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Nissan Maxima

2019 Nissan Altima: Second Look

June 24, 2019 by admin 7 Comments

Like the first time, the second time was a charm with this 2019 Altima.

Like other manufacturers, Nissan has a full stable of utility vehicles in its portfolio. This automaker offers five crossovers, ranging from the small Kicks to the three-row Pathfinder. Add in the bigly Armada SUV and you’ll find a half-dozen vehicles for consumer consideration.

Unlike its domestic competitors, Nissan isn’t giving up on cars. The segment is under assault, which is why brands such as Dodge, Chrysler, Ford, and Chevrolet are cutting back or throwing in the towel, especially when it comes to midsize sedans. But this manufacturer isn’t leaving cars behind. In fact, they’ve flipped the “quit script” by rolling out an all-new Nissan Altima for 2019.

For the second time this model year, Nissan sent an Altima for my review. Both models offered front-wheel drive and had the standard 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine. My first review covered the SR, this one is for the SL. You should know that beginning this year the Altima offers an optional turbocharged four-cylinder engine for the first time, replacing the previously available V6. Also of significance is all-wheel drive is now optional. But it is only available with the base engine.



We’ve long respected the Altima for giving shoppers what they want in a midsize family sedan: room, comfort, technology, and value. All four of these attributes carry forward with the new model, but we’re adding a fifth one for the latest-generation model: style. Yes, we now greatly admire the Altima as its look inside and out is a cut above what you’d expect. We’re especially smitten by the front fascia, which takes the brand’s “V motion” grille and reshapes it, featuring a gaping maw offset by slender LED lights. By any angle the Altima is elegant — it has the look of a future classic.

The side view incorporates elements from the Maxima, the upscale version of the Altima that’s actually now a hair smaller than its corporate sibling. The floating roof design is beautifully executed — take note of the rear roof pillar where the body’s sheet metal gracefully rises like a wave.

From the rear, the Altima offers its own take on the Maxima’s big wing-like tail lamps. There is even diffuser-like trim with embedded reflectors and dual-exhaust tips to put a handsome stamp of sportiness on the rear fascia.



Inside, the cabin is no less interesting. This model benefits from a slight increase in wheelbase length, which helps supply excellent space inside for five. Indeed, although the best seats in the house are up front (they’re all-day comfortable), the back seat is also quite nice — I started assembling this report when seated on the back seat behind the driver’s position, enjoying ample legroom and sufficient space for a laptop to sit on my lap. The interior room rivals some larger models I’ve driven.

I’m glad Nissan developed a simple, yet attractive dashboard and interface for the 2019 Altima. It isn’t as intricate as what you’d find in the competing Toyota Camry, but that’s not a bad thing. The Altima avoids the layering and distinct center stack separation of some competitors, including the Camry. Instead, you have a nearly seamless design between the front roof pillars. An instrument panel hood and the display screen are the only things that interrupt the flow.

As for technology, Nissan delivers. The standard audio package includes a six-speaker system, satellite radio, two standard USB ports, two charging USB ports, Bluetooth, and Apple CarPlay and Google Android Auto smartphone compatibility. Upgrades include a nine-speaker Bose audio system, HD Radio, Nissan connected services, and navigation.

All models come with an 8-inch color display of which we immediately became fans. The layout is clear and colorful, easy to decipher and use. Its an improvement over the previous design and quite easily this system rivals the best ones out there.



On the safety front, the 2019 Altima supplies several driver-assistance technologies as standard equipment. Here, you’ll find forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking, and a rear vision camera. Start with the SV model (the 2019 Altima comes in S, SR, SV, SL, and Platinum trims), and Nissan adds adaptive cruise control, its ProPilot lane keep assist technology, pedestrian detection, lane intervention, a rear sonar system, and rear automatic braking. Clearly, Nissan is at the leading edge of all things safety technology. Happily, the best features are not reserved for the top-trim model.

Available all-wheel drive and a turbo engine notwithstanding, most shoppers will be drawn to the standard front-wheel-drive format and the naturally aspirated engine. And for one important reason: this combination delivers stellar fuel economy. In fact, you shouldn’t have any problem averaging well above 30 mpg while driving this sedan. Indeed, with an EPA rating of 28 mpg in the city and 39 mpg on the highway (32 combined), the Altima matches and even bests many small cars.

Once again, after a week of driving, the gas needle stayed in the upper range, despite my having put 213 miles on the odometer. I figure I averaged about 35 mpg, which is something not one of Nissan’s crossovers can match. If you ever needed a reason to stay with a car and eschew a utility vehicle, the Altima makes a compelling argument to do so. And that’s a big reason why Nissan has doubled down in the segment.



One important way the Altima achieves its lofty efficiency is thanks to its continuously variable transmission. This unit is more efficient than the usual geared automatic transmission, although there are times when the engine RPM soars under hard acceleration. Still, Nissan supplies certain powerplant technology, which automatically calms RPM — just when you think things will get out of hand with the engine, it stabilizes.

Obviously, we haven’t tested all-wheel drive with the Altima yet. But we have driven a model with the turbo engine, courtesy of the Infiniti QX50. It is a variable compression arrangement too, technology not found in any other engine. In effect, it delivers power equivalent to a V6 (or even a small V8 in past years), while maintaining optimum fuel economy. That said, our impressions were mixed as the CVT was new to this model.

All in all, the 2019 Nissan Altima supplies a better product than before. A well-equipped model can be had for under $30,000, which is less than what you’d pay for some crossovers. The option of all-wheel drive is intriguing, a standard feature with the Subaru Legacy and the Ford Fusion Sport.

2019 Nissan Altima Specifications


  • Base price: $23,900 (plus $895 freight)
  • Price as tested: $29,075
  • Seats 5 occupants
  • Engine No. 1: 2.5-liter 16-valve four-cylinder gasoline engine
  • 188 horsepower @ 6,000 rpm
  • 180 foot-pounds of torque @ 3,600 rpm
  • 3.31 inches bore by 3.94 (3.5) inches stroke
  • Engine compression ratio: 12.0-to-1
  • Engine No. 2: Turbocharged 2.0-liter 16-valve four-cylinder gasoline engine
  • 248 horsepower @ 5,600 rpm
  • 280 foot-pounds of torque @ 1,600 rpm
  • 3.31 inches bore by 3.55 (3.5) inches stroke
  • Engine compression ratio: 8.0 ~ 14.0 (variable)-to-1
  • Continuously variable automatic transmission
  • Wheelbase: 111.2 inches
  • Length: 192.9 inches
  • Width: 72.9 inches
  • Height: 57.4 inches
  • Passenger volume: 100.0 cubic feet
  • Storage volume: 15.4 cubic feet
  • Towing capacity: NR
  • EPA: 28/39 mpg city/hwy (2.5L); 25/34 (turbo)
  • Regular grade gasoline (turbo: premium)
  • Fuel tank: 16.2 gallons
  • Curb weight: From 3,212 to 3,462 pounds
  • IIHS safety rating: Top Safety Pick
  • Limited vehicle warranty: 36 months/36,000 miles
  • Powertrain warranty: 5 years/60,000 miles
  • Corrosion warranty: 5 years/unlimited miles
  • Vehicle assembly: Smyrna, Tenn. or Canton, Miss.


See Also — All-Wheel Drive Surprise: 2019 Nissan Altima

Photos copyright Auto Trends Magazine. All rights reserved.

Filed Under: New Car Reviews Tagged With: all-wheel drive, Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, front-wheel drive, Midsize Sedan, Nissan Altima, Nissan Maxima, turbo

The Premium Nissan Maxima Sedan

May 13, 2019 by admin


The Nissan Maxima is a premium sedan, a midsize model powered by a V6 engine and loaded with amenities. It is this brand’s flagship sedan, although it is sized smaller than competing models from Toyota, Chevrolet, and Ford. The current model is part of the eighth-generation line introduced in 2016.

2019 Nissan Maxima Overview

For 2019, the Maxima receives updated front and rear styling, including now-standard LED headlights. Nissan also added more standard and optional safety features, and tweaked its package offerings.

Nissan offers the 2019 Maxima in six trims: S ($34,050), SV ($36,060), SL ($38,540), SR ($39,630), Platinum ($41,540), and Platinum Reserve ($42,680). Add $895 for the destination and handling charge. All models come with a V6 engine paired with a continuously variable automatic transmission.

Not every trim offers packages as Nissan equips each version accordingly. There are a few exterior paint options that incur a $395 upgrade.

The Maxima SR offers a Premium Package ($1,820). This one includes an automatic-dimming driver-side outside mirror, and outside mirrors with a reverse tilt-down feature. Other features include a dual-panel panoramic moonroof, an around-view monitor, driver seat memory, and automatic rear braking.

Choose the Maxima Reserve and this model offers a Reserve Package ($1,140). Here, you’ll find 19-inch designer wheels, heated rear seats, upgraded leather seats, a charcoal headliner, and interior trim upgrades. In effect, by choosing the Reserve Package, this makes this trim a Platinum Reserve model.



A Matter of Style

The 2019 Maxima is no longer the largest sedan offered by Nissan, as the all-new Altima offers nearly two additional inches between the wheels and is a hair longer than the Maxima. In recent years, both models have shared the same platform, but with the Altima overhauled, the length laurels and a new platform goes with it.

But the Maxima is clearly the design and price leader among the two models. Its silhouette is more expressive with its low roofline and high beltline supplying it with a “gangster sedan” look. From every angle this sedan captivates with is pronounced cutouts, deep creases, sharp ridges, and wing-like lighting elements. Up front, the signature horse-collar grille is amplified by off-setting blacked-out trim on some versions. Its look is at once elegant as it is sporty.

