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Nissan Maxima
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Nissan Maxima | |
|---|---|
 |
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| Manufacturer | Nissan |
| Production | 1976–present |
| Predecessor | Datsun 810 Datsun 200B |
| Class | Mid-size Executive car |
The Nissan Maxima is a car manufactured by Nissan that is in a line of upper mid-size executive and sports sedans. The Maxima debuted in 1976 as an upscale version of the Bluebird and was spun into its own line in 1980, having been made continuously since then. Most pre-2004 Maximas were built in Oppama, Japan, until the current North American Maximas started being assembled in Smyrna, Tennessee.
Worldwide, the Maxima's direct competitors are Japanese models such as the Honda Accord and Toyota Camry, and Korean models like the Hyundai Sonata or Hyundai Azera, while in the US it may also compete with the Chevrolet Impala and Ford Five Hundred. In Australia, the local Mitsubishi 380 and lower-end versions of the larger Holden Commodore and Ford Falcon are also competitors.
Contents |
| Also called | Datsun 810 |
|---|---|
| Production | 1976–1980 |
| Body style | 2-door coupe 4-door sedan 4-door station wagon |
| Layout | FR layout |
| Engine | 2.0 L L20 I6 2.4 L L24 I6 |
| Transmission | 5-speed manual |
| Related | Datsun 280ZX |
| Similar | Toyota Cressida |
The Maxima model line began with the Nissan Bluebird Maxima, which was available in the US as Datsun 810 from February 1977. It was powered by two versions of the SOHC L-series I6 engine, a 2.0 L displacement for the Japanese market and a 2.4 L (as found in the Datsun 240Z) for the US market. The Bluebird Maxima used a carburetor for the base model and fuel injection for the sporty version. The 2.0 L engine was good for 122 PS JIS (90 kW), while the bigger American engine could reach 125 hp SAE (93 kW). The sporty version channeled power through a five speed manual transmission. These cars were rear-wheel drive and had had a semi-trailing arm rear suspension. The station wagon variant had the rear live axle for load carrying reasons.
The 2-door coupe version was introduced in 1979 along with an exterior refresh, and was available in the Maxima lineup in the Datsun 810 only. The new Datsun 280ZX shared the 810's chassis, though the 810 did not get that car's larger 2.8 L engine.
| First generation | |
|---|---|
| Also called | Datsun 810 |
| Production | 1981–1984 |
| Body style | 4-door sedan 4-door station wagon |
| Layout | FR layout |
| Engine | 2.4 L L24 I6 2.8 L Diesel L28 I6 |
| Transmission | 5-speed automatic and manual |
| Related | Nissan 910 |
| Similar | Chevrolet Celebrity Dodge 600 Toyota Cressida |
The first car to wear the Maxima name was introduced in 1981. It was essentially a Japanese-market Bluebird 910 with a 3.9 in longer nose. The car was offered as the 810 Deluxe or 810 Maxima that first year, and all 810s became Maximas for 1982. In 1984, the last year of the first generation Maxima, American Datsuns began carrying the "Nissan" badge as well (only 1984 Nissans have both "Nissan" and "Datsun" on the back of the car).
Powered by the same 2.4 L I6 engine as the previous Datsun 810 and Datsun 240Z, the car was still rear-wheel drive. It was also available with a 2.8L I6 Diesel engine (available in the US from mid-1981 through 1983) with either 5 speed manual or automatic transmission. This was a well built sturdy Diesel engine unlike the GM converted gas engines of the era.
The power steering pump was sourced from General Motors' Saginaw Gear division. This was the second Nissan to use US-sourced parts besides the Borg-Warner T-5 transmission used in the Datsun 510.
| Second generation | |
|---|---|
 |
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| Production | 1985–1988 |
| Assembly | Oppama, Japan |
| Body style | 4-door sedan 4-door station wagon |
| Layout | FF layout |
| Engine | 3.0 L VG30E V6 |
| Transmission | 5-speed manual 4-speed automatic |
| Wheelbase | 100.4 in |
| Length | 181.5 in |
| Width | 66.5 in |
| Height | 54.7 in |
| Related | Nissan Bluebird |
| Similar | Chevrolet Celebrity Ford Taurus Toyota Camry |
In the fall of 1984, the first front-wheel drive Maxima (based on the Bluebird U11) was introduced. This Maxima was available with a 157 hp (117 kW) 3.0 L VG30E V6 engine and a 4-speed automatic or 5-speed manual transmission. 1988 was the last year for the Maxima station wagon, which had been offered since the Datsun 810 days. In late 1986, the 1987 Maxima was introduced with a freshened exterior and interior. Automatic lapbelts were new options on both the sedan and wagon.
