Used 2021 Nissan Maxima for Sale near Illinois

How much does the 2021 Nissan Maxima cost?

Prices have softened 13.38% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 442 listings available, which suggests you have a reasonable amount of inventory to compare.

Is the 2021 Nissan Maxima a good car?

Yes — the 2021 Nissan Maxima earns a 4.8/5 user rating and a 7.33/10 expert rating. The standout strength is Safety at 9/10.

Owners consistently praise the Maxima’s comfort, design, and features, and the review summary also points to a smooth ride and a luxurious interior. It is also described as reliable and modern, which matters if you want a sedan that feels polished without being overly complicated.

On the downside, the expert review notes that the Maxima’s back seat is cramped, fuel economy is poor, and all-wheel drive is not available. That makes it a better fit if you care more about style, comfort, and a premium-feeling cabin than maximum practicality or efficiency.

In market terms, 29.2% of listings are priced as good or great deals, so there is still some room to shop selectively.

Is the 2021 Nissan Maxima reliable?

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

The owner summary points to reliability, and it also describes the car as a model people trust for comfort and modern features. The expert review adds that the Maxima feels rock-solid during highway cruising and that its V6 and CVT pairing works better than expected, which supports the sense that it is built to be a dependable daily driver.

Nissan also backs it with a three-year, 36,000-mile basic warranty and a five-year, 60,000-mile powertrain warranty. For used buyers, the main long-term risk is less about outright durability and more about whether the car has been maintained well enough to preserve its comfort and drivability.

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

At 61.5% 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 careful inspection of bodywork, panel alignment, and signs of prior repair. Because this model is valued for its comfort and upscale feel, you should also pay close attention to interior condition, electronics, and how the car drives at highway speeds.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The base SV, mid-range SR, and top Platinum each bring a different mix of style and equipment, and the 40th Anniversary Edition package adds two-tone paint, black exterior trim, unique 19-inch wheels, red semi-aniline leather, white gauge faces, and heated rear seats. If you want the most upscale presentation, the Platinum with the anniversary package is the standout.
• Powertrain: The Maxima uses a 3.5-liter V6 with 300 horsepower and 261 pound-feet of torque, paired with a CVT and front-wheel drive. It is quick for a big sedan, but the steering lacks feel and torque steer can show up under hard throttle.
• 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, and ProPilot Assist is not offered.
• Infotainment: The Maxima comes standard with an 8-inch touchscreen, Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a built-in WiFi hotspot, plus USB-A and USB-C ports. The system is functional, but the graphics and menus feel dated.
• Fuel efficiency: EPA ratings are 24 mpg combined, 20 mpg city, and 30 mpg highway. The expert review also recorded 20.6 mpg during testing.

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 strengths without pushing the price too high. It makes the most sense if you want the V6 power, comfort, and standard safety equipment at the lowest cost.
• SR: This trim is the better-value choice if you want a more distinctive look and a richer feel without going all the way to the top. It sits in the middle of the lineup and is the best fit for shoppers who want a balanced mix of equipment and price.
• Platinum: This is the trim to choose if you want the most upscale Maxima experience. It is the right pick for buyers who care most about premium cabin materials and the most polished presentation, especially with the 40th Anniversary Edition package.

The standard safety package is strong across the lineup, but ProPilot Assist is not offered.

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

This looks like a moderate market for selective buyers.

• Deal availability: 29.2% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 442 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 13.38% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 61.5% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $19,142, 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 $19,142 sits slightly below last year's $22,099.

That drop suggests the Maxima has become more affordable for used buyers, but it also means a future seller may face a softer market than before. If you buy at today’s lower average, you may have less depreciation left to absorb than someone who bought when prices were higher.

The Maxima’s appeal still helps support demand, especially for shoppers who want a comfortable, upscale-feeling sedan with strong V6 power. 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 five-star ratings in frontal, side, and rollover crash tests from NHTSA.

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 tech includes adaptive cruise control, traffic sign recognition, a driver-alertness monitor, and a 360-degree camera system.

One caveat is that headlights were rated only “Average” by IIHS, even though the Maxima scored well in the rest of the crash testing.

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:

• 29.2% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• At 61.5% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 13.38% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 4.8/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• The 2021 stands out for its 40th Anniversary Edition package and strong safety ratings.

Consider the 2020 if:

• At $17,285, the 2020 costs less than the current year's $19,142 average.
• It offers comfort, space, and a more engaging driving experience.

The bottom line: If you want the better-documented safety and the freshest version of this generation’s equipment, the 2021 is the cleaner choice. If your priority is saving money and you’re comfortable giving up some of the 2021’s market advantages, the 2020 is the more budget-friendly path.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from October 6, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.