Overview & Reviews

The 2012 Nissan Maxima gains a Limited Edition package that adds some of the SV Sport's features and flashier styling to the base model. This year's model also has freshened styling (grille and taillights) and updated interior trim.

• More features than similarly priced luxury sedans.
• High-quality interior with high-tech features
• Excellent iPod integration
• Precise steering
• Strong acceleration

• Optional equipment stuffed into expensive packages.
• Lacks the brand cachet its price tag implies

User Reviews:

Showing 11 through 20 of 22.00

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  Nice car - 2012 Nissan Maxima
  By vincevw329 - September 17 - 3:42 am

  My wife just picked this out and has been driving it a month now. I drive it on the weekends and we just took a small road trip. I drive a 1yr old VW on a daily basis. The experience with the dealer was very nice. The salesperson was knowledgeable and helpful and seemed genuinely looking out for our best interest. The service department was also very professional, we had to have a cup holder lid fixed. As other reviewers point out, the car has plenty of power, drives easy but has significant understeer. Its clear that most people recognize the car as an entry level luxury/sport sedan and thats the perception and how Nissan markets the car. Our Maxima is fully loaded in grey.

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  Impressive Maxima - 2012 Nissan Maxima
  By alan_s - July 23 - 12:32 am

  My 2010 Maxima lease was almost up so I turned it in and leased a 2012 Maxima SV with Premium package. I immediately noticed a huge advance in refinement over the 2010, and a dramatic improvement in the performance of the CVT. The drivetrain as a whole is far more responsive and much smoother. The CVT no longer bogs down the tremendously powerful engine. Kudos to Nissan for continuous improvement. The two-tone interior is sumptuous and the materials appear to be of improved quality. Everything has a very substantial quality about it. This feels like a much more expensive car. On the road, the dynamics have been improved, and a feeling of solid build and substance is imparted. I love it!

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  Much better than I expected - 2012 Nissan Maxima
  By ffabric - November 9 - 10:37 pm

  We bought our car 6/3/14 rebuilt title with 7000 miles on it. Its Black Rose with Tan Interior. We paid $15,000.00 for it and Of course we were a bit timid trusting the car at first. We have had it a year now,,, and have put 7,500 miles on it and its been a joy to drive. We average 26 mpg (On regular gas), which is guess is good,,, Heck its got almost 300HP and its quick,, agile and comfortable. The radio system is outstanding,,, the leather seats are first class,,, all the appointments are great. The weak point is the Heater/Air Condition ETC. Folks,,,, this car is fun to drive, and its handles like a sports car. Glad we bought it..........

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  I love this car. - 2012 Nissan Maxima
  By Jim - September 6 - 6:04 pm

  This is far and away the best car I have ever owned. The quality in the build of the car is apparent as soon as you step into the vehicle. The car is super quick. My previous car was a 2008 Pontiac Grand Prix GXP with a 5.3 liter V8. This car feels every bit as fast as the Grand Prix and falls short only at high speeds. Ive test drove Accords and Camrys with V6 engines but this car feels like its in another class of performance and luxury. So far I am the second owner of my Maxima. Zero problems. The only issue I would say the car has is not good in snow despite being a FWD car. If you live in a place with snow get some nice snow tires. Still have the Maxima on 3/20/16. Everything i said above - true

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  Knock Knock - 2012 Nissan Maxima
  By dfwtexas - April 26 - 5:00 pm

  My 2012 Nissan Maxima also has the knocks at 30 mph...Ive had it for 3 months and did not hear it when I first test drove it as well. I have taken it to the dealership and st first they had no clue to what it was...The fleet manager pointed it out that it was the ABS...I totally agree that such a steep price to hear a knock every time is very annoying. I have an appointment with a engineer from Nissan but I have a feeling that is just the way the car is built....We test drove a 2012 with 9 miles and it made the exact same knock at 30.Would love for Nissan to put out a formal report on the issue. I have a feeling it is something that will go wrong sometime down the line.

