Used 2021 Nissan Maxima for Sale nearChicago, IL

How much does the 2021 Nissan Maxima cost?

Prices have softened 10.18% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 430 listings available, which suggests you have some room to compare options.

If you find a listing below $19,436.45, that's toward the low end of the year-round range and worth acting on quickly.

Is the 2021 Nissan Maxima a good car?

Yes — the 2021 Nissan Maxima earns a 4.8/5 user rating and a 7.33/10 expert rating.

The standout strength is Safety at 9/10.

Owners consistently praise its comfort, design, features, smooth ride, and luxurious interior. The Maxima also gets credit for its reliability and modern touches, which helps it appeal if you want a polished sedan with a more upscale feel.

The trade-offs are clear: all-wheel drive is not available, fuel economy is poor, and the back seat is cramped. That makes it a better fit if you value style, comfort, and a premium cabin over maximum practicality.

With 25.3% of listings marked as good or great deals, the market still offers some attractive buying opportunities.

Is the 2021 Nissan Maxima reliable?

Owners rate it 4.8/5, a strong signal of long-term satisfaction.

Owners also describe it as reliable and appreciate that it feels dependable, trouble-free, and worth counting on over time. The expert evaluation reinforces that impression by noting the Maxima’s solid overall character and its strong warranty coverage.

Nissan backs it with a three-year, 36,000-mile basic warranty and a five-year, 60,000-mile powertrain warranty, which helps reduce early ownership risk.

For used buyers, the main long-term risk is that a premium-feeling sedan can become expensive to keep if prior maintenance has been inconsistent.

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

At 58.8% 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. A pre-purchase inspection matters here, especially if you want to catch signs of uneven panel gaps, paint mismatch, or suspension wear. Focus on overall condition, because a well-kept example is more likely to deliver the upscale feel this model is known for.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The base SV trim level is the starting point, while the SR and Platinum add more upscale equipment; the 40th Anniversary Edition package further dresses up the top Platinum trim with two-tone paint, black exterior trim, unique 19-inch wheels, red semi-aniline leather upholstery, white gauge faces, and heated rear seats.
• Powertrain: You get a 3.5-liter V6 with 300 horsepower and 261 pound-feet of torque, paired with a CVT and front-wheel drive.
• Safety package: Nissan Safety Shield 360 includes automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, forward-collision warning, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-departure warning, automatic high beams, and rear automatic emergency braking. Adaptive cruise control, traffic sign recognition, a driver-alertness monitor, and a 360-degree camera system are available, and ProPilot Assist is not offered.
• Infotainment: The Maxima comes standard with an 8-inch touchscreen, Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto compatibility, built-in WiFi hotspot capability, and USB-A and USB-C ports. An 11-speaker Bose audio system is available.
• Fuel efficiency: EPA ratings are 24 mpg combined, 20 mpg city, and 30 mpg highway.

Which 2021 Nissan Maxima trim should I buy?

The 2021 Nissan Maxima is offered in 3 trim levels: SV, SR, Platinum.

Here's the short version:

• SV: This is the entry point, and it gives you the Maxima’s core appeal without pushing the price to the top of the range. It’s the trim to consider if you want the V6, the standard safety suite, and the sedan’s upscale character at the lowest starting price.
• SR: This is the best-value trim if you want a more complete feel without jumping all the way to the top. It sits in the middle of the lineup and is the trim most likely to make sense if you want a stronger mix of equipment and price.
• Platinum: Choose this if you want the most upscale version of the Maxima. It’s the trim that can be paired with the 40th Anniversary Edition package, which adds the most distinctive appearance and interior touches.

Nissan Safety Shield 360 is standard, but ProPilot Assist is not offered.

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

This looks like a moderate, selective buyer’s market, so you can shop carefully and still find worthwhile listings.

• Deal availability: 25.3% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 430 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 10.18% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 58.8% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $19,436.45, that's toward the low end of the year-round range and worth acting on quickly.

What is the 2021 Nissan Maxima's resale value?

The current average of $19,737 sits slightly below last year's $21,974.

That price movement suggests the Maxima has already absorbed a meaningful amount of depreciation, which can help future resale stability if you buy at the right price. If you purchase near the lower end of the current range and keep the car in strong condition, you may be better positioned when it’s time to sell.

Vehicles with strong owner satisfaction ratings, like this model year's 4.8/5, tend to retain buyer demand, which supports resale value over time.

Is the 2021 Nissan Maxima safe?

The 2021 Nissan Maxima received an Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) “Top Safety Pick+” rating, and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) gave it a five-star overall safety rating with five stars in frontal, side, and rollover crash tests.

It earns a 9/10 safety score from our experts.

Standard Nissan Safety Shield 360 features include automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, forward-collision warning, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-departure warning, automatic high beams, and rear automatic emergency braking. Optional safety features include adaptive cruise control, traffic sign recognition, a driver-alertness monitor, and a 360-degree camera system.

One caveat is that headlights were rated “Average” by IIHS, so lighting performance is not as strong as the rest of the crash-test result.

Should I buy a 2021 Nissan Maxima 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:

• 25.3% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• At 58.8% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 10.18% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 4.8/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• It combines a 40th Anniversary Edition option package with strong safety ratings and a premium-leaning cabin.

Consider the 2020 if:

• At $17,526, the 2020 costs less than the current year's $19,737 average.
• It offers a roomy, comfortable ride with a more energetic personality.

The bottom line: If you want the stronger overall package, the 2021 is the better target because it pairs a lower average price with strong safety, solid owner satisfaction, and a distinctive upscale feel. If your priority is spending less up front, the 2020 is the more budget-friendly path and still delivers the Maxima’s core comfort-and-style appeal.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from September 4, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.