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Nissan Maxima

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Nissan Maxima Review, For Sale, Specs, Models & News in Australia

The Nissan Maxima began as a V6 version of the popular Nissan Bluebird sedan during the 1980s before going on to become its a standalone model.

By the early 2000s the Maxima was Nissan’s flagship sedan and competitor to the Toyota Camry, the Holden Commodore and Ford Falcon. But as the sales of SUVs took off more Nissan buyers looked past the Maxima to models such as the Dualis and X-Trail.

It was in 2012 that Nissan made the decision to discontinue the Maxima in Australia. In 2023 Nissan axed the model globally as it took its next steps into electric vehicle production.

The line-up currently starts at $8,470 for the Maxima 250 ST-L and ranges through to $13,420 for the range-topping Maxima 350 ST-S.

Nissan Maxima Q&As

Check out real-world situations relating to the Nissan Maxima here, particularly what our experts have to say about them.

  • Nissan Maxima aftermarket brake pad code

    I can’t give you the code you want, phone Bendix (1800 819 666) and ask them, or go to a brake place and ask them. They should be able to give you the code and sell you the correct parts.

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  • Aurion to replace my Maxima?

    Thanks for the email. Hopefully I can keep this simple. 

    I would strongly recommend a Toyota Aurion V6 $30,990 drive away or the Toyota Camry $28,990 drive away (pricing current September 2015). 

    Unless you want the acceleration of the V6 I would opt for the four cylinder Camry, which is spritely enough and will also deliver good open road fuel economy. 

    For the type of driving you're doing you do not need the hybrid Camry. 

    Also, the base model Camry on the smaller wheels and Michelin tyres will be much more comfortable and a touch quieter than the dearer Camry models that come with sports tyres. 

    In both the Aurion and Camry you will be protected by seven airbags and a five star safety rating. A rear camera is standard on both models too. 

    The servicing costs are among the cheapest in the business. 

    Furthermore the intervals are longer than other Toyotas (15,000km rather than 10,000km) and the capped pricing lasts four years or 75,000, whichever comes first (other Toyotas are three years, 60,000km). 

    This was done to help Aurion and Camry appeal to fleets. 

    However, your warranty is the same as other Toyotas at three years/100,000km. 

    Dealership extended warranties are generally not worth the paper they are printed on, so save your money if you're offered an extension. 

    Please check you're comfortable when driving the Aurion and Camry. They have ample room inside and a lot of travel in the front seat rails. 

    Meanwhile, you're right in your assumption that Toyotas are regarded as a premium over Holden and Ford. The price is cheap because Toyota is trying to keep the factory running until 2017. It is in effect making a loss with each Camry it sells. 

    Toyota also has a vast rural dealer network so hopefully you're never far away from help should you need it. 

    Lastly, the Camry was at $26,990 drive away for much of last year and the price may limbo to that level again in the lead up to the end of the year or early next, to clear 2015 stock. This is not an inside tip, merely an educated guess on my part.

    Good luck and let me know if I can help any further. I hope I'm still driving big distances in my 80s. 

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  • Mid-90s Maxima still up to scratch?

    Any car from the 1990s is really old and outdated, on safety, equipment and the risk of a mechanical failure. You would be far better served by coming as far as you can afford into the 2000s.

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  • 2009 Nissan Maxima engine light

    The engine warning light was telling you that there is a problem within the engine management system. Going into 'safe', better known as limp home mode, is a fail-safe system that allows you to drive the car, albeit at a much reduced pace, until you can get to a mechanic to have it fixed. The error codes that have been found should assist the mechanics to find the cause of the problem and fix it. There is really no choice, but to press on with the mechanics and trust them to find and fix the cause of the problem. If you doubt their competence then take your car somewhere else. Today's cars are much more complex than cars in the past, and most problems seem to affect the computer systems that effectively control them. They're much harder to fix than the cars of old.