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  DONT BUY IT! UNLESS YOU ARE STUCK WITH NISSAN AND HAVE NO OTHER OPTION - 2012 Nissan Maxima
  By iamjade - February 8 - 4:05 am

  Brand new car, and there is condensation in both side mirror lights. Nissan claims this is normal. This car is beautiful to look. The car is very roomy and is easy to drive in the city (just watch out for the wide turns). On the highway the handling is terrible and a lot of wind noise. I get frustrated when i have to sync my ipod because it doesnt work the 1st, 2nd, or even 3rd time. If you are interested in an Maxima, Please Go check out the Acura TSX/TL, Honda Accord, Lexus ES, Toyota Camry/Avalon.

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  So far I am loving it! - 2012 Nissan Maxima
  By maxmus12 - January 19 - 11:54 pm

  Purchased premium model 6 weeks ago and loving it. Choice was between Maxima, Avalon, ES350, and BMW 3 series. After driving all 4 I had to go with Maxima. For the $ you get allot of options plus I decided to go for something sporty. BMW was close but Max is a little bigger and offers more. The Maxima drives smooth, feels comfortable, the car wants to go fast even when you dont want it to. When driving, the car has a nice pur that gives you that sporty feeling. Throttle response is great. Handles great for sedan. Paddle shifters are fun. Gas however..horrible. I average around 23mpg, 320mi to a tank. If you have fun with the car..youre looking at mid 200mi a tank. Worth it though.

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  I love this car - 2012 Nissan Maxima
  By mseals528 - December 26 - 1:17 pm

  I have had this car for 4 weeks now, and all I can say is, this is a KILLER bargain for what you get. Dont be scared away by the sticker price on these cars, especially if you are leasing. These cards can be had for thousands off the sticker price which in turn makes them a fantastic deal. The sticker on my SV premium with mats, mud guards, and trunk organizer was $39,400. I got it for $7000 less! The amenties are second to none, heated seats, cooled driver seat, double moonroof, large color backup camera. The car has plenty of power and I am still getting 24MPG.

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  Couldnt be happier! - 2012 Nissan Maxima
  By kc16 - September 13 - 4:25 pm

  My husband and I looked at and test drove many high-end sedans from Lexus ES 350, Audi A4, Infinity to C Class Mercedes Benz. The designer cars didnt impress us. Seriously. It all came down to personal preference and what would work best for our family. We did narrow it down to the ES and Maxima, but the ES has really short head space. We are tall people. My hubby is over 6 ft. and Im 5 ft. 7. And each time we test drove an ES, I kept thinking "old man car". Plus the breaking wasnt smooth and it was downright boring to drive and we were worried about the Toyota/Lexus recalls. We purchased a black 2012 Maxima with gray interior with red stitching and couldnt be happier. We got a great deal on a SV Premium Package with rear spoiler. With its ample headspace, heated steering wheel, heated and air conditioned seats, Bose stereo, nav system, and double moon roof, we got all the perks we wanted and then some. Its a good-looking car thats a blast to drive. Looks and drives like a sports car. The manufacturer recommends premium gas, but the dealership said we could use regular with no problem. The only thing we dont like is the effortless acceleration. If we’re not careful, we’ll be racking up some serious speeding tickets, yall. This is our favorite car weve owned yet. LOVE LOVE LOVE it!"

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  3rd Maxima - 2012 Nissan Maxima
  By jspagna1 - January 21 - 6:54 am

  Like the title says this our 3rd Maxima. Just picked it up 2 weeks ago. Car only has 400+ miles. Traded in a loaded 2010 Acura TL SH-AWD and wife just never liked that car and now somes home every day asying she loves her new Maxima. This is our 3rd Maxima. Owned a 92 and still own an 03. You just get a lot of car for the money. Now hopefully it will be as reliable as the first one was. Keep you posted.