| Third generation | |
|---|---|
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| Also called | Nissan Cefiro |
| Production | 1989–1994 |
| Assembly | Oppama, Japan |
| Body style | 4-door sedan |
| Layout | FF layout |
| Engine | 3.0 L VG30E V6 3.0 L VE30DE V6 |
| Transmission | 5-speed manual 4-speed automatic with overdrive |
| Wheelbase | 104.3 in |
| Length | 187.6 in |
| Width | 69.3 in |
| Height | 55.1 in |
| Similar | Ford Taurus Honda Accord Toyota Camry |
The Maxima was redesigned in 1989 as the J30 (not to be confused with the unrelated Infiniti J30) model. It was called the '4DSC' by Nissan (4-Door Sports Car) and even had a window decal showing this. Many say this Maxima helped start the rebirth of sporty curves in the family sedan, it was quite striking in its day. It now featured a 160 hp (119 kW) 3.0 L V6, with a 190 hp VE30DE engine available starting in 1992. The VG30E was a unit that had been used in the previous Maxima, as well as the first generation Nissan 300ZX. In the United States, the VG30E engine was used on all 1989-1994 GXE models, and the 1989-1991 SE models.
The VE30DE engine, plus a limited-slip differential, became standard on the SE models in 1992. The SE models can be further distinguished from the GXE by their white-faced gauges, twisted spoke turbine wheels, firmer sport suspensions, and optional 5-speed manual transmissions, which weren't offered on the GXE models after 1992. The automatic transmission on all GXE's and optional on SE's was an innovative compact unit from Jatco, featuring four-speed electronic control with overdrive and adaptive 'sport' and 'comfort' modes that shift at different points.
During this year, the Maxima was first introduced to the European market, replacing the Laurel. For European markets, the model range was:
- 3.0
- 3.0 S
- 3.0 SE
All versions had automatic transmission only.
Versions sold in Japan had manual transmission as an option in addition to the automatic transmission that was standard in Europe, North America and Australia. However, models sold in New Zealand had manual versions as well; this was not the same for Australian cars.
The Maxima SE was on Car and Driver magazine's Ten Best list for 1990.
Unlike later models, the J30 (not to be confused with the Infiniti J30) had an independent rear suspension that was absent from the Maxima until the 2004 models.
| Fourth generation | |
|---|---|
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| Also called | Nissan Cefiro A32 |
| Production | 1995–1999 |
| Assembly | Oppama, Japan |
| Body style | 4-door sedan |
| Layout | FF layout |
| Engine | 3.0 L VQ30DE V6 |
| Transmission | 5-speed manual 4-speed automatic |
| Wheelbase | 106.3 in |
| Length | 189.4 in |
| Width | 69.7 in |
| Height | 55.7 in |
| Related | Infiniti I30 |
| Similar | Chevrolet Lumina Honda Accord Toyota Camry Mazda Millenia |
The car was redesigned again in 1995 as the A32. A new VQ30DE 190 hp (142 kW), 205 ft-lbs tq 3.0 L V6 was the only engine option for the North American market. The VQ30DE's smooth, powerful acceleration and long-term durability helped it earn a first spot on the Ward's 10 Best Engine List, and the VQ has now been recognized consecutively for every year since its introduction (As of 2007, 12 years running). The engines have also responded well to lower boost levels when a turbo or supercharger is added. The independent rear suspension of the previous generation was replaced with a smaller, lighter, cheaper torsion bar solid axle, although some argue this system was more beneficial due to the front-wheel drive layout.
The exterior was refreshed for 1997, with new 5-spoke alloy rims, plastic (clear-lens) headlights, a slightly different front and rear fascia with new taillights, foglights and badge designs, and a chrome grille insert for GLE's (body color for SE models) was added. Among interior changes were a different steering wheel and CD player. Front seat-mounted side impact airbags were added as an option for 1998 and 1999 models. There were also structural modifications to improve crash worthiness for the 1997 to 1999 models.
The North American 1995 Maxima included a Bose sound system on the GLE (optional on the SE) which had a 6 speaker sound system, a Clarion system was also an option (non-Bose). The fourth generation Maxima was highly appraised for its roomy interior.
This Maxima was Motor Trend's Import Car of the Year for 1995. The Maxima SE again made Car and Driver magazine's Ten Best list for 1995 and 1996.
The Maxima was one of the few 4 door, V6 cars at the time with an option for a manual transmission. This is one of the reasons it is popular for some people who want a cheap, spacious car that can still be quick. In addition, this version of the Maxima is the most popular with tuners or modders because of its low price and performance parts availability.
This particular generation was sold in Japan as the Nissan Cefiro A32, which previously was a separate rear-wheel drive car (see A31 Cefiro). For the Japanese market, a Cefiro-badged station wagon was also available. The Cefiro was sold in the US as the Infiniti I30, yet the Cefiro had subtle differences including different fog light arrangements, one-piece headlights and a few assorted engine options (one of which was the VQ25).
