2005 Nissan Maxima Review

Name: 2005 Nissan Maxima Review
Brand: Nissan
Price: 1994 USD
Rating: 4.5 (270 reviews)

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Edmunds' Expert Review

by the Edmunds Experts

Pros

Roomy interior, lots of upscale options, sweet V6, available with a manual transmission.

Cons

So-so center stack ergonomics, premium price without the premium nameplate.

What’s new

Improved manual transmission shift feel (thanks to a shorter shift stroke), black-tone brake calipers, additional chrome accents inside and new softer leather upholstery. Auto-dimming outside mirrors are now available, and a new 12-volt power point resides at the base of the center stack.

Edmunds says

Although it's more upscale than before, the Maxima remains one of the best combinations of performance, luxury and value in the midsize sedan segment.

Cost to Drive^{Cost to drive estimates for the 2005 Nissan Maxima 3.5 SE 4dr Sedan (3.5L 6cyl 5A) 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 $4.04 per gallon for premium unleaded in Virginia.}

Monthly estimates based on costs in Virginia

$234/mo

$166/mo

Avg. Midsize Car

Calculate my fuel costs

Consumer reviews

Read what other owners think about the Used 2005 Nissan Maxima.

5 (67%)

4 (17%)

3 (12%)

2 (1%)

1 (3%)

4.5

270 reviews

Write a vehicle review See all 270 reviews

Most helpful consumer reviews

Transmission problems

cardenasj2038, 05/24/2012

2005 Nissan Maxima 3.5 SE 4dr Sedan (3.5L 6cyl 5A)

I bought a new 2005 Nissan Maxima and recently I have had some transmission issues. The gears have been sticking and slipping and so I took it to the dealership and was informed that I need a new transmission and that my warranty expired 890 miles before I took it in (my warranty on the transmission was until the car reached 60,000 miles). The dealership then informed me that it would …

Avoid this 2005 Maxima

rcs26, 04/24/2014

2005 Nissan Maxima 3.5 SL 4dr Sedan (3.5L 6cyl 5A)

I have bought all new cars Malibu(150k), Camry(225K) & donated both cars while running good. Then I bought new Toyota sienna ( 252K & running good), I decided to buy new & different car & I bought brand new design Maxima "Nissan's Flagship Car" with so much hope. It ran good for 2 yrs & then started breaking down. Dealer fixed whatever was under warranty. After all warranties expired …

Good car for Transmission Repair Shops

gregsandiego, 06/04/2012

2005 Nissan Maxima 3.5 SE 4dr Sedan (3.5L 6cyl 5A)

Add me to the list of people with a Nissan Maxima and a bad transmission. Mine had only 52,000 miles when the thing started slipping and lurching in the low gears. A trip to my local transmission specialist confirms the worst, at a cost of $3100 to $4000 to repair.

Only buy if it's a steal!!!

travisbeamon, 08/24/2011

2005 Nissan Maxima 3.5 SE 4dr Sedan (3.5L 6cyl 5A)

The car itself has been good to me for the three years I've owned it until recently. The transmission is garbage. Just like everyone else my Maxima bumps, randomly shifts, accelerates, and downshifts hard when stopping. Sometimes it won't even downshift when I stop it will stay in 3rd gear. Only 70k on the car. This car has been serviced on time by Nissan the entire three years I've …

See all 270 reviews of the Nissan Maxima

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2005 Maxima Highlights

Trim:

3.5 SE

Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee	$27,500
Engine Type	Gas
Combined MPG	21 MPG
Cost to Drive	$234/month
Seating	5 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	15.5 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	front wheel drive
Warranty	3 years / 36,000 miles

See all features & specs

Safety

Key safety features on the Maxima include:

Alarm

NHTSA Overall Rating

The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration offers independent analysis.

Frontal Barrier Crash Rating
OverallNot Rated
Driver5 / 5
Passenger4 / 5
Side Crash Rating
OverallNot Rated
Side Barrier Rating
OverallNot Rated
Driver4 / 5
Passenger4 / 5
Combined Side Barrier & Pole Ratings
Front SeatNot Rated
Back SeatNot Rated
Rollover
Rollover4 / 5
Dynamic Test ResultNo Tip
Risk Of RolloverNot Rated

IIHS Rating

The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety uses extensive crash tests to determine car safety.

Small Overlap Front Driver-Side Test
Not Tested
Small Overlap Front Passenger-Side Test
Not Tested
Moderate Overlap Front Test – Original
Good
Moderate Overlap Front Test – Updated
Not Tested
Side Impact Test – Original
Marginal
Side Impact Test – Updated
Not Tested
Roof Strength Test
Not Tested
Rear Crash Protection / Head Restraint
Poor

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2005 Nissan Maxima Review

Edmunds' Expert Review

Pros

Cons

What’s new

Edmunds says

Cost to Drive^{Cost to drive estimates for the 2005 Nissan Maxima 3.5 SE 4dr Sedan (3.5L 6cyl 5A) 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 $4.04 per gallon for premium unleaded in Virginia.}

Consumer reviews

Read what other owners think about the Used 2005 Nissan Maxima.

Trending topics in reviews

Most helpful consumer reviews

Transmission problems

Avoid this 2005 Maxima

Good car for Transmission Repair Shops

Only buy if it's a steal!!!

2005 Maxima Highlights

Safety

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2005 Nissan Maxima Review

Edmunds' Expert Review

Pros

Cons

What’s new

Edmunds says

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2005 Nissan Maxima 3.5 SE 4dr Sedan (3.5L 6cyl 5A) 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 $4.04 per gallon for premium unleaded in Virginia.

Most helpful consumer reviews

Transmission problems

Avoid this 2005 Maxima

Good car for Transmission Repair Shops

Only buy if it's a steal!!!

2005 Maxima Highlights

Safety

People who viewed this also viewed

Related Used 2005 Nissan Maxima info

Vehicle reviews of used models

Shop similar models

Shop used vehicles in your area

Popular new car reviews and ratings

Research other models of Nissan

Other models

Join Edmunds

Cost to Drive^{Cost to drive estimates for the 2005 Nissan Maxima 3.5 SE 4dr Sedan (3.5L 6cyl 5A) 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 $4.04 per gallon for premium unleaded in Virginia.}