1995 Nissan Maxima

Each year, it seems the task gets more difficult. Each year, the players get more impressive. But each
year, we look forward to meeting the challenge and selecting the one vehicle we feel is most deserving
of the title, Motor Trend Import Car of the Year. This season's field of candidates is arguably the finest
ever assembled for an ICOY competition, spanning the entire gamut of autodom: econocars, high-
performance machines, family sedans, coupes, convertibles, luxury cruisers-even a minivan for good
measure. But when the last box was checked, we found ourselves with one overwhelming favorite. This
standout possesses an exceptional combination of style, function-ality, performance, safety, meaningful
technology, and value. That singular blending made it our consensus winner. The vehicle is the new
Nissan Maxima, Motor Trend's 1995 Import Car of the Year.
Our criteria in selecting the ICOY winner were simple and direct. The competition included every all-new
or significantly changed car or minivan classified by the EPA as a import and on sale by January 1, 1995.
We subjected all qualifying vehicles to a wholesale scrutinizing process designed to help us select the
newcomer we feel will have the greatest impact on consumers, as well as on the automotive industry as
a whole.
Back to the Basics Since its development began in early 1990, the new Maxima design was meant to
reflect changing market preferences and to emphasize "consumer-based" technology. The impetus for
this reorientation of focus came from the highest levels of corporate management. Admitting that
during the '70s and '80s many auto- makers had become so embroiled in ongoing games of engineering
one-upmanship they had lost sight of the importance of core technologies, Nissan Motor Company
Managing Director Kenichi Sasaki pressed the Maxima team to go beyond the then-accepted
conventions. "For the '90s and the new century beyond, we must get back in touch with our customers-
by building cars that are once again a joy to drive, that have space-efficient packaging, that have
powerful yet fuel-efficient drivetrains, that are environmentally responsible, and that are easy to own
and maintain."

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