to-drive vehicle that disguises itself as a conventional sedan with slick exterior styling and a plush interior fitted with cushy seats for five.
Fact is, Nissan's flagship performs like no other mid-size and front-wheel-drive sedan.
And that's the position preferred for the flagship vehicle of Nissan.
The name traces back to 1981 with the first Maxima model that essentially created the mid-size sedan segment among imports and quickly became the most popular vehicle in class.
By model-year 2000 a fifth-generational issue of Maxima emerged. This expanded version marked the first time that Nissan's design center in La Jolla, Calif., devised schemes for both exterior and interior plans of Maxima, while production remained in Japan at Nissan's Oppama plant.
Designs for the 2002 Maxima begin with the platform of the 2000 edition, but with the enlarged engine in place along with mechanical refinements and new safety elements plus the aggressive new exterior styling and comfortable refinements in the cabin.
New equipment aboard to complement the larger engine include a thicker radiator, silent timing chain and an electronically-controlled ("drive-by-wire") throttle.
The new six-speed manual transmission for Maxima SE is geared for serious performance driving and in conjunction offers a helical limited-slip differential to maximize traction on front drive wheels.
The standard four-speed electronically-controlled automatic was beefed up to match the increased power rating of the engine and it comes with a gated shifter on the console plus an optional traction control system.
Maxima GXE rolls on 16-inch aluminum alloy wheels for a one-inch increase in wheel diameter over the previous edition. The GLE and SE models hold 17-inch wheels, with H-rated tires for the GLE and V-rated rubber on the SE.
Safety systems begin with a rigid structural system that incorporates front and rear crumple zones for absorbing impact forces of a collision and lateral reinforcements to deflect side impacts. In addition, dual air bags and knee bolsters are in place to shield front seat riders, as well as an energy-absorbing steering column, front seat active head restraints and available side-impact air bags for the front seats.
Maxima's generous cabin carries two front bucket seats set on either side of a central console, and the bench in back makes room for three.
The GXE entry model has new standard equipment that was formerly optional, such as eight-way power controls for the driver's seat, a premium six-speaker audio system with CD deck and steering wheel audio controls, and an auto-dimming interior rearview mirror.
Maxima SE gets a leather-wrapped steering wheel, analog gauges with titanium-tinted faces and black numbers, and -- with the optional limited-slip -- clutch, brake and accelerator pedals composed of drilled metal.
Maxima GLE adds luxury gear plus packaged options including leather seats and a power sunroof.
prices begin at $25,239 for GXE and $27,099 for GLE.
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| Vehicle Specifications: |
| 2002 NISSAN MAXIMA Specs |
| Description: |
Mid-size performance sedan
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| Model Options: |
Mid-size performance sedan
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| Wheelbase: |
108.3 inches
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| Overall Length: |
191.5 inches
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| Engine Size: |
DOHC 3.5-L V6
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| Transmission: |
GXE / GLE: Auto/4
SE: Manual/6, Auto/4
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| Drive: |
Front
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| Braking: |
Power 4-disc/ABS/EBD/BA
GXE / GLE: opt. TCS
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| Airbags: |
2 (front) + opt. 2 (side)
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| Gas Mileage: |
M/6: 21/28 mpg
A/4: 19/26 mpg
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| Price: |
$ 25,239 to $ 32,983 |
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