The sedan’s profile suggests a model always in motion with signature lines flowing out from the headlights to the door panels. A strong crease begins in the middle of the rear doors and pushes to the rear deck. The floating roof design adds to this model’s sporty appeal. Our test model with the designer wheels, black deck spoiler, chrome embellishments, and diffuser-like trim completed that look.

Inside, the cabin is no less elegant. On paper, it seats five and five can comfortably sit inside. As with any sedan, two individuals on the rear seat is ideal, especially for folding down the center armrest. Still, you’ll find enough room for three back there. Tall passengers, however, may find the sloping roofline impedes comfort, so there is that.

The curvilinear drama of the exterior plays out inside with a dashboard that’s layered, padded, and twin-stitched. The instrument panel is fairly simplistic with two analog displays flanking a digital driver’s information center. The center stack is the focal point with its color screen flanked by switches and knobs. The ignition, transmission shifter, and drive mode controller are present as well.

My test model came with quilted leather seats that are very comfortable. I especially welcomed the seat extender, which is typically offered on luxury models only. When pulled out, you’ll enjoy the extra thigh support, which is quite helpful for long trips as it also eases lower back pressure.

The 40-20-40 split-folding rear bench seat supplies much support and comfort. Overall, the cabin is quiet and has numerous storage compartments. I especially appreciated the large compartments in the front doors, as they hold wide drink bottles and places to store treats.



Safety & Technology

Nissan equips the 2019 Maxima with the expected levels of standard tech and safety features. The base model comes with an 8-speaker audio system, satellite radio, Bluetooth, and a pair of USB ports. An 8-inch color display along with Apple CarPlay and Google Android Auto smartphone compatibility round out the list of included features.

You only need to move up one trim to find navigation, although with smartphone compatibility you may prefer your familiar way of getting there. Beyond the base trim, you’ll also find traffic and travel apps, along with HD Radio. An 11-speaker Bose audio system with active noise cancellation rolls out at the SL level. Nissan also doubles the number of USB ports there.

On the safety front, Nissan includes forward collision warning and automatic emergency braking. Features such as blind-spot warning and rear cross-traffic alert begin at the SV level. Lane intervention and rear automatic braking roll out with the SL trim.

What you won’t find is Nissan’s ProPILOT Assist Technology, a Level 2 semi-autonomous system designed to help drivers maintain lane control, navigate stop and go traffic, keep a constant speed, and maintain a set distance behind the car in front. Steering assist is one of the most significant elements as this feature keeps a vehicle centered. It is hands-on technology, but it points to where Nissan is going with autonomous drive. We expect a future Maxima model will include this safety suite.

On the Road

One of the most significant differences between the Maxima and Altima is the choice of engines. This year, the Altima replaced its optional V6 with a turbocharged four-cylinder engine. That left the Maxima as the only Nissan car with a V6.

And that V6 is a strong one too, delivering 300 horsepower and 261 pound-feet of torque. That’s a lot of power sent to the front wheels, which normally would be a huge concern except for the fact that Nissan incorporates torque vectoring technology to keep the sedan centered. Indeed, if you press hard on the gas pedal, the wheels begin to slightly pull to either the left or right, but immediately the side-to-side motion automatically corrects. This writer has driven similar powerful front-wheel-drive models in the past without the technology and I must tell you the experience was not fun. In fact, it can be downright scary when the wheels pull to either side when accessing full power.



The V6 suits this sedan well as it offers generous step-off acceleration and plenty of passing power. Nissan pairs this engine with a continuously variable transmission, which isn’t my favorite choice for sending power to the wheels. Nevertheless, the transmission is refined as it is tuned to adjust RPMs downward at various intervals in the band curve. Anyway, a CVT is more efficient than a cogged automatic transmission, thus its use in this car.

Interestingly, Nissan supplies paddle shifters with the Maxima. They’re made of titanium and they’re mounted to the steering column — not to the steering wheel. Column-mounted shifters are my favorite as they stay fixed while you move the steering wheel. This means you won’t cross your arms when cornering. Just keep in mind that the shifters work when the transmission is in sport mode. Here, they simulate seven forward gears, just like an automatic transmission. Some people don’t like the simulated shift points, but it works. I’m more enthralled by the shifters’ location and the titanium material used.

Regardless of how you manage the Maxima, it delivers weighted steering and spot-on handling. The Maxima’s smaller size gives it an edge against the Ford Taurus, Toyota Avalon, and Chevrolet Impala, by supplying improved agility. Its front-wheel-drive layout is apparent at times, especially when cornering as the sedan tends to lean forward. We like to imagine what this sedan would drive like if all-wheel drive was available as it is now optional in the Altima. But then an all-wheel-drive Maxima would likely siphon sales from Infiniti, Nissan’s luxury marque.

Auto Trends Recommends

We have driven SR versions of both the Maxima and Altima and this is the trim level we like best. The SR offers a wonderful combination of sportiness and luxury for this handsome sedan. Add in the available Premium Package and your cost comes in at $42,550.

Some good news is that Nissan regularly discounts this model, therefore this particular version will likely cost you no more than $40,000. That’s still luxury car territory for some, but its pricing is in line with the competition and is slightly lower than a well-equipped Buick LaCrosse. Finally, if a crossover is still your thing, we suggest you begin your search with the Nissan Murano, a midsize model with room for five.



2019 Nissan Maxima Specifications


  • Sticker price from $34,945
  • Price as tested: $42,550
  • Seats five
  • Engine: 3.5-liter V6 gas
  • 300 hp @ 6,400 RPM
  • 261 lb.-ft. of torque @ 4,400 RPM
  • Continuously variable transmission
  • Wheelbase: 109.3 inches
  • Length: 192.8 inches
  • Width: 73.2 inches
  • Height: 56.5 inches
  • Passenger volume: 98.5 cubic feet
  • Storage volume: 14.3 cubic feet
  • Towing capacity: NR
  • EPA: 20/30/24 mpg city/highway/combined
  • Premium gasoline
  • Fuel tank: 18 gallons
  • Curb weight: From 3,552 to 3,676 pounds
  • IIHS safety rating: Top Safety Pick (2018)
  • Limited vehicle warranty: 36 months/36,000 miles
  • Powertrain warranty: 5 years/60,000 miles
  • Corrosion warranty: 5 years/unlimited miles
  • Vehicle assembly: Smyrna, Tenn.


The 2019 Nissan Maxima at the Rocky River Truss Bridge, an aged viaduct in Chatham County, NC. Constructed in 1921 and refurbished in 1959, this single-lane bridge carries traffic across NC 1953 (35°37’27.0″N 79°11’58.0″W).


See Also — Nissan Kicks SR Revisited

Photos copyright Auto Trend Magazine. All rights reserved.

Filed Under: New Car Reviews Tagged With: CVT, front-wheel drive, NISSAN, Nissan Altima, Nissan Maxima, sedan, TOYOTA AVALON, V6 engine

These Car Models May Soon Get the Axe

November 7, 2018 by admin 1 Comment

Sharply declining sales may spell the end for several car models.

The U.S. automotive market, indeed the entire global market has seen a shift away from cars to utility vehicles. Cars, while valued for their practicality and reasonable cost are yielding the market to utility vehicles, which offer an excellent combination of passenger space and cargo capacity. They’re also more profitable to automakers.

As such, manufacturers will soon lay the ax to several car models as the market shift continues. Soon, you may walk into a new car dealership and find no more than one or two car models available as utility vehicles, pickup trucks and an assortment of crossover-like conveyances take over.

Here’s our list of threatened models based on year-to-date sales figures through October 2018:

Chevrolet: Sonic and Impala

The bow-tie brand’s weakest models are its subcompact Sonic (hatchback and sedan) and its full-size Impala sedan. The two models were introduced or updated in 2012 and 2014, respectively.

Chevrolet Silverado
Like its top competitor’s Chevrolet’s best-selling vehicle is not a car.

Sonic sales are down 25.7 percent and will struggle to top 22,000 units this year. The Impala numbers aren’t as bad with Chevrolet selling 43,953 units, down 13.38 percent. We think the midsize Malibu sedan (-23.88%) will hang on for a while longer, mostly because it is rather new. The compact Cruze (-26.52%) numbers are way down too, but there is life left. Besides, it shares its platform with the plug-in Volt (-13.72%).

As for the Corvette (-21.23%) and Camaro (-25.87%), both models will soldier on with a mid-engined Corvette waiting in the wings. We can’t see Chevrolet killing the Camaro all over again, although sales now trail both the Mustang and Challenger.

Dodge and Chrysler: A Vulnerable Trio

Dodge and Chrysler are FCA’s two domestic car brands and both are hanging on. Dodge dropped the compact Dart sedan and Chrysler the midsize 200 sedans in recent years. What’s left is a trio of sporty models: The Dodge Challenger (+0.07%), Dodge Charger (-11.98%), and the Chrysler 300 (-12.83%).

Dodge Charger Hellcat
A succession of Hellcat models has kept the Charger and Challenger alive. But for how long?

The Chrysler is the most vulnerable of the three and will likely be replaced by a utility vehicle. We think Dodge will hang on to the Challenger and Charger for a few more years, making updates to keep these dated models fresh. But the tide is changing and we could see the Charger killed off first with the Challenger following a few years later. The Jeep and Ram brands are the big profit centers for FCA, thus every other brand is vulnerable.

Ford: Only the Mustang Remains

Ford has not been coy about its car models. Every single model except for the Mustang (-0.93%) is threatened. Already, the subcompact Fiesta (+1.05%) and compact Focus (-18.46%) are gone or will soon be gone from the U.S. market.

