Used 2016 Nissan Maxima for SaleNationwide

How much does the 2016 Nissan Maxima cost?

Prices have softened 4.96% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 605 listings available, which gives you a meaningful 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.

You get a car that draws praise for its stylish design, comfort, handling, and spacious interior. The overview also frames it as a model that appeals most if you already like its looks, and that matches the owner feedback: the Maxima’s appeal is strongest for shoppers who value style, driving feel, and cabin space.

With 26.8% of listings marked as good or great deals, there is enough market opportunity to make this a worthwhile model to shop if the design and driving character fit what you want.

Is the 2016 Nissan Maxima reliable?

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

User feedback points to the Maxima being reliable and dependable for many owners, with praise that suggests it can be a car you count on over time. The expert notes also describe the model as dependable, and the cost-effectiveness commentary says Maxima buyers can likely rely upon dependability, with quality and reliability having impressed owners for the past decade.

That said, some owner experiences have been negative, so you should still treat a used example like any other performance-oriented sedan and pay close attention to maintenance history and overall condition.

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

At 48.9% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.

You should start with a vehicle history report and make sure any prior damage is fully documented and repaired to a standard you can live with. A pre-purchase inspection is especially important here, because the Maxima’s appeal depends heavily on how well it has been maintained and whether the car still feels tight, quiet, and well sorted.

Focus on condition, equipment, and signs of wear that could affect long-term satisfaction. If the car has the features you want and the history checks out, it can be a strong buy; if not, there are enough listings to keep shopping.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The Maxima S starts the lineup, while the 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 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, 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. The Platinum sits at the top with the most equipment, and the SL looks like the best-value trim if you want a strong mix of comfort and safety features.
• Powertrain: The Maxima uses a 3.5-liter V6 with 300 horsepower and 261 lb-ft of torque, paired with a continuously variable transmission that uses dynamic step shifting and an adaptive shift controller. The performance notes also point out that there is no optional torque-vectoring all-wheel-drive system, so this is a front-drive sedan that leans on its V6 and transmission tuning rather than extra traction hardware.
• Safety package: NissanConnect Services is standard and includes speed, curfew, and boundary alerts, 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 with destination download, Google Send to Car, and a hands-free text-messaging assistant. Standard safety equipment also includes a reversing camera and Easy Fill Tire Alert. 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, while drowsy-driver detection is reserved for the Platinum.
• Infotainment: NissanConnect is standard on all versions and includes navigation plus NissanConnect Services. The system also supports remote features and connected services, and the USB port is placed in a covered bin forward of the shifter.
• Fuel efficiency: The EPA estimates are 22 mpg city, 30 mpg highway, and 25 mpg combined, while the test average came in at 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 should expect the fewest comfort and safety extras.
• SV: This is the step-up trim that adds leather, heated front seats and side mirrors, parking sensors, and a power driver’s seat with thigh support extension, making it a more comfortable everyday choice.
• SL: This is the best-value trim if you want the strongest mix of equipment and safety tech, because it adds 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 setup, since it adds paddle shifters, a sport suspension, a front performance chassis damper, 19-inch wheels, and the Integrated Dynamics Module with Active Ride Control, Active Trace Control, and Active Engine Brake.
• Platinum: This is the top trim for shoppers who want the most features, including the Platinum-only drowsy-driver detection system.

The SL is the trim that best balances equipment, safety, and value for most used buyers.

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

This is a moderate, selective buyer’s market, so you can shop carefully and still find worthwhile listings.

• Deal availability: 26.8% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 605 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 4.96% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 48.9% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $11,986, 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 $12,034 sits slightly below last year's $12,661.

That price movement suggests the Maxima has softened enough to create a better entry point for used buyers, but it also means future sellers may need to be realistic about pricing if they want to move the car quickly. The current market trend points to steady but not especially strong appreciation potential, so condition and equipment will matter a lot when it comes time to resell.

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.

Nissan equips the Maxima with a reversing camera, Easy Fill Tire Alert, and NissanConnect Services safety features as standard. The SL trim adds blind-spot warning with rear cross-traffic alert, a 360-degree monitoring system, predictive forward-collision warning, and automatic emergency braking, while drowsy-driver detection is reserved for the Platinum.

One important caveat is that the safety writeup does not include crash-test ratings here, so you should lean more heavily on the car’s equipment, condition, and inspection results when evaluating a used example.

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:

• 26.8% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• At 48.9% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 4.96% 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 with strong owner satisfaction and you’re willing to shop carefully for condition and history. If you’re especially price-sensitive, the current market gives you room to compare listings and wait for a clean example at the low end of the range.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from September 22, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.