Nissan Maxima gets sharper styling, more safety advancements for 2019
What is it?: The Maxima is the “longest running nameplate” in Nissan Canada’s lineup, says Steve Rhind, the company’s marketing director. And it is the No. 1 pick in the large-car segment in J.D. Power’s prestigious Initial Quality Survey (IQS). Why is it important?: Rhind says that with 300 horsepower — from a 3.5-litre V-6, nary a turbocharger to be seen here — the Maxima “checks all the boxes for sports sedan enthusiasts.” And by embracing what Nissan describes as its “visionary” Intelligent Mobility philosophy, it “provides technology in a way that moves people to a better world.” In less flowery terms, what that means is the Maxima features Nissan’s Safety Shield 360, a suite of six driver-assist technologies that provide 360 degrees of active crash avoidance and pedestrian detection. The suite includes intelligent emergency braking with pedestrian detection, blind-spot warning with rear cross-traffic alert, lane-departure warning, highbeam assist and rear intelligent emergency braking. So, the Maxima is safe. But as Nissan’s flagship sedan, it better have a little pizzazz to back up all that practicality. For 2019, the Maxima gets a more aggressive grille, a new spoiler on the SR model, and as part of what is surely the most hyperbolic trim package in some time — the Hyper Silver Platinum Reserve Package — some seriously sporty 19-inch wheels. Inside, there’s more of a cockpit feel to the cabin, in something Nissan calls it “Gliding Wing” motif that stresses “horizontal movement and easy access to all controls.” When is it coming?: Nissan Canada says the refreshed 2019 Maxima should be in dealers the end of this year. Should you buy it?: If you can stand all the hyperbole — the Maxima’s seats aren’t just quilted, they’re Dynamic Diamond quilted — absolutely. The Maxima has been a perennial favourite among premium sports sedans for as long as I have been testing cars. Its 3.5-L V-6 is sweet, it handles extremely well for a front-wheel driver, and it ain’t half sexy for a family sedan. A little pricey perhaps, but a darn fine automobile.