Preview of the 2016 Nissan Maxima

The five-passenger Maxima midsize sedan has been a fixture of the North American car market for so long, it was a Datsun when it was introduced.

That was in 1981. Two years later, the Datsun brand became Nissan, and the Datsun Maxima turned in to the Nissan Maxima.

After seven redesigns and many awards along the way, Maxima is fully new for 2016. Starting with the 1989 model, Nissan has characterized Maxima as a four-door sports car, and this eighth-generation version may meet that description better than any preceding model.

A low profile, wide stance and striking exterior design convey the 2016 Maxima’s sporty nature. Increased structural rigidity and a re-engineered 300-horsepower V6 engine with 261 lb-ft of torque prove the sports-car resemblance is more than cosmetic. A performance-oriented continuously variable transmission (CVT) joins the new V6, and the pair delivers a 15-percent boost in fuel efficiency over the outgoing model. New EPA ratings are 22 mpg city and 30 mpg highway.

Newly available on the Maxima are driver-selectable Normal and Sport modes to accommodate personal preferences in varying conditions, which is to say throttle and gear behavior best suited for highway cruising or the enthusiast-style taking of twisty roads.

Noise abatement measures have produced a quieter new Maxima cabin, which also benefits from more upscale materials, infotainment technology updates and first-class front seats.

There are five different trim levels: S, SV, SL, SR and Platinum, with prices ranging from $32,410 to $39,860.

The 2016 Nissan Maxima is built in Tennessee and is available now at dealerships.

This is a preview of the 2016 Nissan Maxima based on an introductory event held by the manufacturer. Although the vehicle was driven briefly during the event, automotive reviews that include driving impressions and other opinions appear only after a vehicle has been given the standard weeklong test-drive.