Test drove a Maxima. And the CVT...I liked it Ż\_()_/Ż

"KingT- 60% of the time, it works every time" (kngt)
02/11/2019 at 11:54 • Filed to: maxima, nissan maxima, test drive, test drives, oppo review, test drive review, quick review, nissan, cvt, cvts, nissan cvt, continuously variable transmission, 4DSC

2018 Platinum $43K MSRP

Went to the Nissan dealership this weekend to get some work done on the G. Was bored while waiting so...Anyway, you know what the Maxima is- FWD, 300HP 3.5V6 large premium-ish sedan- a “sportier” alternative to an Impala/LaCrosse or Avalon. I wanted to test this specifically because of the CVT, I have seen some recent reviews of the Maxima and the brand-new Altima stating the CVT is not like the terrible soul sucking shitty excuse for transmissions from even as recent as 3 years back.

I have rented Altimas, Rogues before and they’ve all sucked for as far as I remember. But, never rented a Maxima and it’s been 2 years since I even rented any CVT car. SO, I can’t believe I am saying this- It’s actually good. Perhaps I had low expectations but anyway It was quick to respond, does that fake shifting thing where it’s imperceptible and doesn’t drone even in normal mode. It’s like an automatic without the hunting for gears and it does mimic gears when you floor it. I know some people question why the fake shifting but I hate that constant holding in an RPM and the drone that comes with it more, so I am fine with the mimicking, although I do understand CVTs are not typically meant to fake shift. I have read/seen some reviews say it switches between typical CVT behavior and fake shifting depending on the mode.

However, it was smooth and quiet in its operation- no droning, no hesitation. Just leave it on auto, Do NOT try to shift on your own though it’s not worth it, leave it be. I prefer an automatic/DCT if I want to use Paddles. Anyway, I tried all different scenarios in my 45 min test drive. Freeway 60 to 80 passing, city 30-50 passing, cruising, accelerating from a stop, city stop and go traffic- it didn’t falter. I was pleasantly surprised. One caveat is that this has the smooth 300HP and 261 LB-FT v6 so it has good response and power across the rev range to help the transmission. I tried both Normal and Sport mode, S keeps it just around 2500K RPM, D keeps it around 1500 RPM or lower.

I tested a $43K MSRP Platinum top trim. Functional interior has good quality fit but metal and wood are basically plastic made to look like it, excellent simple gauges with driver display, steering wheel design is good but needs more thickness, seats are excellent- One highlight of this car for sure, space for 4 six foot adults easy, lots of trunk space, infotainment system is straight forward has both controller and touchscreen capability, it does look dated, visibility is not bad at the back, has a big hood though but not bad either, design is meh even the Altima looks like a Maxima now but that’ subjective. I liked the looks of the !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! a lot more.

Anyway outside of the CVT, when driving, it’s a big car you can feel the weight, steering is light and artificial, and it has handling capability but not much feel, it’s a boat. GTFO with your “4DSC” marketing Nissan.

What it is, is Quick (5.7s 0-60), smooth, quiet, spacious and comfortable. Perfect for long freeway drives and commuting. Definitely needs AWD and much better performance tires to put the power down, reduce wheelspin, and help in handling-if it had something with torque vectoring. Now that the Altima has it, perhaps in the future?

Also, this is the new Altima and it’s now so big it’s almost the size of the Maxima and I can hardly notice any difference in exterior. I didn’t test drive this because they had no 2.0VC turbo examples available.

2019 Altima

Overall, I’d definitely rent one, but never own one because when it comes to FWD family sedans the Mazda 6 2.5T and Accord 2.0T do it better and they’ve grown to almost full-size now.

I do have a fresh new perspective on Nissan’s CVT but I will not go so far to say all Nissan applications or even all CVTs are good- I need to try them out in individual vehicles. Let me be very clear that this pairing of the V6 in the Maxima works well but that doesn’t mean for me all CVTs are good. I have seen some reviewers praise this and trash the same combo in the Murano. Totally possible that your personal experience might be completely different if you drove this exact same Maxima. This is not an endorsement for CVTs, but what this makes me most curious about is how much they have been worked upon by manufacturers. Speaking of other applications I wonder how the new 2020 Subaru Legacy XT with the 2.4 Turbo and CVT will be? I want to test drive one.

DISCUSSION (37)

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > KingT- 60% of the time, it works every time
02/11/2019 at 11:53

[weeps at loss of the “ 4DSC” ]

TheRealBicycleBuck > KingT- 60% of the time, it works every time
02/11/2019 at 11:57

I’m glad I’m not the only one saying this. I had a rental Maxima for several months and the CVT really is outstanding. If this car were RWD, I’d consider buying one.

The fake shift takes advantage of the power band, giving the driver the feel of a regular transmission with minimal power loss.

Manually shifting while in sport mode is handy for descending hills, dealing with wet or icy conditions, and for engine braking while in traffic.

