Initial Quality – In the J.D. Power and Associates 2009 Initial Quality Study (IQS), which measures owner satisfaction with vehicle quality after 90 days of ownership, the Nissan Maxima received 3 out of 5 Power Circle Ratings when compared to other vehicles in its class.

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Performance and Design – In the J.D. Power and Associates 2009 Automotive Performance, Execution, and Layout Study (APEAL), which measures owner satisfaction with performance and design attributes of a vehicle, the Nissan Maxima received 5 out of 5 Power Circle Ratings and was the top-ranked vehicle in its class.

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Predicted Reliability – The current version of the Nissan Maxima is too new to have been included in the J.D. Power and Associates 2009 Vehicle Dependability Study (VDS), which measures owner satisfaction with a vehicle’s reliability after three years of ownership. Based on the historical performance of the Maxima in our firm’s Initial Quality and Vehicle Dependability studies, the 2010 Nissan Maxima receives 3 out of 5 Power Circle Ratings for Predicted Reliability.

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Fuel Economy – The 2010 Nissan Maxima is equipped with a 3.5-liter V-6 engine driving the front wheels through a continuously variable transmission (CVT). 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 – According to the National Highway and Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the Nissan Maxima receives 5-star ratings for crashworthiness in each of the NHTSA’s three tests: frontal impact for driver and front passenger, side impact for front and rear occupants, and for propensity to roll over. Few models on the market receive top marks across the board.

According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), the 2010 Nissan Maxima receives a “Good” rating in the frontal offset crash test, a “Good” rating in the side-impact crash test, an “Acceptable” rating in the roof crush strength test, and a “Marginal” rating for rear impact protection.

Environment – According to the EPA, the 2010 Nissan Maxima consumes 15.6 barrels of petroleum annually, resulting in a carbon footprint rating of 8.3 tons per year. An air pollution score was not available at the time this review was published.

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