Used 2020 Nissan Maxima for Sale nearChicago, IL

How much does the 2020 Nissan Maxima cost?

Prices have softened 7.31% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 494 listings available, which gives you a modest amount of inventory to compare.

If you find a listing below $17,088.63, 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. The standout strength is Safety at 9/10.

Owners consistently praise its stylish design, powerful performance, and comfort-focused feel, and they also like the feature content it brings to the table. The trade-offs are the CVT transmission and the price, and the expert review also points to outdated technology and limited cargo space. In practical terms, you’re looking at a roomy sedan that aims to feel more upscale and engaging than a basic commuter car, especially if you value comfort and presence over maximum practicality. 23.7% of listings are priced as good or great deals, which suggests there are some attractive opportunities if you shop carefully.

Is the 2020 Nissan Maxima reliable?

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

The owner feedback points to a car that many people found stylish, powerful, and enjoyable to live with over time, with several comments emphasizing its fun-to-drive character. The expert review also describes it as a comfortable cruiser with a planted feel in most driving situations, which supports the sense that it’s built for steady everyday use. Nissan also includes a maintenance perk on some trims, with the first scheduled maintenance visit covered. For used buyers, the main long-term ownership risk is that a car with this much feature content and a CVT deserves careful maintenance and a thorough pre-purchase inspection.

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

At 55.9% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.

You should start with a vehicle history report and then prioritize a close inspection of body panels, paint consistency, and repair quality. Because the model’s appeal depends heavily on comfort, features, and condition, you’ll want to focus on how well the cabin, electronics, and drivetrain have been maintained. A test drive should also confirm that the transmission and brakes feel smooth and that the car tracks straight.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The cabin ranges from well-equipped to genuinely premium, with the highest trim veering into premium-model territory. The base model is notably less equipped than the others, so you should pay close attention to feature gaps if you’re comparing lower trims.
• Powertrain: Every model uses a 3.5-liter V6 with a CVT, and the engine is described as sufficiently strong and more powerful than many rivals. Sport mode and paddle shifters on the SR can make it feel more engaging, but the car is still happiest as a comfortable cruiser.
• Safety package: 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 trims except the base model, and lane intervention is available on SR and Platinum.
• Infotainment: The standard setup includes an 8.0-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, hands-free text messaging, SiriusXM satellite radio, Bluetooth, and a 7.0-inch driver information display. The system is usable, but it is not especially modern in appearance.
• 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. It makes sense only if your priority is getting into the model at the lowest possible price.
• SV: This is the best-value trim for most shoppers because it adds a more complete feature set while staying below the sportier and more expensive versions. It gives you a better balance of equipment and price than the base model.
• SL: This trim is a strong choice if you want a more upscale daily driver, especially because the cabin and comfort features move the Maxima closer to premium territory. It suits you if you care more about refinement than sporty extras.
• SR: This is the pick if you want the more engaging personality, including sporty styling and paddle shifters. It also gets lane intervention, making it appealing if you want a sportier feel without giving up the safety suite.
• Platinum: This is the most luxurious choice, with the richest interior presentation and the most premium feel in the lineup. Choose it if you want the most upscale Maxima experience and are willing to pay for it.

Nissan Safety Shield 360 is standard across the lineup, but traffic sign recognition and adaptive cruise control are not included on the base model.

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

This is a moderate, selective-buyer market, so you can shop with some leverage if you compare listings carefully.

• Deal availability: 23.7% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 494 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 7.31% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 55.9% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $17,088.63, 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 $17,632 sits slightly below last year's $19,023.

That price movement suggests the Maxima has already absorbed some depreciation, which can help you as a buyer today. For a future seller, it means the market is currently valuing this model more conservatively than it did a year ago, so resale gains are unlikely to be driven by price momentum alone. Instead, condition, mileage, and trim will matter more when it’s time to sell.

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 IIHS and NHTSA testing, and its front crash prevention results were given the top superior rating by the IIHS.

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 trims except the base model, and lane intervention is available on SR and Platinum. That means the safety package is strong overall, but you should verify whether a specific listing is the base model if you want the full set of standard driver-assistance features.

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:

• 23.7% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• At 55.9% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 7.31% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 4.31/5 — a solid satisfaction signal.
• It pairs a plush cabin with a potent V6 and standard advanced safety features.

Consider the 2019 if:

• At $17,105, the 2019 costs less than the current year's $17,632 average.
• It brings a mild refresh with updated style, technology, and interior features.

Consider the 2021 if:

• At $20,247, the 2021 costs more than the current year's $17,632 average.
• It adds a 40th Anniversary Edition package for the top Platinum trim.

The bottom line: If you want the best balance of price, comfort, and feature content, the 2020 is the sensible target. If you’re especially price-sensitive, the 2019 can save you money while staying close in character, while the 2021 makes more sense only if you specifically want the later-year package and are willing to pay more.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from August 28, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.