The midsize Fusion (-21.77%) and the full-size Taurus (-2.49%) will be the next to go, although one or more names may be affixed to a future crossover model. Yes, we’ve heard rumors of a four-door Mustang appearing, but all that noise is simply speculation.

2018 Ford Mustang GT
The Mustang “brand” is a blue oval success story.

Honda: Staying the Course

Sales of the compact Civic (-10.32%) and midsize Accord (-14.16%) may be down, but they’re not out. Indeed, Honda may very well sell as many as 250,000 Accords and 300,000 Civics this year. Even if sales continue to slide, both models are safe.

As for the subcompact Fit (-14.59%), sales aren’t likely to top 40,000 units this year. That said, Honda may keep the Fit around and not offer an update for some time. This automaker also seems committed to its Clarity and Insight electrified vehicles, though sales remain modest.


See Also — It’s a Wrap: 2018 in Review


Nissan: Maxima on a Short Leash

Like Honda and Toyota, Nissan will keep its compact Sentra (-0.34%) and midsize Altima (-16.64%) sedans. The Altima is new for 2019 and will offer available all-wheel drive for the first time. Although the Sentra was last updated in 2013, we think a new model will eventually roll out.

Nissan Maxima models
The Maxima is one of Nissan’s strongest names, but it may not have long-term staying power.

What might not survive is the Maxima sedan (-36.18%), although it shares its underpinnings with the Altima. Like other flagship models, the Maxima may no longer have a place in the Nissan product line.

Also threatened is the subcompact Versa (-29.87%), the sporty 370Z (-24.44%) and the high-performance GT-R (-2.49%). The last two will likely sell just 3,000 and 500 copies, respectively. Those aren’t sustainable numbers no matter how you slice it.

Toyota: Several Models Might Get 86’d

Imagine Toyota without the compact Corolla (-11.35%) and its midsize Camry (-6.94%) if you would. That’s hard to fathom, right? Well, both models sell slightly better than their Honda counterparts, so they’ll be around for some time. Indeed, a new Camry arrived in 2018, followed by an all-new Corolla hatchback in 2019 (we’re expecting a new Corolla sedan in 2020).

2019 Toyota Corolla Hatchback
Toyota’s Corolla is hanging around and includes this sporty hatchback model.

The threatened Toyota models include the subcompact Yaris (-37.05%) and the hybrid Toyota Prius c. We doubt the Toyota 86 (-41.71%) will survive for much longer, although the nearly identical Subaru BRZ may soldier on. As for the full-size Avalon (+6.38%), it is also all new and gaining market share in a shrinking segment. We consider the Avalon the safest model in its segment by far.

Volkswagen: A Passe Passat?

Volkswagen has been undergoing intense changes these past few years following its diesel scandal. New or updated crossovers are taking a bigger slice of the sales pie and are driving sales. But models such as the subcompact Golf (-38.08%), compact Jetta (-32.77%), and the midsize Passat (-33.78%) are falling out of favor.

We think the Golf and Jetta will hang on, but the Tennessee-built Passat may give up its assembly line space to one or more new (and electrified) models planned. That transition may take a few years to complete, however.

Hyundai and Kia: Opportunity Lurks

Hyundai and Kia are joined at the hip, although the two Korean automakers largely operate as separate concerns. Hyundai supplies the vehicle platforms, then leaves each brand (plus Genesis) to decide how they will go.

In recent years, we’ve seen Hyundai do away with the Equus, Genesis, and Genesis coupe, along with the Azera sedan. Some of those models were replaced by Genesis brand vehicles when Hyundai rolled out its luxury brand.

Hyundai has also expanded its crossover offerings while bringing the electrified Ioniq (+37.69) to the market. We’re not sure the subcompact Accent (-51.12%) will survive, given that a new model rolled out in 2018. The compact Elantra (+4.06%) is performing well, but the midsize Sonata (-24.83%) has certainly seen better days. The sporty Veloster returned after a one-year hiatus and like the Elantra, it seems safe. Still, we think Hyundai will keep its car line in place as other automakers cut back.

2018 Kia Rio
Kia Rio sales are down despite a new model on hand.

As for the Kia, nearly the same can be said about it as we have said about Hyundai. Further, Kia continues to update even its slow sellers, such as the full-size Cadenza (-11.07%) and the luxury K900 (-26.14%).

A new subcompact Rio (+44.67) is performing well, although the compact Forte (-18.68%) and the midsize Optima (-5.74%) are not. Still, looking at Kia’s track record, we doubt any model will go away in the near future. In all, we think Hyundai and Kia may see opportunity in segments soon to be vacated by its competitors.

Looking Ahead

The shift to crossovers is, indeed, playing a large part in driving each brand’s portfolio. Two other factors, electrification, and autonomous vehicles, will play increasingly significant roles as we move forward.

The question not asked is this one: will manufacturers permanently adjust their portfolios? They may say yes, but market conditions can and do always change.

Witness Ford’s insistence a few years back that the Ranger pickup truck wouldn’t return. Beginning in 2019 we’ll see a new Ranger. And as for the Fiesta and Focus, both models will serve other markets and could at some point return to the U.S. if demand warrants it.


See Also — End of the Road: Ford Taurus

Filed Under: Special Tagged With: Chevrolet, CHEVROLET IMPALA, CHEVROLET SONIC, CHRYSLER, CHRYSLER 300, DODGE, DODGE CHALLENGER, Dodge Charger, Ford, FORD FIESTA, FORD FOCUS, Ford Fusion, HONDA, Hyundai, Hyundai Azera, Hyundai Elantra, Hyundai Sonata, Kia, Kia Rio, NISSAN, Nissan Maxima, Toyota, TOYOTA AVALON, Toyota Camry, Toyota Corolla, Volkswagen, Volkswagen Passat

Maxima Fighter: 2018 Toyota Camry XSE

April 12, 2018 by admin 12 Comments

Behind the wheel of the top-of-the-line Camry XSE.

2018 Toyota Camry XSE
The 2018 Toyota Camry in XSE trim.

What was once bland is now grand — Toyota’s midsize Camry lost the last of its plainness when an all-new version of this midsize sedan rolled out for the 2018 model year.

The latest Camry easily matches the segment’s pacesetters, delivering handsome sheet metal in its own right. I had the privilege of spending ample seat time with the XSE V6, the most powerful Camry ever built and a logical competitor to the V6-powered Nissan Maxima.

The 2018 Toyota Camry comes in L ($23,495), LE ($24,000), SE ($25,200), XSE, ($28,450; $34,950 V6) and XLE ($29,000, $34,400 V6) trims. This front-wheel-drive model seats five and has a hybrid variant, which Toyota markets separately. As before, the Camry offers a standard four-cylinder engine and an available V6. An eight-speed automatic transmission is now standard across the model line.

Exterior Overview

Adorned with fresh sheet metal, the latest Camry is a clean sheet redesign. It sits lower to the ground, measures slightly wider and has about two additional inches between the wheels and overall.

Front to back, the new Camry offers a sporty, if not stylish look. The upper grille offers a distinct smile, the lower grille a gaping maw. Sleek headlamps, fender cutouts and a creased hood enhance this sedan’s visual interest.

Along the sides, you’ll find pronounced character lines, sculpting and a rising beltline. The long hood flows to the rear deck. On the XSE, the contrasting roof and body color meet to form a stylish wave. The trunk is topped with a contrasting spoiler. You’ll also find wraparound tail lamps with downforce indentations and a diffuser with quad exhaust tips.

Toyota dresses the XSE with LED headlights and daytime running lights. A gloss black grille and smoked-out LED tail lamps are also present. Power heated side mirrors, a panoramic sunroof on V6 models and 19-inch black machine-finished wheels round out the standard features.

2018 Toyota XSE

Interior Overview

The Camry’s longer wheelbase translates into improved cabin space, with excellent legroom front and back. This is a true five-passenger model, one that’s worth due consideration by families preferring a sedan and not a crossover or a minivan.

For 2018, Toyota positions the driver’s seat lower and slightly inward, very much like some rear-wheel-drive sport sedans. The sight lines are quite good and the overall feeling is relaxing as well as secure. The rear 60/40 split fold-down rear bench seat provides access to the trunk measuring 15.1 cubic feet, which is about average for the segment.

What’s especially eye-popping about the interior is the design of the center console. It is set in place with a dividing bar, one that starts on the left at the instrument panel, then curves down and across the console to the right side. If you think it appears like one segment of a twisty road, then I’m in agreement with you there.

Stunning Center Console

The rest of the console pushes up and over to the right. Metal trim provides a separation between the panel and the bright red stitched material covering the lower dashboard. That look also graces the door inlays, the console cover and the seats. Stunning? Oh, yes! Especially since this is a “plain” Camry, not any Lexus model or even the natty Toyota Avalon.

Overall, the cabin is comfortable and quiet — the XSE has an interior that’s a great match for the Nissan Maxima, itself based on the Altima’s platform. The design, choice materials and equipment support this model’s $35,000 asking price, with the test vehicle coming in just short of $40,000. Yes, for a Camry. A very elegant and sporty Camry at that.

The Camry XSE brings in such features as leather-trimmed seats, heated and power-operated front seats with lumbar support, dual-zone climate control, rear seat adjustable headrests and an overhead console. This grade builds on all the other nice touches offered below it, including full power accessories, a tilt-and-telescopic steering column and embossed metal trim.

2018 Toyota Camry XSE

On the Road: 2018 Toyota Camry

Updated engines power the 2018 Camry. The base engine now makes 206 horsepower, while the V6 delivers 301 horsepower. Breaking the 300 horsepower threshold with the V6 is a significant accomplishment.

