New York 2008: 2009 Nissan Maxima Shows Distinctive New Face a Little Early

NYC March 18th, 2008 4:36 PM Link

Damn, what a drastic change.Innovative but drastic

FPF422 March 18th, 2008 4:44 PM Link

Nice !

Trinks March 18th, 2008 4:56 PM Link

Very nice. Can’t wait to find out the specs on this puppy.

Jeb March 18th, 2008 5:03 PM Link

That rear three-quarter shot is sexy. Love the contouring on the flanks. I think the front end is at odds with the rest.

Walt March 18th, 2008 5:30 PM Link

What was the inspiration for the front of this car? Picasso? So many shapes, so many lines that don’t match up (grill and headlights) and that dreadful honeycomb in the background. The rear is a definite improvement, the sides resember a Camry and the interior with those horrible round HVAC’s. Please oh please tell me these are not real photos and that someone leaked these a day early just to be funny. This car was supposed to mimick a C-Class Mercedes and from these shots, it didn’t even come close. Maybe the headlights are still developing like tadpoles as they still have their tails! Grumble…

Steve March 18th, 2008 5:33 PM Link

Wow. That’s two generations in a row that are disappointing from the styling end. Too bad, really. Used to be such a great looking car.

Michael March 18th, 2008 5:38 PM Link

I actually kinda like the looks of this. Let’s see what the specs are, but it at least has my interest.

Kai March 18th, 2008 5:46 PM Link

I’m not very impressed. The rear end reminds me way too much the Honda Civic, and the kink in the front headlamps does nothing for me at all either.

David J Corcoran March 18th, 2008 6:03 PM Link

That looks like a great Toyota. I’ll take my Nissans more sporty looking, thank you

mo March 18th, 2008 6:24 PM Link

the backlights looks like the yaris’s. did they steal the front grille from the accord??? i don’t understand these new headlights nissan is putting on their cars (the upcoming Z and this), they look horrible.
overall, the design mekes me wanna puke allover the car…. maybe it would look better then.

sam March 18th, 2008 6:34 PM Link

I’m speechless….the headlights….are disgusting..

sam March 18th, 2008 6:36 PM Link

first…they’ve made the murano…ugly now…this,….sht…whats next?

Dustin B. March 18th, 2008 6:44 PM Link

Love the body lines on the new maxima, but agree that the headlights look horrific. As a current Z owner, I sure hope they change that before the next gen comes out.
The hood and front grill have hints of Infiniti G37 styling.

94 Taurus owner March 18th, 2008 7:07 PM Link

THAT THING IS UGLY,I LIKE THE CURRENT ONE!!!!!!

VII March 18th, 2008 7:31 PM Link

That looks like a great Toyota. I’ll take my Nissans more sporty looking, thank you

Indeed! LOL Took the words right out of my mouth Mr.Corcoran! It’s sad, but copy-cats abound these days…well I suppose that they always have/will been/be around. This really looks terrible though. A Yota-Honda combo of bubbly smoothness…very uninspired and unoriginal. Reminds me of one of Hyundai’s attempts at making a cheap knock-off…

Josh March 18th, 2008 7:58 PM Link

The back end almost looks like it was lifted directly from the new Camry. Though I guess it appears they rotated the tail lights 180 degrees.

Cicero March 18th, 2008 8:00 PM Link

The headlights look like the ones from the rendering of the next Z, and still looks like they stole the design from Star Trek. Love the engine, but in some ways I like the design, in others I don’t

Jonathan Fung March 18th, 2008 10:10 PM Link

I like this new design. It definitly takes the vanilla out of the current Maxima. It looks rather sporty now.

Soupie March 18th, 2008 11:37 PM Link

2 generations ago…it was quite sporty. Looks like they are really trying to move it upscale to distinguish it more from the Altima. For the first time, the engine will probably be 300+ HP, but we have lost the sporty zing it used to have. pitty. and yes…those lights…what the deuce?

jimbo March 18th, 2008 11:38 PM Link

I love it, now lets see the inside

nesqik March 19th, 2008 6:35 AM Link

i have to say what the heck is nissan thinking about? they just ENLARGED the current generation altima! it looks more like an avalon and lots of toyota styling cues…oh my! is it me or are we going back to where nissan is copying toyota all over again? didn’t they learn their lesson? the best design to me is the 2002-2006 nissan altima sleek, sexy and it stood out when it came out. this is hideous! i am a nissan fan and the way their styling is at the moment i won’t be buying any new nissan products.

