Tank Ledger

Nissan Maxima Wagon MPG by year — every rating on record

The Nissan Maxima Wagon has a combined EPA fuel economy rating for 5 model years, from 1984 to 1988. Across those years its best rated version returned 20 mpg (1984) and its thirstiest returned 17 mpg (1985). The EPA record holds 6 configurations for this nameplate, most recently a Small Station Wagons.

20best combined mpg (1984)
17worst combined mpg (1985)
18latest year best (1988)
6configurations on record

Year-by-year EPA ratings

Model yearConfigurationsBest combinedWorst combinedClass rank that yearDrivetrainsFuelEPA class
1984220 mpg20 mpg#17 of 18 (6th pct)n/aRegularSmall Station Wagons
1985117 mpg17 mpg#17 of 18 (6th pct)Front-Wheel DriveRegularSmall Station Wagons
1986118 mpg18 mpg#17 of 18 (6th pct)Front-Wheel DriveRegularSmall Station Wagons
1987118 mpg18 mpg#19 of 20 (5th pct)Front-Wheel DriveRegularSmall Station Wagons
1988118 mpg18 mpg#24 of 25 (4th pct)Front-Wheel DriveRegularSmall Station Wagons

Where it has stood in its class

Ranked against every other nameplate the EPA filed under the same class that year. The Nissan Maxima Wagon placed highest in 1984 at #17 of 18, and lowest in 1988 at #24 of 25. It spent 0 of its 5 ranked years in the top half of its class.

Every configuration on record

All 6 configurations EPA lists for this nameplate, newest first.

YearConfigurationEngine detailCityHighwayCombinedGallons/yrBarrels/yrEPA fuel cost/yrCO2 g/miGHG
19883.0L 6-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Automatic 4-spd Regular(FFS)162218638.916.5$3,450493.72222222222223n/a
19873.0L 6-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Automatic 4-spd Regular(FFS)162218638.916.5$3,450493.72222222222223n/a
19863.0L 6-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Automatic 4-spd Regular(FFS)162218638.916.5$3,450493.72222222222223n/a
19853.0L 6-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Automatic 4-spd Regular(FFS)152017676.517.5$3,650522.7647058823529n/a
19842.4L 6-cyl Automatic 4-spd Regular(FFS)182420575.014.9$3,100444.35n/a
19842.4L 6-cyl Automatic 4-spd Regular(FFS) CA model182420575.014.9$3,100444.35n/a

How the rating has moved between model years

Comparing the best-rated configuration of each year. 1 of 2 year-over-year steps improved the top rating.

ChangeBest combinedDeltaGallons a year at the newer rating
1984 → 198520 → 17 mpg-3 mpg676 gal
1985 → 198617 → 18 mpg+1 mpg639 gal

What Maxima Wagon fuel costs over a year

At the EPA's 11,500 miles a year, the 1988 Nissan Maxima Wagon burns 639 to 639 gallons depending on configuration. Below is what that costs at three pump prices, and how much more the thirstiest configuration costs than the most efficient one.

Pump priceMost efficientThirstiestSpread
$3.00/gal$1,917$1,917$0
$3.50/gal$2,236$2,236$0
$4.00/gal$2,556$2,556$0

EPA’s own estimate for the 1988 model year is $3,450 to $3,450 a year in fuel, or $6,000 more than the average new vehicle over five years.

How it compares with other Small Station Wagons

Across the 142 nameplates EPA classifies as Small Station Wagons, the median best combined rating is 27 mpg. At 18 mpg the Nissan Maxima Wagon is 9 mpg below the median, which is worth about $745 a year at $3.50 a gallon.

Other Nissan nameplates

Every Nissan model compared → — all nameplates ranked by best combined rating, with what each one costs a year.