A return of the four-door sports car?
Nissan wanted its latest Maxima sedan to go back to its roots, back to being a true four-door sports car just like it was in the late 1980s and early 1990s. Scanning the specs of the 2009 version, all looks to be very promising. The wheelbase and overall length have been chopped and the exterior dramatically altered. The V-6 engine gains 35 hp and there is a plethora of sporty features either standard or available including paddle shifters, 19-inch wheels with performance tires, a rear wing, and sport seats with adjustable thigh support. But is the end result a proper sports sedan or just another Maxima trying to act the part?
A muscular new look
This is area the Maxima's trump card; it looks really good. The wider track and bulging fenders combined with the shorter overall length give the Nissan a distinctive look. One might even think the Maxima is a rear-wheel-drive sedan based upon the design but, alas, the power is still fed to the ground through the front wheels. Interior space is diminished somewhat by the aggressive exterior styling, and we wouldn't recommend taking a fifth person along on a trip of any length.
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