1996 Nissan Maxima Review
1996 Nissan Maxima Review
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Edmunds' Expert Review
by the Edmunds Experts
What’s new
All new for 1995, the excellent Maxima receives few changes for 1996. A four-way power passenger seat is available, a new center console cupholder will hold a Big Gulp and two new colors grace the Maxima's decidedly dull flanks. Taillights are as ugly as ever.
Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 1996 Nissan Maxima GLE 4dr Sedan and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.50 per gallon for regular unleaded in Ohio.
Monthly estimates based on costs in Ohio
$203/mo for Maxima GLE
Maxima GLE
vs
$181/mo
Avg. Midsize Car
Vehicle overview
Nissan designers underwent a complete switch in design philosophy during the late eighties, and began producing cars whose styling was as fresh five years after introduction day as it was on introduction day. These cars were a far cry from the carved-from-a-cinderblock styling of previous Nissans. The 1989 Maxima was one of the new generation of cars to roll out of Nissan plants, and it continued to look better year after year, aging more gracefully than Dick Clark. For 1995, Nissan replaced it with an all-new car, one with a stellar drivetrain and first-class cabin, but with a somewhat dowdy exterior and funky-ugly taillights.
First, the good stuff. Under the hood is a twin-cam, aluminum 3.0-liter V6. It puts 190 horsepower to the ground through the front axle. A five-speed is standard on GXE and SE trim levels, but an automatic is optional. This engine is a jewel, providing swift acceleration without penalizing fuel economy.
Inside, the Maxima sports an interior befitting an Infiniti. No coincidence here; the Maxima serves as the basis for the luxo-oriented Infiniti I30. Roomier than the old Maxima, the new one finds nobody complaining about the accommodations.
The new Maxima's styling is growing on us, but the taillights and sculpted decklid are just too overwrought. Something closer to the Altima's tail would have been more tasteful. Also, on models not equipped with fog lights, tacky ribbed-plastic inserts fill the holes in the front fascia where they would have gone. The inserts jar the eye and detract from an otherwise clean frontal design.
For 1996, the Maxima receives few changes. A four-way power passenger seat is now available, and a huge cupholder has been installed for those who must have 32 ounces of your favorite soft drink with them in the car. Two new colors also debut; Starfire Blue Pearl and Deep Evergreen.
Overall, the Maxima lost some of its sex appeal in last year's redesign, but the new engine, interior, and price structure of the car more than make up for the slight styling shortcomings.
Consumer reviews
Read what other owners think about the Used 1996 Nissan Maxima.
5 star(87%)
4 star(11%)
3 star(2%)
2 star(0%)
1 star(0%)
121 reviews
Trending topics in reviews
Most helpful consumer reviews
5 out of 5 stars
Kept car for 21 years because it's so great!
Marian, 12/31/2017
1996 Nissan Maxima SE 4dr Sedan
Best car I've ever had, and I'd keep it longer but now need much more storage capacity. It never let me down, and goes like the wind. Great pickup and responsiveness. Has features not found any more like the ability to unlock and roll down the windows from 100 ft away. When blinker goes on, that side of the car illuminates for great visibility.
4.63 out of 5 stars
Awesome car, that's why mine isn't for sale!
weigel5, 04/16/2012
1996 Nissan Maxima SE 4dr Sedan
I bought this car new and still have it today.
If you can get your hands on one, buy it!
Other than basic maintenance, I've had very little problems.
I hope to have it another 16yrs :)
4.63 out of 5 stars
Excellent Car- Great Quality
Excellent Car- Great, 12/17/2009
1996 Nissan Maxima GXE 4dr Sedan
My 1996 Nissan Maxima GXE has reached a milestone. Now at 250,000 and no signs of stopping. I drive 78 to 100 miles a day for work and couldnt think of a better car to drive. Every time I think I am asking to much of the car, it just keeps on going. I have had the car since Dec 2005 at 132K, Maintenance has averaged about $1,500/ year (spread out over the entire year- oil changes, tire … replacement, alternator, hoses, air conditioning service) Also got new shocks and struts... I usually have 1 maybe 2 major repairs a year like the alternator, struts... nothing out of the ordinary
4.75 out of 5 stars
Great Service and Fun to Drive
Alan, 06/29/2006
1996 Nissan Maxima GXE 4dr Sedan
I purchased my 1996 Maxima GXE used with about 18,000 miles on it. I now have approximately 188,500. Very few repairs. Those of you who are buying high octane are wasting your money. I have been using 87 or 88 octane for the 9+ years I have owned it, and it performs just fine. I have tried 91 octane and couldn't detect any difference. Using 88 octane several years ago, it went up to 127 … mph on a long empty straight stretch of road in Wyoming, and still had more to give when I backed off the throttle.
1996 Maxima Highlights
GLE
Engine Type | Gas |
---|---|
Combined MPG | 21 MPG |
Cost to Drive | $203/month |
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place | 14.5 cu.ft. |
Drivetrain | front wheel drive |
Safety
NHTSA Overall Rating
The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration offers independent analysis.
- Frontal Barrier Crash RatingOverallNot RatedDriver4 / 5Passenger3 / 5
- Side Crash RatingOverallNot Rated
- Side Barrier RatingOverallNot RatedDriverNot RatedPassengerNot Rated
- Combined Side Barrier & Pole RatingsFront SeatNot RatedBack SeatNot Rated
- RolloverRolloverNot RatedDynamic Test ResultNo TipRisk Of RolloverNot Rated
IIHS Rating
The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety uses extensive crash tests to determine car safety.
- Small Overlap Front Driver-Side TestNot Tested
- Small Overlap Front Passenger-Side TestNot Tested
- Moderate Overlap Front Test – OriginalPoor
- Moderate Overlap Front Test – UpdatedNot Tested
- Side Impact Test – OriginalNot Tested
- Side Impact Test – UpdatedNot Tested
- Roof Strength TestNot Tested
- Rear Crash Protection / Head RestraintNot Tested
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