2010 Nissan Maxima 3.5 SV By ALAN GELL www.CarColumns.Net Recently,  I had a terrific new Nissan sedan for a test drive – the 2010 Maxima 3.5 SV.  Judy and I really enjoyed a week with this car.  Nissan calls it their “4-door sports car”, but I thought it was closer to a luxury outfitted sedan that was sporty.

  Nissan redesigned the Maxima for their 2009 model and the new 2010 is fairly much the same.
 Responding to a lot of complaints, they now offer various technology packages instead of one huge, expensive one vs. nothing.  That’s a good change.  My test model had that exterior appearance that commands attention and although it is a four door sedan, it almost looks like a sports car at times.  The sculpted lines simply flow across the hood and towards the rear of the car.
The Nissan Maxima is powered by a dual overhead cam 3.5 liter V-6 engine, the same one as last year’s model and the same one that is in the Altima and Murano cars.  It gets 290 horsepower and is matched with Nissan’s continuously variable transmission called the Xtronic CVT.  It is an automatic that is different from most automatic transmissions.  It uses a belt and pulley system to spread the power instead of preset gear ratios.  It is more like a rheostat working to turn on a light switch.  The paddle shifters convert to a six speed manual transmission.  The 3.5 V-6 is a very aggressive engine and can put the power out when you want it to do so.
The interior is extremely comfortable and outfitted with all the amenities you think about in a very nice sedan.  It has a power moon roof, cruise control, steering wheel mounted audio controls, dual zone climate control, tilt and telescope leather-wrapped steering wheel, power front seats, keyless start – and these are all standard equipment.  The Maxima SV even has leather upholstery, mirror-mounted turn signals, and a nine speaker Bose sound system, and these are also standard equipment.
My test model came equipped with an added Cold-Weather Package that included heated front seats, heated steering wheel, and heated outside mirrors.  The cost of that was just $400 extra.  It also had what was called a Monitor Package for an extra $700.  This included a 7 inch monitor for the display, 2 GB flash music box, an auxiliary input jack, an iPod net in the center console, and a backup rearview in the monitor.  The Technology package was the most expensive add-on, but it included the hard-drive navigation system, XM radio, streaming Bluetooth audio, and a touch-screen monitor.
The 2010 Nissan Maxima SV is certainly bumping at the door of the luxury sedans, but at a price slightly less.  Some have called it “an appealing alternative to entry-level luxury sedans.”   Base MSRP is $33,180.  With all the packages added on, the bottom sticker price on my test model was $37,430.  That is certainly bumping at the door of the premium category in price, but does not quite put it up in the upper realm.
Mileage is EPA rated at 19 city and 26 highway.  I averaged about 24 mpg overall for the week with a combined mixed driving of both city and highway.  The Nissan Maxima SV certain has quality construction, fit and finish, good driving dynamics, and plenty of high-tech features.  It accelerates down the highway or through the countryside with an air of sophistication.  Maybe it doesn’t have the name plate of an expensive, premium sports sedan, but it offers nearly as much for slightly less cost.
Check out the 2010 Maxima 3.5 SV at a Nissan dealership yourself.