Used 2021 Nissan Altima for Sale near California

How much does the 2021 Nissan Altima cost?

Prices have softened 8.72% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 2,868 listings available, which gives you a solid pool to compare before you commit.

If you find a listing below $16,258.18, 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 practical mix of familiarity and modern features, especially if you want a sedan that still feels current.

The main trade-offs are the lack of some features on lower trims and a stereo that falls short of the rest of the package. Even so, the Altima’s broad appeal and everyday comfort make it a strong fit if you want a well-rounded midsize sedan.

With 29.1% of listings marked as good or great deals, there’s enough market activity to shop selectively without feeling rushed.

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 a reputation for excellent gas mileage and a smooth, trouble-free feel in daily use. That kind of feedback suggests you can count on it for regular commuting and long-term ownership if the car has been maintained well.

The Altima’s well-rounded powertrains and solid everyday manners also support confidence in ownership. For used buyers, the main long-term risk is buying a neglected example, so condition and maintenance history matter.

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

At 67.5% 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 is priced near the low end of the market. Focus on body condition, signs of prior repair, and whether the car’s equipment matches the trim level you expect.

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 richer hand feel. Standard LED lighting and wheels ranging from 16-inch steel to 19-inch alloy help the car look more contemporary as you move up the lineup.
• Powertrain: Most versions use a 2.5-liter four-cylinder with 182 horsepower and 178 pound-feet of torque, paired with an Xtronic CVT. A VC-Turbo 2.0-liter four-cylinder is also available in the SR VC-Turbo, delivering 248 hp and 273 lb-ft of torque.
• 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.
• Infotainment: The standard touchscreen is 8 inches on most trims, while S models get a 7-inch display. 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, SR VC-Turbo, SL, Platinum.

Here's the short version:

• S: This is the entry point, but it feels the most stripped-down and misses some of the nicer tech and safety content found higher up. It makes sense only if your budget is tight and you mainly want the lowest starting price.
• SV: This is the best-value trim for many shoppers because it adds Nissan Safety Shield 360 and more everyday comfort and convenience without jumping too far in price. If you want the smartest balance of equipment and cost, this is the trim to target.
• SR: This trim adds a more upscale look with 19-inch alloys and extra sport-flavored details, while still staying within the mainstream part of the lineup. It suits you if you want a more polished appearance and don’t mind paying a bit more.
• SR VC-Turbo: This is the performance-oriented choice, with the 248-hp VC-Turbo engine and a more engaging driving character. Choose it if you care most about acceleration and want the most distinctive powertrain in the range.
• SL: This is the comfort-and-tech sweet spot, adding ProPilot Assist, Bose Premium Audio, and NissanConnect Services. It’s the right pick if you want the Altima to feel more premium without going all the way to the top.
• Platinum: This is the most fully equipped version, with 19-inch alloy wheels, an around-view monitor, ProPilot Assist, leather seating appointments, and more. Buy this if you want the most features and are willing to pay for them.

Safety Shield 360 is standard on every Altima SV and above, so that’s the trim-level threshold to keep in mind.

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

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

• Deal availability: 29.1% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 2,868 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 8.72% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 67.5% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $16,258.18, 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 $16,424 sits slightly below last year's $17,993.

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

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 core driver-assistance suite, 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 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 most advanced driver-assistance content is not standard on every trim, so you should confirm the exact equipment on any used listing you consider.

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:

• 29.1% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• At 67.5% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 8.72% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 4.88/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• It blends available all-wheel drive, multiple powertrain choices, and wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto.

Consider the 2020 if:

• At $14,416, the 2020 costs less than the current year's $16,424 average.
• It broadened availability of Nissan Safety Shield 360.

Consider the 2022 if:

• At $17,836, the 2022 costs more than the current year's $16,424 average.
• It expands Midnight Edition availability on the SR with the base engine.

The bottom line: If you want the best mix of price, features, and market availability, the 2021 is the strongest all-around pick. If your priority is spending less, the 2020 is the better value path; 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 September 4, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.