KingT- 60% of the time, it works every time > TheRealBicycleBuck
02/11/2019 at 12:02

Good to know. After the first 10 mins I was thinking to myself “Wait this is good, am I actually saying that?”

Kinja'd!!!

KingT- 60% of the time, it works every time > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
02/11/2019 at 12:04

When it came out in 2009 with the 35 upgraded to the 37 with a manual option , this was really Nissan’s 4DSC

Kinja'd!!!

ItalianJobR53 - now with added 'MERICA and unreliability > KingT- 60% of the time, it works every time
02/11/2019 at 12:10

Confession time: I quite like the Maxima as well. I rented it twice last year and it is quite punchy as you say. They have calibrated the CVT much better than Toyota. It’s also very good in the snow, I drove it along Lake Erie in Feb iirc with maximum lake effect.

KingT- 60% of the time, it works every time > ItalianJobR53 - now with added 'MERICA and unreliability
02/11/2019 at 12:19

The engine helps a lot for sure. Same thing in an under powered 1.5 or 2.0 NA 4 cylinder would make me want to murder someone.

HoustonRunner > KingT- 60% of the time, it works every time
02/11/2019 at 12:24

TL;DR - please hand over your Jalopnik Gold Membership card based on headline alone.

ItalianJobR53 - now with added 'MERICA and unreliability > KingT- 60% of the time, it works every time
02/11/2019 at 12:25

Yep, that engine is quite nice. Unlike Honda’s V6 which only starts pulling up top, the Nissan is good in the midrange.

KingT- 60% of the time, it works every time > HoustonRunner
02/11/2019 at 12:25

Hah! Joke’s on you. Never had one in the first place.

412GTI > KingT- 60% of the time, it works every time
02/11/2019 at 12:28

Sounds about right. I don’t hate the Maxima, but have no love for it either. I’d buy a 300c before this if it was my real monies, but I get why someone would own a Maxima.

I’m also in the “Hey, not all CVT’s are terrible” camp. Most are, I get it. Especially, in underpowered econo boxes (looking at you Versa), but we’ve had few in our family and they’re great for most non-enthusiast. Our 16 and now 18 Accord’s CVT is actually decent. Responsive, doesn’t drone, gets stellar mpg, and is smooth.

Compare that to a terrible traditional auto (like in our Cherokee) and I have no hate for owning a CVT equipped car.

KingT- 60% of the time, it works every time > 412GTI
02/11/2019 at 12:30

Yeah, the Maxima also competes against the Dodge Charger/Chrysler 300 and I would definitely buy either one but only with a V8. I rented a 300 recently that was very nice https://oppositelock.kinja.com/after-years-of-getting-meh-cars-best-rental-car-i-have-1828099869

412GTI > KingT- 60% of the time, it works every time
02/11/2019 at 12:38

300S is still a looker, shame you don’t see more on the road.

MiniGTI - now with XJ6 > KingT- 60% of the time, it works every time
02/11/2019 at 13:48

As a thorough Manual Lover and Hater of Automatics (the 3-speed in my Jaguar gets a pass), I was surprised to find I didn’t completely hate the CVT in my Mom’s Forester. At least in restrained driving with passengers. I haven’t had a chance to thrash it properly.

KingT- 60% of the time, it works every time > MiniGTI - now with XJ6
02/11/2019 at 14:00

In commuters/ family vehicles/ highway cruisers It’s good for MPG and what not.Still cannot think sporty driving and cvt together. One of my coworkers bought a WRX cvt few years back and when I test drove it the turbo lag combined with the cvt lag ruined it. I was thinking “ why are they even offering this option on THIS car, should be only manual or at worst a DCT”

CompactLuxuryFan > KingT- 60% of the time, it works every time
02/11/2019 at 14:18

I usually love when my Uber driver has a Camry hybrid or Accord with a CVT. That’s about my warmth for CVTs.

$43k for this thing is nuts , although I’m sure nobody’s paying that much.

KingT- 60% of the time, it works every time > CompactLuxuryFan
02/11/2019 at 14:29

You can get $10K off MSRP easy.

M.T. Blake > KingT- 60% of the time, it works every time
02/11/2019 at 14:37

$43,000 bones?! Ouch! Rent yes. Own no. Got that part right!

HighAltitudes > KingT- 60% of the time, it works every time
02/11/2019 at 16:50

I have a ‘17 Max SR Midnight and am getting rid of it as soon as my Genisys dealer gets an AWD G70 in silver. The Max is sedate and slow and sluggish compared to past Max’s I have owned and it isn't a comfy long distance car even though it's a 4 door sedan. Plus it has all sorts of mysterious rattles and noises Nissan can't identify or correct. Just a shade south of a piece of junk. Don't @ me, this is my 5th Max, I know what I'm talking about when I tell you to never buy one. If you do, buy a 1 or 2 yr old CPO and pay dimes on the dollar.

