The first all-new 2009 Nissan Maxima has rolled off Nissan's assembly line in Smyrna, Tennessee. The car signals the Maxima's return to a "4-door sports car".
The all-new 2009 Nissan Maxima features all-new "sportier" styling and a more powerful V6 under the hood. The Maxima is powered by a 3.5L V6 with 290 horsepower and 261 lb-ft. of torque. The Maxima also features a new Xtronic CVT with a manual mode that has been tuned specifically for the Maxima's sporty character. All that power is put to the ground through the front wheels, which probably comes as a disappointment to some of us.
The Maxima will be available in two trims a 3.5 S and a 3.5 SV. Pricing will be released closer to the on sale date.
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PRESS RELEASE:
The first production model of the all-new 2009 Nissan Maxima today rolled off the assembly line at Nissan North America’s Smyrna, Tenn., manufacturing plant, signaling the return of Nissan’s flagship to its roots as a commanding 4-door sports car.
Sporting a bold new look, as well as a more powerful V6 under the hood, the “Job 1″ 2009 Maxima was driven off the assembly line during a midday celebration attended by Nissan employees and executives.
“The Maxima is an important car for Smyrna and for Nissan,” said Greg Daniels, senior vice president, U.S. Manufacturing, Nissan North America. “It’s our responsibility to build a high quality vehicle each and every time. Our customers deserve it and expect no less.”
Changes were made in three key areas of the seventh generation Maxima. The exterior took on a more aggressive look that imparts a strong, premium presence. A “super” cockpit feel was integrated creating an interior that combines a driver orientation with high quality, roominess and user-friendly technology. Class-leading performance was added that enhanced what previous generation owners called “Maxima-ness.”
“We set out to create one of the best performing front engine, front-wheel drive sedans in the world,” said Al Castignetti, vice president and general manager, Nissan division, Nissan North America. “The Maxima delivers on all levels offering the value, quality, and exhilarating performance consumers have come to expect from Nissan.”
The 2009 Maxima is built on Nissan’s new D platform that provides responsive handling and virtually eliminates the torque steer associated with high horsepower front wheel drive vehicles.
It also boasts a new Xtronic CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission) with manual mode, tuned specifically for Maxima’s sporty driving character. For drivers seeking the utmost in vehicle control, a new “Ds mode” (drive sport) has been added to the CVT for 2009. “Ds mode” is an electronic control logic that enhances sport driving through increased acceleration feel with higher engine revolutions, automatic engine braking, and maintaining engine speed during cornering.
The Maxima’s 3.5 liter DOHC 24-valve VQ series V6 engine is now rated at 290 horsepower and 261 lb-ft of torque, increases of 35 horsepower and 9 lb-ft of torque over the 2008 Maxima. All of the engines for the vehicle are produced at Nissan’s Decherd, Tenn., Powertrain Assembly Plant
Fuel economy is estimated at 19 miles per gallon city, 26 miles per gallon highway, similar to that of the 2008 Maxima despite the additional horsepower.
The all-new 2009 Maxima will be offered as two well-equipped models, Maxima 3.5 S and Maxima 3.5 SV, and is scheduled to arrive at Nissan dealers nationwide in early summer 2008. Pricing will be released closer to start of sale.
Comments (28)
Quit building FWD "sporty" cars. I won't buy them.
Posted by Jung | May 27, 2008 10:05 PM
Posted on May 27, 2008 22:05
Not that bad but I'm not liking the funky shapes designers are putting in the headlights these days. At least they didn't make it even portlier. A more sporty look but just a bit off IMO.
I'd still rather take a Genesis Sedan over this. Edmunds Inside Line has the Genesis Sedan V8 doing 27 hwy and 18 city I think. Same mileage with better looks, +80 hp, and gobs more torque.
Posted by Gary | May 27, 2008 10:18 PM
Posted on May 27, 2008 22:18
Not that bad but I'm not liking the funky shapes designers are putting in the headlights these days. At least they didn't make it even portlier. A more sporty look but just a bit off IMO.
I'd still rather take a Genesis Sedan over this. Edmunds Inside Line has the Genesis Sedan V8 doing 27 hwy and 18 city I think. Same mileage with better looks, +80 hp, and gobs more torque.
Posted by Gary | May 27, 2008 10:19 PM
Posted on May 27, 2008 22:19
That is one f*cking ugly car.
Posted by quan | May 27, 2008 10:27 PM
Posted on May 27, 2008 22:27
Well.... in my opinion the wheels could be a bit bigger
Posted by Rebel | May 28, 2008 3:14 AM
Posted on May 28, 2008 03:14
similar headlights to the new Z...
