2008 Nissan Maxima Reviews, Pricing & Specs

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$28,130 to $30,380

Original MSRP

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expert review

4.9

avg user rating

(17 reviews)
2008 Nissan Maxima Preview summaryImage

Having received a much-needed update last year, the Nissan Maxima returns in 2008 as a holdover. Marketed as a sporty full-size luxury sedan, the 2008 Maxima features a bolder, more menacing front end, with large round foglights and elongated headlamps that give the feeling of dynamic movement.

The front-wheel-drive Maxima sedan comes in two trims. The luxury SL offers heated leather seats, power front seats, a 6-CD player, wood and leather accents, xenon headlights, and 17-inch wheels. The sportier SE comes with sport seats, a CD player, leather trim, and a good-sized rear spoiler. Both trims are fueled by a 255-hp, 3.5-liter DOHC V6 and CVT transmission, which allow for smooth, seamless shifting. This transmission is a big hit with drivers and adds to the overall satisfaction with the 2008 Maxima's handling. ABS brakes, dual front-side and side curtain airbags, traction control, and a tire monitor are standard across the lineup, with stability control, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, and parking sensors available as options. One nice standard feature on both the SE and SL is the SkyView full-length sunroof.

New for the 2008 Maxima is a Platinum Edition Package, which bundles xenon lamps and parking sensors with a heated steering wheel, Bluetooth, and memory settings for the driver's seat, steering wheel, and mirrors. Some other luxury options include a navigation system, heated rear seats, and an MP3 player. The interior is roomy, and rear seats split-fold, opening onto a trunk that holds 15 cubic feet. Although engine power and acceleration are good and rate highly with owners, they definitely get put to work by the weighty Maxima (nearly 3,600 pounds), which gained extra pounds when it added inches in length last year. Criticisms focus on the car's low fuel economy and wide turning ratio.

CarGurus Editorial Team
Published Aug 8, 2022 by CarGurus Editorial Team
While we highlight specific author bylines where possible, sometimes our content results from the combined efforts of several members of the CarGurus editorial team. As with all our editorial content, you can expect high levels of automotive insight and expertise delivered in a style that is approachable and free from jargon.

User reviews for 2008 Nissan Maxima

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User rating:
by Yolanda D
Jan 29, 2024
I would compare it to a Nissan Altima. I love the body ,& style on both 2008-2014Jan 29, 2024
by Tom B
Jul 25, 2023
Solid V6. Bose stereo. Sleek look and feel. Highly recommended.Jul 25, 2023
by Anonymous
Dec 27, 2021
reliable car classic appearance and design Top model has quite a bit of features tooDec 27, 2021

2008 Nissan Maxima Pricing

Original MSRP
$28,130 to $30,380
Price range
N/A
Average price on CG
N/A
YoY price change
N/A

Trims & specs

Air Conditioning

Automatic climate control front air conditioning · Dual front air conditioning zones

Airbags

Dual front airbags · Passenger airbag deactivation: occupant sensing deactivation · Front side airbags · Rear side curtain airbags

Audio System

Antenna Type: diversity · Single disc in-Dash CD · MP3 player: CD MP3 Playback · Premium Brand: Bose · Bose premium brand speakers · AM/FM radio · XM-ready satellite radio · 2 subwoofers · Total Number of Speakers: 6 · 240 watts

Brakes

ABS: 4-wheel · Front brake diameter: 12.6 · Front brake width: 1.1 · Front brakes: ventilated disc · Rear brake diameter: 11.5 · Rear brake width: 0.4 · Rear brakes: disc

Comfort Features

Armrests: rear center folding with storage · Dash trim: simulated alloy · Floor Mat Material: carpet · Floor Mats: front and rear · Shift knob trim: leather · Steering wheel trim: leather

Convenience Features

Center console: front console with storage · Cupholders: rear · Dimming rearview mirror: auto-dimming · Memorized settings: side mirrors · Multi-function remote: proximity entry system · One-touch windows: 2 · Parking sensors: rear · Power outlet(s): 12V front · Power steering: speed-proportional · Reading lights: rear · Rear power outlet: 12V · Steering wheel: power tilt and telescopic · Steering wheel mounted controls: audio · Storage: front seatback · Vanity mirrors: dual illuminating

Driver Seat

Adjustable lumbar support: power · Manual adjustments: 2 · Power adjustments: 8

Exterior Features

Body side moldings: body-color · Door handle color: body-color · Exhaust: dual exhaust tips · Exhaust tip color: chrome · Front bumper color: body-color · Mirror color: body-color · Rear bumper color: body-color

Headrests

Front headrests: adjustable · Number of front headrests: 2 · Number of rear headrests: 3

