Test drive Nissan Maxima 2000 - 2004 sedan

Strawberry with cream

Business class sedans can be powerful, comfortable, prestigious and at the same time ... not too expensive.
If not, but really want
Strawberry with cream - the dessert is not very expensive and at the same time incredibly tasty. True, a delicate kiss of air cream does not affect the figure in the best way, but even if you can’t, but I really want to, then you can. Is not it?
Business class sedans are a real dessert. And bar's comfort, and a powerful motor, and important solidity, and real prestige. The overallness, in a word, is just embarrassing ... Indeed, the upper business class segment is not cheap. Here the Mercedes-Benz E-Class is supreme, five BMW, six Audi, Lexus of the GS series breathe in the back of his head. The threshold of the elite club is inhabited by very pretentious, but not so prestigious SAAB-9-5, Volvo-S80, Peugeot 607. Moreover, prices even for these machines with 3-liter V6 engines start in a mark of $ 40,000. Dear? Is there anything simpler? Of course, order strawberries with cream!
Here Toyota-Kamri and Nissan-Maxim are not trying to jump above their heads, but simply report that they are not inferior in size and level of configuration. But they are much cheaper. The result, as they say, is obvious - according to the results of the first half of Maxim and Camrei, the most popular business class cars in Russia. And they simply do not have competitors in terms of price-day-quota-quality-Motor V6! Rather, it was not. The rival of the Japanese finally appeared. The name is daredevil modestly - perfection itself. And do not swing your hands, because the word Superb in the name of the largest Skoda from English is something like this.
 
    
Spacious interior, leather seats, quite solid assembly - for complete happiness, Nissan’s interior is not enough only better plastic
 
   
Let the inner world of Superbia almost completely copy the related passat, still it is a pleasure to be inside Skoda
 
   
It is almost impossible to complain to Salon Kamri, and yet it is necessary to admit that against the background of the best European analogues Toyota is a little lost
  All sorts of people go here ...
The Czechs really managed to enjoy it in a large way. Now you break your head, which class to relate this very superb! If you recall that it is built on the chassis (albeit an elongated) of the passat, as if there is no doubt - we are dealing with the class D. But we will take the car length as a counting point and immediately get a real business class. Well, I decide someone to classify cars according to such a parameter as the scope for the rear passengers, it will turn out that Super can be compared with the Maybach himself, in which, in truth, no one has yet sat. And therefore - to be you, Skoda, in the e -class!
But is the hat on Senka? And there is nothing to be offended, Pan, they themselves wanted it. Even in Russia, a large sedan of Mlad-Boylava looks at least unusual. Is this a tuned Octavia? - we asked us one specialist. Ostap Ibragimovich was right about specialists, oh right ... although by and large, there is nothing to blame on the mirror - the phrase Big Skoda sounds almost as comic as Bentley Golf Class.
Toyota and Nissan do not have such problems. Of course, before the glory of the BMW and Audi and the magical reverence for the Mercedes-Ben, they stomp and stomp, but in principle, the Big Japanese sedan inspires, if not enthusiastic thrill, then at least sincere respect.
 
    
     
The maximum dashboard illuminated day and night looks most exquisite. Camrei pleases with huge dials, and in Superbia, the readability complicates digitization around the perimeter

The concept of extensible
It is respect, but nothing more causes the exterior of cars. And all three at once. Kamri's appearance seemed to me, although modern, but painfully faceless. The goal of Toyota designers was to turn the most respected US sedan into the most beloved. Yes, the trouble is - a leaf with the task, it seems, lost in the middle of the work. During this time, they managed to create a pretty face, echoing with Sports Selika and a compact Corolla. The sidewalls with original substetings came out well. It would seem a little more-and a masterpiece will be born ... But just here the process stood up. The back, in my opinion, is neither the mind nor the heart. Well, at least the stylists managed to instill in Kamri a modern look, which does not require decoration for tinsel and serpentine.
   
  
But Nissan’s designers clearly had to use decorative cosmetics to hide the deep wrinkles of Maxima. Indeed, from the 1994 model, the current generation is distinguished only by new optics. But in general, nothing new is a strict three -bobbed body plus a lot of chrome, plus triangles of turning repeaters, plus ... although no, there is nothing more to add.
Here is a paradox - personally to me the appearance of the superb seems to be the most attractive in the trio. In total, it seems in moderation: curvature of corners, smoothness of the contours, the amount of chromium. Classic contours of the classic sedan. One thing is bad - it does not smell like a school here. And increasing the passat in size is not the most tricky task. Of the branded Czech features, there is only the back optics a la Octavia, and a characteristic pattern of the radiator grille.
 