This generation was sold as the Maxima QX in Europe, and was mostly identical to the Japanese Cefiro except for minor trim differences.
| Fifth generation | |
|---|---|
 |
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| Also called | Nissan Cefiro |
| Production | 2000–2003 |
| Assembly | Oppama, Japan |
| Body style | 4-door sedan |
| Layout | FF layout |
| Engine | 3.0 L VQ30DE-K V6 3.5 L VQ35DE V6 |
| Transmission | 5-speed manual 4-speed automatic 6-speed manual |
| Wheelbase | 108.3 in |
| Length | 190.5 in |
| Width | 70.3 in |
| Height | 56.5 in |
| Related | Infiniti I30/I35 |
| Similar | Honda Accord Toyota Camry Hyundai Sonata |
The 2000 Maxima (designated A33) was a refresh of the previous car, designed at Nissan's La Jolla, California design studio. The engine was a 222 hp (166 kW) 3.0 L VQ30DE V6. This variant of the VQ30DE was referred to the VQ30DE-K. In this variation, there were three models (GXE, GLE, and SE). The GXE was the "base" Maxima. The GLE was the "luxury" variant and had 16 inch wheels. The GLE was the basis for the Infiniti I30, (JDM Nissan Cefiro). A 2001 20th Anniversary edition got an increase of 5 hp (4 kW), different interior treatment, body kit, special wheels and other tweaks.
In 2002, the engine was replaced for the whole lineup with a 3.5 L VQ35DE that produced 255 hp (190 kW) and 246 ft·lbf of torque. In addition, the model got a slight refresh with a larger grille opening, headlamps with high-intensity discharge (HID) low beams, a six-speed manual transmission with optional helical Torsen limited-slip differential, revised 17 inch six-spoke wheels on the SE models, new 17 inch seven spoke rims on the GLE models, clear taillights, and some interior and exterior refinements over the 2000 to 2001 models. The Nissan Altima surpassed the Maxima in size since its 2002 redesign. In 2003, there was a special package called the Titanium Edition with special wheels and interior treatment, as well as a Meridian Edition package which included heated seats (most of the time leather, although some were available with heated cloth), and a GPS navigation system. The Titanium Edition was available in all colors, but a new color was available only with the Titanium Edition (Polished Titanium). The last generation Maxima GLE was the basis for the Infiniti I35.
| Sixth generation | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Also called | Nissan Cefiro |
| Production | 2004–present |
| Assembly | Smyrna, Tennessee |
| Body style | 4-door sedan |
| Layout | FF layout |
| Platform | Nissan FF-L platform |
| Engine | 3.5 L VQ35DE V6 |
| Transmission | 6-speed manual 4-speed automatic 5-speed automatic CVT |
| Wheelbase | 111.2 in |
| Length | 193.5 in |
| Width | 71.7 in |
| Height | 58.3 in |
| Related | Nissan Altima Nissan Teana Nissan Murano Nissan Quest |
| Similar | Buick LaCrosse Ford Five Hundred Hyundai Azera |
The latest generation Maxima, code-named A34, shares its platform with the third generation Nissan Altima, in addition to several other Nissan models, and this Maxima is only sold in the United States, Canada and Mexico (all countries where the Altima is sold). In the US, it comes with the venerable VQ35DE, a DOHC V6 engine that now produces 265 hp (198 kW). The VQ35DE and its predecessor, the VQ30DE, have won Wards 10 Best Engines award every year since the competition's inception in 1995.
Interestingly, in Australia, the Maxima has the same engine, but Nissan has set the maximum power to only 170 kW. The Australian version is code-named J31, initially only came with a four-speed automatic transmission, and has quite noticeable styling differences to the North American version. In 2006, it received a minor mid-life facelift and an all new CVT automatic transmission. However, SEs in the US can be had with an optional five-speed automatic transmission. A six-speed manual is still standard on some models.
The rear independent suspension returns, this time using a multilink setup similar to the Altima.
A smaller Maxima, from 2003, is sold in the Asia-Pacific region (as well as in Australia) and based on the Nissan Teana. In some markets, it is sold as the Nissan Cefiro. It is built on the standard FF-L platform of the Altima, rather than the stretched FF-L used on the American-market Maximas. The American Maxima is known for a balance between sport and luxury; other models tend to focus more on comfort.
For 2007, the new Nissan Maxima became available with a standard Xtronic CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission) (similar to the CVT in Nissan's Murano). It features a freshened grill (now lacking the center block, the grill closely resembles that of its cousin the 2007 Altima). Headlights are also more rounded around the edges.
- Datsun 810 and Nissan Maxima. Edmunds.com. Retrieved on March 25, 2005.