2002 Nissan Maxima

I can’t remember a time when the Nissan Maxima wasn’t on my favorites list. Compared to its biggest competitors – the Honda Accord and Toyota Camry – the Maxima has always been the most fun to drive, a family sedan that isn’t afraid to party. These attributes don’t appeal to everyone apparently, since the Maxima hasn’t enjoyed the radical success either Accord or Camry has. But Nissan stays the course, and updates for 2002 in all the right places might change some minds. The Good News
The most obvious change is the Maxima’s revised looks. It’s not a total makeover, but a subtle reshaping of the rear and front perspectives. High-intensity xenon headlamps become standard. These cosmetic revisions represent a good move, especially up against Camry’s sexy new styling. The Maxima looks fresh, racy and ready.

More significantly, Nissan builds on the Maxima’s performance tradition this year by generously sharing the Infiniti I35’s 3.5-liter twin cam 24-valve V-6 engine. Replacing last year’s 3.0-liter, this new engine adds 33 horses to Maxima’s stable and 29 foot pounds of torque. The new totals are 255 and 246 respectively. Stepping lively, indeed.

Maxima’s sporty SE model also introduces a new six-speed manual transmission replacing last year’s five. My top-line luxury GLE model sticks with a strengthened version of the four-speed automatic, however, a honey of a setup for those who like power but have no use for clutches. Four-wheel disc brakes with anti-lock, speed sensitive steering: It’s all here, giving the Maxima a real performance personality the others can’t touch. You have to drive it to appreciate it.

This GLE model also includes a big ol’ load of luxuries, the level you expect in high-end nameplates like Infiniti and Lexus. Leather seats, Bose audio with 7 speakers and subwoofer, power seats, etc. etc. It’s really quite lavish.

The Bad News
More than a few people shook their heads when I told them this Maxima cost $30,000-plus. The problem is most people think it is comparable to the Accord and Camry in every way, when in fact it is much more in line with Acura and Lexus sedans in its standard appointments and performance. The price of the test car also includes almost $2,000 for a first-class navigation system and $900 for power sunroof.

Gas mileage
EPA rated at 20 mpg city/26 highway

Price
Manufacturer’s base, $27,099;
Price as tested, $30,537

Is it worth it?
With the introduction of the all-new larger and much more refined Altima, the Maxima’s place in Nissan’s lineup seems a bit fuzzy. Rumor has it that the Maxima will continue to move up, as well, creating a larger and even more luxury/performance-oriented sedan in its next generation.

In the meantime, I still think the Maxima is well worth its price tag. Even though its cost exceeds most people’s expectations for a family sedan, so do its assets. From its uptown luxury to its sports-sedan performance, the Maxima is not just another errand-runner aimed at placating the masses. It’s a driver’s car that outshines its competition.

In fact, I think the Maxima an often-overlooked bargain for those shopping high-end sedans. The only thing missing here is the prestigious nameplate and several thousand dollars.

Beth Stein is a life-long car buff and free-lance journalist living in Nashville. She has reviewed new vehicles in print for 12 years as a weekly columnist for Nashville’s daily newspapers and on television for Road Test Magazine and Motor Trend Television. Currently, her reviews appear nationally on Car And Driver Television.