What’s especially amazing is that you’ll enjoy stellar fuel economy. Indeed, some versions of the base engine deliver up to 29 mpg in the city and 41 mpg on the highway, while the V6 comes in at 22/33. What you have here are new engines that are more powerful and efficient than their predecessors.

Our V6-equipped test model was surprisingly fun to drive. Even with power sent to the front wheels, the sedan stays planted. Not once did I find myself wrestling with the steering wheel because of torque steer — that sensation is simply not present.

The 2018 Camry offers improved electric power steering, supplying generous input and responsive handling. Press down on the accelerator and the V6 surges. You have three drive modes to play with too — eco, normal and sport. Dial in sport and you’ll notice changes in engine responsiveness, transmission gearing, handling and the exhaust note.

No, the Camry doesn’t match rear-wheel drive models in handling alacrity, but it most certainly holds its own. The rumbling engine and humming quad-pipe exhaust tips are a musical delight you’ll prize.

2018 Toyota Camry XSE

Technology and Safety Highlights

Technology is a mixed bag with the 2018 Camry. On the one hand, it has the best standard suite of safety tech anywhere. On the other hand, its standard navigation app is a disappointment, while even its available navigation system is bettered by such competitors as the Chevrolet Malibu and Honda Accord.

Most 2018 Camry models have Toyota’s Entune audio suite with an eight-inch screen and Scout GPS Link. Our family has a 2017 RAV4 with the app and I can tell you that it is often frustrating. The Scout can be difficult to connect and that’s a show-stopper for many. Quite frequently, my wife and I have had to turn to our Google travel app on our smartphones to get directions. Good thing we have unlimited data as the cost might be prohibitive.

The Camry XSE and XLE models supply an integrated navigation system, that’s a much better deal than the app. That said, there were times when we were outside of a metropolitan area and the system could not give us our route. Again, the smartphone app saved us, but it’s unfortunate to rely on an outside source.

An Available Smart Charger

The XSE does provide some nice touches, including an 8-inch color touchscreen, nine speakers, a CD player, USB ports and an auxiliary input jack, Bluetooth and multiple music apps. You also get Qi-compatible smart charging, a great feature we’re finding in more cars of late. The available connected WiFi may prove especially useful, particularly when you need to get directions.

On the safety front, you’ll find such features as a rearview camera, automatic high beams, a pre-collision system with pedestrian detection, lane departure alert with steering assist and dynamic radar cruise control. The XSE model adds blind spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert. You’ll also find a sonar system with rear cross-traffic braking. The top-trim models also offer two important options: a head-up display and a bird’s eye camera.

Toyota Camry Parting Thoughts

If you’ve stayed away from the Camry in the past for either its vanilla looks or sedate drive, the 2018 model turns things around. Sure, the base engine may not have the power some customers want, but it delivers stellar fuel economy. And you get that improved look.

The V6 is better than ever, although to obtain same means paying well north of $30,000 to acquire one. In a market where six-cylinder engines are largely being replaced by turbo fours, Toyota’s lag-free power plant is certainly welcome.

For some shoppers, the Camry also presents a bit of a quandary. Indeed, if you have a crossover on your list, such as the RAV4, the Camry is more luxurious and efficient. Further, if you’ve been considering an entry-level Lexus sedan, the Camry XSE may have you rethinking the IS, a sedan roughly the size and price of the Camry, although it has standard rear-wheel drive and available all-wheel drive.

Lastly, if the Maxima is your top choice, the Camry XSE offers a more modern expression and matches Nissan’s “4-door sports car” on all things performance.

2018 Toyota Camry XSE Specifications

Toyota 2018 Camry XSE
Segment Midsize FWD Sedan
Base Sticker Price $34,950 (plus $895 destination fee)
Price as tested $39,253
Standard Engine 2.5-liter, inline-four
Transmission Eight-speed automatic
Horsepower 206 @ 6,600 RPMs
Torque (lb.-ft.) 186 @ 5,000 RPMs
Optional Engine 3.5-liter, V6
Transmission Eight-speed automatic
Horsepower 301 @ 6,600 RPMs
Torque (lb.-ft.) 267 @ 4,700 RPMs
Seating 2+3
Curb Weight (pounds) 3,571 (XSE)
Wheelbase (inches) 111.2
Length (inches) 192.7 (XSE)
Width (inches) 72.4 (without mirrors)
Height (inches) 56.9
Head room (f,r — inches) 38.3, 38.0
Leg room (f,r — inches) 42.1, 38.0
Shoulder room (f,r — inches) 57.7, 55.7
Hip room (f,r — inches) 55.4, 54.7
Storage (cubic feet) 15.1
Gross vehicle weight (pounds) NR
Towing (pounds) NR
Payload (pounds) NR
Fuel regular
Fuel Tank (gallons) 16
EPA Fuel MPG (city/highway) 22/32
Manufacturing Plant Georgetown, Kentucky

See Also — All-New 2018 Toyota Camry Hybrid Tops 50 MPG

Photos copyright Auto Trends Magazine. All rights reserved.

Filed Under: New Car Reviews Tagged With: 2018 cars, 8-SPEED TRANSMISSION, Camry XSE, front-wheel drive, Midsize Sedan, Nissan Maxima, Toyota Camry, V6 engine

Drive Dissection: 2017 Nissan Maxima SR

November 18, 2016 by admin 8 Comments

Nissan’s flagship sedan throws down 300 horses.

2017 Nissan Maxima SR Midnight edition.
2017 Nissan Maxima SR Midnight edition.

The 2017 Nissan Maxima defies easy description. Or categorization.

On the one hand, it is a mainstream midsize sedan. On the other hand, its upper-end trims rival the high-quality interiors you find in some luxury models. Adding further confusion to the mix is its 300-horsepower, V6 engine — a high output version of a tried and true engine found in other products, including the Altima sedan.

What the 2017 Nissan Maxima represents is the flagship sedan for the Nissan line. It is smaller than other leading sedans, including the Dodge Charger, Toyota Avalon, Chevrolet Impala, Hyundai Azera, Buick LaCrosse, Ford Taurus, Kia Cadenza, and the Chrysler 300. Indeed, the Maxima is based on the same platform underpinning the midsize Altima — it is the latter model offering slightly more interior room. Regardless, the Maxima is a heavily reworked sedan and stands on its own merits.

The last big change for the Nissan Maxima took place in 2016. That’s when Nissan rolled out its eighth-generation model. For 2017, the Maxima is simply carried over — the only change is the addition of Apple CarPlay compatibility.


2017 Nissan Maxima SR Midnight edition.


2017 Nissan Maxima Trim Levels

Nissan makes the 2017 Maxima available in six trims: S ($32,560), SV ($34,540), SL ($37,040), SR ($37,820), SR Midnight ($39,015), and Platinum ($39,990).

Our test model was the SR Midnight, equipped with the expected SR features — a sport-tuned suspension, an integrated dynamics control module, 19-inch aluminum alloy wheels, and premium Ascot leather-appointed seats with Alcantara inserts.

The Midnight edition brings in gloss-black wheels, a black sport spoiler, and a black rear diffuser. In Nissan parlance, Midnight means blacked out. And it was.

The final price came in at $40,300 (including the $865 destination fee). That’s still nearly $2,000 under the Platinum edition with the Medallion package ($1,345). ‘


2017 Nissan Maxima SR Midnight edition.


Exterior, Interior, Technology & Safety Highlights

The current-generation Maxima has a look that you’re either going to love or hate — perhaps intensely so. I first set my eyes on the current Maxima during a media preview at the 2015 New York International Auto Show, where it was revealed just two months before its release.

Ambivalence was my initial reaction. Quite honestly, I didn’t know what to make of it. On the one hand, I thought it was a bold design, one that was a clean departure from the previous model, while still offering strong hints of Nissan’s current design language. On the other hand, I wondered what consumers would think as ultimately they are the final arbiters of car design.

It turns out the horseshoe grille, floating roof, and wild tail lights have done nothing to discourage buyers. Indeed, after five years of steady declines, Maxima sales this year are better than what we’ve seen in more than three years. That says a lot in a market where car sales have been steadily declining as customers shift their purchase decisions to crossovers.

Choose the Maxima SR (our test model) and you’ll benefit from 19-inch aluminum-alloy wheels, a sport-tuned suspension, and Premium Ascot leather-appointed seats with Alcantara inserts. You also get aluminum pedals, a heated steering wheel, adjustable ambient lighting, heated and cooled front seats, an 11-speaker Bose audio system, Nissan Connect with navigation and Apple CarPlay, and one of my favorites: a driver’s seat extender for added thigh support.

On the safety front, the Nissan Maxima was an IIHS Top Safety Pick+ recipient in 2016. The standards are tougher this year, so there is no guarantee of a repeat. Even so, we think most customers will be pleased with what they’ll find available on top trim models — blind spot warning, rear cross traffic alert, forward collision warning with emergency braking, front, and rear parking sensors, and the usual complement of airbags, stability control, and other expected safety features.


2017 Nissan Maxima SR Midnight edition.


Nissan Maxima: 4DSC?

The Nissan Maxima is a 4DSC. In fact, “4DSC” is embossed on both the headlights and the tail lights, resurrecting a term originally used more than two decades ago to describe the Maxima.

Spelled out, 4DSC means “four-door sports car,” what’s supposed to underscore an anything but ordinary sedan. It is a risky move on Nissan’s part for a front-wheel drive model powered by a 3.5-liter V6 engine making 300 horsepower and 261 pound-feet of torque. It comes paired with a continuously variable automatic transmission.

