2019 Nissan Maxima

While not the cheapest of mid-size sedans, you get behind the wheel of a brand new Nissan Maxima for as little as $34,050. But if you want more than just the base offering, you can choose the SV for $36,060 or the SL for $38,540. The more sporty SR will set you back $39,630, while the top-tier luxury Platinum model costs a substantial $41,540. These are MSRP prices and do not include tax, registration, licensing, or Nissan's $895 destination fee.

Nissan's reluctance to replace the Maxima's 3.5-liter V6 engine means we're familier with its strong performance. There are no fireworks, just a healthy amount of grunt that makes it one of the better launchers off the line to freeway speeds in its class. When it comes to living up to the sporty styling, the CVT lets the engine down. Around town and out on the highway though, the CVT starts to shine and keeps the revs in the right place.

For highway cruises, there's a very little complaint as the chassis and engine work together. We also noticed cabin noise, or rather the lack of it. The active noise cancellation featured on our tester did a stellar job in a tricky area that some other competitors in the segment often fall down on.

Considering its size, the Maxima handles well and, for spirited driving, the damping is firm and chassis lean is well limited in deeper corners. However, as a daily driver the suspension isn't compliant enough for what the car is going to be for most people, even in our Platinum trimmed tester model.

Where things fall apart for the Maxima driving experience is in the numb steering that has little interest in communicating with the driver. The brake pedal is less than inspiring with its mushy feel, and between the two they disappoint in what should be a solid all-round package.

There's nothing blatantly wrong with the Maxima but it does disappoint in areas such as rear passenger space and the overall driving experience. The engine is strong, but the Maxima's new sporty poise doesn't live up to the new look. However, the interior is up to scratch and going up the trim levels they become remarkably pleasant places to be when stuck in traffic considering the Maxima isn't filed under the Luxury Car heading.

It's fair to say that with its mix of a great interior, strong engine, but mushy steering and brake feel, the Maxima leaves us conflicted when it comes to giving a verdict. It really is a car thats choice boils down to exactly what the buyer wants from it. Ultimately, the Maxima is compromised but it is a solid sedan if interior, looks, and a proven engine are the most important ingredients for a buyer.

When it comes to choosing one, we would either go down the middle with the SV model that has the most important options already ticked, or just lay the money down and go all out on the Platinum trim with the reserve package for the particularly tasty interior. For the money though, we would definitely do some shopping around first.

For those that want to go with a base model, the S offers value for money with all the basic features well covered and good looks and a pleasant interior. Ultimately though, we would still shop around first and check out the Kia Cadenza or Toyota Avalon for comfort, and the Acura TLX or Lexus ES for a more engaging drive. If we couldn't decide between them, then the Maxima splits the difference.

The Maxima is a decent contender within the full-size sedan segment, but the Altima is perhaps the best sedan Nissan has made to date. The Altima's 2.5-liter turbocharged engine isn't as strong as the Maxima's V6, but the mid-size sedan still keeps its big brother on its toes. However, the so-called mid-size Altima offers a more spacious interior and trunk than the full-size Maxima. Add to this the fact that the Altima is quite a bit cheaper at around $25,000, and you can overlook a few of the luxury features it is missing, since it doesn't lack in safety or infotainment. In terms of value for money, it is hard to beat the Altima, and impossible for the Maxima to do so.

While the base Accord doesn't have the power output of the Maxima, it boasts exceptional handling characteristics, and if you opt for the larger turbo four-cylinder engine, you can get a competitive 252 hp. Add to this the array of driver aids that come standard and the Accord offers an enjoyable and reliable ride. The optional manual gearbox also promotes a more engaging driving experience, while the more spacious interior also offers a more comfortable ride for both the driver and passengers. The Accord's much larger 16.7-cubic-foot trunk and better fuel economy make it a great day-to-day vehicle, and the high-quality interior is a plus. But the Maxima has a few tricks up its sleeve, with more intuitive infotainment being chief among those. With a low MSRP of around $24,000, the midsize Accord seems like the better buy, offering comparable space at a much cheaper price.