Used 2021 Nissan Maxima for Sale nearChicago, IL

How much does the 2021 Nissan Maxima cost?

Prices have softened 14.02% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 451 listings available, which suggests a healthy amount of inventory for you to compare.

Is the 2021 Nissan Maxima a good car?

Yes — the 2021 Nissan Maxima earns a 4.8/5 user rating and a 7.3/10 expert rating. The standout strength is Safety at 9/10.

Owners consistently praise its comfort, stylish design, and premium-feeling features, and they also point to its smooth ride and modern touches. The Maxima’s appeal is strongest if you want a comfortable, upscale-feeling sedan with a distinctive look and a long-running nameplate. The main trade-offs are its poor fuel economy and cramped back seat, and the expert review also notes that all-wheel drive is not available.

With 30.6% of listings marked as good or great deals, you have some room to shop selectively.

Is the 2021 Nissan Maxima reliable?

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

User feedback describes the Maxima as reliable and highlights its trouble-free feel, comfort, and durability-minded appeal. The expert review also points to a solid, dependable character, with a powertrain that feels well matched to the car’s mission. Nissan’s three-year, 36,000-mile basic warranty and five-year, 60,000-mile powertrain warranty add some ownership reassurance.

For used buyers, the main long-term risk is less about outright dependability and more about whether the car has been maintained well enough to preserve its comfort and refinement.

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

At 60.8% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.

You should run a vehicle history report on any candidate and pay close attention to prior damage, repairs, and title status. A pre-purchase inspection is especially worthwhile if the car has been in a collision or shows uneven panel gaps, mismatched paint, or tire wear. Focus on overall condition, because the Maxima’s appeal depends heavily on how well it has been kept.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The 40th Anniversary Edition adds two-tone exterior treatment, model-specific 19-inch gloss-black alloy wheels, black exterior trim, red semi-aniline leather upholstery, white gauge faces, and heated rear seats. It is the most distinctive version if you want the most upscale presentation.
• Powertrain: The Maxima uses a 3.5-liter V6 with 300 horsepower and 261 pound-feet of torque, paired with a continuously variable transmission and front-wheel drive. It feels quick and smooth, but efficiency is only average for the class.
• 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 optional.
• Infotainment: The Maxima comes with an 8-inch touchscreen, Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a built-in WiFi hotspot. USB-A and USB-C ports are included, but the system’s graphics and menus feel dated.
• Fuel efficiency: EPA ratings are 20 mpg city, 30 mpg highway, and 24 mpg combined.

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 core Maxima formula with the V6 power, standard safety tech, and the 8-inch touchscreen. It makes sense if you want the lowest-cost way into the model.
• SR: This trim is the best-value pick if you want a more athletic feel and a richer feature mix without going all the way to the top. It sits in the middle of the range and is the trim most buyers should compare first.
• Platinum: This is the most upscale choice, and it is the trim that can be paired with the 40th Anniversary Edition package. Choose it if you want the most premium presentation and the most distinctive appearance.

Safety Shield 360 is standard across the range, so you get the core driver-assistance suite no matter which trim you choose.

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

This is a moderate market for selective buyers, so you can shop carefully and still find worthwhile listings.

• Deal availability: 30.6% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 451 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 14.02% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 60.8% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $18,678, 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 $18,678 sits slightly below last year's $21,724.

That price drop suggests the Maxima has already absorbed a meaningful amount of depreciation, which can help you as a buyer today. For a future seller, it means resale value may be steadier if you buy well and keep the car in strong condition. The model’s premium feel and strong owner satisfaction can help support demand, but its value will still depend on mileage, condition, and equipment.

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 it earns a five-star overall rating from NHTSA with five-star ratings in frontal, side, and rollover crash tests.

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

Nissan Safety Shield 360 is standard, and it 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. Optional safety features include adaptive cruise control, traffic sign recognition, a driver-alertness monitor, and a 360-degree camera system.

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:

• 30.6% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• At 60.8% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 14.02% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 4.8/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• The 2021 adds a 40th Anniversary Edition package for the top Platinum trim.

Consider the 2020 if:

• At $16,995, the 2020 costs less than the current year's $18,678 average.
• It offers comfort, space, and an upscale feel with minimal changes.

The bottom line: If you want the strongest mix of current pricing, inventory, and feature content, the 2021 is the better starting point. If your priority is spending less up front, the 2020 is the more budget-friendly path and still delivers the Maxima’s core strengths.

How does the 2021 Nissan Maxima compare to the 2021 Toyota Avalon?

Expert Pros & Cons (per CarGurus review team)

2021 Nissan Maxima:

• Pros: Stylish design, Powerful engine, Premium interior materials.
• Cons: All-wheel drive not available, Poor fuel economy, Cramped back seat.

2021 Toyota Avalon:

• Pros: Comfortable, Spacious, TRD trim adds extra performance and style.
• Cons: All-wheel drive only available with the I-4 engine, Underwhelming base engine, Outdated technology.

Our experts score the 2021 Nissan Maxima 7.3/10 and the 2021 Toyota Avalon 6/10. The Maxima is the better pick if you care more about style, power, and a premium cabin feel. The Avalon counters with more space and comfort, but its base engine and dated tech hold it back. If you want the more engaging sedan, the Maxima has the edge; if rear-seat room matters more, the Avalon is the roomier choice.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from October 27, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.