Nissan has always touted the Maxima as the “four door sports car” in its marketing messages. Now that the 2016 Nissan Maxima has been dramatically redesigned, Roman takes the opportunity to match it against the 2016 Acura TLX. Both have 3.5-liter V6 engines, both are priced in the same neighborhood, and both are front-wheel drive cars.
Not exactly a direct 1-to-1 direct competitor, there are some differences between the two sedans with sporting aspirations. Even though the Acura is categorized as a luxury sedan and has a 9-speed automatic transmission instead of a CVT like the Maxima, how do the two sedans compare in our driving test?
As Nissan’s flagship sedan, the all-new eighth-generation design is available starting June 3 with its boldest styling, most powerful engine and highest level of available safety and connected technology features yet. The 2016 Maxima features a revised 300-horsepower 3.5-liter VQ-series V6 engine and new performance-oriented Xtronic transmission (Nissan’s name for a continuously variable transmission). EPA fuel economy estimates the 2016 Maxima will get 22 mpg with city driving and up to 30 mpg on the highway.
The Maxima’s sporting theme continues inside with a cockpit-styled dashboard that orients controls to the driver and a flat-bottomed steering wheel. It has a roomy and comfortable interior, with firmer front sport seats that are aimed for country roads versus interstate slogs. Backseat room has the amount of head and leg room for six-foot adults that will leave them comfortably seated for hours between stops.
The 2016 Maxima is available in five well-equipped models (all equipment is grade standard, no available options): Maxima S, SV, SL, SR and Platinum. It is assembled in Smyrna, Tennessee, with engines assembled in Decherd, Tennessee.
The new Maxima starts with a Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Prices (MSRP) of $32,410 for Maxima S. The Maxima SV is $34,390, while the Maxima SL is $36,890. The sporty Maxima SR is priced at $37,670 and the top-of-the-line Maxima Platinum is $39,860.