2009 Nissan Maxima

The CVT transmission has been reeducated for sporty driving -- it will now hold high revs under hard acceleration -- and the 19-inch sport tires (part of the optional performance package) sink their fangs into the asphalt from takeoff. It's a buzzy cavort to 60 mph (under 7 seconds), and I estimate the quarter-mile time is probably in the mid-14-second range.

October 23, 2008