Holding high RPM's sounds the opposite of what it does, at least to me. It always wants to go to a gear ratio where the RPM's are low and it's lugging the engine, and thus is sluggish. However if you hit the gas the RPM's jump and it has good power and takeoff. After a while of giving it gas it seems to adjust and the tires will often chirp when taking off. Once it adjusted to my driving style it accelerates quite nicely. I did read another experience that sounded like yours, something was wrong with the car. You could go test drive another one to verify if yours is acting as it should? Remember MPG was a big issue so they do program the car to try and conserve gas more then on a Maxima, so you do have to let the car know you want to go, where the Maxima wants to go more...

 

Very much agree with Wes on how the Altima 3.5 performs, at least in my experience. The big advantage to the Maxima is No Shudder!

 

Blackbird: Try a few accelerations in Ds mode. After reading a different thread here on this subject, I decided this week to do some more driving in Ds. I have to be a bit careful that I don't plow into a car in front of me, as the throttle response is much quicker than D.

My only car close to this much power was my 2000 Maxima (222 hp), and the 2013 3.5 feels far more powerful.

 

Before buying my Altima, I test drove several 2011-2012 Maximas. I didn't notice any real difference in performance. The extra 20 hp in the Maxima makes a difference in bragging rights, but is pretty hard to feel.
The Altima is more solid, handles as well -- if not better, has a nicer interior and more upscale fit and finish. The only place I think the Altima is lacking is overall exterior design -- I like the styling of the Max better -- but obviously not enough to buy a car 2-3 years old with 30K miles for the same price as a factory-fresh Altima....

 

Maxima also requires premium fuel and gets 19/26 mpg!