Toyota Prius To Become Brand's Biggest Seller...
Green
Trucks
Luxury
Family
Brand
Muscle
See more sites from  HighGear  M E D I A  >>
Compare this car to others like it Try our car compare tool now

2009 Nissan Maxima Safety Review

October 30, 2008

SAFETY | 8 out of 10

Expert Quotes:

Five stars, frontal impact and side protection
NHTSA

Good," frontal offset impact
IIHS

Stability control, traction control, and tire-pressure monitoring are standard
Car and Driver

The 2009 Nissan Maxima has tidied up its dimensions, and one of the more surprising results is that overall crash-test ratings have soared. Improved crash-test ratings, along with all the usual safety features offered as standard equipment, make the Nissan Maxima a responsible choice for those looking for a safe sedan.

Both the IIHS and the NHTSA, the crash-test authorities in the U.S., have shown quick turnarounds in testing the all-new 2009 Nissan Maxima. The Nissan Maxima excels in NHTSA tests, where it earns the highest possible rating of five stars in every impact category. That includes five-star ratings for front and side impacts, as well as a perfect five-star rollover protection rating. In IIHS tests, the Nissan 2009 Maxima performs equally well, earning the highest rating of "good" for the IIHS's frontal offset impact test. The IIHS test results show that "measures taken from the neck, chest, and both legs indicate low risk of injuries" during a frontal offset impact. Unfortunately, the IIHS has not yet conducted any side-impact tests with the 2009 Nissan Maxima.

In addition to a redesigned body structure that holds up well during crash tests, reviews read by TheCarConnection.com show that the Nissan 2009 Maxima boasts quite a few standard safety features. Car and Driver reviewers write that "stability control, traction control, and tire-pressure monitoring are standard, as they are with most cars these days." In addition to those electronic aids, Cars.com says "standard safety features include front and side-impact airbags for the front seats, side curtain airbags for both rows and active head restraints." The only other noteworthy safety features on the 2009 Nissan Maxima are "antilock four-wheel disc brakes" that include a "brake assist" feature, according to ConsumerGuide.

One of the characteristics of the 2009 Nissan Maxima helping to improve overall safety is that the driver's seat affords good visibility. Reviewers at Autoblog find that "outward visibility was good" during their time with the Nissan Maxima, but "the exterior mirrors with their massive plastic housings could offer a wider field of view." Further increasing driver awareness and visibility is an optional "rearview camera" that ConsumerGuide says is available as part of the Premium Package.

Conclusion

The 2009 Nissan Maxima is sure to be a favorite among those who require maximum crash-test scores.

SAFETY | 8 out of 10Expert Quotes:Five stars, frontal impact and side protectionNHTSAGood," frontal offset impactIIHSStability control, traction control, and tire-pressure monitoring are standardCar and Driver The 2009 Nissan Maxima has tidied up its dimensions, and one of the more surprising results is that overall crash-test ratings have soared. Improved crash-test ratings, along with all the usual safety features offered as standard equipment, make the Nissan Maxima a responsible choice for those looking for a safe sedan. Both the IIHS and the NHTSA, the crash-test authorities in the U.S., have shown quick turnarounds in testing the all-new 2009 Nissan Maxima. The Nissan Maxima excels in NHTSA tests, where it earns the highest possible rating of five stars in every impact category. That includes five-star ratings for front and side impacts, as well as a perfect five-star rollover protection rating. In IIHS tests, the Nissan 2009 Maxima performs equally well, earning the highest rating of "good" for the IIHS's frontal offset impact test. The IIHS test results show that "measures taken from the neck, chest, and both legs indicate low risk of injuries" during a frontal offset impact. Unfortunately, the IIHS has not yet conducted any side-impact tests with the 2009 Nissan Maxima. In addition to a redesigned body structure that holds up well during crash tests, reviews read by TheCarConnection.com show that the Nissan 2009 Maxima boasts quite a few standard safety features. Car and Driver reviewers write that "stability control, traction control, and tire-pressure monitoring are standard, as they are with most cars these days." In addition to those electronic aids, Cars.com says "standard safety features include front and side-impact airbags for the front seats, side curtain airbags for both rows and active head restraints." The only other noteworthy safety features on the 2009 Nissan Maxima are "antilock four-wheel disc brakes" that include a "brake assist" feature, according to ConsumerGuide. One of the characteristics of the 2009 Nissan Maxima helping to improve overall safety is that the driver's seat affords good visibility. Reviewers at Autoblog find that "outward visibility was good" during their time with the Nissan Maxima, but "the exterior mirrors with their massive plastic housings could offer a wider field of view." Further increasing driver awareness and visibility is an optional "rearview camera" that ConsumerGuide says is available as part of the Premium Package. ConclusionThe 2009 Nissan Maxima is sure to be a favorite among those who require maximum crash-test scores. 2009 NISSAN MAXIMA STYLING | [9 out of 10] Motor Trend: "No slab-sided antiseptic styling here" Autoblog: "Designed to exude sport over luxury—and it does" Road & Track: "Sporting influence also applies to the interior with what Nissan terms a 'super cockpit'" The four-door ...

Read More of this Review:

  1. styling
  2. performance
  3. quality
  4. safety
  5. features

Other Choices:

The 2009 Nissan Maxima appeals more readily to those looking for a perky, smooth, and stylish V-6 luxury sedan than to those wanting a sport sedan. For the latter, shoppers might consider the Pontiac G8—especially in GT trim—or the Dodge Charger R/T, though neither of those cars has an interior that's as stylish as the Maxima's or offers the same level of appointments and tech options. At the opposite end of the scale, for those who might want even more comfort and interior space, there's the Toyota Avalon, although it's less exciting to drive and look at. In between, the Volkswagen Passat VR6 offers similar performance and a very attractive, comfortable interior, along with available all-wheel drive, but it's more expensive. The newly redesigned 2009 Acura TL, which at the time of this writing hasn't yet gone on sale, also promises to be a formidable rival.

Next Steps:

Get a free price quote

for the 2009 Nissan Maxima from a dealer near you

Check Insurance Rates

for the 2009 Nissan Maxima

Check Financing Rates

for the 2009 Nissan Maxima

Check Local Classifieds

for a 2009 Nissan Maxima near you

See the Nissan Maxima in Other Years:

2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | 2003 | 2002 | 2001 | 2000 | 1999 | 1998 | 1997

Comments (1 total)

  1. By brian #1, Posted: 2/3/2009

    09 maxima

    this car is pretty awesome, i'm 18 years old and i'm glad to say this was the first car i bought. i work at HERTZ none of the cars here that i have to dive and move around feel fast like the 09 maxima, besides the g37 and impala ss there are the mustnags, shelbys, and the corvttes but those arent to comfy to drive. the maxima is one hell of a strong car and its a nissan so its reliable. it feels jus as fun to drive the z but jus more roomy for other fun things that can happen in the back seats for all the power the 09 has its really good on gas. this would be a good car to look into buying=]

Post a comment

Post anonymously, or
(Required)
(Required - will not be published, sold or shared)
(Optional - your 'posted by' name will link to the URL)

Remember Me?

I have read TheCarConnection.com's privacy policy