MotorWeek Road Test: 2009 Nissan Maxima

MotorWeek Road Test: 2009 Nissan Maxima

[@marklopez7775]

The Nissan Maxima is my all-time favorite Nissan model of all time.

[@jlsmith4606]

We just upgraded from the 2007 maxima to the 2009 and it was definitely worth it. I love everything about it, especially now that they added the L.E.D. tail lights and the auto lock. It has a nice rumble from the engine when you accelerate making it feel like a sports car but it also has a luxury feel to it as well.

[@americantrucking6843]

How good/bad is the cvt transmission?

[@Holiday48000]

I owned a fully loaded 2008 Maxima and that was a sweetheart of a car. But some clown rear ended me doing 50MPH while I was stopped to make a turn. My dream car was totaled but I survived do to the quality build of the car. I then bought a 2010 SV Maxima and it was just beautiful, the new body style did give less rear seat room, but it did not bother me because I am the driver. The heated steering wheel id a must along with the heated & cooled seats. Can't wait for the 2016 model which will be the next generation Maxima to sit in my driveway.

[@Holiday48000]

Affan, It was a leased car and I loved it so much that I was going to buy it after the lease was up. But unfortinatly so clown kid who was Texting on his phone rear ended me and totaled it. It was a very trouble free car utill it was totaled.

[@jamesscott1189]

Bought a 2009 Maxima with 160k mi., awesome looks and power, In 2022 is 13 yrs old...looks almost New. Love it.

[@dontelindsey5846]

How's it holding up now?

[@MilkCurds]

👀👀

[@1700tums]

@@dontelindsey5846I literally bought one with the same miles and around last year, but mine is a sv . Mine is running beautifully still. Transmission fluid flush & consistent oil changes and it’s good

[@rummimg]

Huh I'd say Maxima has better CVT and owners tend to keep it in better shape than Altima.

[@hegotjokes06]

@97I30T I believe the reason they only offer a CVT transmission is so the Maxima wont take away from the Infiniti G sells, since they are both so comprable; in fact the Max has a larger interior.

[@ambientflier]

"We found the paddle shifters actually slowed things down" Duh. It's a cvt. Fake-shifting it defeats the purpose.

[@nmende00]

High compression engines make more power without increasing the size of the engine, but to prevent premature detonation, it requires premium fuel.

[@johnlukach4091]

That doesn't make any sense. Motor oil is what protects the motor not fuel.

[@nickmotsarsky4382]

@@johnlukach4091 It makes perfect sense, you're just uneducated about engines. Look up fuel octane and why it's critical for high-compression engines to run premium.

[@mrgeorgeleach7498]

John Lukach you're dumb

[@thomasbeirne8213]

@@johnlukach4091 It's been 4 years, but I hope you've learned more about engines since then.

[@LASpurs]

Yep, I had a G35 Coupe for over 3 years and the new Maxima pisses all over it from a great height. I have had 3 Altimas, a older Maxima and a Murano on top of the Infiniti (I used to work for Nissan corporate) and this is by far the best Nissan I have driven. Absolutely stunning car!!

[@k757]

I owned a '08 Accord EXL V6 and my '09 Maxima is heads above it in all categories. The closest Honda offering to the Maxima is the Acura TL. And for the leather and price tag comment... I bought the S trim (cloth trim) and had the dealership install leather, I paid $28,400 +TTL.

[@guikegriot]

welcome back maxima, we missed you!

[@fernandorocha-dx1wv]

Very nice the Nissan Maxima

[@LTJohn]

The best looking Maxima in my opinion!! 😇

[@projectJ30]

Lmao

[@IKhanNot]

Oh I wish there was a 6 spd manual transmission available. The previous Gen Maximas with the manual transmissions were absolute monsters, tons of torque steer but always makes me smile. I hope they add a 6spd in.

[@ThousanWhite]

This car is gorgeous IRL. A bargain Infiniti G

[@fembotzcanada]

while i do not like the new styling of the maxima, and sales show that many others agree, i am happy that it is still a nameplate that is recognized. i also do not like when critics say that the design is light years ahead of the often maligned 6th gen , which i own. i love the way the 6th looks, far better than this new one, and, with a few enhancements ( i have a roof spoiler on mine ) it looks great. no problems with it as yet, led taillights also make it unique. still turns heads.

[@Cali_Lux_Cruiser]

I love the Maxima!!!!

[@coreyburns2074]

Growing up my dad drove maximas he had a white 92 and I fell in love it was my favorite car !!!! Then I got a 96 and 2000 model but when I first seen this one on the road I was like holy shit that car is beautiful they look so good with the 19s on it I just wish the cvt wouldn’t have robbed it of its glory

[@TheTallMan50]

That road they used for slalom testing was in serious need of repaving. I saw almost as much grass as asphalt.

