2010 Nissan Maxima 3.5 SV

Premium sport sedan

By Nina Russin

2010 Nissan Maxima

Despite its luxury price tag, the Nissan Maxima is first and foremost a great value. Its ride and handling,  convenience and safety features rival much more expensive cars.

What hurt the car’s popularity until recently was its plain exterior. Last year, designers reconfigured the Maxima with a muscular, stylish body befitting its underpinnings. Buyers in the market for a sport sedan would be remiss not to test drive the Maxima.

The Maxima comes in two grades: the base S and upscale SV. Power for all grades comes from a 3.5-liter V-6 engine and continuously variable transmission. Standard 18-inch wheels with V-rated tires give the sedan a wide, stable footprint. Four-wheel vented disc brakes with four-channel antilock braking stop the Maxima on a dime.

The test car is the 3.5 SV which retails for $33,180, not including the $720 destination charge. Standard comfort and convenience features include keyless entry and start, leather trim, an eight-way power driver’s seat and four-way power passenger seat, Bluetooth interface, Bose audio system with XM satellite radio, USB connectivity, and a power moonroof. Read the rest of this entry »