Used 2021 Nissan Altima for Sale near Washington

How much does the 2021 Nissan Altima cost?

Prices have softened 9.00% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 2,799 listings available, which gives you a solid pool to compare prices and equipment.

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 the Altima’s quality, comfort, stylish features, excellent gas mileage, smooth ride, and advanced safety features. That lines up well with the car’s role as a midsize sedan for you if you want a familiar daily driver with a modern feel and broad appeal.

The main trade-offs are that the stereo is lacking and some owners miss features like a sunroof. Even so, the Altima makes sense if you want a sedan that balances comfort, technology, and everyday usability.

Only 31.7% of listings are priced as good or great deals, so the best examples may move quickly.

Is the 2021 Nissan Altima reliable?

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

The owner feedback points to a car that feels reliable, dependable, and trouble-free in day-to-day use, with praise centered on comfort, quality, and the kind of ownership experience you can count on over time. That kind of language matters because it suggests the Altima is not just liked at delivery, but appreciated after living with it.

The expert evaluation also reinforces that impression by describing the Altima as a well-supported, continuously improved sedan with broad appeal and useful technology. The ownership risk for used buyers is mainly about finding a well-kept example, since condition and maintenance history will matter more than the model’s basic reputation.

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

At 67.1% 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 you’re considering a lower-priced listing. Focus on body condition, signs of prior repair, and whether the equipment on the car matches the trim you expected.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The base S feels a little stripped-down, while higher trims add better interior materials, stitching, and a more polished cabin. The base model also misses some of the nicer tech and safety content found higher up the range.
• 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 turbo four-cylinder with 248 hp and 273 lb-ft. The turbo model is the livelier choice, but it is only available with front-wheel drive.
• 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, so base-trim shoppers should check carefully.
• 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 standard on all but S models, and the system adds more USB connectivity as you move up.
• Fuel efficiency: The 2.5-liter engine is rated at 28 mpg city/39 mpg highway/32 mpg combined with front-wheel drive and 25 mpg city/35 mpg highway/29 mpg combined with all-wheel drive. 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 least expensive way into the Altima, 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 priority is the lowest entry price.
• SV: This is the best-value trim for many shoppers because it adds Nissan Safety Shield 360 and a more complete everyday feature set without jumping too far in price.
• SR: This is the sweet spot if you want a more appealing look and stronger equipment than the SV, while still staying below the luxury-leaning trims.
• SR VC-Turbo: Choose this if you want the most engaging powertrain and are willing to give up all-wheel drive. It is the performance-oriented pick in the lineup.
• SL: This is the best choice if you want the most balanced upscale experience, including ProPilot Assist, Bose Premium Audio, and NissanConnect Services.
• Platinum: Pick this if you want the most fully equipped Altima, including the around-view monitor and leather seating appointments.

Nissan Safety Shield 360 is standard on every Altima SV and above, so base-trim shoppers should verify the safety equipment carefully.

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

This looks like a moderate, selective buyer’s market, so you have room to shop carefully without expecting every listing to be a bargain.

• Deal availability: 31.7% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 2,799 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 9.00% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 67.1% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $16,201, 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 $16,209 sits slightly below last year's $17,812.

That decline suggests the market has become more favorable for buyers, but it also means future sellers may face a softer pricing environment than owners saw a year ago. If you buy now, your resale outcome will depend heavily on how well you preserve the car’s condition and how much demand remains for well-equipped midsize sedans.

The Altima’s broad appeal, comfort, and technology help support demand, especially for cleaner examples with desirable equipment. 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 five-star overall safety rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and a Top Safety Pick + rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (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 base-trim shoppers should confirm the equipment list carefully.

ProPilot Assist is available for highway driving support, and it adds intelligent forward collision warning, intelligent lane intervention, traffic sign recognition, intelligent driver alertness, and adaptive cruise control. An Intelligent Around View Monitor is also 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:

• 31.7% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• At 67.1% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 9.00% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 4.88/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• The 2021 Altima combines available all-wheel drive, multiple powertrains, and wireless smartphone integration in a familiar sedan package.

Consider the 2020 if:

• At $14,242, the 2020 costs less than the current year's $16,209 average.
• It adds broader availability of Nissan Safety Shield 360 and feels more value-focused.

Consider the 2022 if:

• At $17,421, the 2022 costs more than the current year's $16,209 average.
• It expands the sporty Midnight Edition availability on the SR trim.

The bottom line: If you want the best balance of price, features, and market availability, the 2021 is the strongest all-around pick. If you’re especially price-sensitive, the 2020 can save you money while still delivering much of the Altima formula.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from October 13, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.