[@maxboya]

This car is the fastest 4 door sports car ever made

[@mrgeorgeleach7498]

CVT junk my 04 maxima 5 speed at 307,000 miles still shifts smoothly with no rebuild... fluid change.. fluid drain or leaks!!!!!!!!!

[@J.Nev.]

With cvt 0-60 is about 5.8 now imagine that maxima wth a 6spman.... That wouls be so sick...

[@omgstevejobs]

Best Maxima's are 1997-1999.

[@sheldonm3535]

OmgSteveJobs agreed. The one after wasn’t bad also esp in SE.

[@alphadiallo7787]

U probably mean the 4th gen maxima there were made in japan

[@naywahn]

I think the 02-03 255hp sibling of the G35s, was the absolute pinnacle. After the weak 90s predecessor, and before the catalytic converters of 04-06

[@leakyjeep5.9]

02 03 hands down. If you owned one, you would understand.

[@cheemooo]

I should add they should have given this car a parking brake in the center console not on the left side floor or te drivers cockpit. That thing makes me feel nervous of crashing and having my left leg severed. Way better if the parking brake were on the center console!

[@drummerblade]

YES! I have an idea: the 2010 Maxima SE-R Spec-V. It would have AWD, a 6 speed MANUAL transmission, and a turbocharged V6 producing 320+ hp. Nissan should also get the parts from NISMO and they should offer suspension upgrades and stuff like that. I would buy i can like that in a second!

[@leakyjeep5.9]

The Infinity version has 330 hp without boost.

[@HadaCakraningrat]

I am so pitiful for Nissan to hear that the Manual Trans Nissan Maxima only went 2% of the sales.... that's how bad their sales were... I still think this car is still best to be driven with a 6speedmanual

[@SubieandFriends]

I love the looks of this maxima generation the front end with the 3 bar grill look sexy as hell....I wished it came with AWD!! That would be amazing!! Kinda like a GTR but in sedan form and obviously not as fast but still pretty quick for a family sedan....just imagine that same 3.5VQ V6 290HP paired with AWD, they can even use the AWD from the Murano which also uses the same 3.5VQ engine....man oh man that would be sweet!!

[@leakyjeep5.9]

It's called a G37x 😁 330hp. Your welcome.

[@SubieandFriends]

@@leakyjeep5.9 yea I know those G37’s are nice but I much prefer the older G35’s especially the 2006-2007 G35’s with their slightly refreshed interior and exterior and their bump in power to 300+hp…….they were called Nissan skylines in Japan…..

[@leakyjeep5.9]

@@SubieandFriends 07+ had the 300 hp and 2 air filters 😁

[@SubieandFriends]

@@leakyjeep5.9 2 air filters? That’s interesting, I didn’t know that…What was the purpose of that?

[@ztwntyn8]

99mph trap speed means if you could launch it well its nearly a 13 second car

[@nmende00]

No kidding, huh? Honda Accord and Maxima don't even compete with each other. The competitor for the Accord is the Altima. Honda doesnt even make a car that competes with Maxima unless you want to pay Acura prices.

[@davidohanesian5351]

John Wayne it’s called Acura

[@ShaneSaw2593]

It seems like anyone who likes the Maxima always says that it needs somthing more. Like S and SV 3.5 badges, RWD or AWD, and of course, the manual transmission.

[@jb0776]

Wow I got a GREAT DEAL OUR 2018 MAXIMA SL LOADED! We paid $31,697 with gap coverage & extended warranty! I love my 18! Before we purchased the Maxima we had a 2015 Altima SL with the 3.5L V6 it was a great car too! It was loaded also it even had paddle shifters our new 18 Maxima doesn't but I can still shift manually by just putting it in D sliding it left & it's manual without a clutch. But I was well pleased with it! Both cars are great! My Maxima actually saved me from an accident I was turning around getting onto my children on the freeway doing 75mph in TX when all of the sudden the car slammed on the brakes! Traffic had stopped on the freeway! This was an option I didn't even know the car had! The look & feel of these cars is Excellent! Motor Trend gets to test cars like BMW, Mercedes Ferrari ect so they always play down what is in my opinion a true Sports Sedan. For what I paid for ours we got a great deal & a great car. I just wish Nissan would put a manual into them because that would really be fun for driving enthusiasts like me. I also own a 2016 Pro 4x Frontier every motorist review complaint is just about styling but that's it it was the 1st Midsized truck to offer a locking rear diff & there is no place I cannot go in it. Before I added a 6" lift, Radflo struts, & 1½ add-a-leafs the truck got 25mpgs usually on long trips with my cruise set at 75mph! So just because they want them to change the look they put it under others but the truck still sold well for over 20yrs! That says something! I love both our Nissans

