Nissan Maxima
The latest generation Maxima, codenamed A34, shares its platform with the third generation Nissan Altima, in addition to several other Nissan models, and this Maxima is only sold in the United States, Canada and Mexico (all countries where the Altima is sold). In the US, it comes with the venerable VQ35DE, a DOHC V6 engine that now produces 265 hp (198 kW). The VQ35DE and its predecessor, the VQ30DE, have won Wards 10 Best Engines award every year since the competition's inception in 1995.
Interestingly, in Australia, the Maxima has the same engine, but Nissan has set the maximum power to only 170 kW. The Australian version only comes with a four-speed automatic transmission. However, SEs in the US can be had with an optional five-speed automatic transmission. A six-speed manual is still standard on some models.
The rear independent suspension returns, this time using a multilink setup similar to the Altima.
Despite the tuned engine and the sportier positioning, it is slower than the Altima, thanks largely to its heavier weight (200 lb up).
A smaller Maxima, from 2003, is sold in the Asia-Pacific region (as well as in Australia) and based on the Nissan Teana. In some markets, it is sold as the Nissan Cefiro. It is built on the standard FF-L platform of the Altima, rather than the stretched FF-L used on the American-market Maximas. The American Maxima is known for a balance between sport and luxury; other models tend to focus more on comfort.
For 2007, the new Nissan Maxima comes with a standard continuously variable transmission.
The latest generation Maxima, codenamed A34, shares its platform with the third generation Nissan Altima, in addition to several other Nissan models, and this Maxima is only sold in the United States, Canada and Mexico (all countries where the Altima is sold). In the US, it comes with the venerable VQ35DE, a DOHC V6 engine that now produces 265 hp (198 kW). The VQ35DE and its predecessor, the VQ30DE, have won Wards 10 Best Engines award every year since the competition's inception in 1995.
Interestingly, in Australia, the Maxima has the same engine, but Nissan has set the maximum power to only 170 kW. The Australian version only comes with a four-speed automatic transmission. However, SEs in the US can be had with an optional five-speed automatic transmission. A six-speed manual is still standard on some models.
The rear independent suspension returns, this time using a multilink setup similar to the Altima.
Despite the tuned engine and the sportier positioning, it is slower than the Altima, thanks largely to its heavier weight (200 lb up).
A smaller Maxima, from 2003, is sold in the Asia-Pacific region (as well as in Australia) and based on the Nissan Teana. In some markets, it is sold as the Nissan Cefiro. It is built on the standard FF-L platform of the Altima, rather than the stretched FF-L used on the American-market Maximas. The American Maxima is known for a balance between sport and luxury; other models tend to focus more on comfort.
For 2007, the new Nissan Maxima comes with a standard continuously variable transmission.