2009 Nissan Maxima

The 2009 Nissan Maxima is 3.8 inches shorter than its predecessor. The wheelbase is shorter, too, some 1.9 inches to be exact. These might seem like minor changes, but given that virtually every new sedan in the past 20 years has been bigger than its predecessor, the Maxima's shrinking dimensions are a welcome sign of restraint.

Nissan is trying to restore the Maxima's heritage, and has brought back the car's description as a "four-door sports car" (4DSC), first used during the 1980s. So in addition to the shorter length and wheelbase, the Nissan Maxima 2009 is also wider and lower. Well, it's only slightly wider at the door handles, but the front and rear tracks are up 1.4 and 1.2 inches, respectively. The designers of Nissan Maxima 2009 described the car's interior as "super cockpit, but with space."

With a standard 290-hp V6, Nissan claims that this Maxima is a true sport sedan.