Is this the 2009 Nissan Maxima?

By Leroy Brown on October 23rd, 2007

Meet Nissan’s most realistic concept - the Intima. Aside from the horrible name, you’ll see that this is a largish sedan, complete with pointless-feature-of-the-day suicide rear doors. Since the front and rear doors open in the same spot, there is no room for a B pillar. In a car this large, that’s likely to mean the rigidity of a wet noodle - not exactly fitting for a Nissan.

Nissan is introducing a completely new Maxima in 2009 - and this could possibly be the first glimpse at what they have in store for it. There has been talk of a “four door coupe” design, and the Intima goes slightly along those lines, though not as far as I was expecting. The front end seems a bit large and boaty though - it could stand to lose a few pounds.

Once upon a time the Maxima lived up to the “four door sports car” name. Today it’s a big, bloated machine that is outclassed by it’s own younger brother the Altima. Let’s hope that Nissan doesn’t introduce the Intima as the new Maxima. I’d love to see the Maxima go on a diet and shed some pounds - get some of that performance edge back.

Categories: Concepts, Nissan

19 Responses to “ Is this the 2009 Nissan Maxima?”

DERRECK CALDWELL on Dec 20th, 2007 at 12:58 am

I HOPE NISSAN CHANGE SOMETHINGS ABOUT THIS CAR IT LOOKS LIKE A TOYOTA AVALON
Dar Fosse on Dec 21st, 2007 at 4:33 pm

Will the 2009 Maxima be avaiable in the spring of 2008 or not until 2009?
Tyler on Dec 28th, 2007 at 8:24 pm

Answer: No.
J on Dec 29th, 2007 at 3:16 pm

no this is nothing like the 7th gen maxima. has nothing to do with any maxima. otherwise, don’t you think it would be called a “maxima concept” instead of an intima concept?????
Leroy Brown on Dec 30th, 2007 at 7:37 pm

Indeed, the Intima will not become the Maxima. Often automakers disguise concepts by naming them something different than the vehicle that they will become - it’s not a new practice.

However, I have seen the 2009 Maxima and it will not be the Intima. Based on the images that I saw ( few images, and very briefly ), the Maxima will be fantastic. Very muscular and powerful looking.
Tyler on Jan 14th, 2008 at 12:45 pm

So does anyone want to take bets on whether or not the Maxima will be unveiled at the NAIAS this weekend?
Leroy Brown on Jan 15th, 2008 at 4:33 pm

Sadly we won’t be so lucky. Nissan is holding the 09 Max tight. I do have a possible spy shot sitting around that I will try to get up tonight. Not sure if it’s the real deal or not,it’s so covered up.
jethro dolla on Jan 20th, 2008 at 1:36 pm

i agree, it does resemble the stylings of the most recent toyota line. but i really have to disagree with the author. i had an ‘88 se, manual, bad to the bone, loved that car, later i bought a ’92se, which was one of the first models that boasted the 4DSC decal on the rear windows, and yes, up to that point the most powerful sedan i had ever driven, but as a current owner of an ’04se, i gotta say, my car is the baddest maxima yet. it looks bulky but it’s much smaller and lighter than my ‘92, much faster, from any gear at any speed, and torquey to the max. and with my 18 inch rubber, i’m locked firmly to the road. this dude doesn’t know what he’s talking about.
Leroy Brown on Jan 21st, 2008 at 9:14 am

Jethro,
I drive a 2008 Maxima 3-4 times a week, so I’m intimately familiar with how it drives and handles vs the Altima. The Altima is a better car for less money. Until the Maxima gets it’s needed redesign, it loses.
Nissan worshiper on Jan 21st, 2008 at 9:06 pm

we should not forget that the Maxima was, is and will always be the ULTIMATE 4 door sports car! period……Before there was Altima, Lexus, Infiniti, Hyundai, Kia, Passat, THERE WAS AND WILL ALWAYS BE THE LEGENDARY NISSAN MAXIMA!!! This car set the blue print for sedans today and we as auto enthusiasts need to recognize that.
Jean on Feb 5th, 2008 at 5:39 pm

This car better be Great Cuz Ima buy it……
paul on Feb 11th, 2008 at 9:41 pm

i have seen the new 2009 maxima. looks like a benz in a way—-
prashad on Feb 13th, 2008 at 8:02 pm

just found some pictures of what might be the 09 maxima…

http://www.thecarconnection.com/scrapbook-popup.asp?ScrapbookID=1604&Position=1
JustaGuy on Mar 9th, 2008 at 6:27 pm

I saw a teaser video clip for the new Maxima, and this most certainly is not it. The new max has a very Volvo like front end with a rectangular grill and high hood that lowers over the fenders. The car appears very wide and maintains the Altima style, long forward sweeping tailights.
darren on Mar 20th, 2008 at 11:36 am

dam thiz car iz tight off the ass
3apa3a on Mar 31st, 2008 at 10:37 am

Car was show at 2009 Auto show in NY. I am not sure about other car shows. Body was completly redesigned and changed from the other generation. No suicide doors as shown on the picture but that would of been a nice touch. Overall car makes me wanna own a Maxima again (havent owned ones since mid 90s)
Cody on Apr 18th, 2008 at 6:50 am

EVERYONE KNOWS THAT THE 2002-2003 Maxima is the best. The 5th generation maxima is the best so far. I hate the 6th generations, to bulky. the 03’s just hav the sporty look. I wanna know why ALtima gets the coupe. I think maxima deserves that one. I own a 5th generation maxima. 3.5 DOHC is so much better than the 3.0 DOHC. but they will are run. Has anyone heeard bout a possible 3.0 Deisel in 2010 Maxima?
DYMOND on May 13th, 2008 at 8:01 pm

YALL, TRIPPING, THE BEST MAX OUT THERE IS THE ONE I OWN. 2005, FULLY LOADED, QUAD PIPES BABY…I THINK THAT WAS THE BEST MAX MADE OVERALL. ALL IN ALL THE NISSAN MAX IS THE BEST CAR EVER MADE…
PETER on Jun 30th, 2008 at 1:48 pm

WENT TO NISSAN DEALERSHIP FOR OIL CHANGE AND WAS FORUNATE
TO SEE THE 2009 MAXIMA IN THE SHOWROOM. THIS IS A BEAUTIFUL CAR. PICTURES DON’T DO IT JUSTICE. LAST OCT. I BOUGHT A 200ALTIMA WHICH I LOVE. TOO BAD THIS NEW MAXIMA WASN’T OUT
YET CAUSE I WOULD HAVE BOUGHT ONE INSTEAD. IT’S THAT NICE.

Houston Cars

Car Reviews, News, and Spy Shots