Posted by bc | May 28, 2008 4:18 AM
Posted on May 28, 2008 04:18
Altima > this.
Posted by Sabby | May 28, 2008 5:08 AM
Posted on May 28, 2008 05:08
The Maxima should have been killed off, similar to the Toyota Avalon (though the Avalon is much nicer).
It's profile is similar to that of a Lexus GS, the tailights also look Toyota/Lexus like, the wheels are too small, it's hood is like that of the new Infiniti G how it's not connected to the grille, the headlights are "off", the flaired rear fenders are idiotic on a FWD car...all in all, it's just a waste since the Altima is now what the Maxima used to be.
Posted by Noya | May 28, 2008 5:27 AM
Posted on May 28, 2008 05:27
I... am not amused!
Posted by John Kimble | May 28, 2008 5:44 AM
Posted on May 28, 2008 05:44
Kill off the Maxima? I'm pretty sure nissan sells a boatload of them. I'll never buy one, but a whole bunch of people who think they care about performance will buy this big overpowered FWD thing. FWD has it's place in snowy areas, I just don't live in a snowy area.
The Genesis is something I really would consider. A maxima wouldn't even be on the list to test drive.
Posted by Cheap Car Lover | May 28, 2008 5:53 AM
Posted on May 28, 2008 05:53
Just another boring sedan.
Posted by WVO | May 28, 2008 6:45 AM
Posted on May 28, 2008 06:45
This is a pretty nice car. Nice power, new design. This car is on my waiting list, and I will consider of buying this car. Now Anyone who is complaining about this car, can you please mention your perfect car?
Posted by Z | May 28, 2008 7:09 AM
Posted on May 28, 2008 07:09
Ok, first, it is an improvement over the previous version. I would like to thank the designers for NOT attaching the grill to the hood, any car with the grill attached moves to the bottom of my list of choices.
This said, i do not like the shape of the grill of this car, it just looks like a slightly rounded rectangle and just doesnot look good to me. As mentioned by others, the shape of the front lights with the extra inward angles also seem a bit off to me. I do like the overall shame of the car, minus the front clip. But i would not buy it over a CTS, seeing that their base prices would be close, more power or not. If i am buying a sedan, i am not buying it as a "sports" car.
Car companies need to stop calling non sports cars, sports cars (and none of that 4 door coup crap either...2 door = coup).
All said, I am still waiting for ANY car company to make a car again that makes me want to run out and buy it. The last was the ultra agressive looking 2002 WS6 Trans Am...yes the interior was no where near the great, but nothing came close to the exterior styling for me.
Posted by rwfromm | May 28, 2008 7:32 AM
Posted on May 28, 2008 07:32
That headlight has gotta go!!
Posted by Topper | May 28, 2008 8:05 AM
Posted on May 28, 2008 08:05
@ Z
My perfect car wouldn't be a sedan. It wouldn't be front wheel drive, and it wouldn't have a v6.
My perfect sedan probably hasn't been made. If the performance and driving quality is up to par, then price-wise the Genesis sedan.
Luxury-wise, an extended wheelbase ls460 with the massaging AC seat in the back.
Performance-wise the M3 sedan.
Looks-wise the Aston Martin rapide.
Reality-wise a 1989 honda accord stick shift with the chip that makes it get 35+mpg.
Posted by Cheap Car Lover | May 28, 2008 8:09 AM
Posted on May 28, 2008 08:09
Z wrote:
"Now Anyone who is complaining about this car, can you please mention your perfect car?"
Well, considering a loaded Altima is $28k and a quick google search shows this 2009 Maxima will be $29-36k...it's quite easy:
Lexus ES350 ranges from $29k+
OR the
Lexus IS350 ranges from $31k+
Posted by Noya | May 28, 2008 9:49 AM
Posted on May 28, 2008 09:49
The nose design on this Maxima will make a lot more sense when one sees it parked next to a GT-R on the showroom floor.
Not that that necessarily makes it any better.
Posted by BigWill | May 28, 2008 10:07 AM
Posted on May 28, 2008 10:07
I'll agree that the styling on this car doesn't quite stack up with cars that grabbed my attention in the past. I also wish it was rear-wheel drive and am anxious to see what the interior looks like and "feels" like in terms of quality. That being said the people who clamor about performance numbers and sticking a V8 in and what not are a little confused. This is not a track car, going to compete with a sports car (nor meant to), nor going to be a mainstay at the drag strip running 1/4 miles...although I'd like to see someone convert one for this purpose...haha. On this web site that seems like the only things a car gets compared to or rated by. Most of the public has no idea about the differences (advantages and disadvantages) btwn RWD, FWD, or AWD. All they want is a car that can accelerate on a freeway pretty good, protect them from injury, and feel comfortable. Now you have to throw in gas mileage and emissions. I don't think you'll see an affordable sports car that gets rave reviews from everyone for a long time. As far as styling this car wouldn't take much aftermarket work to look good, in my opinion. I'm not a fan of plastic chrome grilles (Ford is the worst) and would replace with body color or gloss black. Most people who even care about wheels (myself included) would have any stock wheel replaced, so that isn't an issue with this car. People have to remember when it comes to the mass market for styling. Girls want it to be cute. Most guys (depending on your "lifestyle") want something somewhat masculine.
