Nissan Maxima: 2009 Model

Motoring Channel Staff - 23/April/2009

Sydney, Australia – Nissan's new generation mid/large sedan, the Maxima, will arrive in Australia in June.

Fetching $33,990 for the new 2.5-litre V6 model, the fifth generation Maxima now rivals popular mid-sized 4-cylinder models like the Honda Accord Euro and Mazda6 for price.

The powerful 3.5-litre V6 engine also returns (with more power) and these upper echelon variants are priced from around $40,000. 

With an all-new design that has a different front end to the controversial American Maxima model, Nissan has high hopes that the new car will buoy interest.

Full Australian pricing for the new 2009 model Nissan Maxima is as follows:

Maxima 250 ST-L: $33,990
 Maxima 350 ST-S: $37,990
 Maxima 350 Ti: $46,990

Based on the same 'D' platform as the Nissan Murano crossover vehicle, the new Maxima comes standard with leather upholstered electric front seats, six airbags, stability control, dual zone climate control and continuously variable transmissions on all models.

Nissan's main thrust for the new Maxima however is the affordable $33,990 price point.

Dan Thompson, the CEO of Nissan Australia, said: "The new Maxima will play an increasingly important role in the large and medium car market by offering the best blend of distinctive luxury - at an attainable price.

The smaller 2.5-litre (VQ25DE) V6 develops 134kW @ 6000rpm and 228Nm of torque @ 4400rpm.

Fuel usage is fairly good for a vehicle almost as large as a Holden Commodore (the Maxima is roughly 4cm shorter), using 9.5 litres of fuel per 100km on the combined city/highway cycle.

"The new 2.5-litre V6 engine, the sharp pricing right in the heart of the 4-cylinder market and the unprecedented high level of luxury features as standard, makes the Maxima 250 ST-L unbeatable," stated Mr Thompson.

"For a start, no one else in this market sector offers leather upholstery as standard. We are making 4-cylinder large car customers an offer they can't afford to ignore in the Maxima ST-L," said Thompson.

The 3.5-litre V6 models output around the same power as the Commodore, 185kW @ 6000rpm and 326Nm of torque @ 4400rpm, and have a fuel efficiency rating of 10.2L/100km. 

The new Nissan Maxima weighs between 1516kg and 1563kg, depending on the grade.

"...with the elegant Maxima ST-S and Ti sedans, an impressive ride and luxurious appointments will give the new Maxima the muscle to grow its sales in the upper end of the large car market where there are many customers looking for unparalleled value," added Nissan Australia boss, Dan Thompson.

Spanning 4.85 metres long and 1.79 wide, this 'medium' car is closer in dimension to Australian-made large cars such as the Toyota Aurion, Ford Falcon and Holden Commodore.

It has an 11.4 metre turning circle (kerb to kerb) which is not bad for a car of such size, and particularly a front-wheel drive vehicle.

All models transfer engine power to the front wheels via a CVT, also known as a continuously variable transmission. As has been noted previously in a road test of the Maxima, the CVT enables the car to drive smoothly and efficiently in traffic.

This transmission also has a 6-speed 'manual' mode that mimics a stepped gearbox.

Standard equipment on the entry-level 2.5-litre Maxima ST-L is impressive and the full model line and feature levels are as follows:

Nissan Maxima 250 ST-L
134kW, 2.5-litre V6 engine
X-Tronic CVT gearbox
17-inch alloy wheels (with full size alloy spare)
215/55 R17 tyres
Body colour bumpers
Front fog lights
Xenon auto on headlamps
Rear LED lamps
Power folding mirrors with integrated indicators
Sports side sills

Interior
Black leather upholstery
8-way power driver’s seat with lumbar adjustment
4-way power passenger seat
Leather-wrapped, tilt adjust steering wheel
Front and rear centre armrest
Boot access via the rear armrest
Six-stacker CD audio with AUX, MP3 and six-speakers
Dual zone climate control air conditioning
Push button engine start
External temperature display
Illuminated entry system

Safety
Front seat belt pre-tensioners
Active front headrests
Driver and passenger front airbags
Front side airbags
Curtain airbags
Vehicle Dynamic Control
ABS
Brake Assist
Electronic Brake Force Distribution

Nissan Maxima 350 ST-S
As above, plus:
 3.5-litre, 185kW V6 engine
 Rear parking sensors
 Rear spoiler
 Intelligent Key keyless entry system
 Heated front seats
 Illuminated vanity mirrors

Nissan Maxima 350 Ti
As above, plus:
One-touch power tilt and slide sunroof
Power front seats with memory on driver’s seat
BOSE Audio DVD/CD with 11-speakers
7-inch touch screen colour display
DVD player
3D Satellite navigation
Reversing camera with Predictive Path Technology
Video and auxiliary/MP3 player input jack
Bluetooth integrated audio
Bluetooth steering wheel controls

Launching in Australia in June 2009, the new 2009 (J32) model Nissan Maxima features a new exterior design that incorporates LED brake lights, xenon headlights and 17-inch alloy wheels.

Nissan explains that many features, including the rear spoiler, wheel design and seat trim, were designed exclusively for the Australian market to appeal to local tastes.

The new 2009 Maxima replaces the fourth generation (J31) Maxima that was launched in Australia in 2003 and according to Nissan was the most successful Maxima since introduction of the car in 1990.

Related Links:
- Nissan Maxima (Road Test)
- Nissan GT-R Station Wagon (2009)
- Nissan GT-R (2009)
- Nissan 370Z (2009)
- Nissan 350Z (2007 Road Test)
- Nissan Qazana Concept (2010)
- Nissan Dualis (2008)
- Nissan X-Trail (Road Test)
- Nissan Micra (Road Test)
- Nissan Silvia/200SX (2010)
- Nissan Tiida (Road Test)