Used 2020 Nissan Maxima for Sale near California

How much does the 2020 Nissan Maxima cost?

Prices have softened 8.55% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 516 listings available, which suggests you have a workable amount of inventory to compare.

If you find a listing below $17,049.36, that's toward the low end of the year-round range and worth acting on quickly.

Is the 2020 Nissan Maxima a good car?

Generally — the 2020 Nissan Maxima earns a 4.31/5 user rating and a 7.83/10 expert rating, which points to a well-liked sedan with broad appeal. The standout strength is Safety at 9/10.

Owners commonly praise its stylish design, powerful performance, and comfort-focused character. The review summary also points to a fun-to-drive personality, even if some shoppers were put off by the CVT transmission and the price.

That lines up with the overview: you get a roomy sedan with a more energetic personality, plus a plush interior and standard advanced safety features. The trade-offs are the outdated technology and limited cargo space, so it fits you best if comfort, style, and driving enjoyment matter more than maximum practicality.

With 26.0% of listings marked as good or great deals, there is still some room to shop selectively.

Is the 2020 Nissan Maxima reliable?

Owners rate it 4.31/5, a solid signal of long-term satisfaction.

The owner summary points to a car that many people found dependable in daily use, with praise centered on its strong performance and overall appeal. That kind of feedback suggests you can count on it for a satisfying ownership experience if the car has been maintained well.

The expert notes also support that impression by describing the Maxima as a comfortable cruiser with a planted feel in most driving situations. On the ownership side, the available maintenance perk language adds a small cost-of-ownership advantage for shoppers comparing used examples.

For used buyers, the main long-term risk is less about the core hardware and more about finding one that has been cared for consistently, especially given the model’s age and mixed owner feedback on the transmission.

What should I look for when buying a used 2020 Nissan Maxima?

At 55.8% 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 had any prior damage or multiple owners. Focus on condition details that matter in a used sedan: interior wear, electronics behavior, and evidence of consistent maintenance. Because the Maxima’s appeal is tied to comfort and features, you want to make sure those systems still work as intended.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The base model is less well equipped than the higher trims, while the Platinum trim level veers well into premium territory with richer materials and more upscale presentation.
• Powertrain: Every model uses a 3.5-liter V6 with a CVT, and the setup is tuned more for comfortable cruising than hard-edged sportiness.
• Safety package: Nissan Safety Shield 360 is standard across all five trim levels, with blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic alert, intelligent forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane-departure warning, rear automatic braking, and a driver alertness monitor. Traffic sign recognition and adaptive cruise control are standard on all trim levels but the base model, and lane intervention is available on SR and Platinum grades.
• Infotainment: An 8.0-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and an available Around View Monitor camera system are part of the appeal, though the tech is described as older than what you’ll find in some rivals.
• Fuel efficiency: The Maxima is rated at 20 mpg city, 30 mpg highway, and 24 mpg combined.

Which 2020 Nissan Maxima trim should I buy?

The 2020 Nissan Maxima is offered in 5 trim levels: S, SV, SL, SR, Platinum.

Here's the short version:

• S: This is the entry point, but it is the least equipped version and misses some of the standard convenience and safety content found higher up the range.
• SV: This is the best-value trim for many shoppers because it adds more of the standard equipment you’ll actually use while staying below the sportier and pricier grades.
• SL: This trim is a smart pick if you want a more comfort-oriented setup, including the quieter, more refined feel that comes with active noise cancellation.
• SR: Choose this if you want the sportier look and feel, including unique styling and paddle shifters, plus available lane intervention.
• Platinum: This is the most upscale choice, with the richest cabin presentation and the most premium-feeling execution.

Nissan Safety Shield 360 is standard across the lineup, but traffic sign recognition and adaptive cruise control are standard on all trim levels but the base model, and lane intervention is reserved for SR and Platinum.

Is now a good time to buy a used 2020 Nissan Maxima?

This looks like a moderate, selective buyer’s market, so you can shop carefully without feeling rushed.

• Deal availability: 26.0% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 516 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 8.55% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 55.8% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $17,049.36, that's toward the low end of the year-round range and worth acting on quickly.

What is the 2020 Nissan Maxima's resale value?

The current average of $17,526 sits slightly below last year's $19,164.

That price movement suggests the Maxima has already absorbed a meaningful amount of depreciation, which can help future sellers if the market stabilizes. If you buy well now and keep the car in strong condition, you may be starting from a more favorable value position than a year ago.

The model’s broad appeal also helps: it combines comfort, style, and a strong engine with a premium-leaning cabin, which can keep it attractive to used shoppers. Still, resale will depend heavily on condition, mileage, and how well the car’s tech and interior have held up.

Vehicles with solid owner satisfaction ratings, like this model year's 4.31/5, tend to retain buyer demand, which supports resale value over time.

Is the 2020 Nissan Maxima safe?

It has performed very well in Insurance Institute for Highway Safety crash tests and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration safety tests.

It earns a 9/10 safety score from our experts.

Nissan Safety Shield 360 is standard across all five trim levels, and it includes blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic alert, intelligent forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane-departure warning, rear automatic braking, and a driver alertness monitor. Traffic sign recognition and adaptive cruise control are standard on all trim levels but the base model, while lane intervention is available on SR and Platinum grades.

That makes the Maxima a strong safety pick if you want a sedan with a broad standard driver-assistance suite. The main caveat is that some of the more advanced features are not included on the base model.

Should I buy a 2020 Nissan Maxima or consider a different year?

If you're weighing the 2020 against nearby model years, here's how to think about it:

Choose the 2020 if:

• 26.0% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• At 55.8% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 8.55% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 4.31/5 — a solid satisfaction signal.
• Changes for 2020 are minimal after the 2019 refresh.

Consider the 2019 if:

• At $17,193, the 2019 costs less than the current year's $17,526 average.
• It brings a mild refresh with updated style, technology, and interior features.

Consider the 2021 if:

• At $19,737, the 2021 costs more than the current year's $17,526 average.
• It adds a 40th Anniversary Edition option package for the top Platinum trim level.

The bottom line: The 2020 is the right path if you want the current-year pricing advantage and a well-equipped sedan with strong safety content. If you are especially price-sensitive, the 2019 is the better value play; if you want the newest version and can pay more, the 2021 is the upgrade path.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from September 4, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.