So, let’s get the obvious demerits out of the way first: A normally aspirated V6 and a CVT do not make for a performance car. A twin-turbo V6 paired with a manual gearbox or a dual-clutch transmission represents an ideal pairing. And that doesn’t even address the sedan’s front-wheel-drive platform, the final nail in “this is not a sports sedan” coffin.

It is at this point where Nissan’s marketing semantics must be carefully considered.


2017 Nissan Maxima SR Midnight edition.


First, Nissan isn’t claiming the Maxima is something beyond what it is — you simply wouldn’t put this vehicle up against a Dodge Charger, unless that Charger was powered by a V6 engine. In this example, the Maxima has a strong chance of not just competing, but defeating the Charger on the straightaway, giving its slight edge in power (300 hp v. 292 hp) and its even larger weight advantage — the Maxima weighs nearly 400 pounds less than the rear-wheel-drive Charger V6.

Without having the advantage of testing both models side by side, the performance and weight differences give the Maxima a decided edge when battling the Charger SE.

Second, the Maxima adds in other factors to underscore its 4DSC claims. The already discussed exterior style and interior design are two large factors. The other is what Nissan does with the limited tools it has on hand — namely, the engine, transmission, and vehicle platform.

Logically, Nissan could have sprung for all-wheel drive to underpin the Maxima. But that would have added cost and weight to the final product. It was CEO Carlos Ghosn, who saved the Maxima from certain cancellation when he stressed the importance of maintaining one of the most recognized model names in the product portfolio, indeed in all of autodom. But saving the name also meant working with what you had — to invest vast sums of cash in a market where customers are exchanging cars for SUVs and trucks would have been foolish. Ghosn and company are anything but stupid — witness the juggernaut that the Renault-Nissan alliance has become over the past few years.


2017 Nissan Maxima SR Midnight edition.


So, here’s what you do when slipping behind the wheel of a 2017 Maxima — you throw all comparisons out the door. Every last one of them.

Next, take your Maxima on the road as you always do — then listen and learn. Shift the transmission to sport mode and locate the paddle shifters — they’re large, made of titanium, and are fixed to the steering column — three excellent attributes Nissan nailed down.

Because it is a CVT, there are no gears involved. Instead, Nissan mimics the shifting you find with an automatic, supplying seven forward “gears” as you play with the paddle shifters.

Where this model shines is in its passing power — if you’re driving in fifth or sixth gear and need a sudden boost of power, the transmission “downshifts” to second or third gear and the engine roars. Nissan employs what it calls “D-Step Logic Control,” what allows the engine revs to rise and fall. As a result, you receive an extra burst of power when you want it.

The bane of front-wheel-drive cars is torque steer — at least in larger models such as the Nissan Maxima and with maximum horses at the ready. Under hard acceleration torque steer is apparent, but as soon as it kicks in, power shifts away from the offending wheel. On the straightaway, this problem isn’t much of a big deal.

On curves, it most certainly can be, but this is where “active trace control” kicks in, described by Nissan as what “…automatically engages and adjusts brakes on the inside and outside wheels when you corner, providing you with the optimal line through turns.” In other words, you won’t find yourself battling with the steering wheel to keep the 2017 Maxima on pavement.

Other Maxima SR features include sport mode, what sends select engine noises through the speakers. Here, you’ll also enjoy sharper throttle response, quicker shifts, and improved communicative steering.


2017 Nissan Maxima SR Midnight edition.


Parting Thoughts

Remember when I said earlier to throw all comparisons out the door? Well, let’s bring them back in.

First, if you compare the Maxima SR to the 370Z, you’ll be sorely disappointed. Thankfully, no one in Nissan has even suggested such a comparison.

Second, the 2017 Maxima is best compared with other front-wheel-drive models, including the Honda Accord, Ford Taurus, and the Toyota Avalon. It matches well against all three, although the performance differences are much narrower than you might think. Then again, it would hardly be a stretch to compare the Maxima SR with the Audi A6 2.0T, especially when it comes to the quality of materials used — the Nissan more than holds its own.

Finally, Maxima shoppers can’t help but also consider the Altima, offering virtually the same size and a slightly detuned version of the V6 engine and at a lower price. Nissan loyalists who also have an affinity for Infiniti may also discover that the base trim, rear-wheel drive Q50 overlaps the top-trim Maxima in price.


2017 Nissan Maxima SR Midnight edition.


See Also — Out and Back With the Subaru Outback

Filed Under: New Car Reviews Tagged With: 2017 cars, CVT, front-wheel drive, leather, Maxima SR, Nissan Maxima, paddle shifters, V6 engine

Second Look: 2016 Nissan Maxima

January 8, 2016 by admin 4 Comments

Auto Trends gets a second look at the 2016 Nissan Maxima, the latest iteration of this flagship model. This time around its a sporty SR edition for the testing.

2016 Nissan Maxima

From time to time, car manufacturers ask journalists to review a vehicle again for the same model year, delivering a different trim level the next time around. That’s exactly what Nissan did as one calendar year gave way to the next, delivering its flagship 2016 Maxima to my home.

This time around a Maxima SR, the highest trim level before the Platinum edition, was my weekly driver. Last July, a Maxima SL was tested, the middle of five trim levels you can purchase. Please check out my earlier car review right here.

Priced from $37,770 ($38,750 delivered), the Maxima SR is just $780 more than the SL, but delivers a handful of enhancements that likely could have raised the price further. For starters, the SL’s 18-inch aluminum alloy wheels became 19-inch wheels in the SR. The SR also adds a sport-tuned suspension, an integrated dynamic-control module (IDM) for an enhanced ride, and premium Ascot Leather-appointed seats with Alcantara inserts.

Rather than append my earlier review, I’ll share with you some of the highlights of my most recent drive. Yes, I put my repeat models through the same testing I do with every vehicle I get — this time around I took note of the following:

2016 Nissan Maxima

1. The Maxima’s powertrain is excellent.

Go ahead and roll your eyes — the continuously variable transmission paired with the 3.5-liter, V-6 engine is excellent. Its the best CVT I have found in any Nissan vehicle, although I suspect that the recently refreshed Altima offers a near-identical experience, especially in V-6 models.

Credit Nissan with developing a CVT that doesn’t act like one. Although there are no shift points, the CVT employs a steel belt/pulley system to move up and down the gear ratio. The Maxima’s CVT makes those moves smoothly and also mitigates the rubber band pulling effect inherent with the technology. Thankfully, the engine doesn’t sound like it is going to blow when you step on the accelerator as the CVT eases once you pick up speed. Add in 300 horsepower and you get full-bodied power in this sedan.

2016 Nissan Maxima

2. Handling is better than you might expect.

Front-wheel drive is a drag, especially for a vehicle of the Maxima’s size. Then again, the overall proportions of the Maxima are more midsize than they are large. Indeed, this vehicle shares its platform with the midsize Altima, therefore it isn’t as large as competing models, such as the Chevrolet Impala, Toyota Avalon, and the Dodge Charger.

Step on the accelerator and you might expect this sedan to shift to the left or to the right as torque steer comes into play. After all, with 300 horsepower at the ready, there is a lot of energy sent to the front wheels. Nissan mitigates the problem by employing torque vectoring technology. The way this works is that as soon as there is a slight nudge to the steering wheel, a counterforce redirects the steering. Yes, it isn’t the best feel, but for the average person who shops Maxima, it’s probably a feature they’ll be glad to have if they even notice.

If there is something Nissan could have done extra with the Maxima it would have been to offer a proper all-wheel drive system. That’s something offered in the Dodge Charger and the Ford Taurus, although the Chevrolet Impala, Hyundai Azera, and Toyota Avalon do not have it. Then again, Nissan is the one calling the Maxima a four-door sports car (4DSC), a point with which I’ll have to demur.

2016 Nissan Maxima

3. The SR interior is a cut above.

Get past the polarizing exterior and you have a beautifully crafted interior in the Maxima. Actually, the exterior has grown on me — I like the floating roof design, the rising belt line as well as the dramatic profile lines. The flared LED daytime running lights are certainly distinctive, as are the matching tail lamps.

At a Nissan event not involving the Maxima, the discussion turned to the flagship sedan and I shared my thoughts about the interior. I explained that it seemed as if Infiniti’s designers were all over it, such is the high quality look of it as well as the materials used. I found the upgraded seats comfortable and certainly attractive from a design standpoint. The cabin is quiet, all controls are thoughtfully placed and having an 8-inch center console display standard makes sense.

The flat-bottomed steering wheel is supposed to point out this sedan’s sporting characteristics as do the paddle shifters. However, using paddle shifters to mimic shift points seems silly — you simply are not shifting. What Nissan does get right is attaching the shifters to the steering column. That they’re large and composed of magnesium are two additional pluses.

2016 Nissan Maxima

4. Room for five, but watch your head.

If you need to carry five people, the Nissan Maxima does that. One big advantage of front-wheel drive is that rear seating legroom is usually very good, with only a token hump splitting the middle.

Access and egress are excellent in the front row, but is more limited in the second row. A sloping roof line cuts in and that means you’ll need to watch your head as you move in and out of the sedan. Taller people will also find rear headroom more restrictive. Keep this in mind if you’re shopping the Maxima as your company car.

2016 Nissan Maxima

5. Prices can get up there.

The Nissan Maxima starts at $32,510 and tops out at $39,960. Add in a premium spoiler and fancier wheels and you’re looking at spending $42,000. To be fair, competing models follow a similar pricing strategy.