The first joys
How, the ordered dessert does not please you yet? Have you already wanted something more seized? Take your time, this is only a saying, a fairy tale is ahead. The best way to evaluate the advantages, even if an inexpensive class E, is to find yourself inside. In the cabin you have a lot of pleasant classes. For example, I counted the number of useful, and most importantly, standard bells and whistles for which you would have to pay extra in the class D machine: climate control, electric package, all kinds of heating, skin. Not bad! And how bored, climbed onto the rear sofa and allowed himself a luxury to throw his leg by the leg - all three cars, by the way, did not mind. Business class all the same! Nevertheless, arguing with Skoda regarding the spaciousness is useless.
It seems that over time Superb can become an official car of the Sumo International Association. What is the sumoists! On the sofa of Superbia, young hippopotes will be comfortable. By the way, the hippo will have no problems with landing - look at the doorway.
However, a spacious salon is not the only plus of Superbia. Although the Czech car and a newcomer in the business class, its interior is the most attractive and the most expensive in our Trinity. If you can’t look at the leather upholstery of Nissan and Toyota without tears, it’s also incomprehensible whether it is a good skin - there is no such questions in Superbia. The same is about decorative wood inserts. Let's just say: the plastic of the Skoda, in my opinion, is more like valuable wood species.
The Japanese, however, brings a budget approach a little. And the handles of the doors made of plastic - the skoda has metal, and the steering wheel is regulated only in the corner of the inclination - in Superbia and in height. In Kamri, these punctures are not so noticeable - thanks to a pleasant plastic and original torpedo. But Nissan is simply helpless here. Some plastic parts in the salon of Maxims would not have made the honor of Class B. And the climate control unit has clearly granted from the 80s! The longest list of standard equipment, Japanese assembly quality and a rich set of safety tools are drawn to Maxim.
Let the buyers of the business class sedans are more baked about the pattern of cast discs, heating the seats and the hatch in the roof, the more pleasant that Toyota, Nissan, and Skoda are perfectly packed at the factory. Everyone has four pillows in the standard, the mandatory ABS is supplemented by the same necessary system for the distribution of brake efforts. In addition, Nissan boasts with active head restraints, Skoda - an anti -wings system, and in a 3 -liter Toyota in the database - ESP.
     
 
The dashboard provides for a very spacious box

Plastic on the central tunnel of low quality
 
 
The trunk opening buttons are not too comfortable

Inner plastic doors are only stylized for metal
   
The blue carriage runs, swinging
Another undoubted plus of business class machines is, let’s say, increased comfort. Recall that the Toyota and Nissan sedans were originally created for the needs of the American market, because the soft move is their integral feature. High -profile tires, a suspension attached to the body on thick silent blocks, comfortable tuning of shock absorbers do their job - most flaws of the road surface driver and passengers Kamri and Maxims simply do not notice. In addition, the noise of the engines even at the highest revolutions reminded the satisfied purr of the neighboring cat, a stiff paired veal. True, on Nissan, it seemed, they did not work with the noise insulation of the bottom - against the background of the quietest motor compartment, the noise from tires and roads is especially noticeable. Weird...
First of all, because of its low-profile tires, Superb is a little worse on the go, but not so much that it causes irritation. And the noise insulation of the Czech sedan is also at the highest level.
 
Sorry, love, it happened!
But winning the smoothness of the course, we must lose in controllability, right? Undoubtedly. And in this regard, our three fighters have nothing to boast of. The nature of behavior on the road is at best satisfactory. At a speed of about 140 km/h and Toyota and Nissan, an unpleasant longitudinal build begins. Soft pendants simply do not have time to completely choose the profile of the road, and from that body of sedans they sway nervously. Superb holds better - a more rigid suspension and scalp tires are less inclined to repeat the profile of the road. At the same time, a reactive force on the steering wheel, or rather, almost complete absence, did not instill confidence in me in any car.
 
