Every 2010 Nissan Maxima is equipped with a sticker that proclaims it to be “The 4-Door Sports Car,” or 4DSC. Long ago, when the Maxima was considered to be among the best sedans on the market, period, Nissan’s marketers cooked up this tag line, and it was revived with the complete redesign of the automaker’s flagship sedan in 2009. We review the Maxima for two reasons: it was the top-ranked vehicle in its class in the J.D. Power and Associates 2009 Automotive Performance, Execution, and Layout Study (APEAL), which measures customer satisfaction with the performance and design attributes of their new vehicles, and it is one of the few models on the market to get 5-star crashworthiness ratings from the NHTSA for each of the government agency’s parameters, including propensity to roll over in a crash.

Highlights of the 2010 Nissan Maxima include:

• Bluetooth is standard on all Maximas
• Satellite radio is standard on Maxima SV
• iPod connection is changed to a USB connection
• Technology Package adds DVD playback, Bluetooth streaming audio, and XM NavWeather service
• New Monitor Package includes RearView Monitor with 7-inch color display, 2 GB Music Server, an auxiliary audio/video input jack, and an iPod net
• New wheel finishes in Fine or Hyper Silver
• New paint colors: Crimson Black and Ocean Gray

Model Lineup

The 2010 Nissan Maxima is sold in S and SV trim levels. Standard equipment includes the expected features on a car in this price class, amongst them: 18-inch alloy wheels, tilt and telescopic steering wheel, 8-way power driver’s seat, 4-way power front passenger’s seat, a power sunroof, dual-zone climate control, keyless entry and ignition, Bluetooth, an auxiliary input jack, and a six-disc CD changer as well as power windows, power door locks, power mirrors, and cruise control.

The Maxima SV adds leather upholstery, Bose premium audio, XM satellite radio, a Homelink universal transmitter, fog lights, and exterior mirrors with signal indicators in the housings. Purchasing the SV is also the only way to equip the Maxima with the optional Sport or Premium packages.

The Sport Package adds a sport suspension, unique 19-inch wheels, chassis reinforcements in the trunk, a rear spoiler, paddle shifters, and HID Xenon headlights. Extra luxury features include heated outside mirrors with reverse-tilt feature, an auto-dimming outside mirror for the driver, heated front seats, heated steering wheel, premium leather upholstery and trim, a power tilt and telescopic steering wheel, a memory system for driver positions, an easy entry and exit system for the driver’s seat, and metallic interior trim. Also, note that the Sport Package eliminates the Maxima’s 60/40 split folding rear seat in favor of a trunk pass-through.

The Premium Package includes the same content as the Sport Package – without the sport suspension, 19-inch wheels, and rear spoiler. To the Sport Package content, this option adds a dual-panel moonroof with power retractable sunshades, a power rear window sunshade, rear air conditioning and audio controls, and one-touch rear seat window controls. The driver is treated to a heated and cooled driver’s seat and a color dash monitor with a reversing camera. All occupants can enjoy the 2-gigabyte Music Box flash drive with USB port, auxiliary audio and video input jacks, mood lighting, and Eucalyptus wood trim.

Options are dependent on the trim or package selected. The Maxima S is available with few extras: carpeted floor and trunk mats, splash guards, and a sub-floor organizer for the trunk with emergency and first aid kits. Nissan dealers can add other accessories, but from the factory, that’s it. Which means the Maxima SV is your best bet for a starting point if you want to load up on options.

In addition to the Sport and Premium packages, the SV can be outfitted with the same three options as the Maxima S, plus a Monitor Package (dash screen, reversing camera, 2-gig Music Box flash drive, USB port, auxiliary audio and video jacks, iPod storage), a Cold Package (heated front seats, steering wheel, and outside mirrors), and a Technology Package (navigation, Bluetooth streaming audio, XM NavWeather and NavTraffic, 9.3-gig Music Box hard drive, DVD playback). The Maxima SV can also be decked out with a rear spoiler and HID Xenon headlights. Fully loaded, the Maxima SV tops out at $39,970.

Under the Hood

The 2010 Nissan Maxima is equipped with a 3.5-liter V-6 engine making 290 horsepower at 6,400 rpm and 261 ft.-lbs. of torque at 4,400 rpm. The engine drives the front wheels through a continuously variable transmission (CVT) that has a simulated manual shift mode. According to the EPA, the Maxima is rated to return 19 mpg in the city and 26 mpg on the highway.

Our review vehicle averaged 22.1 mpg during a week of primarily highway driving. Combined with the car’s 20-gallon fuel tank, this actual fuel economy figure results in an approximate 440-mile range – with a heavy emphasis on highway driving – between fill-ups of premium unleaded.

Safety Features

Standard safety equipment on the 2010 Nissan Maxima includes dual front airbags, side impact airbags for the front seat occupants, and side curtain airbags for the front and rear seat occupants. Four-wheel-disc antilock brakes with electronic brake-force distribution and brake assist are also standard, along with a stability and traction control system. The Maxima is also offered with an available reversing camera system to help see objects behind the car when backing up.

The Competition

J.D. Power and Associates says the 2010 Nissan Maxima competes against other large cars such as the Chevrolet Impala, Chrysler 300, Dodge Charger, Ford Taurus, Hyundai Azera, and Toyota Avalon.

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Note: This review was published on January 15, 2010. It may not reflect data that has become available for this vehicle since that date.