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2005 Nissan Maxima 3.5 SL
Shown: 2005 Nissan Maxima 3.5 SL. Photo: MercurySable99, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
  • Newest year: 2008
  • Gas
  • Midsize cars
  • Same as 2007

2004-2008 Nissan Maxima MPG & Fuel Cost

5 model years · 21 MPG combined

21 MPG
Combined
19 MPG
City
25 MPG
Highway
Annual fuel cost · Maxima 3.5L 6-cyl FWD
$3,830

15,000 mi/yr · premium gasoline $5.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026)

Cheaper to fuel than 4 of 10 midsize car configurations, MY2008. Ranked against all rated configurations, not sales-weighted.

2004-2008 Nissan Maxima at a glance

The 2004-2008 Nissan Maxima covers 5 model years in the EPA database (9 configurations in all), rated 21 MPG combined. The newest model year, 2008, costs about $3,830 a year to fuel for its most efficient version, the Maxima 3.5L 6-cyl FWD (21 MPG), at premium gasoline $5.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026). EPA changed the ratings in 2005 and 2007; 2006 and 2008 repeat the values of the year before.

EPA re-estimated ratings of 1985-2007 vehicles under its 2008 method; these figures are the re-estimated values.

2004-2008 Nissan Maxima by model year

2004-2008 Nissan Maxima: EPA combined rating and yearly fuel cost for each model year
Model yearPowertrainsCombined$/yrEPA ratings
2008 Gas 21 MPG $3,830 Same EPA ratings as 2007
2007 Gas 21 MPG $3,830 Ratings changed
2006 Gas 21 MPG $3,110 Same EPA ratings as 2005
2005 Gas 21 MPG $3,110 Ratings changed
2004 Gas 21 MPG $3,110 First year

What the 2008 Maxima 3.5L 6-cyl FWD costs to drive

Per month

$319

$3,830 a year ÷ 12

Per 25 miles

$6.38

Per 100 miles

$25.53

Five years

$19,150

5 × the yearly cost, prices held at today's level

vs the midsize car median

$340more a year

Class median $3,490 a year, MY2008

Based on 15,000 miles a year and premium gasoline $5.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026).

2008 Nissan Maxima MPG

EPA lists the same ratings for the 2008 Nissan Maxima as for the 2007 model, so the configurations and costs are the ones in the 2007 section above.See 2007

Gas · 3.5L
Combined
21 MPG
Per year
$3,830

Gas configurations (1)

2008 Nissan Maxima gas configurations: EPA ratings and annual cost
TrimEngineDriveCityHwyComb.$/yr
Maxima (Most efficient) 3.5L 6-cyl FWD 19 25 21 $3,830

1 configuration requires or recommends higher-octane gasoline and is costed at premium gasoline $5.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026).

2007 Nissan Maxima MPG

21 MPG · $3,830/yr

EPA re-estimated ratings of 1985-2007 vehicles under its 2008 method; these figures are the re-estimated values.

Versus 2006: The most efficient configuration stays at 21 MPG. Its annual cost goes from $3,110 to $3,830, $720 more.

Gas · 3.5L
Combined
21 MPG
Per year
$3,830

Gas configurations (1)

2007 Nissan Maxima gas configurations: EPA ratings and annual cost
TrimEngineDriveCityHwyComb.$/yr
Maxima (Most efficient) 3.5L 6-cyl FWD 19 25 21 $3,830

1 configuration requires or recommends higher-octane gasoline and is costed at premium gasoline $5.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026).

2006 Nissan Maxima MPG

Same EPA ratings as 2005

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 2006 Nissan Maxima as for the 2005 model, so the configurations and costs are the ones in the 2005 section above.See 2005

2005 Nissan Maxima MPG

21 MPG · $3,110/yr

EPA re-estimated ratings of 1985-2007 vehicles under its 2008 method; these figures are the re-estimated values.

Versus 2004: The most efficient configuration stays at 21 MPG. Its annual cost stays at $3,110.

