How much does the 2020 Nissan Maxima cost?

Prices have softened 9.23% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 491 listings available, which suggests a decent amount of inventory to compare.

If you find a listing below $17,092.38, 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 broad appeal with some clear compromises. The standout strength is Safety at 9/10.

Owners commonly praise its stylish design, powerful performance, and comfort-focused feel. The review summary also points to a fun-to-drive character, even if the CVT transmission and pricing draw criticism.

That lines up with the overview: you get a roomy sedan with a more energetic personality, plus a plush interior and strong safety equipment. The trade-offs are the dated technology and limited cargo space.

With 26.9% of listings marked as good or great deals, you have 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 review summary points to a car that many owners found stylish, powerful, and enjoyable to live with, while also describing it as fun to drive. That kind of feedback usually matters when you’re trying to judge whether a used sedan will feel dependable over time.

The expert evaluation also emphasizes a comfortable, planted driving character and a powertrain that is strong enough for most drivers. Nissan’s standard safety and convenience equipment across the lineup adds to the sense that the car is built to be easy to count on.

For used buyers, the main long-term ownership risk is making sure the CVT and overall maintenance history have been well cared for.

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

At 58% 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 prior bodywork or multiple owners. Focus on condition, maintenance records, and whether the cabin and electronics still feel consistent with the mileage.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The base model misses some equipment that appears on higher trims, including the 8.0-inch touchscreen and several convenience features. Higher trims add a more premium feel, while the Platinum version pushes furthest into upscale territory.
• Powertrain: Every model uses a 3.5-liter V6 with a CVT, making 300 horsepower and 261 pound-feet of torque. It is strong for the class, and the car is tuned more for comfortable cruising than sporty aggression.
• Safety package: Nissan Safety Shield 360 is standard across the lineup, with blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic alert, 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 but the base model, while lane intervention is limited to SR and Platinum.
• Infotainment: The standard setup includes an 8.0-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a 7.0-inch driver display. Wireless smartphone integration and over-the-air capability are not mentioned.
• 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, and Platinum.

Here's the short version:

• Base trim: The S is the least equipped version, and it misses some of the standard convenience and infotainment features found higher up the range.
• Sweet-spot trim: The SV is the best value if you want the core Maxima experience with the standard touchscreen, smartphone integration, and safety tech without stretching to the top end.
• Premium/top trim: The Platinum is the most upscale choice, with the richest cabin presentation and the strongest luxury lean.
• Off-road trim: Not applicable here.

Nissan Safety Shield 360 is standard across all five trims, 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’s market, so you can shop carefully and still find worthwhile listings.

• Deal availability: 26.9% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 491 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 9.23% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 58.0% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $17,092.38, 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 $17,250 sits slightly below last year's $19,003.

That price movement suggests the Maxima has softened enough to create a more approachable entry point for used buyers. For a future seller, that means resale value may remain sensitive to condition, mileage, and equipment level rather than just model-year age.

Well-kept examples with strong presentation and complete records should hold up better than neglected ones. If you buy carefully now, you improve your odds of preserving value later.

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 earned the top superior rating from the IIHS.

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

Nissan Safety Shield 360 is standard across the lineup, bringing 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 limited to SR and Platinum.

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:

• 26.9% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• At 58% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.
• Prices have softened 9.23% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 4.31/5 — a solid satisfaction signal.
• It combines plush accommodations, a potent powertrain, and standard advanced safety features.

Consider the 2019 if:

• At $17,230, the 2019 costs less than the current year's $17,250 average.
• It brings a mild refresh with updated style, technology, and interior features.

Consider the 2021 if:

• At $20,450, the 2021 costs more than the current year's $17,250 average.
• It adds a 40th Anniversary Edition package for the top Platinum trim.

The bottom line: The 2020 Maxima makes the most sense if you want a well-equipped, safety-focused sedan with a softer used price and a strong feature set. If you’re shopping on a tighter budget, the 2019 is the better value play; if you want the newest version and don’t mind paying more, the 2021 is the cleaner upgrade path.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from August 21, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.