By Rick Popely
Cars.com National May 4, 2001Vehicle Overview
The I30 is a Nissan Maxima that went to finishing school, sharing the same front-drive chassis and major mechanical components. Infiniti is Nissan’s luxury division, and both the I30 and Maxima were redesigned last year. The I30 is Infiniti’s most popular model, and it occupies the middle rung in the division’s three-sedan lineup between the entry-level G20 and the flagship Q45. Key rivals include the Lexus ES 300 and BMW 3 Series.
Exterior
Though the I30 and Maxima are built from the same design, the roof is the only body panel they share. Styling on the I30 was done in Japan, while the Maxima was styled at Nissan’s California design studio. Prominent hood creases, a chrome grille and flush-mounted headlamps mark the I30’s styling.
The wheelbase is 108 inches, and the overall length is 194 — nearly 4 inches longer than the ES 300 and 18 inches longer than the 3 Series.
Interior
Last year’s redesign gave the I30 more interior room and expanded trunk space by nearly 2 cubic feet to 14.9. The split rear seatback folds for additional cargo space.
Leather upholstery and a 200-watt Bose sound system are standard. A classically styled analog clock in the center of the dashboard borrows a trademark feature from the Q45, Infiniti’s flagship sedan. The interior has five cupholders — one for each seating position.
Under the Hood
The 3.0-liter V-6 engine that the I30 shares with the Maxima produces 227 horsepower for Infiniti because of a larger exhaust system. The engine teams with a four-speed automatic transmission.
Safety
Side-impact airbags and active head restraints for the front seats are standard. The head restraints move up and forward in rear-end collisions to reduce the chances of whiplash injuries. Antilock brakes are standard, and traction control is optional.
cars.com From the cars.com 2001 Buying Guide |
Additional Reviews
Cars.com Expert Reviews
| Rick Popely | Cars.com National | May 4, 2001 |
Affiliate Reviews
| Anita And Paul Lienert | The Detroit News | April 18, 2001 |
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