How much does the 2021 Nissan Altima cost?

Prices have softened 8.09% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 2,964 listings available, which suggests solid inventory for comparison shopping.

If you find a listing below $16,267.83, that's toward the low end of the year-round range and worth acting on quickly.

Is the 2021 Nissan Altima a good car?

Yes — the 2021 Nissan Altima earns a 4.88/5 user rating and a 7.17/10 expert rating.

The standout strength is Safety at 9/10.

Owners consistently praise its quality, comfort, stylish features, excellent gas mileage, smooth ride, and advanced safety features. The Altima also stands out for its available all-wheel drive, multiple powertrain options, and wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, which help it feel practical and current for sedan shoppers.

The main trade-offs are that all-wheel drive is not available with the turbo engine and the stereo is lacking. For you, that means the Altima makes the most sense if you want a comfortable, efficient midsize sedan with broad everyday appeal rather than a performance-first choice.

With 27.7% of listings marked as good or great deals, there is still room to shop selectively.

Is the 2021 Nissan Altima reliable?

Owners rate it 4.88/5, a strong signal of long-term satisfaction.

Owners describe it as quality-built, comfortable, and dependable, with praise that points to a car you can count on over time. The feedback also emphasizes excellent gas mileage and a smooth ride, both of which usually matter in long-term ownership because they make daily use easier and less tiring.

The Altima’s available all-wheel drive and broad feature set add to its appeal as a practical, trouble-free sedan for regular use. For used buyers, the main long-term risk is making sure the specific car you choose has been maintained well and hasn’t been compromised by prior damage or neglect.

What should I look for when buying a used 2021 Nissan Altima?

At 67.9% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.

You should start with a vehicle history report and confirm whether the car has any accident, title, or structural issues. After that, prioritize a pre-purchase inspection so you can check for uneven wear, repair quality, and any signs that the car’s condition doesn’t match the listing. Focus especially on how the car presents inside and out, since the Altima’s value depends heavily on trim content and overall condition.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The base Altima feels a little stripped-down, while higher trims add better interior materials, stitching on the dash and seats, and a more upscale feel.
• Powertrain: Most models use a 2.5-liter four-cylinder with 182 horsepower and 178 pound-feet of torque, while the SR VC-Turbo uses a 2.0-liter turbocharged engine with 248 hp and 273 lb-ft of torque. FWD is standard, AWD is available on most of the lineup, and the turbo model is FWD only.
• Safety package: Nissan Safety Shield 360 is standard on every Altima SV and above. It includes automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, rear automatic braking, rear cross-traffic alert, blind-spot warning, lane-departure warning, and high-beam assist. ProPilot Assist is available on upper trims and adds intelligent forward collision warning, intelligent lane intervention, traffic sign recognition, intelligent driver alertness, and adaptive cruise control.
• Infotainment: The standard touchscreen is 8 inches on most models, while S models get a 7-inch screen. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard on all but S models, and wireless phone integration is part of the Altima’s appeal.
• Fuel efficiency: The 2.5-liter engine is rated at 28 mpg city/39 mpg highway/32 mpg combined with FWD and 25 mpg city/35 mpg highway/29 mpg combined with AWD. The VC-Turbo is rated at 25 mpg city/34 mpg highway/29 mpg combined.

Which 2021 Nissan Altima trim should I buy?

The 2021 Nissan Altima is offered in 6 trim levels: S, SV, SR, SL, Platinum, and SR VC-Turbo.

Here's the short version:

• Base trim: The S is the most stripped-down version, with the lowest levels of tech and safety, steel wheels, and no AWD availability.
• Sweet-spot trim: The SR FWD is the best value for many shoppers because it sits in the middle of the lineup and adds a stronger feature mix without pushing into luxury pricing.
• Premium/top trim: The SL FWD is the most compelling upscale choice because it adds ProPilot Assist, Bose Premium Audio, and NissanConnect Services.
• Off-road trim: The SR VC-Turbo is the performance-focused choice, but it is not the best fit if you want the most practical everyday setup.

Nissan Safety Shield 360 is standard on every Altima SV and above, so that trim line is the key safety-package step up.

Is now a good time to buy a used 2021 Nissan Altima?

This is a moderate buyer’s market, so you can shop selectively without expecting a deep bargain on every listing.

• Deal availability: 27.7% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 2,964 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 8.09% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 67.9% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $16,267.83, that's toward the low end of the year-round range and worth acting on quickly.

What is the 2021 Nissan Altima's resale value?

The current average of $16,585 sits slightly below last year's $18,046.

That price movement suggests the Altima has already absorbed some depreciation, which can help future sellers if the market stabilizes. If you buy at the right price and keep the car in strong condition, you may have a better chance of limiting your loss when it’s time to sell. The model’s broad appeal and strong owner satisfaction should help support demand over time.

Vehicles with strong owner satisfaction ratings, like this model year's 4.88/5, tend to retain buyer demand, which supports resale value over time.

Is the 2021 Nissan Altima safe?

The 2021 Nissan Altima received a Top Safety Pick + rating from IIHS and a five-star overall safety rating from NHTSA.

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

Nissan Safety Shield 360 is standard on every Altima SV and above, and it includes automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, rear automatic braking, rear cross-traffic alert, blind-spot warning, lane-departure warning, and high-beam assist. ProPilot Assist is available on upper trims and adds intelligent forward collision warning, intelligent lane intervention, traffic sign recognition, intelligent driver alertness, and adaptive cruise control.

The main safety caveat is that the strongest driver-assistance package is not standard on the base S trim, so you should verify exactly which safety features are included on the car you’re considering.

Should I buy a 2021 Nissan Altima or consider a different year?

If you're weighing the 2021 against nearby model years, here's how to think about it:

Choose the 2021 if:

• 27.7% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• At 67.9% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 8.09% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 4.88/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• It offers available all-wheel drive, multiple powertrain options, and wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto.

Consider the 2020 if:

• At $14,470, the 2020 costs less than the current year's $16,585 average.
• It emphasizes easy-to-use technology, comfort, and a balanced driving experience.

Consider the 2022 if:

• At $17,992, the 2022 costs more than the current year's $16,585 average.
• It broadens choices with two engines, FWD or AWD, and five trim levels.

The bottom line: If you want the best mix of price, features, and broad appeal, the 2021 is the strongest all-around pick. If your priority is spending less, the 2020 is the value path; if you want more packaging flexibility and don’t mind paying more, the 2022 is worth a look.

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