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See All Nissan Maxima Q&As
Disclaimer: You acknowledge and agree that all answers are provided as a general guide only and should not be relied upon as bespoke advice. Carsguide is not liable for the accuracy of any information provided in the answers.

Nissan Maxima Dimensions

The dimensions of the Nissan Maxima Sedan vary according to year of manufacture and spec level.

Year Body Type Height x Width x Length Ground Clearance
2014 Sedan 1485x1795x4850 mm 115 mm
2013 Sedan 1485x1795x4850 mm 115 mm
2012 Sedan 1485x1795x4850 mm 115 mm
2011 Sedan 1485x1795x4850 mm 115 mm
2010 Sedan 1485x1795x4850 mm 115 mm
The dimensions shown above are for the base model. See All Nissan Maxima Dimensions

Nissan Maxima Models Price and Specs

The price range for the Nissan Maxima varies based on the trim level you choose. Starting at $8,470 and going to $13,420 for the latest year the model was manufactured. The model range is available in the following body types starting from the engine/transmission specs shown below.

Year Body Type Specs Price from Price to
2014 Sedan 2.5L, ULP, CVT AUTO $8,470 $13,420
2013 Sedan 2.5L, —, CVT AUTO $8,250 $12,980
2012 Sedan 2.5L, ULP, CVT AUTO $8,250 $12,980
2011 Sedan 2.5L, ULP, CVT AUTO $7,920 $13,860
2010 Sedan 2.5L, ULP, CVT AUTO $7,920 $13,310
See All Nissan Maxima Pricing and Specs

Nissan Maxima Wheel Size

The Nissan Maxima has a number of different wheel and tyre options. When it comes to tyres, these range from 215x55 R17 for Sedan in 2014 with a wheel size that spans from 17x7 inches.

Year Body Type Front Tyre Size Front Rim Rear Tyre Size Rear Rim
2014 Sedan 215x55 R17 17x7 inches 215x55 R17 17x7 inches
2013 Sedan 215x55 R17 17x7 inches 215x55 R17 17x7 inches
2012 Sedan 215x55 R17 17x7 inches 215x55 R17 17x7 inches
2011 Sedan 215x55 R17 17x7 inches 215x55 R17 17x7 inches
2010 Sedan 215x55 R17 17x7 inches 215x55 R17 17x7 inches
The dimensions shown above are for the base model. See All Nissan Maxima Wheel Sizes

Nissan Maxima Fuel Consumption

The Nissan Maxima is available in a number of variants and body types that are powered by ULP, PULP and — fuel type(s). It has an estimated fuel consumption starting from 9.5L/100km for Sedan /ULP for the latest year the model was manufactured.

Year Body Type Fuel Consumption* Engine Fuel Type Transmission
2014 Sedan 9.5L/100km 2.5L ULP CVT AUTO
2014 Sedan 10.2L/100km 3.5L PULP CVT AUTO
2013 Sedan 9.5L/100km 2.5L CVT AUTO
2012 Sedan 9.5L/100km 2.5L ULP CVT AUTO
2012 Sedan 10.2L/100km 3.5L PULP CVT AUTO
2011 Sedan 9.5L/100km 2.5L ULP CVT AUTO
2011 Sedan 10.2L/100km 3.5L PULP CVT AUTO
2010 Sedan 9.5L/100km 2.5L ULP CVT AUTO
2010 Sedan 10.2L/100km 3.5L PULP CVT AUTO
* Combined fuel consumption See All Nissan Maxima Pricing and Specs for 2014

Nissan Maxima Towing Capacity

The Nissan Maxima has maximum towing capacity of 1200kg for the latest model available.

Year Body Type Braked Capacity from Braked Capacity to
2014 Sedan 1200kg 1200kg
2013 Sedan 1200kg 1200kg
2012 Sedan 1200kg 1200kg
2011 Sedan 1200kg 1200kg
2010 Sedan 1200kg 1200kg
See All Towing Capacity for Nissan Maxima