Nissan Maxima Makes 10 Best Engines List for 2016

Editors at vehicle authority WardsAuto has awarded the new Nissan Maxima engine – the one is supposed to go in the 2016 Nissan Maxima – a listing on the top 10 Best Engines list for the coming new year. It’s a prestigious honor that began in 1994. Nissan has made the list 17 times – their VQ-series V6 engine making the list 15 times.

It’s a Big Deal

WardsAuto spent two months evaluating 31 different engines with the base price of under $61,000 to create this list. This list is unique because of the way each of the vehicles is tested. They’re not tested using specialized instruments that could easily place an unfair bias toward one of the vehicles. Instead, the testers test the vehicle the way an owner would use the vehicle – they would take the vehicle to and from work, school and other everyday activities. The general feel the vehicle including torque noise attenuation, fuel economy, and application of new technology are all measured and scrutinized.

2016 Maxima Hit Dealerships in May 2015

The new vehicle is hit Nissan dealerships in May 2015. The 3.5 L, V-6 engine was completely redesigned for Nissan the flagship vehicle. The car manufacturer is proud to be a part of this award as it stands as a testament “to the outstanding design, performance and value” of the vehicle, says Pierre Loing, vice president, Product Planning, Nissan North America, Inc.

Guiding Principles of the Award

Other than the general feel, there’s a couple guiding principle that can that tip the scales of the award. They ask themselves questions such as, “Does the engine or electric propulsion system truly sell the car or raise the bar for its competitive set?” The Nissan Maxima clearly raises the bar. 61 percent of its engine uses newly designed parts resulting in an engine that has reduced the weight and friction, a new intake manifold and more.

Nissan Maxima Is in Its Eighth Generation

The new 2016 Nissan Maxima is the vehicles eighth generation of the vehicle. Since its inception, Nissan has led the way and cutting edge design, innovation and performance. It features an Xtronic transmission to go along with this completely revised 300-horsepower engine.

External Features

The vehicle outputs a grand total of 85.7 horsepower per liter and a 15 percent increase in fuel economy which brings it up to 30 miles per gallon. Their new Xtronic is a performance-oriented transmission with a wider ratio range. This allows the new vehicle to have a stronger acceleration from a standstill and incorporates all-new D-step shifting logic.

Nissan identifies the new look of the Nissan Maxima as an upscale look with a lower profile, wide stance and a bold front with its signature V-Motion grille.

Internal Features

The interior has been crafted after a command central, fighter jet-inspired cockpit. It features a standard NissanConnect navigation system and 11-speaker Bose sound system. NissanConnect is powered by SiriusXM satellite radio and Around View® Monitor (AVM) with Moving Object Detection (MOD).

The car comes with optional packages such as:

Predictive Forward Collision Warning
Forward Emergency Braking
Intelligent Cruise Control
Rear Cross Traffic Alert
Driver Attention Alert System
Blind Spot Warning

The vehicle is assembled in Decherd, Tennessee and comes in five distinct models: Maxima S, SV, SL, SR and Platinum.

Modestly Priced, Too

The new Maxima starts with a Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price of $32,410 for Maxima S. The Maxima SV is $34,390, while the Maxima SL is $36,890. The sporty Maxima SR is priced at $37,670 and the top-of-the-line Maxima Platinum is $39,860.

A Bit about WardsAuto

WardsAuto has covered the auto industry for more than 80 years, serving those within automakers, dealerships, suppliers and others serving or observing the industry with a wide range of information products. WardsAuto’s flagship product is WardsAuto.com, a comprehensive online resource and community filled with unique news, data and analysis, with full access available as a premium subscription. Other services include online data products, magazines, print and digital newsletters, and more. Plus, WardsAuto operates the WardsAuto Interiors Conference, North America’s only event focused on the automotive interior.