Instrumentation

Warnings and reminders: low fuel level

Lights

Headlights: auto delay off

Mirrors

Exterior mirrors: reverse gear tilt

Passenger Seat

Manual Adjustments: 4 · Power adjustments: 4

Rear Seats

Type: bench

Roof

Moonroof: power glass · Rear moonroof: fixed glass · Sunroof: fixed glass

Safety

Active head restraints: driver · Crumple zones: front · Parking sensors: rear

Seatbelts

Rear center seatbelt: 3-point · Seatbelt force limiters: front · Seatbelt pretensioners: front

Seats

Driver seat power adjustments: height · Front seat type: bucket · Heated: front seats · Rear headrests: adjustable · Rear seat folding: split · Upholstery: leather-appointed

Spare Tire

Mount Location: inside · Size: temporary

Spare Wheel

Rim Type: steel · Rim type: alloy

Stability and Traction

Stability control: electronic

Suspension

Front Arm Type: lower control arms · Front Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Front Spring Type: coil springs · Front Suspension Classification: independent · Front Suspension Type: MacPherson struts · Rear Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Rear Spring Type: coil springs · Rear Suspension Classification: independent · Rear Suspension Type: multi-link · Stabilizer bar(s): front

Telematics

Navigation system: DVD navigation system · Phone wireless data link: Bluetooth

Tires

Type: all season

Tires and Rims

Spare tire size: full-size matching · Wheels: chrome

Windows

Front wipers: speed sensitive · Power windows: remote operation

Air Conditioning

Automatic climate control front air conditioning · Dual front air conditioning zones

Airbags

Dual front airbags · Passenger airbag deactivation: occupant sensing deactivation · Front side airbags · Front side curtain airbags

Audio System

Antenna Type: diversity · 6 disc in-dash CD · MP3 player: CD MP3 Playback · Premium Brand: Bose · AM/FM radio · Satellite Radio: SiriusXM · 2 subwoofers · Total Number of Speakers: 8 · 320 watts

Brakes

ABS: 4-wheel · Front brake diameter: 12.6 · Front brake width: 1.1 · Front brakes: ventilated disc · Rear brake diameter: 11.5 · Rear brake width: 0.4 · Rear brakes: disc

Comfort Features

Armrests: rear center folding with storage · Center console trim: simulated wood · Dash trim: simulated wood · Door trim: leather · Floor Mat Material: carpet · Floor Mats: front and rear · Shift knob trim: leather · Steering wheel trim: leather

Convenience Features

Center console: front console with storage · Cupholders: rear · Dimming rearview mirror: auto-dimming · Memorized settings: driver seat · Multi-function remote: proximity entry system · One-touch windows: 2 · Parking sensors: rear · Power outlet(s): 12V front · Power steering: speed-proportional · Reading lights: rear · Rear power outlet: 12V · Steering wheel: power tilt and telescopic · Steering wheel mounted controls: cruise controls · Storage: cargo net · Vanity mirrors: dual illuminating

Driver Seat

Adjustable lumbar support: power · Manual adjustments: 2 · Power adjustments: 8

Exterior Features

Body side moldings: body-color · Door handle color: body-color · Exhaust: dual exhaust tips · Exhaust tip color: chrome · Front bumper color: body-color · Mirror color: body-color · Rear bumper color: body-color

Headrests

Front headrests: adjustable · Number of front headrests: 2 · Number of rear headrests: 3

Instrumentation

Warnings and reminders: low fuel level

Lights

Headlights: Auto on

Mirrors

Exterior mirrors: power

Passenger Seat

Power adjustments: 4

Rear Seats

Type: bench

Roof

Moonroof: sliding sunshade · Rear moonroof: fixed glass · Sunroof: fixed glass

Safety

Active head restraints: driver · Crumple zones: front · Parking sensors: rear

Seatbelts

Rear center seatbelt: 3-point · Seatbelt force limiters: front · Seatbelt pretensioners: front

Seats

Driver seat power adjustments: height · Front seat type: bucket · Rear headrests: adjustable · Rear seat folding: split · Upholstery: leather

Spare Tire

Mount Location: inside · Size: temporary

Spare Wheel

Rim Type: steel · Rim type: alloy

Stability and Traction

Stability control: electronic

Suspension

Front Arm Type: lower control arms · Front Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Front Spring Type: coil springs · Front Suspension Classification: independent · Front Suspension Type: MacPherson struts · Rear Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Rear Spring Type: coil springs · Rear Suspension Classification: independent · Rear Suspension Type: multi-link · Stabilizer bar(s): rear

Telematics

Navigation system: DVD navigation system · Phone wireless data link: Bluetooth

Tires

Type: all season

Tires and Rims

Spare tire size: full-size matching

Windows

Front wipers: speed sensitive · Power windows: remote operation

See all trims (2)