issan’s Maxima has firmly entrenched itself into the heart of the American midsize
sedan market. A perennial favorite, the Maxima has won numerous awards for
customer satisfaction. The totally new 2009 model builds on that foundation and
moves the marque a big step forward in both style and performance.
When Nissan presents the Maxima as a performance sedan, they aren’t kidding. Track testing and tuning at the famed Nürburgring Nordschleife circuit yields a vehicle that really does handle and
drive in a sporting way. The chassis, braking and transmission systems were
fine tuned to provide that illusive mix of sedan comfort with a decidedly
sporty flair.
The vehicle retains its front-wheel drive and CVT transmission design. Though
rear-wheel drive was considered, according to Nissan, the advantages in
interior room and cost using the front wheel-drive design delivered better
value to the customer. In reality, the Maxima, with its front-wheel drive
arrangement, delivers a high level of balanced performance.
The average Maxima owner is someone with a family who lives in the city and does
their fair share of commuting in traffic. The design of the Maxima covers this
broad space in a very satisfying way. You get an upscale comfortable sedan that
will also run at a full gallop when you give it the spurs.
The Maxima is powered by the VQ 3.5 liter V-6. This year, the engine produces
290 horsepower, an increase of 35 and delivers an EPA 19 city, 26 highway fuel
economy rating. The revised CVT, continuously variable transmission, now has a
Ds selection. This allows the transmission to operate in a sporty mode with
manual control of shifting using steering wheel mounted paddle shifters. The
CVT by nature delivers a benign driving experience filtering out lots of engine
and transmission feedback. The Ds mode puts it back in and converts the
transmission from a smoothie to a much more aggressive devise, electronically,
with the push of a button.
In addition to the exterior styling upgrades, the interior has also received
lots of attention. The Maxima
’s “Super Cockpit” enhances the sporting flair of the car. Driver oriented gauges, a lower seating
position and ergonomically correct switches and dials make you feel like you
really are in a cockpit. Standard equipment includes a moonroof, power front
seats, automatic climate control, cruise control, power windows and door locks,
a fine audio system and of course a push to start button. Options include an
HDD nav system, dual moonroofs, power rear sunshade, HID headlamps, real
eucalyptus wood trim and XM radio with real time traffic.
Enhanced safety equipment includes all the expected: airbags, 4-wheel ABS disc
brakes, brake force distribution, brake assist, traction control and stability
control.
The base Maxima S model starts at $29,200 and the upscale SV $31,900, making
both models very competitive in their segments.
he Acura TL is one of the founding members of the near-luxury sedan club. Acura,
being the luxury division of Honda, delivers a well-engineered vehicle with
style.
The totally new 2009 TL is offered in two forms, the TL base, which is still a
premium midsize sedan, and the TL SH-AWD high performance model. Both are fine
vehicles that get the job done, but in different fashions. The base model
sports a 280 horsepower 3.5 liter V-6 with an automatic transmission and the
SH-AWD has Acura
’s super handling all wheel drive, a 3.7 liter 305 horsepower version of the same
engine also with an automatic. Base TL
’s was indicating 30 miles per gallon of fuel economy on leisurely highway
cruises during our tests. The SH-AWD model adds even more sport and personality
than the base model. The SH has more aggressive suspension components, a lower
restriction exhaust, larger wheels and tires plus all wheel drive.
The styling on the new TL takes a big step forward. Whereas the previous model
was squarish and angular, the 2009 is more sweeping and has some bold styling
action happening at both ends. The grille now sports the Acura signature
distinctive silver chip like the other models in the line. The rear styling is
surprisingly imaginative and looks better than many other models
’ grilles.
The new push button start is an appropriate addition to this model as are the
binnacle gauge pods and the center instrument stack. This is an upscale midsize
sedan and the interior accoutrements substantiate that. The interior room has
been increased and now claims to be the largest in its competitive suite.
The available technology package is especially well suited to this model. It
includes an upscale audio system with ELS multi channel surround sound that is
outstanding. The nav system, which is still probably the best in the industry,
is now HDD based allowing faster response and large amounts of information to
be downloaded. Music devices can be connected via iPod, USB or Aux plugs and
you can even download your own personal wallpaper images viewable on the new
8.1-inch full VGA screen. The new nav system offers not only real-time traffic
and real-time weather but also has Doppler weather that can be viewed on the
screen.
Acura maintains its focus on safety. Passive safety comes in the form of a
vehicle that has superb handling, stability control, traction control, 4-wheel
ABS disc brakes and the security of knowing that the car will go where you aim
it.
In all, I was very impressed with the new TL It’s really a great car and should be well received.
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