Posted by Mike M | May 28, 2008 10:14 AM
Posted on May 28, 2008 10:14
I've always found the nicest thing about the Maxima to be that in 5 or so years it will have depreciated to the level of an Altima of the same year/miles/condition. So these can be a great bargain used.
Posted by gm0n3y | May 28, 2008 10:55 AM
Posted on May 28, 2008 10:55
@Mike M
While your comment would be correct for the Fusion, Camry, Accord, Sonata, etc, it's doesn't hold much water when it comes to the Maxima. Nissan has always billed the Maxima as a "4 Door Sports Car". So for people to expect better performance, RWD, better handling, etc from it is to be expected.
Posted by Gary | May 28, 2008 1:13 PM
Posted on May 28, 2008 13:13
I like it, wish I could afford one.
Posted by WS | May 28, 2008 1:25 PM
Posted on May 28, 2008 13:25
@ WS:
"I like it, wish I could afford one."
Are you kidding me? Buy a used 07 Altima for half the price and you have nearly the exact same driving experience, mabye even better as the Altima can be had with a 6spd.
Posted by Noya | May 28, 2008 4:00 PM
Posted on May 28, 2008 16:00
I think many of you need a good set up prescription glasses. Nissan is going to sell a ton new Maximas. The styling is nicely executed and different. Even the gas mileage is decent. You can't compare a well equipped Maxima with a strip or base model Lexus. What single Lexus did you ever see on a lot for $29K, huh? Nissan is on a roll and will do very well with this car.
Posted by John C | May 28, 2008 5:32 PM
Posted on May 28, 2008 17:32
Nissan will sell a lot of these. I had a 2003 Maxima GLE, leather, moonroof, and extra torque steer. It was a fun car to drive since it weighed 3289 lbs and had 255hp. That's a power to weight ratio of 12.89. The torque steer was fun in a way if you knew how to handle it.
They say this new chassis will virtually eliminate torque steer. Instead of making a new chassis, why not drive the rear wheels, and separate yourself from the Altima, and let that car be the FWD sedan? Maybe they are concerned it will pinch the G35 sales too much.
I am not crazy about the car's lines in this photo; they don't flow. Maybe it looks better in person. The Malibu looks better in photos. So does the Fusion, and the Corolla, and on and on....
Posted by Rich | May 28, 2008 10:19 PM
Posted on May 28, 2008 22:19
Gary:
@Mike M
While your comment would be correct for the Fusion, Camry, Accord, Sonata, etc, it's doesn't hold much water when it comes to the Maxima. Nissan has always billed the Maxima as a "4 Door Sports Car". So for people to expect better performance, RWD, better handling, etc from it is to be expected.
________________________________________
I haven't heard Nissan bill the Maxima as a "4DSC" since the 80's and early 90s when it was etched on the rear door windows. I agree that the Maxima is held to a slightly higher performance standard though, but people above are trying to compare it to a race car or track car, which it is not. That was the point I was making. Everyone tries to equate every sedan that comes out to an autocross or 1/4 mile car it seems...haha. This car was never meant for this purpose, and I've seen very few Maximas ever out at the track. Come to think of it I don't think I've ever seen any Maximas in "race trim" on TV, although I could be wrong. The last Nissan "performance" car I remember seeing actually race was when the SE-R Spec V (Sentra) was out (I actually owned a 2002 and loved it).
Posted by Mike M | May 29, 2008 8:16 AM
Posted on May 29, 2008 08:16
I don't think they could ever make the Maxima RWD or it would hurt their (impressive) G35 sales. They would definitely need to move the G a little up market / up performance.
Posted by gm0n3y | May 29, 2008 10:56 AM
Posted on May 29, 2008 10:56
The front is very ugly...
Posted by Da Man | May 29, 2008 9:11 PM
Posted on May 29, 2008 21:11
One word sums it up. FUGLY.
2003 was the last year the Maximas looked good.
Posted by Timeless | May 31, 2008 4:43 PM
Posted on May 31, 2008 16:43