The new 2007 Nissan Maxima elevates its position as Nissan’s flagship sedan with a redesigned exterior, a greatly refined interior and the addition of new, available technology features. Another significant change is the adoption of the smooth Nissan Xtronic CVT™ (Continuously Variable Transmission) in place of a traditional automatic transmission design on all models.
"As our premium model, Maxima reflects the company’s most advanced technology – including the CVT transmission, our award-winning VQ-series V6 and standard Intelligent Key,” said Ian Forsyth, director, Product and Corporate Planning, Nissan Canada Inc. “Of special note among the many changes for 2007 is the new interior, which has a richer, higher quality look and feel to go with Maxima’s always powerful performance."
An Enhanced Exterior
Key changes and enhancements for the 2007 Maxima begin with the redesigned exterior, which evolves the classic Maxima performance coupe-like silhouette with its wedge-shaped front, broad arched beltline, distinctive C-pillar design with extensions and high rear deck.
The 2007 Maxima’s new front grille, hood, bumper and headlights give the front end a more contemporary appearance, balancing the sporty look of the deep front valance and large wheel openings. The headlights now include built-in cornering lights, while the fog lights have been moved to the front bumper. Xenon headlights are optional on the 3.5 SE and standard on the 3.5 SL model.
Other exterior changes include the use of more aggressive side sills and a more prominent rear spoiler (standard on the SE model), a new rear bumper design with available Rear Sonar System and redesigned dual tailpipe finishers.
Maxima’s dynamic performance stance is accented by new 17-inch (3.5 SL) and 18-inch (3.5 SE) 7-spoke aluminum-alloy wheels.
The 2007 Maxima is available in a choice of eight exterior colours: Pebble Beach, Majestic Blue, Ebony, Niagara Grey, Silver Mist, Precision Grey, Satin White and Sparkle Red.
A New, Refined Interior
Maxima’s interior enhancements are equally aggressive, adding a higher level of quality, luxury and sportiness to match the revised exterior. The instrument panel features a redesigned centre stack with improved control ergonomics and a new Fine Vision Meter gauge display for easier readability. The number of buttons and controls has been reduced and the Human Machine Interface (HMI) enhanced with a more intuitive feeling.
Comfort and convenience additions include standard Intelligent Key and auxiliary input jack and 6-disc in-dash CD autochanger with MP3 capability.
The seats offer larger shoulder bolsters and a new, sporty sew pattern and the sliding centre armrest has been redesigned for greater comfort and convenience. Simulated leather door panels and cowl finisher replace fabric surfaces on models with leather-appointed seats (standard on 3.5 SL, optional on 3.5 SE) and integrated chromed accents have been added to the transmission shift lever plate and door panels. Brushed aluminum trim is used on areas of the 3.5 SE, while a new wood tone trim is utilized on the 3.5 SL.
"The Maxima interior has a more upscale appearance, without losing any of its traditional sporty character," said Forsyth. "It delivers on the promise of driver-oriented performance, but adds more comfort for the passengers, a higher overall quality feel and more advanced features."
The 2007 Maxima again offers a standard 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 and comes with sliding sunshades to block out sunlight when desired. A traditional power sliding glass sunroof is available in place of the SkyView.
Other interior features include illuminated steering wheel controls, and available Bluetooth® Hands-Free Phone System. The Bluetooth® system helps the driver to maintain focus on the road ahead without the distraction often met with hand held cell phone usage.
Maxima also offers a dot-matrix centre display screen (non-Navigation System) that provides HVAC, audio system and trip computer functions in one central location, dual-zone automatic climate control, rear air conditioning vents, sun visors with vanity mirrors and leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, standard 8-way power driver’s seat (4-way power passenger seat on 3.5 SL) with available entry/exit feature.
Also standard is a Bose® premium audio system with 8 speakers, AM/FM/6-disc in-dash CD changer, speed-sensitive auto volume control and available Nissan DVD-based navigation system with 7-inch colour display. Heated front seats and heated steering wheel are standard on all models.
Three interior colours are offered again for 2007: Café Latté, Frost and Black.
