Steven Cole Smith, ORLANDO SENTINEL
The flagship Maxima is new for 2009, sportier and more luxurious to help differentiate it from the less expensive Altima.
G. Chambers Williams, SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS
The power in the 2009 Maxima is awesome, and there is virtually no sign of torque steer, the tendency of a front-drive car to steer itself in the direction of the wheel that is getting the power. I was a bit disappointed with the continuously variable automatic transmission, however. If this car ever is going to be taken seriously as a sports sedan, let alone a “four-door sports car,” it’s going to have to have at least a conventional 5- or 6-speed automatic, if not an optional manual gearbox (complete with clutch). No manual is offered, at least for now.
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See related story, “Will Gen VII generate a louder buzz for Maxima?” Rides section, Page 1
