- Newest year: 2003
- Gas
- Midsize cars
- Same as 2002
2000-2003 Nissan Maxima MPG & Fuel Cost
4 model years · 20–22 MPG combined
15,000 mi/yr · regular gasoline $4.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026)
Cheaper to fuel than 7 of 10 midsize car configurations, MY2003. Ranked against all rated configurations, not sales-weighted.
2000-2003 Nissan Maxima at a glance
The 2000-2003 Nissan Maxima covers 4 model years in the EPA database (8 configurations in all), rated 20–22 MPG combined. The newest model year, 2003, costs about $3,110 a year to fuel for its most efficient version, the Maxima 3.5L 6-cyl FWD (21 MPG), at regular gasoline $4.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026). EPA changed the ratings in 2001 and 2002; 2003 repeat the values of the year before. The best combined rating in the generation, 22 MPG, was reached in 2001.
EPA re-estimated ratings of 1985-2007 vehicles under its 2008 method; these figures are the re-estimated values.
2000-2003 Nissan Maxima by model year
| Model year | Powertrains | Combined | $/yr | EPA ratings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 | Gas | 20–21 MPG | $3,110–$3,270 | Same EPA ratings as 2002 |
| 2002 | Gas | 20–21 MPG | $3,110–$3,270 | Ratings changed |
| 2001 | Gas | 20–22 MPG | $2,970–$3,270 | Ratings changed |
| 2000 | Gas | 20–21 MPG | $3,110–$3,270 | First year |
What the 2003 Maxima 3.5L 6-cyl FWD costs to drive
Per month
$259
$3,110 a year ÷ 12
Per 25 miles
$5.18
Per 100 miles
$20.73
Five years
$15,550
5 × the yearly cost, prices held at today's level
vs the midsize car median
$430less a year
Class median $3,540 a year, MY2003
Based on 15,000 miles a year and regular gasoline $4.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026).
2003 Nissan Maxima MPG
EPA re-estimated ratings of 1985-2007 vehicles under its 2008 method; these figures are the re-estimated values.
EPA lists the same ratings for the 2003 Nissan Maxima as for the 2002 model, so the configurations and costs are the ones in the 2002 section above.See 2002
Gas configurations (2)
| Trim | Engine | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | $/yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maxima 3.5L 6-cyl FWD Manual 6-spd (Most efficient) | 3.5L 6-cyl | FWD | 19 | 26 | 21 | $3,110 |
| Maxima 3.5L 6-cyl FWD Automatic 4-spd | 3.5L 6-cyl | FWD | 17 | 24 | 20 | $3,270 |
2002 Nissan Maxima MPG
20–21 MPG · $3,110–$3,270/yr
EPA re-estimated ratings of 1985-2007 vehicles under its 2008 method; these figures are the re-estimated values.
Versus 2001: The most efficient configuration moves from 22 to 21 MPG, down 1. Its annual cost goes from $2,970 to $3,110, $140 more.
Gas configurations (2)
| Trim | Engine | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | $/yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maxima 3.5L 6-cyl FWD Manual 6-spd (Most efficient) | 3.5L 6-cyl | FWD | 19 | 26 | 21 | $3,110 |
| Maxima 3.5L 6-cyl FWD Automatic 4-spd | 3.5L 6-cyl | FWD | 17 | 24 | 20 | $3,270 |
2001 Nissan Maxima MPG
20–22 MPG · $2,970–$3,270/yr
EPA re-estimated ratings of 1985-2007 vehicles under its 2008 method; these figures are the re-estimated values.
Versus 2000: The most efficient configuration moves from 21 to 22 MPG, up 1. Its annual cost goes from $3,110 to $2,970, $140 less.
Gas configurations (2)
| Trim | Engine | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | $/yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maxima 3.0L 6-cyl FWD Manual 5-spd (Most efficient) | 3.0L 6-cyl | FWD | 19 | 25 | 22 | $2,970 |
| Maxima 3.0L 6-cyl FWD Automatic 4-spd | 3.0L 6-cyl | FWD | 17 | 24 | 20 | $3,270 |
2000 Nissan Maxima MPG
20–21 MPG · $3,110–$3,270/yr
EPA re-estimated ratings of 1985-2007 vehicles under its 2008 method; these figures are the re-estimated values.
Gas configurations (2)
| Trim | Engine | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | $/yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maxima 3.0L 6-cyl FWD Manual 5-spd (Most efficient) | 3.0L 6-cyl | FWD | 19 | 25 | 21 | $3,110 |
| Maxima 3.0L 6-cyl FWD Automatic 4-spd | 3.0L 6-cyl | FWD | 18 | 26 | 20 | $3,270 |
Fuel cost by state
Yearly cost of the Maxima 3.5L 6-cyl FWD: $4,230 in California and $2,710 in Texas, a $1,520 difference.
- California $4,230
- Washington $3,920
- New York $3,110
- Florida $2,940
- Texas $2,710
Similar cars
Closest combined MPG among MY2003 midsize car models.
Generations
- 2000-2003 (5th gen)
- 2004-2008 (6th gen)
- 2009-2014 (7th gen)
- 2016-2023 (8th gen)
Frequently asked questions
What gas mileage does the 2000-2003 Nissan Maxima get?
EPA rates the 2000-2003 Nissan Maxima at 20–22 MPG combined across 8 configurations and 4 model years. The most efficient version, the 2001 Maxima 3.0L 6-cyl FWD, is rated 22 MPG (19 city, 25 highway).
Which years had the best MPG in the 2000-2003 Nissan Maxima?
The Maxima 3.0L 6-cyl FWD reached the generation's best combined rating, 22 MPG, in 2001. The lowest top rating, 21 MPG, was in 2000, 2002 and 2003.
Did EPA ratings change during the 2000-2003 Nissan Maxima?
Yes. Ratings changed in 2001 and 2002. In 2003 the values repeat the year before.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2003 Nissan Maxima per year?
Driving 15,000 miles a year at regular gasoline $4.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026), the Maxima 3.5L 6-cyl FWD costs about $3,110 a year. Across all 2 configurations the cost runs $3,110–$3,270 a year. That is a $160 difference between the cheapest and the costliest configuration.
How much does it cost to drive a 2003 Nissan Maxima 100 miles?
About $20.73 per 100 miles for the Maxima 3.5L 6-cyl FWD at regular gasoline $4.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026), and between $20.73 and $21.80 across all configurations. That is the annual cost over 15,000 miles divided by 150.
Is the 2003 Nissan Maxima more efficient in the city or on the highway?
The Maxima 3.5L 6-cyl FWD is rated 19 city and 26 highway MPG, so it is more efficient on the highway, by 7 MPG.
How does the 2003 Nissan Maxima compare with other midsize car configurations?
The Maxima 3.5L 6-cyl FWD costs about $3,110 a year to fuel, $430 less than the class median of $3,540, and less than 7 of 10 midsize car configurations. The comparison covers all 90 rated midsize car configurations for MY2003, not weighted by sales.
Is the 2003 Nissan Maxima different from the 2002 model?
No. EPA lists the same ratings for 2002 and 2003: 2 configurations rated 20–21 MPG combined. See the 2002 Nissan Maxima for that year.