OREANDA-NEWS. April 15, 2016. WardsAuto today named the all-new 2016 Nissan Maxima as one of its "10 Best Interiors" for 2016. The Maxima features a bold new exterior design and a premium-crafted interior anchored by a command central fighter jet-inspired driver's cockpit that rivals luxury vehicles.

Maxima was chosen among a field of 47 nominees with all-new or significantly improved cabins, including 15 sedans. Also included among the "10 Best" nominees were the freshened Nissan Altima and all-new Nissan TITAN full-size pickup. The Maxima will be honored at the WardsAuto Interiors Conference on May 11 in Detroit.

Now in its eighth generation, the flagship Maxima sedan was noted by the editors of WardsAuto for being the ideal front-wheel-drive sport sedan with a warm, inviting interior that competes with significantly more expensive vehicles from luxury brands.

"This interior makes a brilliant first impression," said WardsAuto Senior Editor Tom Murphy. "The Maxima exhibits expert craftsmanship and reminds us once again why it serves as Nissan's flagship. We love the black-and-camel color scheme, two-tone flat-bottom steering wheel, 'Liquid Chrome' metallic trim and Alcantara diamond-quilted seating surfaces. Nissan took some chances with the Maxima interior, but the rewards are evident."

Eight WardsAuto editors selected the "10 Best Interiors" after spending February and March evaluating the vehicles and scoring each based on materials, ergonomics, driver information, safety, comfort, fit-and-finish and aesthetics. There is no price cap for the competition, though value remains an important judging criterion. This is the sixth year that the "10 Best Interiors" awards have been given. The new Nissan Murano was named to the list in 2015.

"WardsAuto editors have said that the line continues to blur between luxury and mainstream brands in terms of premium materials, connectivity, driver-assistance and infotainment systems – and the new Maxima certainly fits that positioning," said Michael Bunce, vice president, Product Planning, Nissan North America, Inc. "Nissan products are developed in a global collaboration and so was the new Maxima. We are especially proud that Nissan Design America and Nissan Technical Center North America played significant roles in that process. This strongly validates that here in North America we can design, develop and manufacture highly competitive world-class products with global appeal, as recognized by WardsAuto."

About the 2016 Nissan Maxima
The 2016 Maxima takes the nameplate's cutting edge design, performance and innovation leadership to its highest execution ever. The new 2016 Maxima embodies the latest Nissan design language and projects a distinctive upscale look through its unique combination of a lower profile and a wide stance, bold front end, Nissan signature V-Motion grille and floating roof appearance. Inside, the use of available premium materials includes Ascot Leather-appointed seats include diamond-quilted inserts – with Alcantara® diamond-quilted inserts on SR models.

Maxima's next-generation technology includes standard NissanConnectSM with navigation and available 11-speaker Bose® premium audio system, NissanConnect Services powered by SiriusXM® (SiriusXM® subscription required, sold separately) and Around View® Monitor (AVM) with Moving Object Detection (MOD).

At the heart of this newest generation "4-Door Sports Car" is its completely revised 300-horsepower 3.5-liter VQ-series V6 engine and new performance-oriented Xtronic transmission. Along with a high specific output (HP/L) of 85.7 horsepower/liter, the revised engine also offers a 15 percent increase in highway fuel economy to 30 miles per gallon. The new, performance-oriented Xtronic transmission features a wider ratio range, which allows for stronger acceleration from a standing start and an all-new D-Step shifting logic that provides rapid shifts at high throttle openings.

The 2016 Maxima also offers an extensive range of available safety, security and driving aids, including Predictive Forward Collision Warning (PFCW), Intelligent Cruise Control (ICC), Forward Emergency Braking (FEB), Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA), Blind Spot Warning (BSW) and Driver Attention Alert (DAA)*.

The 2016 Maxima is offered in five well-equipped models (all equipment is grade standard, no available options): Maxima S, SV, SL, SR and Platinum. It is assembled in Smyrna, Tennessee, with engines assembled in Decherd, Tennessee.

About Nissan North America
In North America, Nissan's operations include automotive styling, engineering, consumer and corporate financing, sales and marketing, distribution and manufacturing. Nissan is dedicated to improving the environment under the Nissan Green Program and has been recognized annually by the U.S Environmental Protection Agency as an ENERGY STAR® Partner of the Year since 2010. More information on Nissan in North America and the complete line of Nissan and Infiniti vehicles can be found online at www.NissanUSA.com and www.InfinitiUSA.com, or visit the U.S. media sites NissanNews.com and InfinitiNews.com.

About Nissan Motor Co.
Nissan Motor Co., Ltd., Japan's second-largest automotive company, is headquartered in Yokohama, Japan, and is part of the Renault-Nissan Alliance. Operating with more than 247,500 employees globally, Nissan sold 5.32 million vehicles and generated revenue of 11.38 trillion yen (USD 103.6 billion) in fiscal year 2014. Nissan delivers a comprehensive range of more than 60 models under the Nissan, Infiniti and Datsun brands. Nissan leads the world in zero-emission mobility, dominated by sales of the LEAF, the first mass-market, pure-electric vehicle. It is the best-selling EV in history with almost 50% share of the zero-emission vehicle segment. For more information on our products, services and commitment to sustainable mobility, visit our website at http://www.nissan-global.com/EN/.

About WardsAuto
WardsAuto has covered the auto industry for more than 80 years, serving those within automakers, dealerships, suppliers and others serving or observing the industry with a wide range of information products. WardsAuto's flagship product is WardsAuto.com, a comprehensive online resource and community filled with unique news, data and analysis, with full access available as a premium subscription.  Other services include online data products, magazines, print and digital newsletters, and more.  Plus, WardsAuto operates the WardsAuto Interiors Conference, North America's only event focused on the automotive interior.

* It is the driver's responsibility to remain alert at all times. DAA is only a warning to inform the driver of a potential lack of driver attention or drowsiness. It does not detect and provide an alert in every situation. See Owner's Manual for details.