2004 NISSAN MAXIMA SEDAN

NISSAN Brand Reviews:    • MAXIMA    • ALTIMA    • SENTRA    • 350Z    • 350Z ROADSTER    2004 NISSAN MAXIMA SEDAN:    Description:    Mid-size performance sedan    Model options:    3.5 SE    3.5 SL    Wheelbase:    111.2 inches    Overall length:    193.5 inches    Engine size:    DOHC 3.5-L V6    OHV 5.7-L V8 (LS6)    Transmissions/speeds:     3.5 SE: Auto/5, Manual/6    3.5 SL: Auto/4    Rear/front drive:     Front    Steering:    Power rack and pinion    Braking:    Power 4-disc     ABS/BA/EBD     3.5 SE A/5: VDC/TCS opt.     3.5 SL A/4: VDC/TCS opt.     3.5 SE M/6: Limited Slip opt.    Air bags:    2 (front) + 2 (side) + 4 (side curtain)    EPA mileage est. city/hwy:    3.5 SE A/5: 20/28 mpg    3.5 SE M/6: 20/29 mpg    3.5 SL A/4: 20/27 mpg    MSRP    3.5 SE A/5: $ 26,950    3.5 SE M/6: $ 26,950    3.5 SL A/4: $ 28,900   Read Feature Story   Read New Car News   Read Brand Reviews   Read Car-Truck Test Reviews   Return to Guide's Homepage

NISSAN REVAMPS MAXIMA FLAGSHIP

Japan's Nissan, armed with a design studio in California and assembly plants in Tennessee and Mississippi, introduces a new sixth generational expression of the flagship Maxima this year in a fresh execution extending from roof to rails. Maxima is larger now in all dimensions with a forceful V6 aboard pumping top-of-class power and two trim designations skewed toward either a sporty mode for gearbox and suspension or a comfort mode with deluxe content for downright elegant motoring. Also, the expanded structure creates a larger passenger compartment. There's 103.6 cubic feet of space in the cabin plus a trunk in back with 15.5 cubic feet for gear. Nissan's car collection for 2004 also includes the mid-size Altima sedan series, a compact-class sedan called Sentra with sport-inspired SE-R special editions, and sports cars that bear the name of Nissan's fastback Z-cars. The 350Z rolled out in 2004 as a slinky two-door coupe with hatchback styling and sport-tuned hardware set for serious pavement performance. It returns in seven different flavors, but also spawns an airy two-seat roadster variation rigged with a power-operated soft top that lowers the lid in 20 seconds. A Touring Edition and the Enthusiast Edition are available on the new 350Z Roadster with either a five-speed automatic or six-speed manual shifter. Altima, Nissan's four-door sedan for the mid-size class, projects aggressive styling points and packs aboard a big V6 engine. Exterior designs look crisp and clean, but also aggressive and powerful with taut skin stretched over muscular shoulders and flat side panels interrupted by bulging fenders.

MAXIMA: Bold new exterior styling for Maxima looks keen and clean with curvaceous lines yet flat surfaces and chiseled corners in an overall effect that seems sensuous yet also muscular. These crisp exterior designs hint at the athletic persona of Maxima and its powerful engine, although the spacious passenger cabin with amenities for comfort portrays an image four-door convenience and people-toting capability. Maxima's two trims vary suspension tuning. The sport-oriented 3.5 SE version uses a performance-tuned suspension for tight handling control, and the comfort-oriented 3.5 SL edition has cushy settings for a luxurious ride quality. Then there's that power posture fueled by a big V6. Maxima's sophisticated 3.5-liter six produces 265 hp. For sporty 3.5 SE trim, the engine ties to an electronic automatic five-speed transmission with manual shift mode or -- in a performance version -- the six-speed close-ratio manual stick lifted from Nissan's 350Z. For Maxima's elegant 3.5 SL trim, the engine uses a four-speed automatic transmission with gated shifter. Maxima's cockpit provides twin front bucket seats separated by a console, with a rear bench in sculptured positions for two but space for three. The optional Elite Package on 3.5 SE brings a four-seat plan with buckets front and rear, while a new Skyview Roof shows glass extending above both front and rear seats.

ALTIMA: Altima appears in four trims described by the size of two engine options. An entry model and two upgraded issues carry a dual-cam 2.5-liter in-line-four plant and line up as the Altima 2.5, mid-grade 2.5 S and deluxe 2.5 SL. Top Altima 3.5 SE packs Nissan's 3.5-liter V6 good for 245 hp now. A five-speed manual or four-speed automatic works with either engine. Several packages of gear go to SE, such as the 3.5 SE Sport Package Plus with sunroof, tail spoiler, xenon headlamps and Bose audio, or the Premium Leather Package with leather draping the cockpit. And a fresh exterior color choice for Altima emerges under the label of Smoke.

SENTRA: Nissan's compact-class Sentra sedan gains styling enhancements plus more convenience features. Headlamps and rear combination lamps have been reworked with smooth fascia added front and rear plus a carved hood and unique grille. Inside, two race-style buckets stand in front of a split-and-fold bench. Cloth bucket seats are standard on all versions in three new colors, depending on model and trim. Added interior gear ranges from Rockford Fosgate audio kits to a trip computer, optional sunroof and remote keyless entry system. Models switch nomenclature with Sentra 1.8 replacing a base XE, Sentra GXE becoming the 1.8 S and the 2.5 LE changing to 2.5 S. Sentra 1.8 and 1.8 S draw from a 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine worth 126 hp with five-speed manual or optional four-speed automatic. Sentra 2.5 S stocks a 2.5-liter four-pack scored to 165 hp with the automatic shifter. Sport-tuned SE-R and racy SE-R Spec V Sentras return with more equipment. Power for SE-R Sentras is the twin-cam 2.5-liter four that hits 175 hp for the Spec V performance edition.

350Z: Nissan's two-door coupe with hatchback styling and sport-tuned hardware carries the engine up front with all power directed to big back wheels in classic pose with even distribution of the weight on front and rear wheels. For go-power, Z stocks a 3.5-liter V6 churning with 287 hp when teamed with a six-speed manual transmission. So many variations in trim mean custom selections. The optional navigation system for Z's dash has a power-motivated face plate now, while the latest body color for Z is called Liquid Aluminum.

350Z ROADSTER: In coupe style, Monte Carlo for 2004 rides on the platform of the Impala sedan and contains many of the same mechanical components yet follows its own track for exterior styling and interior features. The volume model -- Monte Carlo LS -- totes a 3.4-liter plant that delivers 180 hp and earns high fuel economy figures up to 32 mpg. The performance edition -- Monte Carlo SS -- packs a 3.8-liter V6 that reaches to 200 hp. Latest Monte Carlo colors are Berry Red Metallic and Victory Red.