Nissan
2010 Nissan Maxima 3.5 S
What it Is: A four-door, five-passenger sport sedan.
What's Hot: Expressive styling, lots of standard equipment.
What's Not: Pricey, "expressive" = "odd" for some.
Family Friendly Options: Bluetooth, navigation, USB, backup camera
How It Got Its Score: The 2010 Nissan Maxima is primarily targeted at driving enthusiasts, but its good sized trunk and roomy rear seat means that it has a practical side too. The high price diminishes that, though.
The 2010 Nissan Maxima is a bit of an odd duck in the Nissan lineup. Slightly smaller than the Altima sedan, it's nonetheless more expensive. It has a similarly sized V-6, but has more power. In many ways, it's very similar to the Altima, but just different enough. Why? Because its mission is sport, not family hauling. In fact, Nissan identifies other sport sedans as the Maxima's competition, rather than more mainstream family cars. Even though it's more expensive, you do get unique styling -- maybe a little too much for some tastes -- and a more upscale feeling interior. You also get a pretty roomy five-passenger, four-door sedan with a 14.2 cu.-ft. trunk. If your primary emphasis is sporty driving, rather than practicality, then the Maxima may be the right car for you, and it's why the Maxima has a devoted following. On the other hand, for the same money as a Maxima -- especially after you start adding options -- you could go shopping at Nissan's luxury division Infiniti and come away with a more prestigious nameplate.
Specifications
Price |
|
| MSRP |
$30,690 |
| Destination |
$740 |
| |
| |
| |
|
Other Models (Base Price) |
3.5 SV ($34,150) |
Mechanical
Engine Size |
3.5 liters |
|
Engine Type |
V-6 |
|
Horsepower |
290 hp |
|
Torque |
261 lb.-ft. |
|
Fuel |
Premium Unleaded |
|
Drivetrain |
Front Wheel Drive |
|
Transmission |
Continuously Variable |
Fuel Economy
EPA City |
19 mpg |
|
EPA Highway |
26 mpg |
|
EPA Combined |
22 mpg |
Utility
Vehicle Type |
Midsize Car |
|
Family Friendliness |
7.4 |
|
Doors |
Four |
|
Seat Rows |
Two |
|
Passengers |
Five |
|
LATCH Positions |
Two |
|
Cargo Space |
14.2 cu. ft. |
Safety
NHTSA Driver Front |
5 Stars |
|
NHTSA Passenger Front |
5 Stars |
|
NHTSA Driver Side |
5 Stars |
|
NHTSA Rear Passenger Side |
5 Stars |
|
NHTSA Rollover |
5 Stars |
|
IIHS Front |
Good |
|
IIHS Side |
Good |
|
IIHS Rear |
Good |
|
Stability Control |
Standard |
|
Traction Control |
Standard |
|
Brake Assist |
Standard |
|
Side Airbags |
Thorax and Curtain |
|
Collision Avoidance |
Not Available |
|
Active Cruise Control |
Not Available |
|
Photos
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