Seems like there's about 2 inches missing in the 7th gen vs. 6. in length.
Any comments or complaints from those with families about the new "4 door sports car" experience?

thx

 

Yes, I have noticed the loss of 2 inches in the back. I am a bigger/taller guy, so my driver seat is usually all the way back. When I have passengers sit behind me that are > 5'7", I have to pull my seat up a bit. This is annoying, but the car has so many positives that I am willing to deal with it. I just hope nissan increase that rear seat leg room in the 8th generation maxima.

 

^^^Agreed. The 2 inches that were cut came out of the rear seat leg room. Passengers that used to ride in my 6th gen with no trouble now have to get me to scoot up a little bit. It is not bad for kids but the back seat can be tight for adults.

 

I just went outside and checked. You guys are right...there is a back seat.

 

I noticed this lack of enough legroom in the rear, the first day I entered into one at the auto show here in Houston. I wonder if they will try to fix that.

 

 

Yes, the 7th gen is an inch or two tighter in back seat leg room. I console myself by remembering that the 6th gen was an inch or so LONGER in back seat leg room than my previous Maximas. I also remember riding on long trips in the back seat of my '78 Datsun 200SX, which had at least HALF A FOOT LESS back seat leg room.

I sat in the back seat of my '09 several times Wednesday. My wife was driving, with my daughter 'riding shotgun', and my 6'1" son and I were in back. We had around half a foot of extra knee room, because the ladies up front were 5'5" and 5'3".

Because of styling comsiderations, and Nissan's determination to get back to a 'sporty' image with the Maxima (6th gen was considered to be more plush and luxurious than sporty), I don't think we will see much increase in back seat knee room again. Nissan can't change this before the 8th gen, anyway, and that is either 2 1/2 or 3 1/2 years away.

 

I actually sat in the back seat of a 09 Maxima, and was pretty pissed the shrunk the rear leg room so much compared to my 08.

 

Well, would we rather have the nice, but sort of bloated, roomy 6th gen, or the trim, athletic, muscular-looking 7th gen? Both are excellent cars, and I have been very happy with both. But Nissan had to decide which way to go, and I would bet most folks feel they went the right way with the 7th gen.

This rear leg room is only a problem when THREE or more folks in the 6 foot range are in the car at the same time, so one six footer has to sit behind another six footer. I have been lucky, in that I have never faced that situation in over sixty years of driving. Always had wife and/or kids/grandkids along.

 

I disagree. Don't get me wrong, I thing the 7th Gen looks better, but when we test drove it with my 3 & 5 yo booster-seat using children, they could get in and out on their own much easier in the 08 - that 2 inches is like 5 for a kid. I agree that the 6th gen has some junk in the trunk, but the form follows function (both the the TL and the GS kind of look 6th genish now to me), and I use the space more than I look at the car (although the grill change does make her purdy). I have carried 5 adults several times, and have yet to move my seat. Everything else (performance, features, etc.) are pretty close on the two - including track times. There are alot of things you can upgrade on a car, but space is not an easy one to do...

 

hmmm!

 

Good points, of course. But even if we ignore the clearly sportier, athletic, muscular looks of the 7th gen, it still has an edge over the 6th gen in some important ways:

The 7th gen has 35 more HP, and tested a tad faster in the 0 to 60 in the mag tests, and also did a tad better in the slalom with less lean. I like the much deeper glove box on the 7th gen. I appreciate the three mood lights on the 7th gen, as I can always find anything I need at night without turning on the dome lights. I use (and like) my double panel roof on my 7th gen; this was not available on the 6th gen. I use the Music Box in my 7th gen every time I enter the car; I love it. I also like the smaller 'Z-type' 7th gen steering wheel much better than the 6th gen wheel, and I absolutely LOVE the FOUR FEET tighter turning radius of the 7th gen. I was always having to maneuver more to get my 6th gen turned around, and sometimes found myself in embarrassing situations when I couldn't quite complete my turn, and had to back up with traffic bearing down on me.

There are, of course, other differences between the 6th gen and 7th gen, but I only listed the ones that have meaning for me.

But don't get me wrong; I love them both.

 

It sounds to me like some people want to have their cake and eat it too. Some people have sports cars, some people have the family car. The 7th gen. is a 4 door Family Sports Car. If you want sport, buy a Z. If you want a lot of back seat, buy a Toyota Avalon (that car has a ton of back seat room, not so sporty though). To achieve what I feel Nissan has with the 7th gen. there had to be some sacrifices. IMO it is an outstanding all around car and I can't think of a different car I would have bought even if I could have spent more money.

