2005-08 Nissan Maxima | Consumer Guide Auto

Midsize car; Built in USA

4-door sedan

transverse front-engine/front-wheel drive

Good condition price range: $7,500 – $16,800*

2005 Nissan Maxima

2006 Nissan Maxima

Pros:	Acceleration Handling
Cons:	Steering feel

Maxima stands apart from its Altima corporate sibling in styling, size, and features. It also feels more substantial and looks more upscale. But Maxima costs more, too–close to some premium midsize sedans, in fact. It has the performance to compete in that class, but not the high-end trappings. A V6 Altima costs less than Maxima, and satisfies the driver just as much.

Overview

Nissan’s flagship sedan got only minor changes for 2005. Maxima shared an underskin design with Nissan’s Altima, which was slightly smaller and cost less. Maxima came in sporty SE and luxury-oriented SL models. Both had a 265-hp 3.5-liter V6. Altima offered this same engine, but the Maxima’s was tuned for extra horsepower. The SE came with a 6-speed manual transmission, which Nissan says had improved shift action for ’05. Optional for SE and standard for SL was a 5-speed automatic with manual shift gate. Both models included antilock 4-wheel disc brakes, curtain side airbags, and front torso side airbags. Traction control was standard. An antiskid system was optional with the automatic transmission. The SL had 17-inch wheels, the SE 18s. Both models came with Nissan’s Skyview roof–fixed tinted-glass panels over the front and rear seats. A conventional power sunroof was available. Also available were a navigation system, heated front seats, and an Elite Package with full-length center console, twin rear bucket seats instead of a 3-passenger bench, and power rear-window sunshade. Leather upholstery was standard for SL, optional for SE.

Yearly Updates

2006 Maxima
There were no changes for the 2006 Maxima.

2007 Maxima
Nissan freshened its flagship sedan with revised interior and exterior styling and a new transmission for 2007. Sporty 3.5 SE and luxury-oriented 3.5 SL Maximas were offered, both with a 255-hp V6. For ’07, Maxima swapped 6-speed manual or 5-speed automatic transmissions for a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT); the CVT had a manual shift gate with six preselected gear ratios. Also for 2007, rear obstacle detection was a new option and keyless starting was a new standard feature.

2008 Maxima
The 2008 Nissan Maxima offered a new Platinum Edition Package. The newly available Platinum Edition Package included driver memory features, driver’s seat power lumbar support, auto-dimming outside mirrors, Xenon headlights, a hands-free cell-phone link, and a heated steering wheel.

dohc V6
Engine Size (liters/cubic inches)	3.5/214
Engine HP	265
Engine Torque (lb-ft)	255

Avail. Trans.	EPA MPG (city/hwy)	MPG avg. as tested
6-speed manual 5-speed automatic CVT automatic	20/29 20/28 21/28	20.6

dohc V6

Engine Size (liters/cubic inches)

3.5/214

Engine HP

265

Engine Torque (lb-ft)

255

Avail. Trans.

EPA MPG (city/hwy)

MPG avg. as tested

6-speed manual
5-speed automatic
CVT automatic

20/29
20/28
21/28

20.6

Ratings

Model Tested: 2006 Maxima SL with Elite Package and automatic transmission

Ratings values are on a 1-10 scale, with 10 being the best. With the exception of Value, these numbers reflect how the vehicle compares against the universe of vehicles, not just against rivals in its class.

Performance

Acceleration - 6

60%

Fuel Economy - 5

50%

Ride Quality - 7

70%

Steering/Handling - 6

60%

Quietness - 6

60%

Accommodations

Controls/Materials - 6

60%

Room/Comfort Front - 6

60%

Room/Comfort Rear - 5

50%

Cargo Room - 5

50%

Other

Value - 5

50%

Total: 57

Safety Ratings

Model Tested: 2006 Maxima 4-door sedan w/front side airbags 4-door sedan

NHTSA

(5 is the highest rating)

Front Impact Test

Driver Injury - 5

100%

Front Passenger Injury - 4

80%

Side Impact Test

Driver Injury - 4

80%

Rear Passenger Injury - 4

80%

HLDI

(A score of 100 is average. Lower is better)