A Tradition of Exhilarating Performance
The heart of the new Maxima remains its powerful, award-winning 3.5-litre DOHC 24-valve V6 engine, now rated at 255 horsepower* and 252 lb-ft of torque.
The engine features a modular engine design with microfinished crank journals and cam lobes, molybdenum coated lightweight pistons, a resin intake collector, digital knock control, six individual coils (one per spark plug) and a cross-flow coolant pattern. Also utilized are Continuously Variable Valve Timing Control (CVTCS), variable induction system, a silent timing chain and electronically controlled throttle.
All 2007 Maximas come equipped with a standard Xtronic CVT™ with manual mode, which is a sportier version of the unit utilized on the Nissan Murano. The Xtronic CVT is designed to create a true synergy between engine and transmission with smooth, responsive and efficient operation.
Nissan remains the industry leader in CVTs, with three separate CVT designs in production. CVTs offer owners, as studies of Murano drivers have shown, real benefits in terms of smooth, responsive, trouble-free performance. CVTs will also be offered in the 2007 Altima, Sentra and Versa.
The 2007 Maxima also features a standard Traction Control System (TCS) and optional Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC).
Maxima’s responsive handling comes from a 4-wheel independent suspension design. The strut front suspension features coil springs and stabilizer bar, while the multi-link independent rear suspension offers outstanding stability by minimizing camber change during cornering. The rear shocks and springs are separated for reduced friction and the shock is in line with the centre of the rear wheels, providing better damping and less harshness.
Braking is provided by standard 4-wheel disc brakes with a 4-channel, 4-sensor, 4-wheel Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) with Electronic Brake force Distribution (EBD) and Brake Assist (BA). Steering is an engine-speed-sensitive power rack-and-pinion design.
The 3.5 SE model offers standard 18-inch aluminum-alloy wheels and V-rated P245/45R18 tires. Maxima 3.5 SL features 17-inch aluminum-alloy wheels with H-rated P225/55R17 tires.
Advanced Safety Features
The 2007 Maxima comes equipped with standard Advanced Air Bag System (AABS) with dual-stage front supplemental air bags, front seat side-impact supplemental air bags for chest protection and roof-mounted curtain side-impact air bags for front and rear outboard occupant head protection.
Also standard are front-seat Active Head Restraints, 3-point rear seat belts for all seating positions, front seat belts with adjustable upper anchors, pretensioners and load limiters, emergency inside trunk release, Zone Body construction with front and rear crushable zones, LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for CHildren) child seat anchors and tether system and Tire Pressure Monitor System (TPMS).
Models and Options
The 2007 Maxima is available in three well-equipped models, the 3.5 SE (in both 4 and 5 seat configurations) and the 3.5 SL.
A number of options and packages are available, including the Leather Package (3.5 SE) which includes perforated-style leather seating surfaces, Bluetooth® Hands-Free Phone System, xenon headlights, Driver Memory System (includes driver’s seat, power tilt/telescopic steering wheel, auto-dimming outside mirrors with auto tilt down in reverse), driver seat power lumbar
support, power entry/exit seat, Rear Sonar, power folding outside mirrors, auto tilt down in reverse (outside mirrors), Compass (in rearview mirror), Vehicle Dynamic Control, 4-wayPower Passenger Seat, and Power Tilt and Telescopic Steering Wheel.
3.5 SE 4-seat model package includes features of the Leather Package and features 2-passenger Rear Seat Area, Trunk Pass Through, Heated Rear seats, Rear Centre Console, Power Rear Sunshade w/Dual Control, Auto Up/Down Rear Windows, Rear 12V Power Plug.
For the 3.5 SL model Leather + Sunroof is standard and features Unique Gathered-Style leather, newly designed 17” Alloy Wheels, P225/55 HR17 All Season Tires, Luxury Suspension Tuning and Simulated Wood Trim.
Available options include a Navigation Package with 7-inch colour LCD display and GPS – based DVD System.
The new 2007 Maxima is assembled by Nissan North America Manufacturing Smyrna & Decherd Tennessee Plant.
* All horsepower ratings are per SAE J1349 (AUG 2004)