How much does the 2021 Nissan Altima cost?

Prices have softened 8.07% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 2,876 listings available, which suggests solid inventory for comparison shopping.

If you find a listing below $16,258.81, 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 a 7.17/10 expert rating.

The standout strength is Safety at 9/10.

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

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’s mix of comfort, efficiency, and everyday usability keeps it appealing if you want a well-rounded sedan rather than something more specialized.

Only 24.0% of listings are priced as good or great deals, so the best examples may require quick action.

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 quality-built, comfortable, and smooth, with many drivers also highlighting excellent gas mileage and advanced safety features. That kind of praise usually tracks with a car you can count on for everyday use.

The expert evaluation also supports that impression by emphasizing the Altima’s well-rounded driving experience, multiple powertrain options, and practical feature set. It also notes that the car is still being actively supported and refined, which helps reinforce confidence in long-term ownership.

For used buyers, the main risk is less about a single glaring flaw and more about making sure the specific car you choose has been maintained well and matches the equipment you expect.

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

At 67.6% 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 had bodywork or multiple owners. Focus on condition, maintenance records, and whether the equipment on the car matches the trim you want.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The base Altima feels a little stripped-down, while higher trims add stitching to the dash and seats, better hand feel, and more upscale interior materials.
• Powertrain: Most models use a 2.5-liter four-cylinder with 182 horsepower and 178 pound-feet of torque; the SR VC-Turbo uses a 2.0-liter turbo four-cylinder with 248 hp and 273 lb-ft and is the livelier choice.
• 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 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 wireless phone integration is one of the Altima’s key strengths.
• Fuel efficiency: The 2.5-liter engine is rated at 28 mpg city/39 mpg highway/32 mpg combined with FWD and 25 mpg city/35 mpg highway/29 mpg combined with AWD. 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, SR VC-Turbo.

Here's the short version:

• S: This is the least expensive way into the Altima, but it feels the most stripped-down, with the lowest levels of tech and safety and no AWD availability. It makes sense only if your priority is the lowest possible entry price.
• SV: This is the best-value trim for many shoppers because it adds Nissan Safety Shield 360, 17-inch aluminum-alloy wheels, and more everyday usability without pushing too far up the price ladder.
• SR: This trim adds 19-inch alloys, paddle shifters, and a sportier feel, making it a good fit if you want a more expressive Altima without jumping to the turbo model.
• SL: This is the comfort-and-tech sweet spot, adding NissanConnect Services, Bose Premium Audio, and ProPilot Assist. If you want the most balanced mix of features and value, this is the trim to target.
• SR VC-Turbo: This is the enthusiast choice, with the 2.0-liter VC-Turbo engine and the most engaging performance in the lineup. It is the right pick if driving feel matters more than value.
• Platinum: This is the most upscale version, with 19-inch aluminum-alloy wheels, around-view monitor, ProPilot Assist, leather seating appointments, and more. Choose it if you want the most premium Altima experience.

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 and compare listings.

• Deal availability: 24.0% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 2,876 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 8.07% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 67.6% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $16,258.81, 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 $16,544 sits slightly below last year's $17,996.

That price movement suggests the Altima has already absorbed some depreciation, which can help future sellers if the market stabilizes. If you buy well now, you may be starting from a more favorable price base than a year ago.

Strong demand for a well-equipped, comfortable sedan can also help support resale, especially when the car has the features buyers want. 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 IIHS and a five-star overall safety rating from NHTSA.

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 the base S trim misses out on some of the Altima’s most important safety equipment.

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:

• 24.0% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• At 67.6% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 8.07% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 4.88/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• The 2021 stands out for available AWD, multiple powertrains, and wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto.

Consider the 2020 if:

• At $14,476, the 2020 costs less than the current year's $16,544 average.
• It broadened availability of Nissan Safety Shield 360 and improved safety-tech access.

Consider the 2022 if:

• At $17,938, the 2022 costs more than the current year's $16,544 average.
• It expands Midnight Edition availability to the SR with the base engine.

The bottom line: If you want the best balance of price, features, and market availability, the 2021 is the strongest all-around target. If your budget is tighter, the 2020 can save you money while still delivering much of the same core appeal. If you want to spend more for a newer-feeling package, the 2022 is worth a look, but the 2021 remains the more compelling value play.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from August 28, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.