Collision	N/A
Injury	N/A
Theft	N/A

2005 Nissan Maxima	Pricing Effective: 05/13/2005
Model Pricing	Retail Price	Dealer Price	Destination
SE 4-door sedan, manual	$ 27,500	$ 25,146	$ 580
SE 4-door sedan, automatic	27,500	25,146	580
SL 4-door sedan, automatic	29,750	27,202	580
Price Note:

Optional Equipment
Option Note: Postproduction options also available.
Major Packages
Option	Avail.	Retail	Dealer
Sensory Pkg.	SE	$2350	$2039
Leather upholstery, heated front seats and mirrors, 4-way power passenger seat, Bose AM/FM radio w/in-dash 6-disc CD changer, compass.
Driver Preferred Pkg.	SE	3650	3166
Sensory Pkg. plus power tilt/telescope and heated steering wheel, memory system (driver seat, mirrors, steering wheel), driver-seat power lumbar adjustment, driver-seat power entry/exit seat (automatic), power folding mirrors, bi-xenon headlights, rear spoiler.
Driver Preferred Pkg.	SL	800	694
Power tilt/telescope and heated steering wheel, memory system (driver seat, mirrors, steering wheel), power entry/exit driver seat w/power lumbar adjustment, power-folding automatic day/night outside mirrors.
Elite Pkg.	SE	4600	3990
Elite Pkg.	SL	1750	1519
Driver Preferred Pkg. plus heated rear bucket seats, rear center console, trunk pass-through, power rear sunshade, automatic up/down rear windows, rear auxiliary power outlet. Deletes split folding rear seat.
Safety
Option	Avail.	Retail	Dealer
Antiskid system		600	520
Requires Driver Preferred Pkg. or Elite Pkg., power sunroof. NA SE w/manual transmission.
Comfort & Convenience Features
Option	Avail.	Retail	Dealer
Power sunroof		900	780
Deletes glass roof panel.
Navigation system		2000	1735
Requires Driver Preferred Pkg. or Elite Pkg.
Bose AM/FM radio w/in-dash 6-disc CD changer	SE	1000	867
Satellite radio		400	347
Requires monthly fee.
Floormats		160	121
Includes cargo mat.
Appearance and Miscellaneous
Option	Avail.	Retail	Dealer
Rear spoiler	SE	270	207
Bi-enon headlight delete	(credit)	-150	-113
Replaces bi-xenon headlights with halogen headlights. Requires Driver Preferred Pkg. or Elite Pkg.
Mudguards		130	99
Chrome alloy wheels	SE	1550	1102

2006 Nissan Maxima	Pricing Effective: 06/13/2006
Model Pricing	Retail Price	Dealer Price	Destination
SE 4-door sedan, manual	$ 27,900	$ 25,511	$ 605
SE 4-door sedan, automatic	27,900	25,511	605
SL 4-door sedan, automatic	30,150	27,568	605
Price Note:

Optional Equipment
Option Note: Postproduction options also available.
Major Packages
Option	Avail.	Retail	Dealer
Sensory Pkg.	SE	$2350	$2039
Leather upholstery, heated front seats and mirrors, 4-way power passenger seat, Bose AM/FM/cassette w/in-dash 6-disc CD changer, compass.
Driver Preferred Pkg.	SE	3650	3166
Sensory Pkg. plus power tilt/telescope and heated steering wheel, memory system (driver seat, mirrors, steering wheel), driver-seat power lumbar adjustment, driver-seat power entry/exit seat (automatic), power-folding mirrors, wireless cell phone link, bi-xenon headlights, rear spoiler.
Driver Preferred Pkg.	SL	800	694
Power tilt/telescope and heated steering wheel, memory system (driver seat, mirrors, steering wheel), power entry/exit driver seat w/power lumbar adjustment, power-folding automatic day/night outside mirrors, wireless cell phone link.
Elite Pkg.	SE	4600	3990
Elite Pkg.	SL	1750	1519
Driver Preferred Pkg. plus heated rear bucket seats, rear center console, trunk pass-through, power rear sunshade, automatic up/down rear windows, rear auxiliary power outlet. Deletes split folding rear seat.
Safety
Option	Avail.	Retail	Dealer
Antiskid system		600	520
Requires Driver Preferred Pkg. or Elite Pkg., power sunroof. NA SE w/manual transmission.
Comfort & Convenience Features
Option	Avail.	Retail	Dealer
Power sunroof		900	780
Deletes glass roof panel.
Navigation system		1800	1561
Requires Driver Preferred Pkg. or Elite Pkg.
Bose AM/FM radio w/in-dash 6-disc CD changer	SE	1000	867
Satellite radio		350	304
Requires monthly fee. SE requires Sensory Pkg., Driver Preferred Pkg., or Elite Pkg.
Wireless cell phone link		300	260
SE requires Sensory Pkg.
Floormats		160	121
Includes cargo mat.
Appearance and Miscellaneous
Option	Avail.	Retail	Dealer
Rear spoiler	SE	270	207
Bi-xenon headlight delete	(credit)	-150	-131
Replaces bi-xenon headlights with halogen headlights. Requires Driver Preferred Pkg. or Elite Pkg.
Mudguards		130	99
Chrome alloy wheels	SE	1550	1102

