Jerry Bloch 
2017 Nissan Maxima Sedan 3.5 SL 4dr Sedan (3.5L 6cyl CVT)
Maximize your ride! Fast and Ferocious
 First, we rented this for a week in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. It was driven dry, rain, no snow and we are from Florida. Beside, I always tell my grandchildren who weren't brought up in snow, its a highly over rated substance. Therefore, I can only comment on the conditions I faced. Ok so the trunk isn't cavernous, The rear seating may be less roomy (who gives a flip), we typically drive with just the two of us. My height is 5' 10 1/2" bopped my head once too often until I figured it out ( please bring back the Chrysler 300E). The the rear vision isn't spectacular, yet hardly a deal breaker. I currently lease a Subaru Crosstrek with Eyesight and before that a BMW 328i, and 3 cars ago a Kia Sorento SX. When I came to the lot  to pick up the car I was impressed that Hertz gave me a  very nice car. Upon entering the vehicle I thought it was my BMW on steroids cockpit wise. I thought I was in a $50K+ car. All of the controls were similar to my Subaru and highly intuitive and well positioned. Im a big guy and the seats were the most comfortable I have experienced since I wasn't so big. Im first and foremost a sport car person so you know that even though I love my Crosstrek the acceleration can be measured on a calendar which is a drag for me. The Maxima's acceleration off the line,(i.e. a hole shot) was spectacular as well as the 60-90 passing. Ok where does my Kia come in, glad you asked. My Kia had perhaps the worst torque steering I had ever experienced in a vehicle! Previously, I had had a Mitsubishi Lancer with a CVT once mastered it was very fast off the line and torque steer was significantly reduced.Yes it had torque steer, however it was easily over come to provide brutal acceleration within my Maserati  tastes and Nissan budget. Brakes and handling were also very good to excellent. The nav system is every bit as good or better than our portable which was proven out by mile markers, I was truly impressed. I did miss the paddle shifters in my Crosstrek which are needed because of the weak brakes. The shifter was great and it was intuitive and not backward as on the BMW.I don't believe the cons on this car are enough for me to look elsewhere, you know I already did and no other package in its class and price range came close in HP, cabin and standard features. The fact that the blind spot monitor lights are in the cabin is a huge plus when trying to keep your eyes on the road. I don't know if Nissan has a system equivalent to Subaru's Eyesight, as all the jargon used in the auto industry to describe the same features is mind boggling.I am looking forward to leasing a 2018 if the opportunity is right.