Comparison Test: 2009 Nissan Maxima 3.5 SV vs. 2008 Pontiac G8 GT

[Aprime]

They're behind with a 290HP 3.5?

What the f.


Considering the Sonata's 3.3 delivers 249, the GM non-DI 3.6 delivers 252, heck even Toyota's engine (even Nissan's 3.5) has a lower energy output than that engine...


So how are they behind exactly?

[Michael_S]

Originally Posted by Aprime

They're behind with a 290HP 3.5?

What the f.


Considering the Sonata's 3.3 delivers 249, the GM non-DI 3.6 delivers 252, heck even Toyota's engine (even Nissan's 3.5) has a lower energy output than that engine...


So how are they behind exactly?

You have to take price into consideration. The Honda engine making 290 horsepower from 3.5 liters is in the $45,000 Acura RL. Once you get to that price range, it's up against 304 horsepower from Cadillac and 306 from Lexus and Infiniti. When the RL came out in 2004, it's horsepower per liter output was class leading. Now it's behind, and sales have been poor - and the 2009 RL only got a bump to 300 horsepower. It's very puzzling, I don't understand how Acura expects to sell any more than they do now.

The Sonata V6 or Malibu V6, or even Honda's own Accord V6 are all nicely competitive within their price range.

[ponchoman49]

I find both cars kind of bland looking from the side angle but the Maxima looks somewhat interesting from the front.

[sdotjoe]

Originally Posted by Michael_S

It depends more on the age of the engine design itself than the placement of the valve actuators. Up until the last few years, Honda's V6s were extremely competitive and inefficient, and everything except the NSX used SOHC.

(Now they're behind the game, with 300 horsepower from 3.7 liters and 290 horsepower from 3.5 when other major players in the industry have passed them by.)

Actually, the 3.7 puts out 330+ horses and the 3.5 dependent on application puts anywhere from 250 to 306 horses so, I'm struggling to figure out how they're behind the major players in the industry.

But anyway given the choice between the 2 i'd take the G8 because of RWD.

[redTT]

I love the G8 design, the maxima has that whacked out design theme, the back reminds me of a Camry and the front of a Dodge Charger.

[Michael_S]

Originally Posted by sdotjoe

Actually, the 3.7 puts out 330+ horses and the 3.5 dependent on application puts anywhere from 250 to 306 horses so, I'm struggling to figure out how they're behind the major players in the industry.

I was talking about Honda/Acura, not Nissan/Infiniti. Honda's most powerful V6s now make 290 horsepower from 3.5 liters or 300 from 3.7. They're behind Cadillac, Infiniti, and Lexus.

[sdotjoe]

Originally Posted by Michael_S

I was talking about Honda/Acura, not Nissan/Infiniti. Honda's most powerful V6s now make 290 horsepower from 3.5 liters or 300 from 3.7. They're behind Cadillac, Infiniti, and Lexus.

Oops, My bad.

[Bravada]

Geez, a 16 HP (about 5%) difference in max power rating isn't really something to care about. It's some artificial figure achieved in an engine test-house for a milisecond, which might never be attainable for most drivers. What matters is how power is delivered, and how much of the torque do you have beneath you foot at any given time (not that Honda is known for excelling at that either).

[Michael_S]

Originally Posted by Bravada

Geez, a 16 HP (about 5%) difference in max power rating isn't really something to care about. It's some artificial figure achieved in an engine test-house for a milisecond, which might never be attainable for most drivers. What matters is how power is delivered, and how much of the torque do you have beneath you foot at any given time (not that Honda is known for excelling at that either).

That's a good point. But even if you consider real world acceleration figures, the Accord V6, Acura TL, and Acura RL all lag behind competing models with similar power figures for acceleration.

[AmericanRevolution]

Ugg, I still hate that Maxima style. It's hideous.