06YellowGT March 19th, 2008 1:33 PM Link

I guess I disagree with a lot of readers…. I think this car looks pretty good. I like how the top of the fender integrates into a nice arch along the bodyside, and I think the front end looks aggressive, something Honda and Toyota products don’t have.

There is a lot of Civic in the taillights, though.

How the hood sits into fenders is similar to that of the new Chevy Malibu.

And, for whatever reason, the trunk lid reminds me of a Pontiac Sunfire, in a way. Anyone else see that?

plien69 March 19th, 2008 5:15 PM Link

Rear = Honda Civic + Bangle butt
Front = Nissan GT-R + Camry
Flanks = Audi A5 (best part of the car, IMO)

Headlight hook is not convincing. Can’t make out the reason for it yet.

Eric March 19th, 2008 10:43 PM Link

There were a lot of dissappointed individuals as I scrolled through the posted comments but don’t count the new Maxima out just yet…

I am on my third Maxima (2006 LS Model) and there has only been one that was truly bland in all respects in my opinion (2000-2003 model). I don’t particularly care for the headlights on the new model but the bodylines appear to be promising in the flesh. All respect due to the Toyota lines but the Maxima at it’s worst could not be touched by the Camry (or comparably priced Avalon)in ride/performance.

The practical side of me is leaning toward giving them a year to work out any kinks, but the impulsive side of me is teling me to head for the nearest dealership once they arrive.

jonathan March 21st, 2008 8:47 AM Link

Am not sure about the looks but the previous current maximas look more appealing to me. some rich folks in my area are purchasing the current maxima just to save the car because of the looks. the 2009 maxima has a 290 hp which is a definite improvement.as a current 2002 maxima owner, i think i might stick with it for now. then again, when u see these cars for real, one might change their mind

pedro March 21st, 2008 9:22 PM Link

OK so the 07 that I have now and the O4 I had are not exactly styling leaders but they are unique in their exterior and interior designs. I hate the fact that Nissan did away with the Elite Package 4 bucket seat package for 08 but oh well I will get over it.
Now the 09 comes along and I ask myself, what is it. The front grill is right out of the Honda Ridgeline or Accord, the rear C pillar is the Toyota Camry/Lexus ES 350, the hood is from Infinity’s curve customers to death design theory and the tail is from the Altima/Camry. Inside is the Murano/Infinity G37 with AC vents like the Pontiac’s. Oh and Yaris/Honda Civic/Camry tail lights. WOW suddenly I find myself going back to Pontiac for a new G8/V8/Rear wheel drive. The Japs have gone crazy and I did not even say a thing about the headlights. Please all of you avoid the 09, it is the first year of production and as someone who suffered through a 3 year lease with 04 and all its faults, don’t buy initial year Nissans, Don’t say you have not been warned.

Jerry March 21st, 2008 11:37 PM Link

Well I have owned three Maximas, my first 1987 got me hooked, got an 04, loved it , currently have an 07 ecstatic with improvements. As I eagerly awaited the 09 I had visions of a sleek more powerful cls styled vehicle with optional AWD. In short, the next LOGICAL evolution of the Maxima. Instead Nissan tossed the baby out with the bath water and gave us a vehicle that resembles a transformer that blew a fuse while morphing. Oh well, at least my 07 isn’t obsolete. When will Nissan learn to evolve not dissolve a winner? It better go fast so no one can get a good look at it.

Pedro March 22nd, 2008 10:16 PM Link

All I can say, in my second comment is, I regret getting rid of my 01 Maxima, only a bit of trouble with the speaker tray rattling but overall the best Maxima yet, weird tail lights and all.
Jerry I agree the 07 is a major improvement over the 04, I have the precision grey SE with frost interior and just the color makes me love the car.