How much does the Nissan Maxima cost in today's market?

Used Nissan Maxima prices span a wide range depending on model year. Here's what the market looks like right now:

The Nissan Maxima's current nationwide average price is $16,445, and its year-round low is $16,088.60. That gives you a useful snapshot of where this model sits right now in its own used-car pricing cycle. Recently, prices have come down for the 2021 and 2022 models, making now a good time to shop recent model years.

Is the Nissan Maxima a good car?

Yes — the Nissan Maxima earns strong owner approval across its long run, and the all-generations owner rating is 4.55/5 across every model year in the data.

Owners consistently praise the Maxima for its stylish design, powerful performance, and comfortable interiors. They also frequently highlight its smooth ride, premium-feeling cabin, and useful technology, which helps explain why it has remained appealing across multiple generations.

Expert reviews rate the 2020 and 2019 models among the highest across all years.

The main trade-offs that show up in recent expert coverage are fuel economy, the CVT’s effect on driving feel, and cabin space that can feel tight for passengers and cargo.

26.9% of listings are priced as good or great deals.

Are Nissan Maxima models reliable?

Owners consistently describe the Maxima as a comfortable, stylish sedan with strong performance and a premium-feeling interior. Expert coverage also reinforces its appeal through its polished ride, upscale cabin materials, and broad equipment content.

• Owners rate the Nissan Maxima between 4.31 and 5.0 out of 5 stars across all model years in the data.

For used buyers, long-term ownership risk is worth checking carefully on older examples, especially because owner feedback and model-year histories point to some uneven reliability experiences.

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

Across all model years, at 57.8% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.

Older model years carry meaningfully higher accident rates, so always verify the vehicle history report on pre-2022 models.

Key things to evaluate:

• Safety package: Nissan Safety Shield 360
• Infotainment: an 8-inch touchscreen with Bluetooth and Apple CarPlay/Android Auto compatibility
• Fuel efficiency: 24 mpg combined (20 mpg city, 30 mpg highway)

Which Nissan Maxima trim should I buy?

The 2021 Nissan Maxima offers...

• SV: The base Maxima SV is the entry point, and it gives you the core Maxima formula with the 3.5-liter V6, CVT, FWD, an 8-inch touchscreen, Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto compatibility, and Nissan Safety Shield 360. It is the best-value trim if you want the Maxima’s main strengths without stepping up for appearance or luxury extras.
• SR: The SR adds a sportier setup and sits above the SV, making it the better pick if you want a more aggressive-feeling Maxima with a stronger visual edge and a more performance-focused character.
• Platinum: The Platinum is the range-topper, and it adds the most upscale feel with the 40th Anniversary Edition package available on this trim, including the 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.

What Nissan Maxima do most buyers choose?

The Nissan Maxima years with the most listings are 2017, 2018, and 2022.

These higher-volume years tend to be popular because they give you more shopping choice, more price competition, and a clearer path to finding the right trim and condition. They also often sit in the sweet spot between newer features and lower used-car pricing.

What is the Nissan Maxima's resale value?

Most Maxima model years are moving lower year over year, which can work in your favor if you’re shopping used. The biggest drops are concentrated in the older and mid-cycle years, while the newest model year is essentially flat. That pattern suggests you can often find stronger value in recent used examples than you would expect from their original positioning.

The 2023 model year is holding steady, with prices close to flat year-over-year.

The 2023, 2014, and 2018 model years have held their value best, with the smallest year-over-year price changes.

Is the Nissan Maxima safe?

• 2021: 9/10
• 2020: 9/10
• 2019: 8/10
• 2016: 7/10

The 2021 Maxima includes Nissan Safety Shield 360, with automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-departure warning, and automatic high beams.

For the safest used buy, the 2020 and 2021 models both post the highest confirmed score of 9/10.

Should I buy a used Nissan Maxima now or wait for the next model?

Buy now if:

• Price trend: The 2022 model is at −6.47% versus a year ago, and the 2021 model is at −7.55%.
• Deal availability: The 2022 model has 32.1% good and great deals.
• Sweet-spot year: The 2017 model has the most listings at a current average price of $13,077. The Nissan Maxima offers a distinctive blend of style, comfort, and premium-feeling design that has helped define it across generations.

Consider waiting if:

• Powertrain/efficiency: The Maxima is available only with a 3.5-liter V6 making 300 horsepower and 261 pound-feet of torque, a continuously variable transmission (CVT), and FWD.
• Tech: The Maxima comes standard with an 8-inch touchscreen, Bluetooth, and Apple CarPlay/Android Auto compatibility.
• Safety: Standard safety features under the Nissan Safety Shield 360 banner 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.
• Starting price: Pricing starts at $38,040 for the base Maxima SV trim level.

If you're buying used today, the 2017 model year offers the best mix of value and availability. If you want the latest tech and features, it may be worth waiting for 2024 inventory to mature.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from August 21, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.