[@batman5270]

i own a 2005 maxima and love it , wish i could have this one lol , go go maxima

[@ztwntyn8]

I know this is old af but for anyone reading, I have an 05 3.5 auto 5spd and it boogies good on gas and handles great for fwd. I am used to trans am and Camaros or trucks and suv. My dad had the 2010 maxima CVT just like this one except hp was 290 and It it was noticeably stronger than my 05 which has 265hp but if you floor the CVT it goes to 6k rpm and stays there which is unsettling to me but goes like hell. A 5th gen camaro 300hp I believe came around me on the hwy with a running start I reacted and held steady at his back bumper. The maxima was faster for sure than the camaro. My 05 from 70ish will downshift to 3rd and shift 4th @ 6500 and wind 4th to 6000-6200 before shifting 5th and that’s about 105-110 pretty quick. Like from 70-105 I think my 05 is as quick as my 95 TA auto 2.73 gears all stock. Those 3.5 are surprising and I know lots of ppl like the 3.0 but the 3.5 is where it’s at. I just wish it was stick but that 5spd auto is great. It’s the best matched transmission to engine I have ever driven. I’m sure the camaro and mustang 10 speeds are even more so.

[@svtcarboy]

@streeturchin2000 Highly disagreed. The early 1990's SE and the current SV Sport are the best ones. I would buy a current Maxima if it offered a manual and a folding rear seat in SV Sport trims.

[@lamyaty]

WOW! i totally want this car.

[@Tryinitonmyown]

I bought a new loaded SV 2010 a month ago. It's fantastic!

[@kolbpilot]

Nissan has always played (in various stages) second fiddle to Toyota. But people who knew better knew there wasn't much between the two. Nissan has a real opportunity, what with Toyotas' current woes, to win over alot of business. The Maxima is somewhat large, but has to be to face the competition. And Nissan always knows how to give the customer horsepower.

[@dougedoug2105]

Second fiddle in terms of reliability but most people aren’t looking to keep Nissan vehicles for several decades like Toyotas. Nissan, with respect to the Maxima was formerly an enthusiast brand, but in recent years they’ve abysmally shifted their priorities. I still think they can make a brand resurgence but if given the option, I’d probably always choose Nissan over Toyota for the sportier aspect the brand

[@mao12345]

Someone explain to me how paddle shifters are supposed to work with CVT transmissions when I thought CVT's don't use discrete gear ratios, so just what exactly happens when you up/downshift.

[@IKhanNot]

The CVT transmission might be a seamless transmission however, this is what ruins the driving feel of this newest generation of Maximas. Nissan please make a 6spd manual w/clutch option available, this is what the Maxima is all about.

[@tom11zz884]

Nissan needs to make a maxima coupe..but i;m sure they are afraid it would canibalize 370z sales.

[@airgunningyup]

had a 2018 maxima and a 97.. the 97 was the better assembled car.. By that i mean , the 2018 had all kinds of creeks and rattles by 30k miles.

[@kamrankhan-lj1ng]

👍

[@kamrankhan-lj1ng]

I also think the late 90s Nissans were the best ever.

[@lions208436]

Everything is good about the Maxima except the CVT. Get rid of the CVT and ditch the FWD, and you have a winner. This car has all kinds of potential, but as much as I want to like it, the Maxima falls short. Still a deal considering its upper name plate Infiniti, and much better then an IS250 or even a 328i.

[@itcowboy2]

seems to be some haters on here. Maybe a little jealous I guess? Anyways, I love my new Maxima...I have owned BMWs, Hondas, Subarus..and this new Nissan blows the doors off of all of those other cars. Comparing this to a Honda?? LMFAO!! Please!

[@97I30T]

@hegotjokes06 Yeah that makes sense. Plus the G37 is RWD instead of FWD, it's a much more appropriate car for a manual transmission. The Maxima is also a good deal larger than the G37 as well, so that explains why the interior is larger.

[@mustafanajeeb7859]

Great Nissan.

[@LASpurs]

I bought one today with the Sports package, I'm sooo happy to be getting rid of my G35 Coupe.

[@uncleguike]

I think people slept on the way this car handled. Very well for an FWD car

[@yuh6466]

The 290 Horsepower engine got me. But the CVT lost me. Too bad it didn’t come with a manual option.

