http://www.motorweek.org/about/upcom...e-episode-3501

There's also the associated podcast already available. #124:

http://www.motorweek.org/features/podcasts/

 

Thanks for sharing. Got it set on my DVR for recording

 

Just listened to the podcast and, for the most part, they had some really positive things to say about the car. I can't wait to see the review on tv Friday.

 

Definitely interested to see what they have to say.

 

generally positive remarks. They mention wanting AWD, Dual Clutch, and NISMO. Can we say I told you SO?!?!

 

Motor Week has gradually moved further and further from reality. They reported on mure cars costing between $100,000 and $1,200,000 this last year than ever before. They also do not seem to understand that AWD has both positives and negatives, and adds to initial cost as well as ongoing maintenance. Also means more lot space is needed to stock all variations. Dual Clutch also adds to intiial cost. NISMO does give Nissan a window in which to show off and impress buyers. I hope something develops in that area.

 

Here's the web version of the segment:

http://www.motorweek.org/reviews/roa...-nissan-maxima

 

MW liked their SR !!!

The Maxima discussion starts at 8 minutes in on the podcast. Enjoy!

"But without reservations, it is the best Maxima, and the best Nissan badged sedan, we’ve ever driven."

 

Overall they were impressed and I would have to agree that is the best one to date, inside and out.

 

After just seeing the review, I am most disappointed by the collision avoidance test result. If this function can't perform reliably, I cannot trust it, though in real life use, the warning beep has come in handy on occasion.

 

Ditto - I am waiting for the crash tests before I commit. Nissan should offer an upgrade on that feature when they work it out.

 

Government crash tests for the 2016 Maxima were posted somewhere on this board around a month ago - Straight 5 (best rating) across the board (on every variation of crash, even the demanding corner offset one). Clearly safer than the 7th gen Maxima. You are now free to commit.

 

http://www.safercar.gov/Vehicle+Shop...ehicleId=10823

 

I like the motorweek review of Maxima. Everyone hates the cvt for a sports car, so that's something Nissan has to think about. I don't mind the cvt, as it increases fuel economy and reactive enough for regular freeway driving. The sensors do work, but all need to angle lower. It can't see gutters or at least, hit or miss. What stands out the most is the interior. For me, that was my deciding factor, choosing this over any other entry level luxury sedans. I like how it looks exterior, some may not. I like the drive and handling, especially in sports mode.

 

And yet higher HP cars with manual or auto trans can get more MPG and faster times. CVTs are there because Nissan invested A LOT of money into the company making them. It is purely a cost saver that they can throw across their lineup- any thing extra is due to refinement (which should always happen on any product) and marketing BS. The CVT is pushing Nissan's biggest advocates to other brands. The new Maxima deserved a proper trans. and I fear the model will die in this generation or next unless they get their sh*t right.

 

I guess the real issue is whether you are comfortable with a different power application paradigm . I had a Gen 7 and really liked it once I got used to how the power came. We went to a Gen 8 after driving a 9 speed TLX which was Herky - Jerky most of the test ride. They also have a cylinder deactivation scheme that is very noticeable on the V-6. The Gen 8 CVT has really tightened things up. All that said, I would love to have a Nissan 7/8 speed in this car but they added enough other goodies, we are getting the car.

 

Tests have shown time and again that, ALL ELSE BEING EQUAL, the manual is now the least efficient tranny, which makes sense. The manual is especially cumbersome to drive in modern urban situations, where endless stop and go is now the norm.

The CVT may have been driving some away from Nissan years ago, but, strangely, other manufacturers are now moving to CVTs in more of their vehicles. There are many reasons. The CVT is already (all else being equal) the most efficient tranny in both fuel efficiency and acceleration, which makes sense when we consider it is the only tranny that does not have to shift gears.

The CVT is also less expensive, lighter, and smaller. That is a combination that will be increasingly difficult for other trannies to beat.

After initial questions and doubts, I have grown to like my CVT, especially when accelerating from 40 MPH to 80 MPH in order to pass in a short passing area. This CVT snaps my head half off in seconds in that situation. I have no interest in zero to 60 times, as I have never been into jackrabbit takeoffs.

 

Well said LOTH. I agree completely. In both my 2013 Altima 3.5SL and now the Max Plat.

 

Well stated. Your a true auto enthusiast and it's good to hear your views that you have from your many years with the maxima line. The CVT will continue to outperform the other transmission while being more efficient and reliable.

 

Well said 95VQ30, spoken like some one with lots of knowledge of what enthusiast like and want, and I agree 100% with your post!!! You will not find a "proper sport sedan" or wannabe one with a CVT from BMW,Mercedes,Dodge etc with plenty of great DCT's and traditional automatics in the marketplace, plus their owners would not go for that for many reasons!!!

 

This is a very good point. Accelerating from 30-40 on up is what I find most useful.

 

I've been watching a lot of video reviews and even the newest Mercedes S class auto brake system was not reliable. There are actually test videos of these systems on youtube. I remember they initially offered this system on the E-class only as a option. That was strange that they offered it only on their E class since the S-class is their top of the line car. I even saw a video reviewer get the system to activate from low hanging branches. No tester/reviewer is rich enough to test this system with a real car at the cost of a mercedes etc. If mercedes can't get it that it'll be a while before other manu's do. Only other company I wonder about is Volvo.

 

I was using the Mercedes AMG GT review from the same episode as a comparison as I hadn't seen other cars tested. It was demonstrated as working consistently.

Of course, any system like this can be fooled or not be expected to be 100% consistent when the variables are many, but with a static target, I would expect the target not to be hit.

It's kinda difficult to perform a real life test as I have a $1000 deductible...