- sedan 174,455
- 5,991 fair
- Everett, WA
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- autoshopper.com
2006 nissan maxima review this car review is specific to this model, not the actual vehicle for sale. Straddling the line between mid-size sedan and a near-luxury sport sedan, it's a car designed for auto aficionados who appreciate something different. Something other than a camry or accord, for example. Either way, cruising on the highway is effortless with nissan's 265-horsepower v6. both models are stuffed with luxury features. The refined cabin is innovative and comfortable with supportive, luxurious seats. The interesting skyview roof, a standard glass panel running lengthwise over the front and rear seats, is the sort of feature associated with futuristic concept cars. Also interesting are the available rear bucket seats, another feature seen primarily on futuristic concept cars. Together, the bucket seats and skyview roof make back-seat riders feel more like first-class passengers and less like coach-class cattle. The 2006 edition comes in two distinct flavors: the sporty 3. 5 se and the more luxuriously equipped 3. 5 sl. se 27,750) comes with a sports suspension, traction control, and 18-inch wheels and tires. It comes standard with cloth upholstery and metallic interior accents. Leather upholstery, woodgrain trim, heated seats, xenon hid headlamps, a premium eight-speaker bose stereo, and conveniences that are optional on the se are all standard on the sl. the skyview roof comes standard on both se and sl. This option also includes everything from the driver preferred package, plus a power rear sunshade with front and rear controls, auto up/down rear windows, and an extra rear 12-volt power outlet. options for both se and sl include a dvd navigation system with seven-inch color lcd display 1,800); xm or sirius satellite radio 350); vehicle dynamic control 600). New for 2006 is a bluetooth hands-free phone system 300). walkaroundthe nissan maxima features a chiseled, muscular body with pronounced character lines. It's aerodynamic and modern and yet architecturally art deco, like some flash gordon fantasy of yesterday's tomorrow. this is especially true at the front end, where a rounded-rectangle texture fills in the twin nostrils in nissan's signature grille, split by a dark chrome medallion at the center, with aerodynamically integrated headlight clusters wrapping over the top and around at the sides. big, round fender openings accented by flattened wheel lips pay homage to enormous alloy wheels: 18-inch, six-spoke units on the se; 17-inch, seven-spoke on the sl. The relatively open wheel design shows off the black-painted brake calipers nicely. the maxima's rear roof slopes into the trunk lid flanked by buttress-like sail panels. It tilts and telescopes, and for 2006 the redundant controls on the wheel are illuminated. In front of the driver are three small gauges set in their own pod, like those on a motorcycle. we like many of the details of the maxima's interior, specifically the light colors and the proximity of the switches and controls to the driver. However, the labels for the climate and audio systems are too small to be easily read, and the audio and trip computer seem to have more buttons than they should need. The display is hard to read in bright sunlight with polarized sunglasses. we didn't care, either, for the large, flat splash of trim on the center stack, neither the titanium-colored plastic in the se nor the faux wood on the sl. It seems like wasted space. The skyview window does not open, but nissan says it found a lot of people rarely open their sunroofs. Satellite radio can be great companion on long trips, delivering cd-quality sound nearly everywhere. Not having to change stations on a cross-country trip has distinct advantages. Finding stations is easy with rds (radio data system), which clearly identifies programming on the radio's display. three cargo nets are provided in the trunk and work better than most for holding down a load of groceries. driving impressionthe nissan maxima se rides smoothly and quietly, even on bad pavement. We preferred the se over the slightly softer ride of the sl because it felt more connected to the road. Both models handled bumps well, a benefit of the independent multi-link rear suspension. cruising on the highway is effortless in the maxima. The 3. 5-liter v6 develops 265 horsepower and pulls strongly in passing situations. The v6 has such a broad power band that the maxima is happy being either a high-revving hard-charger or a boulevard loafer. It's a great engine, and is considered one of the best v6s available from anyone. both the six-speed manual and the five-speed automatic transmissions are well-matched to the smoothly revving engine. We prefer the automatic. The shifter on the six-speed manual feels tall. For these reasons and others, most people choose the automatic. And we think they're right. we drove the maxima down some winding canyon roads and found it handles very well with high grip limits. The maxima does feel noticeably bigger and more ponderous than the lighter altima, however. The maxima and altima share basic structures, but the maxima weighs more. The steering is accurate, though it seems light and slow. Body roll is minimal, meaning it doesn't lean much in corners. Charge into a corner past the grip of the tires and the car understeers initially. Coming out of the corners, the maxima doesn't spin the wheels, which is a good thing, but there is some torque steer, a slight tugging sensation at the steering wheel. overall, the maxima feels like a sporty sedan that's enjoyable to drive. summarythe nissan maxima is individualistic and indulgently luxurious, with innovative styling and interior features. Its engine is powerful and its ride is smooth and quiet. new car test drive correspondent phil berg filed this report from detroit, with mitch mccullough reporting from los angeles. model lineupnissan 3. 5 se 27,750); 3. 5 sl 30,000). assembled insmyrna, tennessee. options as testeddriver preferred package 3,650) includes 320-watt bose am/fm/6cd. Bucket Seats✔ Heated Seats✔ AM/FM✔ Sunroof/Moonroof✔ Bluetooth✔ Navigation System✔ Alloy Wheels
5,991 Everett, WAEverett, WA at autoshopper.com