[@angelgjr1999]

JOSE Yeah. WHY would they put a CVT in a sports car?!

[@Erich2142]

i know G37X is good but as you know they will get full redesign next year so i think its worth waiting the 9 months

[@jackblakeman9853]

they were just throwing this thing around 😭😭😭

[@Johncarson9113]

The over all purpose of the Maxima was not to make it a substitute to the Infiniti G37 luxury sedan. The Maxima although it prices at $30,000, it gives the driver the space and feel of being in a larger sedan opposed to the G sedan, it was built on the same width and size as the larger Infiniti M sedan ($46k), the Maxima is not an alternative to the Infiniti G it is a preference against its viable compitors like the Hyundai Genesis, Toyota Camry etc.

[@cheemooo]

Acura could never be better than nissan. Sure they might offer more standard features, but Honda cars are flimsy every honda/acura I have ever owned and driven that I didnt own felt flimsy and cheap, they become rattle traps quick and the materials fall apart, they start to feel loose around 50 k miles, there delicate like a flower so delicate if you drive them vigourously youll break them. I have a 98 nissan maxima gle and its still as solid as a new car I am amzed by nissan build quality!

[@MRLOLZZZZZZZ]

@Stevenhiggles 4DSC is in a way false advertising not that the car isnt sporty its just not as sporty as a sports car. if you see what I mean. You wouldnt buy this if you wanted a car that handled like a 370Z

[@dukviper90]

i am trying to love this beauty but the fact that it has a cvt makes it harder.!

[@occckid123]

u get a chirp off the line. Then u get wheel spin at around 30+ mph. As soon as the maxima gets off the line it is quicker. The cvt doesnt help it get off the line but at passing speeds it's fast!

[@arwblink1822]

? wtf are you talking about they just geared it shorter to get the 5.9 0-60 time and btw they do 14.5 quarter miles and thats the manual.. an automatic v6 g35 2003 and those maximas manual are fuckn sick looking cars take the maxima over an accord any day

[@NIGHTMAREuki]

i wish nissan would remake 5.5 gen, with some updates, that car would be a king of the road for sport sedans with 6sp.

[@dougedoug2105]

Right! Titanium Edition Package w/ Standard Xenons, Bose, manual tranny w/ 255 HP engine, in an elegantly attractive sedan was a fricking bargain in 2003. Wanted it to be my first car so badly but the universe thought otherwise

[@RealtimeReviews613]

I want to see you guys do a review of the 2008 toyota avalon and the 2009 hyundai sonata limted v6,no one has done one of te v6 on the net...

[@KDogggRock]

@MRSLVREALTOR: You should try the BBB Autoline. I used it for a 2010 new Honda Civic EX that had a suspension that rattled over roughy urban roads. After 6 mo of hearings, they ruled in my favor. The tantrum the Honda reps threw was priceless. I sold the car shortly afterward.

[@Erich2142]

thanks, im just asking because im thinking of G37 Coupe sport or G37XS sedan while my dad want me to get the maxima and i test drove the maxima and it was great but im just fed up with the FWD especially in the winter

[@Johncarson9113]

@BearsDkills Yes, you are correct. I meant to say Toyota Avalon, I almost forgot it was part of the toyota range. Thanks ;)

[@adrianrodriguez2456]

Would have been a much better car if not for the CVT.

[@tylercouture216]

GG FLASH fuck that cvt CRAP

[@angelgjr1999]

Have you driven it? How bad is it?

[@MrPacMan36]

I actually enjoy it! Just make sure to have the dealer flush it every 60k-90k miles. But it rides smoooooth. If you accelerate and visualize the way a CVT works (look it up on KZbin) then you can control how much power you actually get, and save on fuel usage... All whilst FLYING past other people. Your speed increases faster and faster every so many MPH. And your engine stays at low RPMs and just purrs. Another bonus is when you need to slow down, you can just let your foot off of the gas and it slows you down more than a normal automatic. That definitely helps with city driving and stop lights.

[@Sigrafix]

No I just live in this current decade... Vehicles have come a long way since 1999 in performance and aesthetics.

[@occckid123]

how does the new versa has more legroom in the rear and more trunk space!

[@QueenzKing1228]

damn these people know everything

[@aznkomplex]

I heard there will be a manual model SR i believe not too sure

[@thealpz]

They said that the altima is faster than the maxima because up until the 09 the V6 version of the Altima was faster than the maxima

[@AngelsTakeMe2Heaven]

I had a car that required premium gas. I dont want another one. Why is premium required by some ordinary cars? I would understand if it was a Ferrari or Rolls but a Nissan or Mitsubishi shouldnt require it.