2007 Nissan Maxima	Pricing Effective: 12/08/2006
Model Pricing	Retail Price	Dealer Price	Destination
SE 4-door sedan	$ 28,050	$ 25,648	$ 615
SL 4-door sedan	30,300	27,706	615
Price Note:

Overview

Yearly Updates

Engines

Road Test

Performance

Accommodations

Other

Total: 57

Specifications

NHTSA

HLDI

Trouble Spots

Recall History

Equipment Lists

Pricing

Standard Equipment
SE : 3.5-liter V6 engine, 6-speed manual or 5-speed automatic transmission w/manual-shift capability, traction control, dual front airbags, front side airbags, curtain side airbags, antilock 4-wheel disc brakes, brake assist, front-seat active head restraints, emergency inside trunk release, air conditioning w/dual-zone automatic controls, power steering, tilt/telescope leather-wrapped steering wheel w/radio controls, cruise control, cloth upholstery, front bucket seats, 8-way power driver seat, center console, cupholders, split folding rear seat, power mirrors, power windows, power door locks, remote keyless entry, AM/FM/cassette/CD player, digital clock, tachometer, trip computer, automatic day/night rearview mirror, outside-temperature indicator, universal garage-door opener, illuminated visor mirrors, map lights, variable-intermittent wipers, rear defogger, automatic headlights, theft-deterrent system, glass roof panel, fog lights, cornering lights, sport suspension, 245/45VR18 tires, alloy wheels
SL adds: leather upholstery, heated front seats, 4-way power passenger seat, heated power mirrors, Bose AM/FM radio w/in-dash 6-disc CD changer, compass, bi-xenon headlights, 225/55HR17 tires, (Deletes sport suspension)

Standard Equipment
SE : 3.5-liter V6 engine, continuously variable transmission (CVT) w/manual-shift capability, traction control, dual front airbags, front side airbags, curtain side airbags, antilock 4-wheel disc brakes, brake assist, front-seat active head restraints, emergency inside trunklid release, air conditioning w/dual-zone automatic controls, power steering, tilt/telescope leather-wrapped steering wheel w/radio controls, cruise control, cloth upholstery, front bucket seats, 8-way power driver seat w/lumbar adjustment, center console, cupholders, split folding rear seat, power mirrors, power windows, power door locks, remote keyless entry, keyless access and starting, AM/FM/CD player, digital clock, tachometer, trip computer, automatic day/night rearview mirror, outside-temperature indicator, universal garage door opener, illuminated visor mirrors, map lights, variable-intermittent wipers, rear defogger, automatic headlights, theft-deterrent system, glass roof panel, fog lights, cornering lights, rear spoiler, sport suspension, 245/45VR18 tires, alloy wheels
SL adds: leather upholstery, heated front seats, 4-way power passenger seat, heated power mirrors, Bose AM/FM radio w/in-dash 6-disc CD changer, compass, bi-xenon headlights, 225/55HR17 tires, (Deletes rear spoiler, sport suspension)

2008 Nissan Maxima	Pricing Effective: 04/28/2008
Model Pricing	Retail Price	Dealer Price	Destination
SE 4-door sedan	$ 28,630	$ 26,229	$ 660
SL 4-door sedan	30,880	28,286	660
Price Note: