Used 2016 Nissan Maxima for Sale near Washington

How much does the 2016 Nissan Maxima cost?

Prices have softened 7.79% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 611 listings available, which gives you a modest pool to compare prices and equipment.

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, and the overview frames it as a car whose appeal is strongest if you like its look and want a sporty-feeling sedan with broader everyday appeal. That makes it a fit if you want a family-friendly sedan with a more distinctive personality than many mainstream alternatives. The market also shows 27.5% good or great deals, which suggests there are still some attractive listings to find.

Is the 2016 Nissan Maxima reliable?

Owners rate it 5/5, a strong signal of long-term satisfaction.

User feedback points to reliability concerns alongside praise for comfort, handling, and the spacious cabin, so you get a mixed ownership picture rather than a spotless one. The expert review also says Maxima buyers can likely rely upon dependability, noting that the model’s quality and reliability have impressed owners for the past decade. The cost-effectiveness commentary adds that the new model follows the same basic formula, which supports the idea that the car’s core character is familiar even if newer technology can change the ownership experience.

For used buyers, that means you should pay close attention to maintenance records and any signs of unresolved electrical or technology-related issues before you commit.

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

At 47.8% 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 pre-purchase inspection, especially if the car has been in a collision or shows signs of uneven wear. Focus on body condition, panel alignment, tire wear, and whether the safety and driver-assistance features work as expected. Because the Maxima’s appeal is tied closely to its styling and equipment, condition matters a lot when you compare one listing to another.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The Maxima S starts the range, 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 performance notes say the engine is a genuine delight, the CVT is tuned to feel more like a traditional automatic, and the car offers Normal and Sport driving modes.
• Safety package: Standard safety 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, predictive forward-collision warning, and 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 on all versions and includes navigation, NissanConnect Services, 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, and a hands-free text-messaging assistant.
• Fuel efficiency: The EPA estimates 22 mpg city, 30 mpg highway, and 25 mpg combined, while the expert test drive returned 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 core V6 character at the lowest price, but you give up the richer comfort and safety equipment found higher up the range.
• SV: This trim builds on the base model with leather, heated front seats and side mirrors, parking sensors, and a power driver’s seat, making it a more comfortable daily-driver choice if you want a better-equipped cabin without jumping to the pricier trims.
• SL: This is the best-value trim for many shoppers because it adds the most meaningful upgrades, including 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 paddle shifters, a sport suspension, a front performance chassis damper, 19-inch wheels, and the Integrated Dynamics Module, so it is the trim to target if driving feel matters most.
• Platinum: This is the top-end choice for shoppers who want the most upscale presentation and the most complete equipment set, including the Platinum-only drowsy-driver detection system.

The safety package is more complete on the SL and above, while the base trim leaves you with a more limited feature set.

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 worthwhile listings.

• Deal availability: 27.5% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 611 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 7.79% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 47.8% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $11,793, 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 $11,793 sits slightly below last year's $12,789.

That price movement suggests the market has already adjusted downward, which can help you buy at a more favorable point if you plan to keep the car for a while. For a future seller, the softer pricing means resale upside may be limited unless the car is especially clean, well maintained, and well equipped. Listings with strong condition and desirable features should still draw attention, but you should expect buyers to be selective.

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?

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. On the SL, you also get blind-spot warning with rear cross-traffic alert, a 360-degree monitoring system, predictive forward-collision warning, and automatic emergency braking. The safety writeup also notes that lane-departure warning and lane-keeping assist are not offered, and drowsy-driver detection is reserved for the Platinum.

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:

• 27.5% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• At 47.8% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 7.79% 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: If you want the strongest value play, the 2016 is worth a close look because prices have eased and there are still enough listings to compare. If you’re especially price-sensitive, focus on the cleanest, best-documented examples rather than chasing the cheapest one, since accident history is common enough to make condition checks essential.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from October 6, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.