Used 2021 Nissan Altima for Sale nearWashington, DC

How much does the 2021 Nissan Altima cost?

Prices have softened 8.87% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 2,738 listings available, which suggests you have a healthy amount of inventory to compare.

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 practical midsize sedan with broad appeal and a loyal following.

The main trade-offs are that the stereo is lacking and all-wheel drive is not available with the turbo engine. Even so, the Altima makes the most sense if you want a comfortable, well-equipped sedan with modern convenience features and a strong safety reputation.

Only 30.3% of listings are priced as good or great deals, so the market is available but still selective.

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 dependable, trouble-free ownership experience, with repeated praise for quality, comfort, and the kind of steady performance you can count on over time. The expert evaluation also emphasizes the Altima’s practical, well-rounded nature and its strong mix of capability and convenience.

Nissan’s maintenance and ownership costs are helped by the Altima’s mainstream mechanical setup and broad parts availability, which can make long-term upkeep more predictable for used buyers.

For used shoppers, the main long-term risk is buying a car with hidden wear or incomplete service history, so condition and records matter a lot.

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

At 67% 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 has been in a prior collision or has incomplete service records. Focus on overall condition, signs of repair quality, and whether the equipment level matches what you expect from the trim you’re considering.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The base model feels a little stripped-down, while higher trims add stitching to the dash and seats, better hand feel, and more upscale interior materials. The base trim also misses some of the convenience and safety equipment that appears higher in the lineup.
• 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. The turbo model is the livelier choice, but it is only available with front-wheel drive.
• 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. The base S trim does not get this full standard setup.
• 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 upper trims can add NissanConnect Services and navigation.
• 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, SL, Platinum, and SR VC-Turbo.

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 Altima’s core sedan basics.
• 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 polished feel, with 19-inch alloys, paddle shifters, and a stronger equipment mix than the SV.
• SL: This is the comfort-and-tech upgrade, adding NissanConnect Services, Bose Premium Audio, and ProPilot Assist. It’s a strong choice if you want a more premium daily driver.
• Platinum: This is the most upscale version, with leather seating appointments, an around-view monitor, ProPilot Assist, and the most complete feature set.
• SR VC-Turbo: This is the enthusiast pick, pairing the turbo engine with the sportier SR setup. It’s the right choice if you want the most engaging Altima, but it is not the best value for everyone.

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, selective buyer’s market, so you have room to shop carefully without rushing.

• Deal availability: 30.3% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 2,738 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 8.87% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 67.0% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $16,258, 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 $16,287 sits slightly below last year's $17,872.

That decline suggests the Altima has moved into a more buyer-friendly pricing zone, which can help future resale if you buy at the right number. If you pay close to the current average, your depreciation risk is lower than it would have been a year ago, but you still want to avoid overpaying for a higher-mileage or poorly maintained example.

Strong condition, clean history, and desirable equipment should matter more than ever if you want to protect value later. Well-kept cars with the right trim and safety features should remain easier to move than stripped-down or accident-damaged examples.

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 key 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 upper trims can add an Intelligent Around View Monitor for easier parking.

The main safety caveat is that the full Safety Shield 360 package is standard only on SV and above, so the base S trim is less comprehensively equipped.

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:

• 30.3% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• At 67% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 8.87% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 4.88/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• It combines available AWD, multiple powertrains, and wireless smartphone integration.

Consider the 2020 if:

• At $14,353, the 2020 costs less than the current year's $16,287 average.
• It adds broader availability of Safety Shield 360.

Consider the 2022 if:

• At $17,642, the 2022 costs more than the current year's $16,287 average.
• It expands Midnight Edition availability on the SR trim.

The bottom line: The 2021 is the best fit if you want a balanced Altima with modern tech, strong safety, and a softer used-car price than newer models. If your priority is saving money, the 2020 is the better value play; if you want the newer packaging and are willing to pay more, the 2022 is the next step up.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from September 22, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.