For 2003, Nissan's flagship Maxima sedan receives a new option package for the SE model, standard front seat side impact supplemental air bags for the GLE model and two new exterior colors -- Sheer Silver and Polished Titanium (Titanium Edition Package only). The new SE Titanium Edition Package is designed to enhance its already high level of sportiness with features such as a Bose audio system with in-dash 6-disc CD changer, front seat side-impact supplemental air bags, titanium-tint color center console, titanium-tint accent stitching on steering wheel and shifter, and alloy wheels with bright wheel finish, to name a few. Highlights of the 2003 Maxima performance luxury sedan include:
Body
- Exciting, aggressive styling with fluid forms sweeping front to rear, unique rear end design
- Auto on/off xenon headlights (ambient light sensitive)
- Chrome-colored accents on door handles and side window moldings
- UV reducing solar glass
- Two new exterior colors -- Sheer Silver and Polished Titanium (Titanium Edition Package only)
Engine and Driveline
- 3.5-liter DOHC 24-valve V6 producing 255 horsepower and 246 lb-ft torque
- Engine features include electronic throttle, silent timing chain, microfinished camshaft and crankshaft surfaces, molybdenum coated pistons, resin intake collector, digital knock control system, cross flow coolant pattern and variable capacity muffler
- Platinum-tipped spark plugs with 100,000-mile maintenance intervals
- 6-speed close ratio manual transmission standard on SE models
- 4-speed electronically controlled automatic transmission (std on GXE, GLE, opt. on SE)
- Available Traction Control System (TCS) (GLE, SE with automatic)
- Available Helical Limited-Slip Differential (SE manual)
Suspension, Steering and Braking
- Rear Multi-Link Beam suspension with stabilizer bar
- Independent strut front suspension with coil springs and stabilizer bar
- 4-wheel power-assisted disc brakes, standard 4-wheel Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), Electronic Brake force Distribution (EBD) and Brake Assist
- 17-inch aluminum-alloy wheels -- 7-spoke on GLE with P215/55R17 tires, 6-spoke on SE with P225/50R17 tires
- Standard 16-inch aluminum-alloy wheels with P215/55R16 tires on GXE
Interior Features
- Five-passenger seating with luxury cloth or leather-appointed seats and 60/40 split fold-down rear bench with lock
- Standard 8-way power driver's seat, with standard memory seat (on GLE, SE Leather Package) with entry/exit feature (A/T only)
- 7-speaker 200-watt Bose premium audio system with AM/FM/cassette, in-dash 6-disc CD changer, steering wheel audio controls, speed-sensitive auto volume control and RDS radio function (GLE, SE Titanium Edition Package)
- Available Nissan Navigation System with 3-D Birdview display and touch screen control (SE, GLE)
- Available Titanium Edition Package with Bose audio system with AM/FM in-dash 6-disc CD changer, front seat side-impact supplemental air bags, in-mirror compass, stainless steel sill plates with Maxima logo, floor mats, titanium-tint color accent on center console, titanium-tint accent stitching on steering wheel and shifter, and alloy wheels with bright wheel finish (SE)
- Available Meridian Edition with heated seats, outside mirrors and steering wheel (SE, GLE)
- HVAC microfilter ventilation with reusable, washable filter
- LCD in-meter trip computer with outside temperature display, distance to empty, average fuel economy, average speed and driving time
Safety and Security
- Standard dual-stage supplemental air bags and available front seat side-impact supplemental air bags (std. on GLE)
- Available front seat side-impact supplemental air bags (std. On GLE, available in SE Titanium Edition Package)
- Front-seat active head restraints, 3-point ALR/ELR seat belts (driver's seat ELR only) including rear center position with front seat-belt adjustable upper anchors with pretensioners and load limiters
- LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tether for CHildren) child seat anchorage system
- Emergency inside trunk-release
Models and Manufacturing
- Offered in three well-equipped V6 models: GXE, SE and GLE
- Exterior and interior designed at Nissan Design America (NDA), in La Jolla, Calif.
- Assembled by Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. at Oppama, Japan