Ya know the Acura TLX A-Spec and the upcoming Type S has some intriguing specs and features notably AWD and a 10 speed Transmission. And honestly I have gotten to the point where I stopped defending the CVT as I haven't had any issues (3 CVT's and counting) and most of the hate comes from people who haven't driven the Maxima's CVT. Okay enough circling and let me land this plane, the Acura TLS A Spec stickers at $47k while the Type S will probably be right at 50K. If Nissan built a similar car, would the pricing be similar? Man that seems expensive or do I need to expand my horizons beyond the 32-35K spectrum? If the rumors of the Maxima demise are true and I want to keep a sedan and not follow the masses to a SUV, oh where oh where do I go and should I be prepared to spend more? Hello Genesis or Acura?

 

If AWD is your thing, don't forget the Infiniti Q50 Pure AWD, starts at $38,600. If I was in the market for a sedan, and had a 35-40k budget, I'd be picking up a 2017 or 2018 CPO Infiniti Q50 Red sport. Fast as hell from the factory, and bolts-ons have noticeable gains.
You can skip the Red Sport and start with a base model. Add a piggy back JBL tune, and you're about as quick as Red Sport.
Unlike the Maxima, the Q50 has a ton of aftermarket support. Companies have developed kits ranging from 500hp to 600hp for the Q50.

 

Background - we’ve owned 8 Acura and 5 Honda products - all leased or purchased new. Currently on Odyssey Elite + Maxima Platinum Reserve (both 2019).

My take after driving two (not the Type-S obviously) - since we have to replace parents’ 2016 TLX (base 2.4) — STAY away.

Genesis G70 or Kia Stinger worth a shot.

Maxima is a tremendous value. CVT is an overcooked complaint.

 

Depends on what you are looking for. Looking for a comfortable sedan with adequate power to get you from point A to point B, the Maxima is a great choice. For those who can't leave well enough alone and are looking to modify it, add moderate to significant HP, then the Maxima is a poor choice because of the CVT and lack of aftermarket support.

 

Listen to the Wizard....all facts!!

 

The 2021 Q 50 finally has android auto......Can not believe it took that long

 

Really appreciate the feedback...not much of a modifier myself..prefer to keep them stock and that's why I have always liked the Maxima. 1998, 2005, 2009 and 2017 SR and we have a 2015 Altima for my son when he is ready..the Maxima's value for performance proposition is hard to beat in my book. I used to really like Infiniti but their models seem dated to me...now to your point Infiniti's performance is really underrated but the styling and especially the interior just don't do it for me. I really like the Maxima's interior especially the integrated infotainment screen. I really don't like the "tombstone" infotainment screens. If they keep making the Maxima's, I will probably keep buying but if they stop not sure what's next... aaannnd I will say if Mazda makes the new Mazda 6 anything close to the concept model then I will have to consider....

 

The newest Acura TLS just comes up short! Even when compared to a 6 model-year-old 2016 Platinum Max
Check out the interior passenger dimensions-- they should be better, given the bigger wheelbase and width. What happened?
No power steering wheel column adjusters
No power rear window curtain
No thigh supports on the driver seat
No touch screen controls on the navi entertainment systems
No dual sunroof or power sunscreen

The price spread on the TLS vs the Maxima is much larger than the MSRPs indicate. I don't care about a 10 speed trans after having a CVT with far better efficiency. Haven't missed AWD either. As said earlier, Maxima's value proposition far outshines the just released TLS if you realize this is not am a modifiable boy racer car
.

 

Right now looking at 2019 Q50 Sport with the ProActive package still on an Infiniti lot which is "used", with 250 Kilometers (Canada) on the odometer. It is listed at $15,000 Canadian Dollars below the retail price. Pros: all wheel drive, everything my Maxima SL has plus more of the current safety features, and I'm debating whether the twin turbo is a pro. Cons: no Apple Carplay, no spare tire (run flats), significant increase in fuel consumption, "steer by wire", no cvt (I love the performance of the cvt compared to the traditional transmission, though I often wonder about its longevity). Unfortunately my region of Canada has limited travel, and the vehicle is located in another region, so I have time to research and reflect.

 

Maxima is 30 MPG on Highway, Red Sport is rated at 26 MPG on Highway. I would not consider a 13% difference to be significant, considering you have 25% more HP available under your right foot with the Red Sport.
Apple Car Play is now standard on 2021 models. For older models like the 2019, Apple Carplay has recently been released by a third party as an add-on kit.

 

Amazing that a 2019 "luxury" car does not have Apple Carplay, yet a 2015 Chevy Spark has Apple Carplay. I am actually looking at the Sport 3 Litre Turbo with 300 HP. So no increase in HP but a sizeable increase in torque. 0-60 time of 4.9 vs 5.7 in the Maxima. The mpg rating for the 3 Litre is 27 mpg. I constantly get between 35-40 mpg in my Maxima on the highway going the speeds used to measure fuel consumption. Fuel consumption is one of the advantages of the cvt (if not the reason the Maxima adopted the cvt). I think the Infiniti would be hard pressed to achieve anything north of 30 - 32 mpg. So about a 20% increase in fuel. Definitely not a big factor in determining whether to purchase the Infiniti or not.

 

I don't get it either. I figured Apple Car Play and Android Auto would have been standard features about 4 to 5 years ago.

 

Mainstream sedans have gotten very, very good in the last couple of years. Accord 2.0 EX-L costs little over $30k and gives you practically everything, and more, in some respects, that a TLX would give you for $45k. As for the Maxima, although it's commonly discounted I wouldn't recommend it for the poor quality and reliability (personal experience).

 

I want no part of the little motors with Turbos being offered today.....That's just me....

 

Nice suggestion. Appreciate it. Will strongly consider, but I'm not super hot on the looks but a helluva lot better looking than the Avalon with that horrendous maw. What were they thinking. Their design chief should be canned.

 

ditto that, I don’t know what Toyota has been thinking the past few years... their grill looks like a kilo ren helmet gone bad. Still love the look of my 2017 maxima even though the design is considered old now.

 

You may know that I also own a '17SL. That design is ageing very well. Of all the cars I've owned over the years, my Max is the best, and when washed and waxed she still gets the looks.

 

dude I went to a market research study nearly 10 years ago to give feedback on that infotainment.
It's ooooooooold.

 

1. Power to the system
2. Software
3. QA/testing
4. Focus/care

 

Wow.....Unbelievable..