- New ‘two engine’ strategy debuts 2.5 litre V6 in 250 ST-L model
- Leather upholstery and luxury equipment standard
- Priced from $33,990
- 3.5 litre V6 models from $37,990
While TMR’s Tim O’Brien is out at the press launch today, the full details and images for the all-new 2009 Nissan Maxima have been made available.
Utilising a two-engine strategy, the Maxima line now features an entry level 2.5 litre version of Nissan’s international award-winning VQ engine, the VQ25.
Developing 134kW, the six-cylinder VQ25 is mated to the new six-speed M-Mode X-TRONIC continuously variable automatic transmission.
Powering the ST-L variant, the VQ25 engine sees the Maxima start at $33,990.
Despite its entry-level positioning, the feature list for the Maxima 250 ST-L includes Xenon headlights, LED taillights as well as 17-inch alloy wheels.
On the safety front, the ST-L features six airbags, including curtain airbags, along with active front headrests and ABS with VDC dynamic stability control.
Nissan says the company’s all-new D platform, which it shares with the new Murano, delivers improvements to ride and handling, NVH and safety.
Moving up the ranks, the Nissan Maxima ST-S and Ti models feature a refined version of the 3.5 litre VQ35DE V6, producing 185kW – a 15kW increase over the outgoing model Maxima.
Along with the safety and driving features of the ST-L, the Maxima ST-S adds rear-parking sensors, rear boot spoiler, Nissan’s Intelligent Key keyless entry system and heated front seats. Pricing for the ST-S starts at $37,990.
From $46,990, the range-topping Maxima Ti adds DVD satellite navigation with 3D mapping, a large 7-inch full colour touch screen, reversing camera with predictive path technology and an 11-speaker BOSE audio system.
The Maxima Ti also offers Bluetooth hands-free mobile phone technology, operated via the steering-mounted controls.
An electric glass slide and tilt sunroof rounds out the features of the luxurious Maxima Ti.
Chief Executive Director for Nissan Motor Co (Australia), Dan Thompson, said Nissan is doubling the appeal of Maxima.
“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,” he said.
“For a start, no one else in this market sector offers leather upholstery as standard.
“The new 2.5-litre V6 engine, the sharp pricing right in the heart of the four-cylinder market and the unprecedented high level of luxury features as standard, makes the Maxima 250 ST-L unbeatable.
“And 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,” said Thompson.
The all-new 2009 Nissan Maxima is available in six colours: Brilliant Silver, Champagne, Deep Sapphire, Ebony, White Diamond and the new Deep Amethyst.
The all-new Nissan Maxima is scheduled to appear in showrooms in early June, replacing the most successful Maxima since the car’s launch in Australia in 1990.
Stay tuned to TMR for more photos and our ‘First Drive’ review this afternoon.
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So this is built on a new platform?
=)
Rather the new Murano =P
Side view is quiet nice but she’s no looker from the rear end and considering this is the view you get every time just before you slip into the drivers seat it would be a bit of a deal breaker for me.
The side profile looks a little like a Citroen C5 if you squint and have low expectations…
I thought I saw a different shape Maxima in the US/Japan at some point that looked ok, not sure if a car like this has much of a market…There is a midsize car market yearning for a nice alternative to the usual Commodore/Falcon/Carmy/Aurion…
I’m a little biased..but I think it looks very nice, however the US market version has different front end and rear design which makes it much more agressive and sporty looking, plus they have 19″ alloy wheel option and 214kW…not 185kW like here!…that said a vastly under-rated family car, lots of quality, luxury, reliability and individuality at fleet car price.
The 2007- 2009 american maxima looks way better than this, even though this looks good too.
I’m also not happy with appearance, particularly the front/grill area, although based on satisfaction with existing 04 MaximaTi, I’ve placed an order for a new 350 ST-S with some options, it’s $47k on road. I think the gadgets in the new Ti are overpriced. Although I love the sunroof, experience shows it encroaches on my head room when stretching needed on long trips causing back/neck acke.
Test drove (and bought) a 250 ST-L after testing back to back a Camry Ateva, Mondeo TDCi, Hyundai Sonata Elite CRDi, Holden SV6 the other day. We tested the Maxima as an afterthought. Honestly my wife and were amazed and the spec’s of the Maxima and the quality of its ride, its urge to shoot forward when overtaking, the smoothness of its engine / transmission and the way it handled on the highway (we live in a regional centre with rolling highway’s just around the corner).
Frankly the Mondeo was the greatest disappointment. Wonderful technology and features (voice commands, all windows up/down via remote, Voice Commands and so on. But … very noticeable tyre noise and a relatively rough shifting automatic (I expect 6 speeds to be smooth). The dash looked wonderfully impressive at the car yard, but a bit fussy when out and driving. It was a demonstrator with 6000 km’s on the clock and had rattles in the dashboard). Perhaps it had been driven hard and treated badly (lots of scratches and chips all over it).
The Hyundai had great creature-feature specifications but we felt like we were sitting on top of the seats but not on them, if you know what I mean. The 4speed auto was also disappointing - obviously deficient. The engine lacked urge as-well. Not great for that 80-120 kph overtaking band. Handling felt quite ‘wallowy’. Overall it felt well built and extremely well finished but it felt like it was a generation behind the game.
The Holden drove wonderfully with real forwards urge and a smooth 6 speed automatic. Good ride for 18 inch wheels but very basic for the price (basic air, no mp3, partial electric seats, cheap plastics). Liked the Commodore but couldn’t really see myself in a car with all the boy-racer stuff (I’m 38 btw). Plus the International version that we were interested in is similarly specified and has similar shortcomings.
The Camry was nice and quite well fitted out. A bit plain inside in that Toyota sort of way and the colour of the console was a bit, well, ugly pale blue/green 1990’s. Drove well, good power through 80-120 kph’s and well built. Just very bland and with a fair amount of wind noise coming in from the front (perhaps a sign that it was very quiet in other areas).
At any rate the Maxima seemed like such a better car. Our basic criteria were that the car we bought be reasonably economical, have a 500 litre boot, hopefully have leather, definitely have cruise (it seems like all cars have cruise these days). Be comfortable to drive on the highway, and have a few ‘features’.
There were no perfect cars and each car represented a certain set of strengths / tradeoffs (the Maxima didn’t come with Bluetooth for example, or a proper iPod controller). However I was amazed at what could be picked up for circa $36,000 on the road - and just how different the cars could be for the money.