2016 Nissan Maxima

Serving Hilton Head, Hardeeville, Bluffton SC

Ever since it was introduced, the Nissan Maxima has been the automaker's flagship model. Luxurious, sleekly styled, and engineered for performance as well as for its looks, the Maxima has always attracted buyers looking for lots of standard features at an affordable price. After it disappeared in 2015, it was revived a year later and has been completely redesigned. The new 2016 model sits lower to the ground, is more than two inches longer, and features a more appealing, aerodynamic exterior. his is good news for mid-size sedan shoppers who in the past took only a passing look at the Maxima because it seemed to be nothing more than a higher priced version of the popular Altima. If you haven't yet checked out the 2016 Nissan Maxima, you're missing out on some very specific refinements, especially in the areas of fuel efficiency, interior styling, and high-tech entertainment and safety systems.

Performance

Nissan has always opted for a more powerful engine in its mid-size sedan. The 2016 Maxima continues that tradition. The 3.5L V6 offered on all trims produces a total of 300 horsepower. The front wheels are driven by a continuously variable automatic transmission. Acceleration is certainly adequate, and the car cruises noiselessly at freeway speeds. The sport-tuned suspension on the SR version makes for quite agile response. Fuel efficiency is slightly better than in past years, despite the small increase in total horsepower. The total of seven simulated gear ratios on the transmission have been significantly improved upon, and you'll notice the lack of a prolonged high rpm when the car is rapidly accelerated. This is a welcome change for those who have become wary of CVTs.

Interior

Even if you choose the base S trim, you won't be disappointed in the long list of standard features. For an affordable price, you get power front seats, dual-zone climate control, split-folding rear seats, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel. Choose the uplevel SV or SL trim and enjoy leather upholstery, power lumbar for the driver, and ambient interior lighting. The uplevel trims also come with a panoramic sunroof, active noise cancellation, and a heated steering wheel. You'll appreciate the addition of the zero-gravity seats, which are extremely comfortable and reduce overall body fatigue. Just forward of the shifter is an innovative bin that houses two USB ports, room for the largest of smartphones, and a vertical slot that allows the driver to prop up a phone so that incoming messages can easily be seen.

Features

An easily navigable 8-inch touchscreen sits in the center console. It's connected to a redundant control dial known as the Display Commander. The system can route incoming smartphone messages through the vehicle's audio system. It also handles Google searches and other driver commands. Bluetooth phone and audio are standard across all trims, and the top trims come with an 11-speaker Bose sound system.

Safety

Front seat side airbags are complemented by full-length side-curtain bags. Traction and stability control are also standard on the 2016 Nissan Maxima. The rearview camera is also included at no extra charge, even on the base S trim. Optional features you might want to consider include the driver awareness package, but if you choose the SL trim or above, the blind-spot monitoring, forward collision alert and rear cross-traffic alert come standard. In government-administered crash tests, the 2016 Maxima earned a perfect five stars for overall crash protection.

Because of its one-year hiatus and the recent design changes for 2016, many are unaware of the all-new Maxima and how it compares to recent years' offerings. Contact Vaden Nissan of Hilton Head and ask to schedule your own test drive of this visually appealing, well-performing, and feature-loaded sedan.