2014 Nissan Maxima – The Right Choice
A four-door coupe
A car that came about in 2009, the Nissan Maxima is a fresh take on the four-door sports car idea. While the initial idea might have been that, the car now has a more coupe-like stance and look. The car hit its fifth generation in 2014 and despite the age, the 2014 Nissan Maxima is plenty fresh.
Modelled after the ever-popular Nissan Altima line of cars, the 2014 Nissan Maxima feels like it is more about the looks than about the performance. It is a very distinct car and there is nothing else like it on the roads. That is perhaps the key takeaway here. Once you drive a Nissan Maxima you will have the attention of onlookers and passersby. The Nissan Maxima is a perfect car for those that are in the market for a uniquely designed car, up-market interiors, and a laundry list of features.
The latter is something that you may have to shell out a little extra to obtain. The 2014 Nissan Maxima SV, the more premium version offers you some superb luxury features while keeping costs low.
Two kinds
For the fifth generation and perhaps the last one Nissan had decidedly introduced two versions of the Maxima. The Maxima came with a great feature set and the reception for the car was great based on any 2014 Nissan Maxima review. It offered a spectacular set of features that were far better than any rival offering, however, Nissan wanted to up the ante.
The 2014 Nissan Maxima SV was introduced. It came with Bose audio, fog lamps, and heated seats among other upgrades. The car felt a little more upmarket with its premium look and feel. Nissan also offered a sports package, but more on that later. The already great car now had a better version and was still budget-friendly. So, what about the Nissan Maxima appealed to customers? Let’s break down the car and see in detail, what it offered.
A design that ages well
The original 2014 Nissan Maxima is a car that aged gracefully. This version came with almost redesign or additions. The reason is that the car is so curvaceous and offers some aggressive styling elements that are simply appealing to the eye. You get a swept-back stance, a low-hood line and grille, and a choice between 18 and 19-inch tires.
The result is a car that simply does not look bad, no matter the era. The key feature to highlight here is the long racked back headlights. The 2014 Nissan Maxima headlights have now been adopted by other models in the Nissan stable.
The 2014 SV version also gets a sports package and a more aggressive design that looks like an extension of the natural design language rather than an addition.
A machine for the highway
The 2014 Nissan Maxima comes with a 3.5-liter V6 engine that delivers a crisp 290 bhp. These figures are by no means spectacular and while it may be marketed as a sports sedan it certainly does not perform like one. That being said, the 2014 Nissan Maxima 0-60 numbers are still respectable. It does the 0-60 in 6.3 seconds flat, which is average for the segment.
The Maxima is built for the highway, it cruises well and doesn’t feel like it tries too hard to push. This is thanks in part to the 2014 Nissan Maxima transmission, which is an automatic continuously-variable transmission (CVT). The transmissions make it among the more fun cars to drive. The sports package on the SV allows you to shift to the likeness of a manual transmission, which is aided by the paddle shifters.
Comfortable and safe
While all the marketing points to the fact that the 2014 Nissan Maxima is a car that is a finely-tuned four-door sports car, the ride still feels very cushioned. The suspension might be firmer and the stiffness is apparent, it is the quality of the interiors that help lend a comforting factor. The leather used is soft and supple, almost like that from a luxury car. The interiors are a bonus considering the 2014 Nissan Maxima price, which puts it comfortably in the budget territory.
On the safety side of things, the Nissan Maxima does well to earn a good rating from our end. The NHTSA has given the car 3 stars for frontal impact, which might be okay at best, while it does receive a five-star rating for both side-impact and rollover tests.
The trims and features
The base variant of the 2014 Nissan Maxima comes with a ton of features. It is good enough as is, however, if you wish to step it up you will have to get the 2014 Nissan Maxima SV. With the SV, you get premium leather interiors and audio systems by Bose.
The optional features include dual-zone climate controls, intelligent keyed entry, and a push-button start system. You can also opt for heated steering wheels and heated seats if you live in colder climates.
There is also a sports package available, we alluded to this earlier and this trim happens to bring out the best in the Nissan Maxima. You get a firmer suspension, 19-inch wheels, sportier seats, and paddle shifters.
Minor problems
While every car comes with issues, the 2014 Nissan Maxima problems are quite nuanced. The biggest caveat that comes with this is a car that you get low mileage. You get approximately 19 mpg in the city and around 26 mpg on the highway. It also uses premium fuel, which could be a tad bit problematic if you are on a budget.
In conclusion
The conclusion is simple; the 2014 Nissan Maxima happens to be one of the best cars on a budget. You get a well-designed car that does well in comfort and drivability. You will get a good highway cruiser. The Maxima is an ageless beauty, it can stand out comfortably in a sea of cars and will do well to provide you with a comfortable drive through the years. It is a far better prospect than any other model in the same segment or price range.
