Nissan has returned to its 4DSC, or “four-door sports car,” marketing campaign for the eighth generation of its flagship sedan. After 13 months and nearly 30,000 miles on our 2016 Nissan Maxima SR long-term tester, we have some thoughts as to whether that definition is accurate.
All Maxima sedans are powered by a naturally aspirated 3.5-liter DOHC VQ V-6 rated 300 hp and 261 lb-ft of torque. Full power is sent to the front wheels via a CVT with manual shift mode, D-Step logic, and sport tuning. In 2016, the Maxima was available in five trim levels: the base S, SV, SL, SR, and Platinum. The Platinum trim is the most luxurious model, and the SR is sport-focused.
Unique features of our SR trim include a sport-tuned suspension with Yamaha performance dampers, Integrated Dynamics control module with active ride control, active trace control, and active engine brake.
The SR trim also rides on 19-inch alloy wheels. (Other models feature 18-inch alloy wheels.) Leather seats are standard on all but the S trim, but the SR features Alcantara inserts with a diamond-quilted pattern. The SR also forgoes the moonroof (SL, Platinum) to reduce overall weight and provide a lower center of gravity.
In testing, our long-term Maxima SR hit 60 mph in 6.0 seconds and finished the quarter mile in 14.7 seconds at 99.3 mph. It also lapped the figure eight in 26.6 seconds at 0.69 g average. We’ve tested four other 2016 Nissan Maxima sedans, including two SRs and two Platinum models. Those cars hit 60 mph in 5.7–5.8 seconds and finished the quarter mile in 14.2–14.3 seconds. Figure-eight lap times varied between 26.0 and 27.0 seconds. Not a significant variation among the same model.
How does the Maxima SR fare against other front-drive V-6 midsize sedans: A 2017 Honda Accord V6 Touring with a 278-hp, 252 lb-ft 3.5-liter V-6 accelerated to 60 in 5.7 seconds and hit the quarter mile in 14.2 seconds at 98.6 mph, and it lapped the figure eight in 26.6 seconds.
Also, a lot of folks walk into Nissan dealerships unsure if they want a Maxima or the midsize Altima. By comparison, the Altima with the optional 270-hp, 251 lb-ft version of Nissan’s 3.5-liter V-6 puts down similar numbers. A 2013 Nissan Altima 3.5 SL we tested took 5.9 seconds to get to 60 and 14.2 seconds at 101.7 mph in the quarter mile and lapped the figure eight in 27.1 seconds at 0.66 g. A 2016 refresh gives the Altima a more aggressive Maxima-like mug.
Our 2016 Nissan Maxima SR had a base price of $38,495. In comparison, a 2017 Nissan Altima 3.5 SR (the least expensive Altima with the V-6) starts at $28,825, and a loaded Altima 3.5 SL starts at $33,525. Pricing for a 2017 Honda Accord EX-L V-6 starts at $31,730, and a loaded Accord Touring is priced at $35,665. A base 2017 Nissan Maxima S (with cloth seats) starts at $33,425, and the Maxima Platinum is priced at $40,855.
Although other cars offer similar performance for less money, the Maxima sedan’s interior was an especially comfortable spot to spend time. During its tenure, the Maxima made seven round trips to the Rocky Mountains at a minimum of 1,500 miles each.
After 13 months in the Motor Trend Garage, we sent the 2016 Nissan Maxima SR off with a total of 29,896 miles on the odometer. The Maxima is EPA-rated 22/30/25 mpg city/highway/combined. We averaged 23.5 mpg combined over nearly 30,000 miles. Not bad considering it spent about 200 miles per week stuck in Los Angeles slow-and-go traffic.
With a service interval of every 5,000 miles, our Maxima was just shy of its sixth oil change. Total maintenance costs came to $738.85 and included five oil changes, four tire rotations, the 15,000-mile service (new engine and cabin air filters and a brake fluid change), and two key fob battery replacements. In comparison, we spent just $235.40 on maintenance cost on our 2015 Acura TLX 2.4 over the course of nearly 19,000 miles and just $135.60 on maintenance for our 2013 Chrysler 300S after 25,981 miles of driving. That’s more than three times the cost and less than 50 percent more miles driven than the Acura and nearly 5.5 times more cost and about 15 percent more miles driven for the Chrysler. Nissan needs to consider extending its service intervals.
Although the Maxima SR didn’t require any repairs, it did have two recalls performed, the first to replace the fuel tank and the other a reflash for the passenger-seat airbag sensor. Both were done during routine maintenance visits. The check-engine light came on shortly after the fuel tank was replaced. A quick visit to the dealer verified our suspicions that the issue was related to the recall and was quickly remedied by tightening down an EVAP system vent tube.
A third recall for our Maxima surfaced after it had departed. In certain cars, brake fluid could leak onto the circuit board and cause a short, which could result in a fire. The automaker will inspect the ABS actuator and replace as needed.
