Used 2016 Nissan Maxima for Sale nearDurham, NC

How much does the 2016 Nissan Maxima cost?

Prices have softened 7.25% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 629 listings available, which gives you a decent amount of inventory to compare.

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.

Drivers consistently praise its stylish design, comfort, handling, and spacious interior. That lines up with the overview: if you like the way it looks, the rest of the package is meant to appeal to you as a comfortable, family-friendly sports sedan with a more upscale feel.

With 28.6% of listings marked as good or great deals, you have some room to shop selectively if you want the right combination of condition and price.

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 many owners find dependable and trouble-free over time, with the same basic formula continuing to appeal to buyers who value consistency. The expert review also describes the Maxima as a car that buyers can likely rely upon for dependability, with quality and reliability having impressed owners for the past decade.

The ownership risk for used buyers is that some reviews mention reliability issues, so you should pay close attention to service history and how the car has been maintained.

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

At 48% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.

You should start with a vehicle history report and confirm whether any prior damage was repaired properly. A pre-purchase inspection matters here, especially if you are comparing cars with similar prices but very different condition histories. Focus on signs of wear, repair quality, and whether the car’s electronics and driver-assistance features work as intended.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The S starts at the lowest price point, while the SL adds leather, heated front seats and side mirrors, front and rear parking sensors, an 8-way power driver’s seat with thigh support extension, 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, active sound enhancement, ambient cabin lighting, and a heated steering wheel. The 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 with Active Ride Control, Active Trace Control, and Active Engine Brake.
• Powertrain: The Maxima uses a 3.5-liter V6 with 300 horsepower and 261 lb-ft of torque, paired with a continuously variable transmission. The review says the engine is a genuine delight, and the CVT is tuned to feel more like a traditional automatic.
• Safety package: Standard equipment includes a reversing camera, NissanConnect Services safety features, and an Easy Fill Tire Alert system. The SL 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.
• Infotainment: NissanConnect is standard, with navigation and NissanConnect Services. The system includes remote engine start, remote access to the locks, lights, and horn, automatic collision notification, emergency calling, a stolen-vehicle locator, connected and assisted search, destination download capability, Google Send to Car technology, 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 review’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: S, SV, SL, SR, Platinum.

Here's the short version:

• S: This is the entry point, so it makes sense if you want the Maxima’s styling and V6 power at the lowest starting price, but you give up the richer comfort and safety equipment found higher up the range.
• SV: This trim builds on the standard Maxima equipment and is the step to consider if you want a more balanced daily driver without jumping all the way to the more expensive feature-heavy trims.
• SL: This is the best-value trim for many shoppers because it adds the most meaningful comfort and safety upgrades, including leather, heated front seats and mirrors, parking sensors, predictive forward-collision warning with automatic emergency braking, blind-spot warning with rear cross-traffic alert, adaptive cruise control, a dual-panel sunroof, premium audio, ambient lighting, and a heated steering wheel.
• SR: Choose this if you want the sportiest version in the lineup. It adds the most performance-focused hardware, including paddle shifters, a sport suspension, a front performance chassis damper, 19-inch wheels, and the Integrated Dynamics Module.
• Platinum: This is the top trim for shoppers who want the most upscale equipment, and it is also the only trim mentioned with drowsy-driver detection.

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: 28.6% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 629 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 7.25% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 48.0% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $11,814, 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 $11,817 sits slightly below last year's $12,741.

That decline suggests the market has already adjusted downward, which can help you as a buyer today but may also mean a future seller has less cushion if prices keep easing. If you buy well and keep the car in strong condition, you can help protect your exit value later. The key is to avoid overpaying now, because the current trend shows the model has already softened.

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 does not have crash-test ratings cited in the available review text.

It 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. Higher trims add blind-spot warning with rear cross-traffic alert, a 360-degree monitoring system, and predictive forward-collision warning with automatic emergency braking. You should also note that lane-departure warning and lane-keeping assist are not offered, and drowsy-driver detection is limited to 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:

• 28.6% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• At 48% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 7.25% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 5/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• The expert review 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 its styling, strong V6 performance, and upscale-feeling cabin at a lower used-car price than it carried a year ago. If you are especially price-sensitive, the current market gives you room to shop, but you should prioritize condition and history because accident involvement is common enough that verification matters.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from October 13, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.