The 2005 Nissan Maxima adds to its reputation as one of the true premium four-door sports cars in the market with a number of enhancements aimed at increasing its already incomparable value.
New for 2005 is a standard Nissan Advanced Air Bag System, passenger seatbelt warning light, an additional 12-volt power outlet, black-tone brake calipers, new titanium-tinted interior trim, chrome interior door handles, locks and parking brake button.
As well, there are some enhancements to Maxima's option packages, such as softer seat leather and automatic dimming outside mirrors in the Leather Package and a new Sunroof Package on SE models.
Maxima is available in three models, the sporty Maxima 3.5 SE 5-Seat Model, the 3.5 SE 4-Seat Model and the luxurious Maxima 3.5 SL.
All are powered by Nissan's award-winning VQ 3.5-litre engine. The DOHC 24-valve V6 produces 265 horsepower and 255 ft-lbs torque using such technical advancements as continuous valve timing control, variable induction system, a silent timing chain and electronically controlled throttle.
The engine also features a modular engine design, microfinished camshaft and crankshaft, molybdenum coated lightweight pistons, a resin intake collector, digital knock control, six individual coils (one per spark plug) and a cross-flow coolant pattern.
The standard transmission on SE models is a six-speed close-ratio manual. An electronically controlled five-speed automatic with manual shift mode and gated shifter is available on SE models and standard on SL. A Traction Control System (TCS) is also standard, while Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) is available in several packages.
Standard are four-wheel disc brakes with a four-channel, four-sensor, four-wheel Anti-lock Braking System (ABS). Also standard are Electronic Brake force Distribution (EBD), which optimizes brake force depending on load condition (passenger and cargo) and Brake Assist (BA), which senses hard or panic pedal application and helps provide maximum braking capacity.
Large 18-inch, six-spoke alloy wheels come standard on the 3.5 SE, while 17-inch alloy wheels are standard on the 3.5 SL. Standard also is Maxima's SkyView™ glass-paneled roof, which creates an open environment for front and rear passengers while maintaining a solid roof structure. The SkyView is a single elongated rectangular-shaped glass panel that stretches from the front of the roof to the back.
Maxima also features a custom-designed instrument panel, centre stack and console, designed to give it a clean, high-quality display. The centre display integrates displays for heating, air-conditioning, audio system and trip computer into one central location.
Maxima's driver seat is eight-way power with height-adjustable head restraints. The optional Leather Package adds a four-way power-adjustable passenger seat.
The Maxima 3.5 SE 4-Seat Model replaces the traditional bench-style rear seat with two independent heated bucket seats. The design of the rear seats resembles the front seats and the four-seat layout further strengthens both the sporty and luxury aspects of Maxima's interior.
Standard Maxima luxury touches include wood tone trim on 3.5 SL and metallic tone accents on 3.5 SE, automatic front dual zone climate control and outside temperature display, rear air-conditioning vents, leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, auto on/off headlights, driver and passenger sun visors with illuminated vanity mirrors and extenders and a Bose audio system with eight speakers and AM/FM/cassette/six-CD in-dash is standard.
From a safety standpoint, Maxima now comes equipped with the Nissan Advanced Air Bag System, which helps to reduce the risk of air bag-induced injury through the use of advanced dual-stage air bags and a passenger occupant classification sensor.
Maxima features Zone Body construction with front and rear crushable zones and occupant zone, front-seat side-impact supplemental air bags and curtain side-impact supplemental air bags. Also standard are three-point front seatbelts with adjustable upper anchors with pretensioners and load limiters, front-seat active head restraints, an emergency inside trunk release and the LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for CHildren) child seat anchors and tether system.
A number of option packages are available on Maxima SE models, including an A/T (automatic transmission) Package, a Leather Package, a Navi Package, which includes a DVD Navigation System with seven-inch colour LCD display and a Sunroof Package, which includes a power glass sunroof (replaces SkyView).
In addition to all the standard equipment on SE models, Maxima 3.5 SL is equipped with the A/T (five-speed automatic), Leather and Sunroof packages. Also available on SL is the Navi Package.