The budget-minded shopper among us might think the price too high. If so, the Nissan Altima offers a compelling alternative. The Altima supplies a standard four-cylinder engine as well as an available V-6, the same engine in the Maxima. However, the V-6 is detuned somewhat, offering 270 horsepower. It also goes 2 mpg further per gallon than the Maxima.

The higher end of the Maxima price range also puts this model in Infiniti territory. Infiniti is Nissan’s luxury brand and its comparably sized model is a Q50 sedan. With a starting price of $37,150, the rear-wheel drive Q50 offers a compelling alternative to the Maxima. It can also be had in all-wheel drive.

2016 Nissan Maxima

2016 Nissan Maxima

Although Maxima sales fell for the 2015 calendar year, interest in the new model began to pick up toward the end of the year. By December, monthly sales were up 50 percent over 2014, even as Altima sales pulled back slightly.

My second time with the Maxima only reinforced my thoughts about this model. Notably, the Maxima will appeal to sedan shoppers who want a premium model, while some may end up considering the Murano, a similar-sized crossover SUV with generous storage room.


2016 Nissan Maxima


2016 Nissan Maxima SL

  • Sticker price from $37,670
  • Price as tested: from $38,750
  • Seats 5 occupants
  • 3.5-liter 24-valve V-6 gasoline engine
  • 300 horsepower @ 6,400 rpm
  • 261 foot-pounds of torque @ 4,400 rpm
  • 3.76 inches bore by 3.2 inches stroke
  • Engine compression ratio: 10.6-to-1
  • Continuously variable automatic transmission
  • Wheelbase: 109.3 inches
  • Length: 192.8 inches
  • Width: 73.2 inches
  • Height: 56.5 inches
  • Passenger volume: 96.9 cubic feet
  • Storage volume: 14.3 cubic feet
  • Towing capacity: NR
  • EPA: 22 mpg city, 30 mpg highway
  • Regular grade gasoline
  • Fuel tank: 18 gallons
  • Curb weight: From 3,564 pounds
  • IIHS safety rating: Top Safety Pick+
  • Limited vehicle warranty: 3 years/36,000 miles
  • Powertrain warranty: 5 years/60,000 miles
  • Corrosion warranty: 5 years/unlimited miles
  • Vehicle assembly: Smyrna, Tenn.

2016 Nissan Maxima SR


2016 Nissan Maxima SR photos copyright Auto Trends Magazine.

Filed Under: New Car Reviews Tagged With: 2016 cars, front-wheel drive, INFINITI Q50, Nissan Altima, Nissan Maxima, V-6 ENGINE

7 Models Deserving a Mercy Killing

September 4, 2015 by admin Leave a Comment

The auto industry is filled to the rafters with models and in the US alone, there are nearly 300 of them, including various permutations of the same — standard and extended wheelbase, for example.

Some models such as the Toyota Corolla, Chevrolet Silverado, and the Mazda 3 are golden to the manufacturer, and are so ingrained within the brand that without them each company would be in a far different place.

But there are others that wouldn’t be missed, including a few that look as if they have been beaten with an ugly stick. Yet still others may have been the right model for perhaps a season, but the market has since changed and a mercy killing is in order. Our list of seven mercy killing worthy models begins with the worst first.

1. Mitsubishi i-MiEV

Mitsubishi i-MiEV

Mitsubishi i-MiEV (copyright Wikipedia.org)

What can you say about his homely electric vehicle that hasn’t been said before? Besides having an incomprehensible model name that fortunately has been shortened simply to “i,” this electrified Mitsubishi i-MiEV hatchback has never been a gamer.

You can blame the vastly supported and more technologically advanced Nissan Leaf for making this model largely irrelevant. But that would overlook a simple point: the “i” is ugly, is loaded with cheap plastic parts, and has a short 62-mile electric-only range.

Its low $22,995 starting price and available $7,500 federal tax credit is its only appeal. And selling no more than two dozen models per month doesn’t imbue confidence in a brand that appears ready to exit the US market. In this case, maybe Mitsubishi needs a push.

2. Jeep Compass

Jeep Compass

Jeep Compass (copyright Wikipedia.org)

The Jeep Compass along with the Patriot have forever changed this quintessential American off-road brand, but not in a good way. Similar models based on the same platform that once underpinned the retired (and boring) Dodge Caliber, the Compass is the tamer looking of the two. It also looks like a toy Jeep and it certainly doesn’t behave much better.

Both models do the Jeep brand much injustice as they have the exterior visage that suggests something far more sophisticated, but aren’t able to deliver a true off-road experience. But that’s what you get when you settle for something that isn’t as rugged as the Wrangler or as refined as the Grand Cherokee. A new model to replace both is in the works and when it appears the Compass and the Patriot will mercifully cease to exist.

3. Lexus CT 200h

Attacking anything Lexus is a risky proposition as Toyota’s luxury brand routinely leads all customer satisfaction surveys. Diehard luxury enthusiasts often criticize the marque as not having the pedigree of a BMW or a Mercedes-Benz, but that hasn’t stopped shoppers from buying a Lexus. The thinking with some is, “your definition of luxury may be different than mine.” Meanwhile, Toyota is laughing all the way to the bank.

Unlike its German competitors, Lexus does not augment its fleet with fuel-saving, performance-oriented diesel models. Instead, Lexus relies on a Toyota staple — hybrids — to fill out its generous product line. It is a strategy that works most of the time, although the forgettable and very much Toyota Corolla-like HS 250h Hybrid was mercifully killed after just three years.

Lexus CT 200h

Another model that should go on the chopping block is the Lexus CT 200h. It has a Lexus face (and whether you like the spindle grille look or not is a matter for a separate conversation) plastered to a hatchback body. On closer inspection, it doesn’t take much to imagine a Corolla hatchback.

As with any Lexus, high-end materials and a high-quality build are this small hybrid’s strong suits. That advertisers say that it “eats asphalt” is terribly misleading. It simply does not. Giving this model the HS 250h treatment would go far in lifting the brand. Or now that Toyota has finally found turbo nirvana, outfitting it with a proper powertrain just might work.

4. Lincoln MKT

Lincoln MKT

Lincoln MKT (copyright Wikipedia.org)

The Lincoln MKT is an example of a product that does everything to detract from a brand. Then again, others may contend that the MKT accurately portrays what Lincoln is all about — humdrum, if not ugly models that offer only a pretense of all things luxury.

Where should we start? This wagon-like crossover utility vehicle is dominated by an oversized, double-wing grille. It looks like it wants to bite. Its profile is all wagon, but the rising beltline at its rear quarter points to a jumbled mess. The wraparound rear lighting assembly only adds to the busyness, leaving people speechless or crying out in agony.

Falling sales of the MKT and for the similar, but downmarket Ford Flex may signal this model’s demise. Its available turbocharged 3.5-liter V-6 may give the MKT a lot of punch, but that sole redeeming feature cannot mask a truly hideous design.

5. Dodge Grand Caravan

Dodge Grand Caravan

Dodge Grand Caravan

Minivans are now maxi-vans as they have grown in proportion through the years. The segment also peaked more than a decade ago with most families now choosing SUVs, especially crossover utility vehicles. The Toyota Sienna and Honda Odyssey are considered the best of the lot with models from Chrysler, Kia, Dodge and Nissan somewhere further down the purchase consideration list.

The current Dodge Grand Caravan and the similar Chrysler Town & Country have been around since 2008. Both advance a boxy persona and are about as drab of a pair of minivans you can find anywhere. The current generation Town & Country has come to an end as a new model will begin production next Feb. 29 in Canada. Unfortunately, the Dodge Grand Caravan will continue “as is” through the 2017 model year before it rides off into the sunset. In our opinion, its end cannot come soon enough.

6. Volkswagen Passat

Volkswagen Passat

Volkswagen Passat (copyright Wikipedia.org)

Volkswagen may be the largest car manufacturer in the world, having wrested control of that honor from Toyota this year. The German automaker knows how to build cars, but the one thing they haven’t solved is the finicky and persnickety US consumer market.

Take the Volkswagen Passat….please! What could have and should have been a standout model is anything but that. Sure, it meets many of the basic requirements for the segment and adds in a diesel option where its competitors fear to tread. But its style is just not exemplary enough to interest consumers. Yes, the Passat is more like the Camry and the Honda Accord, but Volkswagen doesn’t have the stellar reputation of either manufacturer. Volkswagen needs to talk with its upscale sister, Audi, to understand the US market. It also needs to rework the Passat so that it is less passive and more aggressive in its countenance.

7. Hyundai Azera*

Hyundai Azera

Hyundai Azera

The Hyundai Azera gets mentioned here, but with an asterisk by its name. That’s because there is nothing inherently wrong with this model, rather it is in the wrong place at the wrong time.

Hyundai updated the Azera in 2012, following a very successful update of the midsize Sonata, and the release of two larger and more luxurious Genesis and Equus models. But it is the two models immediately below and above the Azera that are sucking the life out of this large sedan, competitor to the Toyota Avalon, Chevrolet Impala, Ford Taurus, and the Nissan Maxima. Indeed, the Azera has only one more cubic feet of cabin space than the Sonata, yet costs thousands of dollars more. Further, the top end of the Azera segment meets the lower end of the Genesis sedan. These two factors likely account for the reason why sales are only about one-third the 20,000 units Hyundai thought this model could sell. In this case it would be better to kill the Azera and to concentrate on the product line winners here.

Let the Mercy Killings Begin!

Chances are the manufacturers will be slow to kill off the worst of the lot or modify the same. However, consumers not only voice their opinions, but they vote with their wallets. And that’s why all seven models featured here are selling far below the numbers that each respective manufacturer thought possible.

