How much does the 2021 Nissan Altima cost?

Prices have softened 8.26% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 2,996 listings available, which suggests solid inventory for comparison shopping.

If you find a listing below $16,296.81, 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 4.88/5 user rating points to strong owner satisfaction, and the expert rating is 7.17/10. The standout strength is Safety at 9/10.

Owners consistently praise the Altima for its quality, comfort, stylish design, smooth ride, excellent gas mileage, and advanced safety features. The overview also points to a midsize sedan that blends style, comfort, and innovative technology, with a cabin that feels especially well appointed in higher trims.

The main trade-offs are that some owners miss features like a sunroof, and the expert notes that the stereo is lacking. The overview frames it as a practical midsize sedan for buyers who want a comfortable, tech-forward daily driver rather than the class benchmark for driving excitement.

Only 29.4% of listings are priced as good or great deals, so the best examples may require patience.

Is the 2021 Nissan Altima reliable?

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

Owner feedback also points to a dependable, trouble-free ownership experience, with praise for quality, comfort, and the kind of gas mileage and smoothness that make the car easy to live with over time. The expert notes that the Altima’s powertrains are designed to balance power and efficiency, which supports everyday dependability.

The expert also highlights a maintenance perk: the first scheduled maintenance visit is on the house.

For used buyers, the main long-term risk is less about the core package and more about how well the car was maintained and equipped, especially on higher-mileage examples.

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

At 69.3% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.

You should run a vehicle history report before you get too far into the process, then prioritize a pre-purchase inspection on any car that looks promising. Focus on condition, maintenance records, and evidence of prior bodywork or repair quality, especially if the price seems unusually attractive.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The base model feels stripped-down, while higher trims add stitching to the dash and seats, better hand feel, and more upscale materials.
• Powertrain: Most models use a 2.5-liter four-cylinder with 182 horsepower and 178 pound-feet of torque, while the VC-Turbo adds 248 hp and 273 lb-ft for stronger performance.
• Safety package: Nissan Safety Shield 360 includes automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, rear automatic braking, rear cross-traffic alert, blind-spot warning, lane-departure warning, and high-beam assist. It is standard on every Altima SV and above.
• Infotainment: The base model gets a 7-inch touchscreen, while other models use an 8-inch NissanConnect touchscreen. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard on all but S models, and wireless phone integration is part of the 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 5 trim levels: S, SV, SR, SL, Platinum.

Here's the short version:

• Base trim: The S is the least equipped choice, with the lowest levels of tech and safety, a 7-inch touchscreen, and no Apple CarPlay or Android Auto.
• Sweet-spot trim: The SR FWD is the best value for many buyers, adding 19-inch alloys and a stronger feature set without jumping to the highest prices.
• Premium/top trim: The SL stands out for its added comfort and tech, including ProPilot Assist, Bose Premium Audio, and NissanConnect Services.
• Off-road trim: Not applicable here.

Safety Shield 360 is standard on every Altima SV and above, so that’s the key trim-level safety step to watch.

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

This is a moderate market for selective buyers, with enough inventory to shop carefully and enough price softness to create opportunities.

• Deal availability: 29.4% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 2,996 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 8.26% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 69.3% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $16,296.81, 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 $16,763 sits slightly below last year's $18,272.

That price movement suggests the Altima has already absorbed some depreciation, which can help future sellers if they buy at the right price today. A lower entry cost can make it easier to preserve value later, especially if you choose a well-equipped trim and keep the car in strong condition.

Strong owner satisfaction also helps support demand when it’s time to sell. 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 the standard driver-assistance suite 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 for highway driving support, and an Intelligent Around View Monitor is available on upper trims to help with parking.

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:

• 29.4% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• At 69.3% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 8.26% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 4.88/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• The 2021 stands out for its blend of style, comfort, and innovative technology.

Consider the 2020 if:

• At $14,539, the 2020 costs less than the current year's $16,763 average.
• It offers comfort and technology with widely available Safety Shield 360.

Consider the 2022 if:

• At $18,116, the 2022 costs more than the current year's $16,763 average.
• It expands trim choices and keeps the Altima's safety and tech appeal strong.

The bottom line: If you want the best balance of price, owner satisfaction, and modern features, the 2021 is the smart middle ground. If your priority is spending less, the 2020 is the value play; if you want a newer-feeling package and can pay more, the 2022 is worth a look.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from July 31, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.