Sheepskin for ten thousand?
It is generally accepted that a business class sedan without a V6 motor is inferior. In terms of prestige, it is possible. But if you are guided by common sense, this is what. The basic superb can become yours for only 22,837 euros. Moreover, for this money you will receive a very good motor - a 1.8 -liter four with a low -pressure turbine. Of course, 150 liters. with. This is not 193, but, believe me, such a skoda is quite convincing both in the city and on the highway. Moreover, the dynamics of Kamri with a 2.4-liter four of 149 liters. with. And a mechanical box is in no way inferior to the duet of the V6-automatic. So if you do not need an automatic machine, you can save about $ 10,000. But with Nissan everything is not so simple. The V -shaped six is \u200b\u200bthe base engine of Maxima, but with a volume of two liters it produces only 140 liters. with. The dynamics of such a maximum does not have too much fun with a mechanical gearbox, and it is simply depressing with a machine gun. Will you arrange a business class sedan with Samara? Remember, a real maxim is only 3-liter.
  
On the other hand, predictable, shealing, pronounced insufficient rotation will not allow to break firewood. Tires of all three cars begin to sing in turns much earlier than we would like. So the hunt to argue, say, from the 520th BMW will vividly disappear from you. In the turns, the German will leave our heroes, as from the standing ones. There is only one fun - to engage in a German on even straight lines. However, not everything is obvious here.
 
    
 
Cooling glove compartment of Skoda - a real find in summer heat

Individual climate control unit behind the rear-privilege of all business class machines



Camrei cannot be imagined without an eyelet and manicure mirrors with individual backlight

Convenient armrest opens access to a spacious box for small things

The climate control control unit is clear and easy to handle
 

  Lithers are different liters
Of course, cars with V-shaped 3-liter sixes cannot drive slowly by definition. Tender, like the taste of the freshest cream, and powerful, like a snow avalanche, these motors will transform any car. But there are nuances here.
Firstly, unlike Toyota and Nissan, V6 on Skoda you can get not only with automatic, but also with mechanical transmission. Secondly, the machine gun has 5 -speed superb - the Japanese have only four steps - which distinguishes the Czech sedan favorably in maximum speed and economy. But the main thing, giving preference to a 2.8-liter six of a superb, you know what you pay for. This is really a flagship. It is with such a motor that a heavy sedan pleases with an impeccable and instant pickup in the entire speed range. I only sink the pedal, and under the blissful rumbling of the superb is carried forward. In the first, unlike Toyota and Nissan, V6 on Skoda you can get not only with automatic, but also with mechanical transmission. Secondly, the machine gun has 5 -speed superb - the Japanese have only four steps - which distinguishes the Czech sedan favorably in maximum speed and economy. But the main thing, giving preference to a 2.8-liter six of a superb, you know what you pay for. This is really a flagship. It is with such a motor that a heavy sedan pleases with an impeccable and instant pickup in the entire speed range. I only sink the pedal, and under the blissful rumbling Superb is carried forward.
The Japanese are less accommodating, and this is, without a doubt, the problems of a 4-speed automatic transmission. Lean switching, inhibited reaction to Kick Dawn - in a two way a portrait of these transmissions. If you really want to, Kamri and Maxim will go very briskly, but Super, I repeat, does it with more hunting.
The check, please!
Well, how do you like strawberries with cream? I am sure the opinions will be different. It will seem sour, the other will might, they say, the berries were not enough, the third would simply wipe the lips and ask for additives. All will converge in only one - the account for dessert will not be astronomical. Judge for yourself: for $ 36,000 and $ 36,900, Cheaper only for nothing. However, the appearance of Skoda-Superb can confuse the favorites all the cards. After all, the cost of a 2.8-liter sedan with a machine gun in the Eleans (climate control, leather, expensive music, cast discs) is 34,741 euros. Cheaper than 3-liter Passat and Mondeo in a similar configuration!
    
We decided:
But even the cheapness could not finally outweigh the scales in favor of Skoda- the average rating ****. An amazingly spacious car with an attractive interior and a powerful engine will be a great choice for those who want to taste the joys of business class, but are not ready to sell the soul to the devil. Only two things are embarrassed by and large: a low image of the brand and less favorable conditions for the Japanese guarantee conditions. Toyota, perhaps, lost to the Czech debutant in dynamics-primarily due to the stubbornness of a 4-speed machine. Nevertheless, Kamri also gets ****. This is still the most reasonable choice of a person who needs a large, relatively prestigious and extremely reliable car at a reasonable price. Nissan **** does not have enough Camrei to the level of Camrei - a more exquisite salon, a bit of modern appearance and better sound insulation. Maybe the Japanese it's time to think about restyling?
Mikhail Medvedev, photo Maxim Goncharov
 
 

A source: Magazine "Limousine" [09/02]