Used 2021 Nissan Altima for Sale nearWashington, DC

How much does the 2021 Nissan Altima cost?

Prices have softened 8.25% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 2,814 listings available, which suggests solid inventory for shoppers comparing prices and trims.

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, and excellent gas mileage. The review summary also points to advanced safety features as a recurring plus, which fits the Altima’s appeal as a practical sedan with modern touches.

The trade-offs are that some owners miss features like a sunroof, and the expert review notes that the stereo is lacking and all-wheel drive is not available with the turbo engine. In other words, you get a well-rounded sedan with useful tech and broad appeal, but you should not expect every trim to deliver the same feature mix.

The Altima’s overview makes it clear that it is aimed at you if you want a familiar midsize sedan shape with available all-wheel drive, multiple powertrain options, and wireless smartphone integration. Good and great deals account for 33.0% of listings, so there is still 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 summary points to quality, comfort, and a smooth, trouble-free ownership experience, while also highlighting excellent gas mileage and advanced safety features. That combination suggests the Altima is the kind of car many buyers can count on for everyday use.

The expert review also emphasizes the Altima’s practical, well-supported nature and its broad mix of powertrains and technology, which reinforces its dependable, mainstream character. For used buyers, the main long-term ownership risk is less about the model’s basic durability and more about choosing a well-maintained example with the right equipment and condition.

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

At 63.5% 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 you are comparing similarly priced cars. Focus on condition, maintenance records, and whether the equipment on the car matches the trim you want, since feature content changes meaningfully as you move up the lineup.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The base Altima feels a little stripped-down, while higher trims add better materials, stitching on the dash and seats, and a more polished cabin feel.
• 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 turbocharged engine with 248 hp and 273 lb-ft.
• 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.
• Infotainment: The standard touchscreen is 8 inches on most trims, wireless smartphone integration is standard on all but S models, and the system can include NissanConnect services on higher trims.
• Fuel efficiency: The 2.5-liter engine is rated at 28 mpg city and 39 mpg highway with front-wheel drive, while 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, with the lowest levels of tech and safety equipment and no available all-wheel drive.
• SV: This is the best-value trim for many shoppers because it adds Nissan Safety Shield 360, more equipment, and a better overall balance of price and features.
• SR: This trim adds a sportier look and more equipment, including 19-inch alloy wheels and paddle shifters, making it a good fit if you want a more expressive daily driver.
• SL: This is the comfort-and-tech upgrade, adding NissanConnect Services, Bose Premium Audio, and ProPilot Assist for shoppers who want a more premium experience.
• Platinum: This is the top trim and brings the most upscale equipment, including leather seating appointments and the around-view monitor, but it is the priciest choice.

Safety content notes that Nissan Safety Shield 360 is standard on every Altima SV and above, so that trim is the key threshold if you want the core driver-assistance suite.

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

This is a moderate market for selective buyers, with enough inventory to compare options but still enough variation to reward careful shopping.

• Deal availability: 33.0% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 2,814 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 8.25% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 63.5% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $16,018, 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 $16,018 sits slightly below last year's $17,457.

That decline suggests the Altima has become more affordable for used buyers, which can help demand in the near term. For a future seller, it also means you should expect resale value to depend heavily on condition, mileage, and equipment rather than on broad market momentum alone.

Because the model still has broad appeal, a well-kept example with desirable features should remain easier to move than a neglected one. 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 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. It is standard on every Altima SV and above, so base-trim shoppers should pay close attention to equipment differences.

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:

• 33.0% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• At 63.5% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 8.25% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 4.9/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• The 2021 Altima blends available all-wheel drive, wireless smartphone integration, and a strong safety package.

Consider the 2020 if:

• At $13,972, the 2020 costs less than the current year's $16,018 average.
• It is a practical, well-rounded sedan with improved availability of advanced safety features.

Consider the 2022 if:

• At $17,057, the 2022 costs more than the current year's $16,018 average.
• It expands trim and package flexibility while adding more styling and equipment choices.

The bottom line: If you want the best balance of price, inventory, and satisfaction, the 2021 is the primary path to consider. If your budget is tighter, the 2020 is the better price-sensitive alternative, while the 2022 makes sense if you want to spend more for a broader feature mix.

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, while the Altima stands out if you want available all-wheel drive and wireless smartphone integration. The Camry looks stronger for comfort and space, but the Altima offers more powertrain variety. If technology and traction matter most, the Altima has the clearer advantage; if you want the higher-scoring all-around sedan, 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 November 10, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.