2016 Nissan Maxima Review: Redefining the Four-Door Sports Car

Reclaiming the "4-Door Sports Car" Legacy

For decades, the Nissan Maxima held a unique position in the automotive landscape. Dubbed the "4-Door Sports Car" (4DSC), it blended the practicality of a family sedan with the soul of a sports coupe. However, over successive generations, that identity became somewhat diluted as the model leaned more toward comfort and size. Enter the completely redesigned, eighth-generation 2016 Nissan Maxima. With aggressive styling, a heavily revised powertrain, and an upscale cabin, Nissan made a bold statement to reclaim its performance-oriented heritage and challenge both mainstream and luxury competitors.

A Bold, Concept-Car Exterior

The first thing that strikes you about the 2016 Nissan Maxima is its radical exterior design. Heavily inspired by Nissan's Sport Sedan Concept, the production Maxima features a deeply sculpted body that demands attention. Up front, the signature "V-Motion" chrome grille dominates the fascia, flanked by sharp, boomerang-style LED daytime running lights that give the car a menacing face.

Moving along the side, the complex character lines create a sense of motion even when the vehicle is parked. The standout design element, however, is the blacked-out A, B, and C-pillars, which create a striking "floating roof" effect. This design trick lowers the car's visual height, giving it a sleek, coupe-like silhouette. At the rear, dual chrome exhaust tips and beautifully sculpted taillights complete the athletic stance. Nissan's designers succeeded in making the Maxima look like nothing else in its class, ensuring it stands out in a sea of conservative midsize sedans.

The Heart of the Beast: A Refined 3.5-Liter V6

Under the aluminum hood lies the heart of the Maxima's performance: a 3.5-liter V6 engine from Nissan's legendary VQ series. For the 2016 model year, Nissan engineers redesigned over 60 percent of the engine's parts, applying lessons learned from the high-performance GT-R supercar, such as sodium-filled exhaust valves. The result is a healthy 300 horsepower and 261 lb-ft of torque, representing a significant power-to-weight ratio improvement over its predecessor.

Power is sent exclusively to the front wheels through an Xtronic Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT). While purists might scoff at a CVT in a vehicle marketed as a sports car, Nissan worked hard to tune this transmission for enthusiasts. Featuring "D-Step" shift logic, the CVT mimics traditional gear changes under heavy throttle, holding revs and stepping down to simulate gear shifts. While it does not fully replace a dual-clutch or a traditional torque-converter automatic, it is one of the best-tuned CVTs on the market, offering quick responses in Sport mode and excellent highway fuel efficiency of up to 30 mpg.

A Jet-Inspired, Premium Cabin

Inside, the 2016 Nissan Maxima elevates itself far above standard midsize sedans, encroaching heavily into luxury Infiniti territory. Nissan claims the cockpit design was inspired by the Blue Angels fighter jets. The center stack is angled seven degrees toward the driver, putting the 8.0-inch multi-touch display and primary climate controls within incredibly easy reach, creating a truly driver-centric environment.

The materials used throughout the cabin are exceptional for this price point. Higher trims feature soft-touch materials, genuine contrast stitching, and premium leather or Alcantara inserts. The flat-bottom steering wheel adds an immediate sporty touch, while Nissan's famous "Zero Gravity" seats provide outstanding long-distance comfort and lateral support during spirited cornering. Standard technology includes navigation, dual-zone automatic climate control, and a rearview camera, while higher trims add a dual-panel panoramic sunroof and a premium 11-speaker Bose audio system.

Challenging the Midsize and Entry-Level Luxury Segments

The 2016 Maxima occupies a unique niche in the market. It is larger and more premium than the standard Nissan Altima, yet it is positioned to compete with both full-size mainstream sedans like the Toyota Avalon and entry-level luxury cars like the Acura TLX or Lexus ES. To compete effectively against luxury rivals, Nissan equipped the Maxima with Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) and Active Sound Enhancement (ASE). ANC works similarly to noise-canceling headphones, emitting sound waves to neutralize unpleasant low-frequency engine drones, while ASE enhances the natural sweep of the V6 engine's intake note inside the cabin during hard acceleration. This clever acoustic engineering allows the Maxima to transition seamlessly from a quiet, serene highway cruiser to an engaging sports sedan at the flex of the driver's right foot.

Trim Levels and Driving Dynamics

Nissan offers the 2016 Maxima in five distinct, well-equipped trim levels: S, SV, SL, SR, and Platinum. Unlike many competitors, Nissan does not offer standalone option packages; instead, buyers select the trim level that matches their desired equipment and performance characteristics.

For those seeking the ultimate "4DSC" experience, the SR trim is the clear choice. It deletes the panoramic sunroof to increase structural torsional rigidity and adds a sport-tuned suspension, stiffer stabilizer bars, active engine braking, and 19-inch aluminum-alloy wheels wrapped in high-performance tires. The SR also features Yamaha performance dampers to reduce body vibrations, allowing the Maxima to tackle twisty back roads with surprising agility and minimal body roll.

Safety is also a priority across the lineup. The SL, SR, and Platinum trims come equipped with advanced driver assistance systems, including Forward Collision Warning, Automatic Emergency Braking, Blind Spot Warning, and Rear Cross-Traffic Alert. The top-tier Platinum trim adds a 360-degree Around View Monitor and a Driver Attention Alert system to prevent drowsy driving.

The Verdict: A Sophisticated Bridge Between Classes

The 2016 Nissan Maxima is a highly compelling package. While it doesn't quite match the rear-wheel-drive dynamics of a true German sport sedan, it offers a thrilling, front-wheel-drive alternative to vanilla midsize cruisers. With its eye-catching design, potent V6 engine, and a cabin that punches far above its weight class, the Maxima stands out as a premium, sporty, and highly capable sedan that successfully honors its "4-Door Sports Car" badge.