C/D: 2016 Nissan Maxima SR

[kevm14]

http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/201 ... est-review

This is a little sad. It doesn't seem like a bad car, in fact it is keeping the weight down while I'm sure the interior is reasonably roomy. And perhaps this is a sporty alternative to a Toyota Avalon, if you were in the market for such a thing.

But what it really boils down to is that this formula is about 10 years out of date (or more) for something truly sporting on a platform like this. I think the formula reached its peak with the 4th gen though the 5th gen with the 3.5L was also somewhat interesting even if the car was already cheapened at that point.

[kevm14]

We’d love to get a sports car trapped in a four-door body, but that’s easier said than done.

There are plenty. But they are RWD-based.

Much of the Maxima’s spec sheet reads as if it comes from a family sedan. It has a transversely mounted engine, front-wheel drive, and a continuously variable transmission. These are hardly the physical attributes of a sports sedan, let alone a sports car. And yet, nothing on the spec sheet would matter if the Maxima transcended these parts to deliver a sporting driving experience. It doesn’t.

Let’s put skidpad grip aside; it’s just a number, after all. What’s really bothering us is that the Maxima isn’t much fun.

Like I said:

None of that overcomes the dynamic handicap that is born of having 61.4 percent of the mass carried by the front tires. Lay into the Maxima on a road like California’s Angeles Crest Highway and, despite excellent body control, this sedan never comes alive, it just understeers—inescapable, grinding, shuddering understeer. The solution is to slow down. But sports sedans shouldn’t ask for a breather.

This formula is no longer viable for such sporting goals, particularly in context of what is currently possible in a sedan.

It turns out, though, that the Maxima is actually a credible luxury car. The front and rear seats are spacious and soothingly comfortable.

Again, like I said, a sporty alternative to a Toyota Avalon.

[kevm14]

Backfires comment:

It would seem that the Mazda6 has taken the FWD 4DSC mantle from Nissan or, at the very least, the Accord has.

[Adam]

From the comments:

Oh no, C/D got 18mpg when its rated at 22/30, how is this possible when its not turbocharged????!!!!!

Where is C/D crying about gas mileage discrepancies? If it said ECOBOOST on the motor C/D would be bashing the hell out of it. Somehow this gets described as 'efficient' when turbo mills get dinged?

[Bob]

I'm actually looking forward to renting one of these. I think I have rented virtually everything in National's fleet so my only excitement now is when new models are added.

[kevm14]

From the comments:

Oh no, C/D got 18mpg when its rated at 22/30, how is this possible when its not turbocharged????!!!!!

Where is C/D crying about gas mileage discrepancies? If it said ECOBOOST on the motor C/D would be bashing the hell out of it. Somehow this gets described as 'efficient' when turbo mills get dinged?

From the article:

We achieved only 18 mpg, but that included a demanding strafe over the San Gabriel Mountains.

I think we are to assume that this usage was even more intense than normal.