Gas · 3.5L
Combined
21 MPG
Per year
$3,110

Gas configurations (2)

2005 Nissan Maxima gas configurations: EPA ratings and annual cost
TrimEngineDriveCityHwyComb.$/yr
Maxima 3.5L 6-cyl FWD Manual 6-spd (Most efficient) 3.5L 6-cyl FWD 18 27 21 $3,110
Maxima 3.5L 6-cyl FWD Automatic (S5) 3.5L 6-cyl FWD 18 26 21 $3,110

2004 Nissan Maxima MPG

21 MPG · $3,110/yr

EPA re-estimated ratings of 1985-2007 vehicles under its 2008 method; these figures are the re-estimated values.

Gas · 3.5L
Combined
21 MPG
Per year
$3,110

Gas configurations (3)

2004 Nissan Maxima gas configurations: EPA ratings and annual cost
TrimEngineDriveCityHwyComb.$/yr
Maxima 3.5L 6-cyl FWD Automatic 4-spd (Most efficient) 3.5L 6-cyl FWD 18 25 21 $3,110
Maxima 3.5L 6-cyl FWD Manual 6-spd 3.5L 6-cyl FWD 18 27 21 $3,110
Maxima 3.5L 6-cyl FWD Automatic (S5) 3.5L 6-cyl FWD 18 26 21 $3,110

Fuel cost by state

Yearly cost of the Maxima 3.5L 6-cyl FWD: $4,560 in California and $3,320 in Texas, a $1,240 difference.

Gasoline prices: California: California state average; Washington: Washington state average; New York: New York state average; Florida: Florida state average; Texas: Texas state average (Sep 2026).
Fuel cost in every state

Similar cars

Closest combined MPG among MY2008 midsize car models.

EPA ratings: fueleconomy.gov file of Sep 29, 2026 · Prices: EIA regular gasoline, U.S. average, Sep 2026 ($4.36/gal) · 15,000 mi/yr, 55% city / 45% highway · How we calculate

Generations

Frequently asked questions

What gas mileage does the 2004-2008 Nissan Maxima get?

EPA rates the 2004-2008 Nissan Maxima at 21 MPG combined across 9 configurations and 5 model years. The most efficient version, the 2008 Maxima 3.5L 6-cyl FWD, is rated 21 MPG (19 city, 25 highway).

Which years had the best MPG in the 2004-2008 Nissan Maxima?

Every model year of the 2004-2008 Nissan Maxima tops out at 21 MPG combined, so no year is better than another.

Did EPA ratings change during the 2004-2008 Nissan Maxima?

Yes. Ratings changed in 2005 and 2007. In 2006 and 2008 the values repeat the year before.

How does the 2004-2008 Nissan Maxima compare with the previous generation?

The previous generation (2000-2003 Nissan Maxima) is rated 20–22 MPG combined and costs $2,970–$3,270 a year to fuel; the 2004-2008 model is rated 21 MPG and costs $3,110–$3,830 a year.

How much does it cost to fuel a 2008 Nissan Maxima per year?

Driving 15,000 miles a year at premium gasoline $5.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026), the Maxima 3.5L 6-cyl FWD costs about $3,830 a year. Across all 1 configuration the cost runs $3,830 a year.

How much does it cost to drive a 2008 Nissan Maxima 100 miles?

About $25.53 per 100 miles for the Maxima 3.5L 6-cyl FWD at premium gasoline $5.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026). That is the annual cost over 15,000 miles divided by 150.

Is the 2008 Nissan Maxima more efficient in the city or on the highway?

The Maxima 3.5L 6-cyl FWD is rated 19 city and 25 highway MPG, so it is more efficient on the highway, by 6 MPG.

How does the 2008 Nissan Maxima compare with other midsize car configurations?

The Maxima 3.5L 6-cyl FWD costs about $3,830 a year to fuel, $340 more than the class median of $3,490, and less than 4 of 10 midsize car configurations. The comparison covers all 158 rated midsize car configurations for MY2008, not weighted by sales.

Is the 2008 Nissan Maxima different from the 2007 model?

No. EPA lists the same ratings for 2007 and 2008: 1 configuration rated 21 MPG combined. See the 2007 Nissan Maxima for that year.