KingT- 60% of the time, it works every time > HighAltitudes
02/11/2019 at 17:04

Interesting. Never felt slow to me at all, and I drive a 328HP G37, Most reviews praise it as a very comfortable highway cruiser. I particularly liked the seats, especially since they had thigh adjusters.

Hope the G70 works out for you. I drove the G80 sport with the 3.3T and it was an excellent well rounded luxury sedan but heavy. Stinger GT is a good one too I drove, might prefer that over a G70 for more space and liftback design.

DB11 > KingT- 60% of the time, it works every time
02/11/2019 at 17:42

How?

thunder1979 > KingT- 60% of the time, it works every time
02/11/2019 at 18:14

Agreed! Tried the same combo at a car show test drive. WRX/CVT, by yhe time the transmission catches uo with the boost it’s time to brake. It was so unpredictable with the cvt, it was actually unenjoyable, bordering in unsafe . That combo should not be a thing.

KingT- 60% of the time, it works every time > thunder1979
02/11/2019 at 18:18

I was turning left on a y ield on green at a stoplight during that drive, and that’s where I realized that lag was downright unsafe if you’re not used to it.

AlfaCorse > MiniGTI - now with XJ6
02/11/2019 at 19:38

Have you looked into swapping in a 5-speed? R eally transforms those XJ6s

MiniGTI - now with XJ6 > AlfaCorse
02/11/2019 at 22:01

I’d love it but $$$$$ and actually it comes in handy having one automatic car now and then. Like the time I fell on a ladder and almost broke my left ankle

fhrblig > KingT- 60% of the time, it works every time
02/11/2019 at 23:44

The CVT is way more tolerable when there’s power. A Cube with a CVT is horrible, but the Juke was fine, even fun.

MiniGTI - now with XJ6 > AlfaCorse
02/12/2019 at 00:05

Also Harry Metcalf’s manual-swapped XJ12C is my dream DD.

PS9 > KingT- 60% of the time, it works every time
02/12/2019 at 00:13

‘I Liked the CVT`

PERMABAN, UNFRIEND, UNFOLLOW, UNSUBSCRIBE, DEPORT FROM WAKANDA, UNLIFE ON EARTH, SNAP PED AWAY BY THANOS

Nick Has an Exocet > KingT- 60% of the time, it works every time
02/12/2019 at 00:29

$43 k for a Maxima?!

Kinja'd!!!

themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles > KingT- 60% of the time, it works every time
02/12/2019 at 00:39

I rented the altima and I hate every bit of it with every fiber of my being. I’m glad your drive was okay, but by the end of my rental time I wanted it to die.

Thankfully, a l ady in a buick enclave was happy to oblige and rear ended it.

Infotainment was laggy, it automatically responded to texts despite me disabling thsi feature (and despite my phone saying the texts were drafts and not sent...), the HVAC was adequate at best, the engine was tepid, the CVT was okay, the electronics blew chunks on a regular basis and the seats were uncomfortable.

Hopefully they got their shit together with the maxima, but nissan is on my “never even consider” list right now.

AddictedToM3s - Drives a GC > KingT- 60% of the time, it works every time
02/12/2019 at 01:05

I was going to concede and agree with you that if I needed a practical and low maintenance car I would be perfectly happy with one. The n I saw it was $ 43k for one. Absolutely not worth it for $43k. Maybe if you could get one for $ 30k then I could maybe see getting it instead of an A ccord.

KingT- 60% of the time, it works every time > PS9
02/12/2019 at 06:50

Here, have a Snickers

KingT- 60% of the time, it works every time > themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles
02/12/2019 at 06:53

Rental Altimas are God’s punishment on mankind. I avoid them like a plague.

From what I’ve seen rental Maximas are better optioned out and a more uplevel car overall.

KingT- 60% of the time, it works every time > AddictedToM3s - Drives a GC
02/12/2019 at 06:58

No reason you cannot get one for $ 30K mid trim with huge discounts on it before you even started negotiating. 2018s are sitting on lots for months and nobody buys them.

I just did a quick Auto trader search and the local dealers all have 6 to 10k off the sticker.

KingT- 60% of the time, it works every time > Nick Has an Exocet
02/12/2019 at 06:58

P L A T I N U M

KingT- 60% of the time, it works every time > fhrblig
02/12/2019 at 06:59

I think that’s the key here. V6 with good response and gradual power delivery, or turbo with a lot of torque down low pairs well with cvt

AlfaCorse > MiniGTI - now with XJ6
02/12/2019 at 13:15

Yeah for sure, what a cool car!

Nick Has an Exocet > KingT- 60% of the time, it works every time
02/12/2019 at 22:25

O ther cars you can get with $43k:

TLX V6 (probably a good comparison)

Volvo S60

Infiniti Q50