Used 2016 Nissan Maxima for Sale near California

How much does the 2016 Nissan Maxima cost?

Prices have softened 7.70% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 621 listings available, which suggests a decent amount of inventory to compare before you buy.

Is the 2016 Nissan Maxima a good car?

Yes — the 2016 Nissan Maxima earns a 5/5 user rating and a 7/10 expert rating. The standout strength is Technology at 9/10. Owners consistently praise its stylish design, comfort, handling, and spacious interior, and the overview frames it as a sedan for you if you want a strong visual statement and solid driving enjoyment. The market also shows 28.0% good and great deals, which gives you some room to shop selectively.

Is the 2016 Nissan Maxima reliable?

Owners rate it 5/5, a strong signal of long-term satisfaction. User feedback points to a car that can feel dependable and trouble-free for many drivers, with repeated praise for its solid performance and comfortable, family-friendly character. The expert notes also describe the Maxima’s quality and reliability as having impressed owners for the past decade, and the car’s basic formula suggests that long-term dependability is part of its appeal. For used buyers, the main ownership risk is that reliability concerns do appear in some owner experiences, so a careful pre-purchase inspection matters.

What should I look for when buying a used 2016 Nissan Maxima?

At 44.3% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.

You should start with a vehicle history report and then prioritize a thorough inspection of bodywork, alignment, and any signs of prior repair. Because the Maxima’s appeal is tied closely to styling and equipment, condition matters a lot: make sure the exterior, interior, and electronics all match the seller’s description. If you’re comparing multiple listings, focus on maintenance records and overall presentation rather than price alone.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The Maxima S starts the lineup, while the Maxima SV adds leather, heated front seats and side mirrors, front and rear parking sensors, and an 8-way power driver’s seat with thigh support extension. The Maxima SL adds predictive forward-collision warning with automatic emergency braking, blind-spot warning with rear cross-traffic alert, adaptive cruise control, a dual-panel sunroof, a premium audio system, active noise cancellation and active sound enhancement, ambient cabin lighting, and a heated steering wheel. The Maxima SR is the sportier choice with paddle shifters, a sport suspension, a front performance chassis damper, 19-inch wheels with lower-profile tires, and an Integrated Dynamics Module.
• Powertrain: The 3.5-liter V6 makes 300 horsepower and 261 lb-ft of torque, and it is paired with a continuously variable transmission that uses dynamic step shifting and an adaptive shift controller. The car also offers Normal and Sport driving modes, and the expert notes that the engine is a genuine delight even if the CVT does not fully deliver a sports-sedan feel.
• Safety package: Standard equipment includes a reversing camera, NissanConnect Services safety features, and an Easy Fill Tire Alert system. The SL trim adds blind-spot warning with rear cross-traffic alert, a 360-degree monitoring system, and predictive forward-collision warning with automatic emergency braking. Lane-departure warning and lane-keeping assist are not offered, and drowsy-driver detection is reserved for the Platinum trim.
• Infotainment: NissanConnect is standard on all versions, and it includes navigation plus NissanConnect Services. The system brings remote engine start, remote access to the locks, lights, and horn, automatic collision notification and emergency calling, a stolen-vehicle locator, connected and assisted search, destination download capability, Google Send to Car, and a hands-free text-messaging assistant.
• Fuel efficiency: The EPA estimates are 22 mpg city, 30 mpg highway, and 25 mpg combined. The expert’s test average was 21.8 mpg.

Which 2016 Nissan Maxima trim should I buy?

The 2016 Nissan Maxima is offered in 5 trim levels: Maxima S, Maxima SV, Maxima SL, Maxima SR, Maxima Platinum.

Here's the short version:

• Maxima S: This is the entry point, so it makes sense if you want the Maxima’s styling and core powertrain at the lowest starting point.
• Maxima SV: This is the value step-up if you want a more comfortable and better-equipped cabin, thanks to leather, heated front seats and side mirrors, parking sensors, and the power driver’s seat with thigh support extension.
• Maxima SL: This is the best-value trim for most shoppers because it adds the most meaningful safety and convenience upgrades, including predictive forward-collision warning with automatic emergency braking, blind-spot warning with rear cross-traffic alert, adaptive cruise control, a premium audio system, ambient lighting, and a heated steering wheel.
• Maxima SR: Choose this if you want the sportiest setup in the lineup, with paddle shifters, a sport suspension, a front performance chassis damper, 19-inch wheels, and the Integrated Dynamics Module.
• Maxima Platinum: This is the top trim if you want the most complete feature set, including the drowsy-driver detection system that is reserved for this version.

The safety package is strongest on the SL and above, while the base trims leave out several of the advanced driver-assistance features.

Is now a good time to buy a used 2016 Nissan Maxima?

This looks like a moderate, selective buyer’s market, so you can shop carefully and still find opportunities.

• Deal availability: 28.0% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 621 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 7.70% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 44.3% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $11,493, that's toward the low end of the year-round range and worth acting on quickly.

What is the 2016 Nissan Maxima's resale value?

The current average of $11,493 sits slightly below last year's $12,452.

That price movement suggests the Maxima has already absorbed some depreciation, which can help future sellers if they buy at the right number. Because the current market is softer than it was a year ago, your resale outcome will depend heavily on how well you control your purchase price today. A well-kept example with strong equipment and clean history should be easier to move later than a rougher one with accident history or missing maintenance records.

Vehicles with strong owner satisfaction ratings, like this model year's 5/5, tend to retain buyer demand, which supports resale value over time.

Is the 2016 Nissan Maxima safe?

The 2016 Nissan Maxima earns a 7/10 safety score from our experts.

Standard safety equipment includes a reversing camera, NissanConnect Services safety features, and an Easy Fill Tire Alert system. The SL trim adds blind-spot warning with rear cross-traffic alert, a 360-degree monitoring system, and predictive forward-collision warning with automatic emergency braking. Lane-departure warning and lane-keeping assist are not offered, and drowsy-driver detection is reserved for the Platinum trim.

Should I buy a 2016 Nissan Maxima or consider a different year?

If you're weighing the 2016 against nearby model years, here's how to think about it:

Choose the 2016 if:

• 28.0% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• At 44.3% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 7.70% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 5/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• The expert summary says that if you like the way this car looks, you’re probably going to like everything else about it.

The bottom line: The 2016 Maxima makes the most sense if you want a stylish, well-equipped sedan and you’re comfortable shopping carefully for condition and history. If you’re price-sensitive, the current market gives you room to find a good deal, but you should prioritize clean records and a thorough inspection before you commit.

How does the 2016 Nissan Maxima compare to the 2016 Toyota Avalon?

Our experts score the 2016 Nissan Maxima 7/10 and the 2016 Toyota Avalon 7.5/10. The Maxima is the more affordable used buy here, with a lower average price and more listings to choose from. The Avalon has the edge in overall expert score, a higher accident-free share, and a slightly stronger good-and-great deal share, while the Maxima counters with more power and better city fuel economy.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from November 10, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.