I know this forum is dedicated to hardcore Maxima enthusiasts but does the design of the new Pathfinder (which I really like) stimulate the following thoughts?

1. Hope for a 9th generation Maxima that will really push the envelope
2. Soooooo, is Nissan moving away from CVT's?
3. Some of y'all may finally cave in and join the SUV migration when the new Pathfinder hits dealers

Been a Maxima guy since 1998, but I will be test driving the pathfinder when it comes out....

 

1) If the Maxima gets another generation it really will need to push into Infiniti territory. Every single econo box sedan from other automakers has pivoted to being "sporty" with AWD, better engine choices than before, nicer interiors, better handling. The gap between those other cars and the Maxima isn't as large as it used to be. The next generation maxima will really need to be aggressively sporty to stand out. I do have hope for it but I think the new Maxima will more likely be an electric flagship sedan model that carries on the Maxima tradition but in another name.

2) Probably not for the A to B appliance cars like the Sentra, Altima, Rogue, but they need to for the more powerful vehicles that they want to be taken seriously. As much as I don't mind the CVT in the Maxima now (it's programmed to feel fine), the ones in the Altima and Sentra loaners I've had are programmed to be lifeless and sluggish and they seem to implode in the past generations. But Nissan also probably wants to move away from those CVT issues as well so maybe they through in a cheap geared transmission from somewhere into those models as well.

3)I really like the way the new Pathfinder looks! Especially the deep green offroad version they showed off. But the Telluride still kinda seems like the better overall package. That and I won't even consider an SUV for the time being. I barely carry more than another person in my car and much prefer the better styling of sedans.

 

I like what I see so far with the up-and-coming Pathfinder. My wife and I are finding it harder to get in and out of our 2019 Maxima so this might be an option.

 

I would love to see an all electric Maxima, to be a real competitor to Tesla. Sadly it looks like they’re are poised to make the Ariya electric SUV the new flagship car

 

Meanwhile, we are enjoying our 2019 Platinum. A very solid performer that regularly (get it ..uses regular gas) gets 33 mpg on the open road. Amazed at the copycat cars like the Accord, Kia, Toyota, who copy the "look" the Maxima has had for nearly 6 model years! Maxima still shows well after all this time!
For me there is no electric car in our future. As choice narrow, I will not be driving as much.

 

All true....!

 

I previously did the SUV thing with a 2002 Jeep Liberty, and later a 2007 Hyundai Santa Fe. I really enjoyed the Santa Fe and when I traded it in it had 213,000 miles on it and still ran like it was brand new. But then my next vehicle was a 2014 Nissan Altima SL which was just more comfortable and more fun to drive. Now I have a 2020 Maxima SL which really broke the mold for me as far as ease of acceleration, handling, comfort and quietness of the cabin. Looking at the Pathfinder doesn't excite me at all, or any SUV for that matter. I'm holding out and hoping that the ninth generation Maxima is still alive and well with AWD, horsepower to 335 ponies, update the interior and exterior styling, and keep the 4 door sports persona. I wish Nissan would come out with a whole new model for an all electric car. Please don't do what Ford did with the Mustang!

 

I would probably go along with a Maxima hybrid but not an all electric one. I take too many long trips to be burdened with stopping to charge every 400 miles or so. No more driving to Chicago, about 700 miles for me, in a day.

 

I would go along with that too.