How much does the 2021 Nissan Altima cost?

Prices have softened 8.33% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 3,075 listings available, which suggests solid inventory availability. If you find a listing below $16,278, 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 our experts give it a 7.17/10 overall rating. The standout strength is Safety at 9/10.

Owners consistently praise the car’s quality, comfort, stylish features, excellent gas mileage, smooth ride, and advanced safety features. The Altima also stands out for its appealing blend of style, comfort, and technology, plus available all-wheel drive for buyers who want extra confidence in poor weather.

The main trade-offs are that some owners miss features like a sunroof, and the stereo is lacking. It fits you well if you want a comfortable, efficient midsize sedan with a polished cabin and a strong safety focus, especially if you value everyday usability over sporty character.

Only 29.6% of listings are priced as good or great deals, so the best examples may not linger long.

Is the 2021 Nissan Altima reliable?

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

Owners describe the Altima as quality-built, comfortable, and dependable enough to inspire confidence, while also highlighting its smooth ride and excellent gas mileage. The expert evaluation also points to a well-rounded sedan with a strong emphasis on comfort and technology, which supports the sense that it’s a car you can count on day to day.

The ownership picture looks reassuring for used buyers, but you should still verify maintenance history and overall condition before you commit.

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

At 68% 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 any prior damage was repaired properly. Then prioritize a thorough inspection of body panels, paint consistency, tires, brakes, and interior wear so you can judge how the car was treated. If you’re comparing multiple listings, focus on condition first and equipment second, because the best value often comes from the cleanest example rather than the cheapest one.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The base Altima feels a little stripped-down, with steel wheels and the lowest levels of tech and safety, while higher trims add stitching, better materials, and richer cabin details.
• Powertrain: Most models use a 2.5-liter four-cylinder with 182 horsepower and 178 pound-feet of torque; the VC-Turbo 2.0-liter four-cylinder delivers 248 hp and 273 lb-ft and is only available on the SR VC-Turbo FWD 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.
• Infotainment: The base model gets a 7-inch touchscreen, while other trims get an 8-inch NissanConnect touchscreen; Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard on all but S models, and OTA capability is not mentioned.
• Fuel efficiency: The 2.5-liter FWD model is rated at 28 mpg city/39 mpg highway/32 mpg combined, the 2.5-liter AWD model at 25 mpg city/35 mpg highway/29 mpg combined, and the VC-Turbo 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 most stripped-down choice, with steel wheels, the lowest levels of tech and safety, and no AWD availability.
• Sweet-spot trim: The SR FWD is the best value for many buyers because it adds a stronger feature set without jumping to the highest price tier.
• Premium/top trim: The SL FWD is the most compelling upscale pick, adding 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 if you want the full driver-assistance package, avoid the base S.

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

The market looks moderately favorable if you’re a selective buyer.

• Deal availability: 29.6% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 3,075 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 8.33% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 68.0% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $16,278, 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 $16,703 sits slightly below last year's $18,221.

That softer pricing can help you buy in at a more favorable point, but it also means future resale gains may be more limited if the market stays soft. If you plan to sell later, buying well below the current average matters more than usual because your exit price will likely depend heavily on how much room you leave yourself today.

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 the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and a five-star overall safety rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

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. ProPilot Assist is available for highway driving support, and an Intelligent Around View Monitor is also available on upper trim levels.

The main safety caveat is that the full suite is not standard on every trim, so you should confirm the equipment list on any used listing before you buy.

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:

• 29.6% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• At 68% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 8.33% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 4.88/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• It blends style, comfort, technology, and available all-wheel drive into a compelling midsize-sedan package.

Consider the 2020 if:

• At $14,574, the 2020 costs less than the current year's $16,703 average.
• Safety Shield 360 became more widely available, improving the value proposition.

Consider the 2022 if:

• At $18,097, the 2022 costs more than the current year's $16,703 average.
• It adds expanded packaging and a sporty Midnight Edition option.

The bottom line: You should start with the 2021 if you want the best balance of price, features, and satisfaction. If your budget is tighter, the 2020 is the value play; if you want to spend more for a newer-feeling package, the 2022 is the next step up.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from August 7, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.