2011 Nissan Maxima

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The 2011 Nissan Maxima serves as an appealing alternative to many entry-level luxury sedans thanks to its engaging driving dynamics and high-quality construction. For 2011, the Nissan Maxima sees only a handful of minor changes. Among them, the exhaust tips are different and the available Sport package gets smoked headlights, a dark chrome grille and gray stitching for the upholstery.

The 2011 Nissan Maxima has a difficult task, as it’s meant to be a premium luxury sedan at the same time that it offers affordable family-sedan utility. It’s no wonder that this car is a good-news, not-much-bad-news proposition.

You’re not going to get the prestige that some people want when they’re spending $30-40K on a car, even if it’s just a base model of a premium brand nameplate. Other choices you might want to consider include the Acura TSX and TL, Hyundai Genesis and Volkswagen CC, which are all in the Nissan Maxima’s price range. Like the Maxima, they have nice interiors and a good value proposition, yet they mostly lack the Maxima’s fun-to-drive nature. And of course you could also look at base versions of models like the Audi A4, BMW 3 Series, Infiniti G37 and Lexus IS. They deliver the performance and prestige expected, yet lack the Nissan Maxima’s long list of features.

2011 Nissan Maxima 3.5 SV Sedan

The 2011 Nissan Maxima is a midsize entry-level luxury sedan available in S and SV trim levels.

The Maxima SV adds integrated turn signals located in the exterior mirrors, foglamps, a driver-seat manual thigh-support extender, power lumbar support, leather upholstery and a nine-speaker Bose stereo upgrade with satellite radio.

The 2011 Nissan Maxima SV can be optioned with either the Premium or Sport packages — both of which add shift paddles on the steering wheel, xenon headlights, a driver-side auto-dimming outside mirror, heated front seats, heated outside mirrors, driver memory functions and a power tilt-and-telescoping steering column. These packages also include a heated steering wheel, upgraded leather upholstery and rear bucket seats with a center trunk pass-through in lieu of the 60/40-split seats.

The Premium package differs by adding a dual-panel sunroof, a rearview camera, a 7-inch LCD screen, a ventilated driver seat, rear-seat audio and HVAC controls, automatic up/down rear windows, a power rear sunshade, wood trim, an RCA auxiliary audio-video jack, a 2GB music server (replacing the six-disc CD changer) and an iPod interface. The Sport package features a sport-tuned suspension, 19-inch wheels, smoked headlights, dark chrome grille, gray metallic stitching accents, a rear spoiler and metallic-look interior trim. High-performance summer tires are an added option with the Sport package.

The Monitor package includes the color monitor, 2GB music server, auxiliary audio-video jack, rearview camera and USB port. Finally, the Cold package adds heated front seats, a heated steering wheel and heated outside mirrors.

Powering every 2011 Nissan Maxima is a 3.5-liter V6 producing 290 hp and 261 pound-feet of torque. In testing, the Maxima SV accelerated from zero to 60 mph in 6.3 seconds, which is in line with the acceleration times of many entry-level luxury cars. The EPA estimates fuel economy at 19 mpg city/26 mpg highway and 22 mpg combined.

Standard safety equipment for every 2011 Nissan Maxima includes antilock disc brakes, stability and traction control, front-seat side airbags, side curtain airbags and front active head restraints. A rearview camera is optional on SV models.

The 2011 Nissan Maxima’s interior is as upscale as you’ll find in the Nissan lineup. The cabin is understated and surrounds passengers with high-quality materials worthy of the sedan’s luxury-car price tag. Within the ample, adult-size cabin, the front seats blend support and soft cushioning. The standard 60/40-split rear seats can fold down for bulkier items, but the optional bucket rear seats offer just a center pass-through for longer objects.

Nissan calls the 2011 Nissan Maxima a “four-door sports car,” but no one is going to mistake this large sedan for a 370Z. The 2011 Nissan Maxima’s steering is exceptionally nice, boasting light effort, plenty of communication and spot-on precision.