 

Of course the 7th will be more advanced - but the 6.5 has the LED mood light too, plus HID brights (used often) & folding mirrors (used rarely) - got that on your 7th? Speed is pretty close - I would expect more for 35 more hp. I also have a big back seat and trunk. Yes the radius SUCKS - probably the one thing I really hate. Hey, they are both great cars; sounds like yours works for you well. I will admit that getting the same options for 6 grand less and the lifetime warranty from the dealer for free played a huge role as well...

 

I wouldn't know about the brights, because I never have opportunity to use them. We do very little night driving (both retired), and there is never a time when there isn't traffic coming the other way around here. Our garage doors are all 10' wide (by choice, as, at our advanced age, we hate having to squeeze into tight openings), but, like you, I feel the absence of folding mirrors on the 7th gen was a step backward that will be a real annoyance to those parking in garages with 8' wide doors. I figured Nissan replaced the power-folding option of the 6th gen with the power-lowering action when we put the car in reverse. I love the lowering, but feel some folks still need the power-folding option. I hope to see that return in the 7 1/2 gen.

I absolutely love my 7th gen, but must admit I also miss my beautiful 6th gen. It was a d@mn good car.

 

08's tilt down as well in reverse - surprised the 04-06 didn't since my 03 TL-S did. I think they take some stuff out so newer year models can list something. I would love that music box and the turning radius, but I plan to wait 'till the 2018 model which should be the refreshed 9.5 gen maybe? I have always been very satisfied with the value and durability of a last year gen in any vehicle...

 

... or one can buy an Altima V6 which has more rear legroom than the Maxima and is sportier than the Avalon for much less money than either

 

Shush your mouth, 09Maxima_John. At least you didn't taunt us with the fact Consumer Reports has rated the Altima the very top four door family sedan for several years now. The only two serious drawbacks I have with the Altima are the styling (not bad, but pales by comparison with the 7th gen Maxima) and the fact there are millions of them on the road (I can't leave my driveway without seeing an Altima).

 

Forget the legroom, have any of you seen how much head room is in the rear? Try sitting in the middle seat of the rear while sitting straight up. LOL

 

Like most four door sedans, the Maxima is a 'four adult, but five IF one person is small' vehicle. The center back is not fit for adults in MOST sedans. As to head room, the two normal rear seats have ample headroom for my son and I (and he is 6' 1").

If I used my vehicle for a five adult carpool (or sometimes carried five adults), I would NOT be buying a sedan. A minivan is perfect for mass transit (I consider carying 5 full size adults on a regular basis to be mass transit).

 

So you guys, who are complaining about rear leg or headroom, really expected space for five full-sized adults in a midsize sedan? Aren't you conversant with the American way of selling things? You always get less than what you are promised. In case of the Maxima, "seating for five people" should be read as "two full-size adults, two petite adults, one dwarf or minor".

BTW, I really like that somehow Honda has completely eliminated the hump that runs through the middle of the rear leg space. It has been there in all cars I have ever sat in except the current Civic. I do not know how Honda did that but it does increase a lot of rear legroom, at least in perception. Here is what I am talking about.

 

09Maxima_John has been around the block, and knows the score.

 

Thanks for the support Light. It really means a lot when it comes from a veteran like you.

 

The worrisome thing about being a 'veteran' is that the next step after 'veteran' is 'has-been.'

 

not that bad, first maxima so I would not know the difference

 

I really like the Altima 3.5. But, the Maxima just has that mean, muscular look that a lot of us guys lean toward. The Altima is kind of.....everyday looking.

As far as the Maxima's back seat, I could give a ...., I'm just selfish that way, lol.

 

I really like the new design on the Altimas.

 

That is good, because you will see lots of them every time you leave your driveway. The Altima may be the best bang for the buck out there for those into practicality; very good performance, lots of room and rather good looks at a good price.

I spent over half a century living a depressingly practical life. Then, like Susan Boyle, decided I would try for something a little extra before I left this earth. As a result, I have now owned nothing but Maximas for over a quarter century, and loved every day of those Maxima years.

 

the leg room is great... but of course I came from an 08 TSX our new maxima is huge in comparison. tsx a lot of fun though, but we love our new maxima

 

Had an 04 maxima Lots of leg room, however can't even compare in my opinion 6th gen to 7th gen imo with all the other great attributes.

 

Just got back from a trip to an NFL game. I am 6'7", my brother 6'4" sat behind me, my dad 6'5" sat passenger and friend 6'1" sat behind. No complaints from anyone, easy ride going 45 min in each direction.

 

TWENTY-FIVE feet and FIVE INCHES! That is a new total length for four folks in a 7th gen Maxima! Congratulations!

And shame on all those miniscule 6' 4" folks that have been complaining about rear leg room in our 7th gen for weeks.

 

Too true! My dad kept saying how big the car was, and he drives an FX45.

Go figure.