Photos copyright Auto Trends Magazine unless specified otherwise.

Filed Under: Fun News Tagged With: CHEVROLET IMPALA, CHRYSLER TOWN & COUNTRY, DODGE GRAND CARAVAN, Ford Taurus, Hyundai Azera, JEEP COMPASS, Lexus CT 200h, LINCOLN MKT, MERCY KILLING, MITSUBISHI I-MIEV, Nissan Maxima, TOYOTA AVALON, Volkswagen Passat

Flagship Nissan Maxima Revived, Ready

July 24, 2015 by admin 3 Comments

Of all the car segments available, large or flagship sedans have taken a punch. Most of the larger mainstream brands still offer them, but they’ve been overshadowed by midsize sedans for years. Then there are those boring crossovers that seem to be everywhere.

Chevrolet has its Impala, Ford markets the Taurus, Toyota presents the Avalon and even Hyundai has the Azera. The Dodge Charger and Chrysler 300 are also in the mix, although these two standard rear-wheel drive models fly in the face of the current convention. Namely, standard front-wheel drive.

While Honda remains absent from the segment, Nissan is still active. Indeed, the Nissan Maxima is one of the longest running model names from this Japanese manufacturer and for that reason Nissan has given its flagship sedan a lease on life.

2016 Nissan Maxima

Just as easily, Nissan could have pulled the plug on the Maxima. In 2014, it sold 50,401 Maximas, down 6.5 percent. On the other hand, it sold a whopping 335,644 Altimas, up 4.7 percent. Instead of spending big bucks on a loss leader, Nissan could have severed those ties. They did not, therefore we have the next generation Nissan Maxima to consider beginning with the 2016 model year. Which is now.

One such example arrived in my driveway in early July, just over a month after it appeared in Nissan showrooms. Still, it was a prototype vehicle and that meant it might yet have a few tweaks remaining. It also meant that the usual Monroney (window sticker) was not included.

Nevertheless, I can tell you that the model tested was a Nissan Maxima SL, the middle of five trim levels. With a sticker price of $36,890 ($37,715 with destination) its price point parallels its rivals. Also available are S ($32,410), SV ($34,390), SR ($37,670) and Platinum ($39,860) editions.

As delivered, the test model was dressed in a Bordeaux Black finish, but there was little that was black about it. Instead, it was closer in tinge to a deep burgundy, offering a slightly lighter shade than the black interior.


 

2016 Nissan Maxima SL

View manufacturer details and pricing


General visage aside, there is something else that is quite interesting about the Maxima: it actually is slightly smaller than the midsize Altima. Both models share a 109.3-inch wheelbase and the Maxima has an extra inch added to its overall length and width. See — The Midsize Nissan Altima is Larger than the Flagship Maxima

But in the all important cabin volume department, the Altima has 101.9 cubic feet of space to the 98.6 cubic feet for the Maxima. Furthermore, the Altima’s trunk measures 15.4 cubic feet, while the Maxima offers a modest 14.3 cubic feet. Thus, the Maxima’s limited proportions has the EPA classifying it as a midsize sedan, just like the Altima.

There may be a good explanation for the Maxima’s size. What Nissan did was build two models on the same platform and possibly due to thicker seats, generous padding and more rakish lines, the Maxima’s dimensions are slightly smaller. It is doubtful that too many people will even notice.

Notably, Nissan is marketing the Maxima as a four-door sports sedan, making no mention of the sedan’s size, rather it is placing emphasis on its performance, style and appointments. So, if you’re wondering if Nissan is playing with your mind here they really aren’t. They just didn’t bother to extend the wheelbase to accommodate the flagship model.

What should grab your attention about the latest Maxima is its style. Happily, Nissan relaxed the chiseled lines on the Nissan Sport Sedan Concept when building the Maxima. That concept was auto show fodder for much of the previous year and had some analysts worrying that Nissan would actually build the car. That worrying was justified as the brand has served up other polarizing styles in the form of the Cube and Juke.

What the Maxima provides is attitude. And plenty of it. Allow your eyes to scan the entire sedan from bumper to bumper and from the top of the roof down to the rocker panels and again from left to right and you will take in a posture that is athletic, elegant and flowing.

From the gaping maw to the winged front LED lights to the scalloped recesses housing the fog lights to the chiseled hood, the Maxima’s frontage is assertive, but swank.

Its profile appears to be always on the move, with sport wheels, notched character lines, and a rear floating roof design. High end diamond-cut finished aluminum alloy wheels are also present.

From the rear alone the Maxima looks like a far more expensive car with its oversize wraparound LED tail lights, raised trunk, centered aluminum trim and dual chromed-tipped exhaust ports.

Nissan carried the daring exterior design inside to dress the cabin. Or maybe what really happened is that is assigned an Infiniti team to handle the design and layout. Yes, it is that good.

And that design team spent some time with the US Air Force’s Blue Angels to harness a layout that is as sporty as anything you will see this side of the GT-R. Luxury means sportiness here with a leather-wrapped, flat bottom steering wheel, carefully placed and canted driver controls, and generous amounts of high-end materials throughout.

Word has it that Nissan had BMW and Audi shoppers in mind when crafting the Maxima. With front-wheel drive only available, that seems like a tall order, but we’ll talk about the (surprising) drive characteristics later, what should remove those concerns.

Give this driver a seat extender and he is one happy guy. That the Maxima provides one along with the requisite lumbar support makes this more of a driver’s car, matching the #4DSC appellation Nissan has been sharing on social media and appending to various features, including the transmission stick and light lenses.

Other welcome features include a massive dual panel panoramic moon roof, a Bose premium audio system, ambient lighting, noise cancellation technology, generously bolstered front seats and a comfortable rear bench seat, the NissanConnect infotainment system with navigation, and an oversized digital display in the instrument panel.

Between the seats is the transmission stick, what provides standard automatic shifting or available “manumatic” shifting. Although I am personally not much of a fan of this arrangement, at least Nissan did not include the cursory shift paddles. I would have been pleasantly surprised, no shocked, had a six-speed manual transmission been included. Instead, you get a continuously variable transmission that can mimic up to seven forward shift points when operated in manual mode. Okay, so this is one area where the Maxima cannot pretend to aspire to German sedan greatness.

What’s under the hood is a familiar beast: a 3.5-liter, 24-valve V-6 engine. And it is normally aspirated too. I’ve had my share of forced induction vehicles (turbocharged or supercharged, sometimes both) and can tell you that I’ve gotten used to the technology. Still, when you know that there isn’t available boost to kick in, you gain an appreciation for the traditional hard working engine like the one found in the 2016 Nissan Maxima.

For the eighth generation model, horsepower was raised to an even 300 just as the car lost about 80 pounds; it is also 25 percent more rigid than the seventh generation edition last produced for the 2014 model year (there is no 2015 model). That’s a big deal because with entry-level luxury models in mind, the Maxima had to deliver. And deliver it does.

Step on the accelerator and the sedan quickly takes off, moving its nimble frame up to highway speed with authority. There are some people that absolutely hate CVTs and they’re not the ones I would even attempt to convince that the Maxima could be a game changer. My experience with the Nissan line is that the CVTs found in the Altima and Maxima are far more refined than those found in the smaller models. Yes, the rubber band sensation can be detected, but it is hardly the annoyance experienced elsewhere.

New for 2016 is a drive mode selector, located near the transmission shifter and offering both normal and sport modes. Sport mode adjusts throttle response, tunes the transmission, improves steering feel and provides active sound enhancement, the latter meaning you get pumped in sports car exhaust feedback music.

I fully expected to experience some torque understeer when pushing the Maxima to its limits. After all, with 300 horses galloping on the front wheels, that amount of power is sure to wreak havoc. Instead, the sedan remained composed as I pushed it down the road and articulated its share of curvilinear roads. The dampers, front stabilizer bar and other suspension architecture helped maintain composure and better than any other front-wheel drive model with even fewer horses at the ready.

So while Nissan delivers the dazzle in the Maxima, it makes some of its other competitors look downright dowdy. The Ford Taurus is showing its age, the Chevrolet Impala displays its weakness with the standard four-cylinder engine, and both the Toyota Avalon and the Hyundai Azera lose out on the sporty angle. Only the Dodge Charger and Chrysler 300 seem to hold their own here, giving Nissan a lot of room for conquest.


2016 Nissan Maxima SL

  • Sticker price from $36,890
  • Price as tested: from $37,715
  • Seats 5 occupants
  • 3.5-liter 24-valve V-6 gasoline engine
  • 300 horsepower @ 6,400 rpm
  • 261 foot-pounds of torque @ 4,400 rpm
  • 3.76 inches bore by 3.2 inches stroke
  • Engine compression ratio: 10.6-to-1
  • Continuously variable automatic transmission
  • Wheelbase: 109.3 inches
  • Length: 192.8 inches
  • Width: 73.2 inches
  • Height: 56.5 inches
  • Passenger volume: 96.9 cubic feet
  • Storage volume: 14.3 cubic feet
  • Towing capacity: NR
  • EPA: 22 mpg city, 30 mpg highway
  • Regular grade gasoline
  • Fuel tank: 18 gallons
  • Curb weight: From 3,533 pounds
  • IIHS safety rating: Top Safety Pick+
  • Limited vehicle warranty: 3 years/36,000 miles
  • Powertrain warranty: 5 years/60,000 miles
  • Corrosion warranty: 5 years/unlimited miles
  • Vehicle assembly: Smyrna, Tenn.