[@mustafanaji6591]

GREAT CAR.

[@Erich2142]

you see, i would have got it if it was a rear wheel drive, im sick of front wheel drive and the torque lose and in the friggin winter it sucks alot

[@ThePurdude]

is it just me or does the road during their 0 - 60 test seem to be going downward?

[@jlsmith4606]

@johnsenkenn first of all the 07 wasn't a clunker, second of all got a lot for the 07 and got the 09 for a good deal fully loaded, so what the issue

[@TheRockmart]

i still own my 2011 model and planned on trading it in later this year for another new maxima and cant beat these cars for the price

[@NewJerseyPhiladelphiaDelaware]

Do you still have it?how many miles?

[@TheRockmart]

yes and 125k miles

[@dallas218]

Damn my cvt crapped out at 65k miles. Had to replace last month

[@NeXMaX]

@MRSLVREALTOR WELL DUH! YOU LET GO OF THE WHEEL! I had one and it works FINE!!

[@alphadiallo7787]

The last good maxima 4dsc

[@mhtl48]

I got one; this car is NICE!

[@MaximillianPrintz]

I still confuse it with an Altima on the roads.

[@drummerblade]

oh hell yeah but it should have at least 10 more horsepower. i hope to god tht someone in nissan comes up with it. that is my idea of a 4DSC

[@jaskopdx6342]

It's a gorgeous car. This is why Japanese cars are still better than American cars.

[@karlsmith4160]

Jasko Hodzic toyota is GARBAGE

[@lili2sexc]

Select designs aside you wouldn't be able to tell that the designers actually like nissan. I.e (Versa, Cube, Murano, Juke, Quest, and Nv). I appreciate the bold edgy theme they have going but it could come off as ugly.

[@4MATICbenz]

I hate the front end styling. Im also disappointed with the lack of RWD or AWD, and the fact that there is really no justifiable reason to purchase this over the Infiniti G37 (which is an all-around better car).

[@dukviper90]

why do u say that? Its considered the best handling front wheel drive sedan.

[@adamrosol9292]

You sound like a game show host.

[@RealtimeReviews613]

Premium gas should not even be considered when coming into 2009 with the poor economy and high gas prices....

[@HPM2024]

I LOVE Maxima's but I dislike the CVT.

[@leakyjeep5.9]

This is slower than my 03 6 spd manual MAX.

[@nickmotsarsky4382]

In reality this Maxima is quicker than any Max before it. Motorweek numbers are always slower. Their G37 coupe numbers were a second behind reality.

[@arwblink1822]

technically the g8 pontiac is the fastest sedan and that new concept lambo lol.. but maxima is fast none the less

[@Xbox360Player350]

SE = sport package. My Maxima's an SE too.

[@staticbeans]

SE = Super Economy

[@omgstevejobs]

Doesn't mean that current vehicles look and perform better than old ones.

[@peterabujaber]

@MRSLVREALTOR I have one and it's just GREAT...

[@svtcarboy]

@streeturchin2000 Guess it's a matter of personal taste. The 2004 model is hideously ugly in my eyes - bad enough to be the Aztek Award winner for 2004. However, I need a folding rear seat and I won't buy an automatic (or CVT).

[@urstruly83]

I have a RWD G35 2008 and its TERRIBLE in the snow!!!! I want an AWD now

[@iggibars]

@MRSLVREALTOR, Why didn't you take it to an independent shop? It's kind of your fault for driving a car that i truly as unsafe as you claim it to be.

[@dustinmcclelland15]

That car is big... just big

[@ThousanWhite]

I think this car is the bees knees

[@amer1cancer2753]

Right......

[@vikingbase]

They say nobody buys manuals... but us. Funny Cadillac makes a four door manual but not Maxima???

[@Erich2142]

maxima is good but im just tired of the FWD and the torque crap it FWD cars do but they say this car doesnt suffer like any other normal FWD, you have the car, did that happen to you?

[@midrangetorque]

Paddle shifters for a CVT??? Huh??? Why?? Pfffff! Whatever Nissan. Should've brought back the 6 spd manual! I'm happy with my '03 SE 6 spd.

[@Sigrafix]

Actually.. that's exactly what it means.

[@AngelsTakeMe2Heaven]

yes

[@bballplaya123678]

the 2009 nissan maxima has more horsepower than a TL and better handling and if u want to spend about 5,000 more for a g35 go ahead waste ur money

[@brandondavis7695]

i always liked this car, even more so then the current car. Speaking of that car, bet you its dead, no new gen after current expires...