Used 2021 Nissan Maxima for Sale nearSan Jose, CA

How much does the 2021 Nissan Maxima cost?

Prices have softened 14.11% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 435 listings available, which suggests you should have a workable selection 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 its comfort, design, and features, and they also highlight the smooth ride and luxurious interior. The model is also recognized for its reliability and modern touches, which helps reinforce its appeal if you want a comfortable, upscale-feeling sedan.

The trade-offs are familiar: it can use more fuel than some alternatives, and the back seat is cramped. In use, that means the Maxima fits you best if you value style, comfort, and a premium cabin more than maximum space or efficiency.

Only 29.0% of listings are priced as good or great deals, so the market is somewhat selective rather than broadly discounted.

Is the 2021 Nissan Maxima reliable?

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

The owner feedback points to a car that feels reliable, dependable, and modern enough to inspire confidence over time. The expert evaluation also describes the Maxima as solid and notes that it feels rock-solid during highway cruising, which supports the idea that it can be a reassuring daily driver.

Nissan’s three-year, 36,000-mile basic warranty and five-year, 60,000-mile powertrain warranty help cover early ownership, but a used example still deserves a careful inspection for wear, maintenance history, and any signs of hard use.

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

At 62.3% 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. Then prioritize a pre-purchase inspection that focuses on bodywork quality, tire wear, suspension condition, and signs of uneven panel gaps or paint mismatch. Because this model is known for a comfortable ride and upscale cabin, pay close attention to interior condition, seat wear, and whether all electronics work as expected.

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 Platinum can be further dressed up with the 40th Anniversary Edition package. The base trim is the one most likely to feel lightest on special touches, while the higher trims add more upscale presentation and features.
• 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. It delivers strong straight-line performance, but you should expect the usual front-drive limitations in slippery weather and 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 standard setup includes an 8-inch touchscreen, Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto compatibility, built-in WiFi hotspot capability, and USB-A and USB-C ports. The system is functional, but the interface is dated and can be frustrating to use.
• Fuel efficiency: EPA ratings are 24 mpg combined, 20 mpg city, and 30 mpg highway. That is a useful benchmark if you plan to commute regularly, especially since the Maxima’s fuel economy is one of its weaker points.

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 experience with the V6 power, standard safety tech, and the main comfort and convenience features. If you want the lowest-cost way into the model, this is the trim to start with.
• SR: This trim is the best-value choice if you want a more upscale feel without going all the way to the top. It adds a sportier presentation and sits in the middle of the lineup, making it the most balanced pick for many shoppers.
• Platinum: Choose this if you want the most premium version of the Maxima, especially if you’re interested in the 40th Anniversary Edition package. It is the trim that best matches the car’s upscale personality.

The standard Safety Shield 360 suite is a strong part of the lineup, but some advanced driver-assistance features remain optional rather than standard.

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

This is a moderate market for selective buyers, with enough inventory to shop carefully and enough pricing softness to create opportunities.

• Deal availability: 29.0% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 435 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 14.11% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 62.3% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $19,040, 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 $19,051 sits slightly below last year's $22,182.

That decline suggests the Maxima has become more affordable for used buyers, but it also means future sellers may face a softer pricing environment than owners saw a year ago. If you buy now, you’re entering at a lower cost basis than recent shoppers did, which can help cushion depreciation. Well-kept examples with strong equipment and clean history should hold up better than neglected ones because buyers in this segment still respond to comfort, style, and condition.

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 earns an Insurance Institute for Highway Safety Top Safety Pick+ rating and five-star ratings from NHTSA in frontal, side, and rollover crash tests.

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

Standard Nissan Safety Shield 360 equipment 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 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 the overall safety picture is strong even though not every component is perfect.

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:

• 29.0% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• At 62.3% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 14.11% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 4.8/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• It marks 40 years on sale and adds a 40th Anniversary Edition package for the top Platinum trim.

Consider the 2020 if:

• At $17,285, the 2020 costs less than the current year's $19,051 average.
• It offers plush accommodations, a potent powertrain, and a luxe interior.

The bottom line: If you want the better current-market mix of pricing, safety, and feature content, the 2021 is the stronger default choice. If your priority is spending less up front and you’re comfortable with a slightly older version of the same basic formula, the 2020 is the value-oriented alternative.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from October 13, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.