2016 Nissan Maxima photos copyright Auto Trends Magazine.


Filed Under: New Car Reviews Tagged With: 2016 cars, CVT, FLAGSHIP MODEL, front-wheel drive, luxury, Nissan Maxima, sedan, V-6 ENGINE

The Midsize Nissan Altima is Larger than the Flagship Maxima

July 20, 2015 by admin 10 Comments

When it comes to sedans, size matters. Especially for classification purposes. Some midsize sedans are larger than the flagship models that traditionally lead the brand.

2016 Nissan Maxima
The Nissan Maxima is all new for 2016.

Eight Key Facts About the 2016 Nissan Maxima

Nissan has a new flagship Maxima sedan, a 2016 edition that is stylish, sporty and competitively priced. Most people consider the Maxima Nissan’s largest model, but they would be wrong in that assessment, at least in one important area: total interior volume (cabin + trunk = total volume). Indeed, it is the Nissan Altima that offers superior room, even though the Maxima is recognized as the brand’s flagship sedan.

I recently had the Nissan Maxima in my press fleet rotation (that review has been published here), and immediately recognized that the cars are similar in size. Nissan markets the Altima in the midsize segment, a model that is only outsold by the Toyota Camry and Honda Accord and just ahead of the Ford Fusion in sales.

2015 Nissan Altima.
The slightly larger than the Maxima Nissan Altima.

Nissan released the latest generation Altima for the 2013 model year and I have had the pleasure of driving multiple copies over the past few years. The Altima is powered by four- and six-cylinder engines, while the Maxima only offers the larger V-6 engine, displacing at 3.5 liters. Furthermore, the engine has been updated for 2016 and now produces an even as well as impressive 300 horsepower.

The supplied chart outlines the differences between the Maxima and five other flagship sedans. All five are recognized as large sedans, but when it comes to EPA classification purposes, both the Maxima and the Avalon fall short. To qualify as a large car, a vehicle must have 120 cubic feet of total volume. The Avalon falls just short at 119.6 cubic feet, while the Nissan Maxima comes in at just 112.9 cubic feet.

dimensions
Thus, the Nissan Maxima and Toyota Avalon are tabulated as midsize cars, while the Chevrolet Impala, Dodge Charger, Ford Taurus, and Hyundai Azera are typecast as large cars. Two other models were not considered here — the Buick LaCrosse and the Chrysler 300 as these models correspond to the Chevrolet and Dodge models featured here, respectively.

What is noteworthy about these measurements is that the Nissan Altima comes in closer to the large car classification with its 117.3 cubic feet of total volume or 4.4 cubic feet of extra room. Incidentally, both models sit on a 109.3-inch wheelbase although the Maxima has an extra 1.3 inches to its length.

So, how is it possible for the Altima to have more room than the Maxima given its slightly smaller dimensions? Those numbers are based on SAE measurements, a voluntary way of determining trunk (storage) space as well as interior (cabin) space. It is such a convoluted process that few people will pay attention to it. Kudos to Cars.com for attempting to explain it — in brief, the standards are based on SAE J1100 methodology, an archetype developed more than five decades ago.

2015 Dodge Charger
The Dodge Charger has the most room between the wheels of any flagship sedan.

As the chart indicates, the Nissan Maxima is dead last in proportions among the flagship models. To my knowledge, Nissan is not marketing the Maxima as its large car nor as its flagship sedan. Instead, they are emphasizing this model’s sporting characteristics and are marketing the Maxima as a luxury sedan. Indeed, when you take note of the 4DSC hashtag online, you are supposed to recall the Nissan Maxima and the related 4DSC embellishments on the transmission stick and lights. That hashtag stands for four-door sports car, a marketing initiative that Nissan has used with the Maxima previously.

I could have stirred the pot further by adding the midsize Hyundai Sonata to the list just above the Nissan Altima, but apart from the flagships. Had I done so, you would have seen that the EPA classifies the Sonata as a large car as it has 122.4 cubic feet of interior volume or nearly 10 cubic feet more than the flagship Maxima.

What it comes down to for car shoppers is a point I always tell them: go inside the vehicle yourself, try every seating position, explore the storage space and fold whatever seats go down. Ultimately, the numbers are rough guidelines and should be taken as such, just as the fuel mileage projections supplied by the manufacturers to the EPA may not reflect your real life experience.

2015 Hyundai Azera
The Hyundai Azera has more cabin room than other cars in its class.

See Also — All-Wheel Drive Surprise: 2019 Nissan Altima

Photos and chart copyright Auto Trends Magazine.

Filed Under: Special Tagged With: Dodge Charger, Flagship Sedan, Hyundai Azera, Midsize Sedan, Nissan Altima, Nissan Maxima

7 Headliners at the 2015 New York Auto Show

March 30, 2015 by admin 5 Comments

The 2015 edition of the New York International Auto Show (NYIAS) begins this week, with the public show running from April 3 through 12. This writer is on his way to the Big Apple to attend dozens of news conferences and related events, and will share his findings here as well through Twitter (@theautowriter) and Facebook.

The New York show promises to have its fair share of hoopla to conclude the North American portion of the auto show circuit for the season. To that end, Auto Trends has identified seven headliners that will most likely be major newsmakers this week.

1. Cadillac CT6 Unveiled

Over the past few years, Cadillac has teased us with a pair of concepts — Ciel and Elmiraj — that have strongly hinted at the direction GM’s luxury brand might take. Long rumored that a six-figure, range-topping model was in the mix, confirmation of same only came last year.

The all-new Cadillac CT6 is *the* news story of the 2015 NYIAS. It is a five-passenger rear- or all-wheel drive model, designed specifically to do battle with the BMW 7 Series, Mercedes-Benz S-Class, Audi A8 and the Lexus LS. Built on an all-new Omega platform, it will be the most advanced model to come from GM, replete with leading-edge technologies and new or updated engines.

2. Scion is Back

Never did this writer think that Scion would be a news story again. Scion, introduced for the 2004 model year, is a Toyota sub-brand aimed at young, first-time buyers. The brand got off to a strong start, but within six years, it faded and has largely become irrelevant. Indeed, a few years back Toyota Motors gave Toyota dealers an option to not sell Scion vehicles. That’s a sure sign your marque is doomed.

Well, Scion is not doomed, at least not in the short term. New York will feature a pair of new models, including a subcompact IA hatchback based on the Mazda2 and a compact IM sedan. These two models plus the FR-S coupe may very well rescue Scion from oblivion.

3. Chevrolet Malibu is Now Relevant

The latest generation Chevrolet Malibu has struggled in an unforgiving segment and after three years, including a rushed second-year refresh, a new model debuts. GM simply could not wait the usual six years to turn this model over and will present a longer and more stylish Malibu in New York.

We have been told that the current model’s biggest problem will be resolved. Specifically, the wheelbase will be stretched by four inches to better accommodate rear-seating passengers. Furthermore, a legitimate hybrid contender will roll out in spring 2016, a full-on hybrid that taps Chevrolet Volt technologies.

4. Lexus RX and Closely-Held Secrets

The best-selling midsize luxury utility vehicle is the Lexus RX. A new model will debut in New York, but not much is known about it. Lexus is determined to maintain its leadership in a segment where Mercedes-Benz, Acura, BMW, Infiniti and Audi are fighting back. Further, an all-new Lincoln MKX is also being readied.

Some content that Lexus has played it safe with the RX and needs to make a bold statement with the new model. We have heard about new powertrains and technologies, but until the cover drops in New York, we really cannot say what those changes will be.

2016 Nissan Maxima
The all-new 2016 Nissan Maxima.

5. Nissan Maxima Already Revealed

Full-size sedans are not what they used to be. Certainly, if customers are shopping for cars, they are more likely to go with a midsize offering. Without doubt, the Nissan Altima has been a strong seller, while the brand’s flagship Maxima is long in the tooth and nearly forgotten.

Well, Nissan hasn’t given up on the Maxima and has been showing us a concept that points to this sedan’s styling direction. Moreover, the sedan’s final look has been shown since the Super Bowl, thus the New York unveil will be rather anticlimactic. However, a few things about the 2016 edition remain unanswered. Will a new engine be offered? Is all-wheel drive an option?

6. Jaguar XF Goes to Flatiron

The Jaguar XF has already been seen, thanks to a cleverly arranged water crossing in London last week. The second generation of this midsize, luxury saloon comes in longer, but lighter than the original. That’s a trend competing models have also been embracing.

Although the Jaguar XF will have its official news conference at the auto show, this model will also be on display in the city’s Flatiron district (23rd and Broadway) on Tuesday, beginning at 11 a.m. As for all the technical specification details, you’ll have to wait until April 1 for that news.

7. New Hyundai Tucson Debuts

Okay, the 2016 Hyundai Tucson was already revealed in Geneva. Further, photos of the North American spec model have been out since February. So, there is not much more to say about this model, at least for right now.
What will be interesting to watch is how well the new Tucson will compete in a segment dominated by the Honda CR-Z, itself all-new for 2016. Moreover, Toyota will debut a RAV4 Hybrid, what should coincide with a major mid cycle refresh for this compact SUV.

New York, New York

Yes, there will be many other news stories in New York, including a handful of surprises. Mitsubishi will show us a new Outlander, Kia will reveal a refreshed Optima and the Aston Martin Vulcan will make its US debut. For this purpose, Auto Trends will share those findings throughout the week.

 

Filed Under: Auto Shows, Automotive News Tagged With: CADILLAC CT6, Chevrolet Malibu, HYUNDAI TUCSON, JAGUAR XF, LEXUS RX, NEW YORK INTERNATIONAL AUTO SHOW, Nissan Maxima, SCION IA, SCION IM

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