2014 Nissan Maxima details

2014 Nissan Maxima


Billed by the automaker as the "4-door sports car," the 2014 Nissan Maxima is a large sedan equipped with a V-6 engine, continuously variable transmission (CVT), and front-wheel drive. It competes against the Buick LaCrosse, Chevrolet Impala, Chrysler 300, Dodge Charger, Hyundai Azera, Kia Cadenza, and Toyota Avalon.

Defining the Maxima's styling as "liquid motion," Nissan incorporates coupe-like design cues into a mid-size sedan body. Look closely and you can see traces of the Nissan 370Z sports coupe in the 2014 Maxima, especially in the headlights and taillights. That liquid mantra carries onto the sleek hood and bulging front fenders, and carries aft where the sloping roof meets a sculpted rear end. Seen from the side, the Maxima appears in motion even when still thanks to an athletic stance. Twin tailpipes further send the message of this car's potency.

Maxima SV Sport Package ($2,100) features a sport-tuned suspension, 19-inch alloy wheels, smoked headlights, a dark chrome grille, a rear spoiler, gray metallic stitching accents, and metallic-look interior trim; high-performance summer tires are available with the Sport package.

Those sporty exterior cues are backed up by a 3.5-liter V6 that serves up a healthy 290 horsepower and 261 lb-ft of torque. A continuously variable transmission (CVT) sends power to the front wheels. Zero-to-60 mph is achieved in roughly six seconds, and fuel economy is rated at 19 mpg in the city and 26 mpg on the highway.

The Maxima’s interior is not quite as large as some people recall, with dimensions that are great for front-seat legroom but shaded by even the Acura TL for shoulder room. The Maxima trades huge front-seat comfort for slim back-seat legroom, but individual buckets back there at least feel nice and reclined. A new twin-pane glass roof is welcome, and offers shades to keep you cool in the sun.

Standard features include push-button start, Bluetooth phone connectivity and an eight-speaker stereo. Options include leather seats, heated front seats, upgraded rear bucket seats, a backup camera, a dual panel moonroof, navigation, a Bose stereo system, Bluetooth audio streaming, a USB port and satellite radio.

Standard safety features include dual front, front side and full-length side curtain airbags in addition to traction and stability control systems and a tire-pressure monitoring system.

With a new Maxima expected to debut next year for the 2015 model year, Nissan is only making small changes to its big sedan for 2014. Buyers looking to get behind the wheel of Nissan's "4-Door Sports Car" will be happy to know that the base price for the 2014 Maxima carries over from 2013 starting at $31,000