After nearly 30,000 miles, we decided the 2016 Nissan Maxima SR was a nice place to spend time. Although it may not compete against traditional sport sedans, it offers a dose of sport with a roomy interior for everyday use or a road-trip-with-room for two couples or a family with two teenaged children.
More on our long-term 2016 Nissan Maxima SR here:
| Our Car |
| SERVICE LIFE |
13 mo / 29,896 mi |
| BASE PRICE |
$38,495 |
| OPTIONS |
Sport floor mats, trunk mat, trunk net ($255) |
| PRICE AS TESTED |
$38,750 |
| AVG ECON/CO2 |
23.5 mpg / 0.83 lb/mi |
| PROBLEM AREAS |
None |
| MAINTENANCE COST |
$738.85 (5-oil change, inspection; 4-tire rotation; 1-cabin air filter, brake fluid change) |
| NORMAL-WEAR COST |
$0 |
| 3-YEAR RESIDUAL VALUE* |
$18,450 / $21,400 |
| RECALLS |
ABS actuator, passenger airbag sensor, fuel tank |
| *IntelliChoice trade-in/retail (at 42,000 miles) |
| 2016 Nissan Maxima SR |
| POWERTRAIN/CHASSIS |
| DRIVETRAIN LAYOUT |
Front-engine, FWD |
| ENGINE TYPE |
60-deg V-6, alum block/heads |
| VALVETRAIN |
DOHC, 4 valves/cyl |
| DISPLACEMENT |
213.5 cu in/3,498cc |
| COMPRESSION RATIO |
10.6:1 |
| POWER (SAE NET) |
300 hp @ 6,400 rpm |
| TORQUE (SAE NET) |
261 lb-ft @ 4,400 rpm |
| REDLINE |
6,500 rpm |
| WEIGHT TO POWER |
11.8 lb/hp |
| TRANSMISSION |
Cont. variable auto |
| AXLE/FINAL-DRIVE RATIO |
5.25:1/2.01:1 |
| SUSPENSION, FRONT; REAR |
Struts, coil springs, anti-roll bar; multilink, coil springs, anti-roll bar |
| STEERING RATIO |
15.3:1 |
| TURNS LOCK-TO-LOCK |
2.5 |
| BRAKES, F;R |
12.6-in vented disc; 12.1-in vented disc, ABS |
| WHEELS |
8.0 x 19-in, cast aluminum |
| TIRES |
245/40R19 94W M+S Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric All-Season |
| DIMENSIONS |
| WHEELBASE |
109.3 in |
| TRACK, F/R |
62.4/62.4 in |
| LENGTH x WIDTH x HEIGHT |
192.8 x 73.2 x 56.5 in |
| TURNING CIRCLE |
38.1 ft |
| CURB WEIGHT |
3,544 lb |
| WEIGHT DIST., F/R |
61/39% |
| SEATING CAPACITY |
5 |
| HEADROOM, F/R |
39.4/36.7 in |
| LEGROOM, F/R |
45.0/34.2 in |
| SHOULDER ROOM, F/R |
56.7/55.7 in |
| CARGO VOLUME |
14.3 cu ft |
| TEST DATA |
| ACCELERATION TO MPH |
| 0-30 |
2.4 sec |
| 0-40 |
3.5 |
| 0-50 |
4.6 |
| 0-60 |
6.0 |
| 0-70 |
7.6 |
| 0-80 |
9.6 |
| 0-90 |
11.9 |
| 0-100 |
14.7 |
| PASSING, 45-65 MPH |
2.7 |
| QUARTER MILE |
14.5 sec @ 99.3 mph |
| BRAKING, 60-0 MPH |
125 ft |
| LATERAL ACCELERATION |
0.86 g (avg) |
| MT FIGURE EIGHT |
26.6 sec @ 0.69 g (avg) |
| TOP-GEAR REVS @ 60 MPH |
1,600 rpm |
| CONSUMER INFO |
| STABILITY/TRACTION CONTROL |
Yes/yes |
| AIRBAGS |
Dual front, front side, f/r curtain |
| BASIC WARRANTY |
3 yrs/36,000 miles |
| POWERTRAIN WARRANTY |
5 yrs/60,000 miles |
| ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE |
3 yrs/36,000 miles |
| FUEL CAPACITY |
18.0 gal |
| EPA CITY/HWY/COMB ECON |
22/30/25 mpg |
| ENERGY CONS., CITY/HWY |
153/112 kW-hrs/100 miles |
| CO2 EMISSIONS, COMB |
0.78 lb/mile |
| REAL MPG, CITY/HWY/COMB |
24.2/30.4/26.6 mpg |
| RECOMMENDED FUEL |
Unleaded premium |
The post 2016 Nissan Maxima SR Long-Term Verdict: 4DSC? appeared first on Motor Trend.
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