The Maxima name dates back to the mid 1980s, when it was Nissan's flagship sedan. It was distinguished by sporty intentions and in later generations by offering slightly more size than mainstream family sedans. Today, the redesigned 2009 Maxima is squeezed between the powerful Altima V6 and the upscale, sporty Infiniti G Series. With the new model, Nissan is trying the stress the four-door-sports-car theme. As before, the '09 model shares its platform and powertrain with the Altima.

Prices start at $29,290. We recently bought a typically equipped SV version for $33,700.

Initial impressions: The Maxima is a quick car, with a smooth and punchy powertrain and a quiet, well-furnished cabin.

Nissan's familiar 3.5-liter V6 pumps out 290 horsepower in the new Maxima, and the engine is as smooth and powerful as we've come to expect. The car accelerates briskly and torque steer (the tendency for the steering wheel to tug under acceleration) is much less pronounced than with the previous generation car. While the continuously variable transmission (CVT) that Nissan now uses almost universally is one of the best out there, some of us feel it removes a driving-involvement element compared with a five- or six-speed automatic. There is, however, a feature that allows the CVT to mimick manual shifting by moving the transmission through six predetermined ratios. The CVT is also smart enough to provide engine braking while descending hills. Fuel economy looks to be commendable—so far we've been getting about 23 mpg, but on required premium fuel.

Handling is responsive enough, but calling it sporty would be a stretch. The steering is quick, but not very communicative. The ride has an underlying stiffness, especially noticeable at low speeds.

It takes a bit more athleticism to get in and out of the new Maxima, due to its reduced height. Once inside, you are treated to mostly high-quality materials—an improvement over the old car. The steering wheel adjusts for tilt and distance with one lever. The wheel is also heated. The driver's seat has a cushion extender to increase thigh support. The rear seat is significantly less roomy than it was in the old car. Controls are intuitive. Visibility, especially to the rear and sides also suffers as a result of the lower, coupe-like silhouette. The trunk is wide, if a bit shallow. It can be expanded by folding the rear seatbacks, but that requires stretching far forward to pull release straps in the trunk.

CR's Take: The Maxima is very quick and has a nice interior, but the driving experience isn't dazzling. It's hard to see what the Maxima brings to the table compared with a high-end Altima. We will see how it ranks against an Acura TL and Pontiac G8 in an upcoming issue and online.

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