Used 2021 Nissan Altima for Sale nearChicago, IL

How much does the 2021 Nissan Altima cost?

Prices have softened 8.62% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 2,899 listings available, which suggests you have a solid amount of inventory to compare.

Is the 2021 Nissan Altima a good car?

Yes — the 2021 Nissan Altima earns a 4.9/5 user rating and a 7.2/10 expert rating. The standout strength is Safety at 9/10.

Owners consistently praise its quality, comfort, stylish features, smooth ride, excellent gas mileage, and advanced safety features. That lines up well with the Altima’s role as a midsize sedan that gives you a familiar, practical package with useful technology and broad appeal.

The main trade-offs are the lack of certain features on some examples and the stereo that falls short of the rest of the car. Even so, if you want a sedan that balances comfort, efficiency, and everyday usability, this model year fits that brief well.

The market also shows 32.3% good or great deals, which gives you some room to shop selectively.

Is the 2021 Nissan Altima reliable?

Owners rate it 4.9/5, a strong signal of long-term satisfaction.

The owner feedback points to a car that feels quality-built, comfortable, and easy to live with over time. It also highlights excellent gas mileage, a smooth ride, and advanced safety features, all of which support the sense that you can count on it for daily use.

The Altima’s powertrain lineup also supports dependability, with a respectable 2.5-liter four-cylinder setup and an available VC-Turbo option that broadens the range of choices. For used buyers, the main long-term ownership risk is making sure the specific car you choose has been maintained well and matches the equipment level you expect.

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

At 67.2% 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 careful inspection of bodywork, paint consistency, and signs of prior repair. Focus on the condition of the cabin, electronics, and tires as well, since those areas can reveal how the car was treated. If you’re comparing multiple listings, the cleanest example with the best maintenance record is usually worth the extra attention.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The base S feels a little stripped-down, while higher trims add stitching, better materials, and more upscale cabin details. Standard LED lighting and 16-inch steel wheels to 19-inch alloy wheels help define the visual and equipment gap as you move up.
• Powertrain: Most versions 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 turbo four-cylinder with 248 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of torque. Front-wheel drive is standard, and all-wheel drive is available on most of the lineup except the base S and the turbo model.
• Safety package: 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, and the Intelligent Around View Monitor is offered on upper trims.
• Infotainment: The base model gets a 7-inch touchscreen, while other trims use an 8-inch NissanConnect touchscreen. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are not mentioned, but Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard on all but S models, and OTA capability is not mentioned.
• Fuel efficiency: The 2.5-liter engine is rated at 28 mpg city and 39 mpg highway with front-wheel drive, or 25 mpg city and 35 mpg highway with all-wheel drive. The VC-Turbo is rated at 25 mpg city and 34 mpg highway.

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:

• S: This is the least expensive way into the Altima, but it is also the most stripped-down version. You get the core sedan experience, yet the cabin and equipment list are clearly simpler than the higher trims, so it makes the most sense if your priority is keeping the purchase price low.
• SV: This is the best-value trim for many shoppers because it adds Nissan Safety Shield 360 and a more complete everyday feature set. If you want the strongest balance of price, safety, and usability, this is the trim to target first.
• SR: This trim adds a more upscale and sportier feel with 19-inch alloys, paddle shifters, and more equipment. It suits you if you want a little more style and a more engaging setup without jumping all the way to the top of the range.
• SL: This is the comfort-and-tech step up, with NissanConnect Services, Bose Premium Audio, and ProPilot Assist. It makes sense if you want a more premium ownership experience and are willing to pay for it.
• Platinum: This is the most fully equipped Altima, with 19-inch aluminum-alloy wheels, around-view monitor, ProPilot Assist, leather seating appointments, and more. Choose it if you want the most upscale version and are shopping near the top of the lineup anyway.

Safety Shield 360 is standard on every Altima SV and above.

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: 32.3% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 2,899 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 8.62% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 67.2% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $16,142, 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 $16,142 sits slightly below last year's $17,664.

That softer pricing suggests the Altima has already moved through a meaningful amount of depreciation, which can help future sellers if they buy at the right price. If you purchase near the lower end of the current range, you reduce the amount of value left to lose before resale.

The market also shows steady shopper interest, helped by the Altima’s broad appeal, available all-wheel drive, and strong owner satisfaction. Vehicles with strong owner satisfaction ratings, like this model year's 4.9/5, tend to retain buyer demand, which supports resale value over time.

Is the 2021 Nissan Altima safe?

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

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

Nissan Safety Shield 360 is the named 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. It is standard on every Altima SV and above, so the base S is the main trim-level gap to watch.

ProPilot Assist is available for highway driving support, and the Intelligent Around View Monitor is also available on upper trim levels. Together, those systems give you a strong safety story, especially if you shop above the base model.

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:

• 32.3% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• At 67.2% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 8.62% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 4.9/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• The 2021 Altima offers all-wheel drive, multiple powertrain options, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

Consider the 2020 if:

• At $14,156, the 2020 costs less than the current year's $16,142 average.
• It adds broader availability of Nissan Safety Shield 360.

Consider the 2022 if:

• At $17,230, the 2022 costs more than the current year's $16,142 average.
• It expands Midnight Edition availability on the SR trim.

The bottom line: If you want the best balance of price, features, and owner satisfaction, the 2021 is the strongest all-around pick. If your budget is tighter, the 2020 is the value play, while the 2022 makes sense if you want to spend more for a slightly newer model year.

How does the 2021 Nissan Altima compare to the 2021 Toyota Camry?

Expert Pros & Cons (per CarGurus review team)

2021 Nissan Altima:

• Pros: All-wheel drive available, Multiple powertrain options, Wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto.
• Cons: All-wheel drive not available with the turbo engine, Stereo is lacking.

2021 Toyota Camry:

• Pros: Comfortable, Spacious, TRD trim adds extra performance and style.
• Cons: Outdated technology, Underwhelming base engine.

Our experts score the 2021 Nissan Altima 7.2/10 and the 2021 Toyota Camry 7.8/10. The Camry edges ahead on overall expert score, comfort, and space, while the Altima counters with available all-wheel drive and more flexible powertrain choices. If you care most about tech convenience and AWD availability, the Altima has the advantage; if you want the stronger overall expert pick, the Camry is the safer bet.

Read our full side-by-side expert comparison here.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from October 27, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.