Used Nissan Maxima for Sale nearSanta Cruz, CA

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 $16,006, and its nationwide average price reached a low of $15,872 over the past year.

Recently, prices have come down for the 2021, 2022, and 2023 models, making now a good time to shop recent model years.

Is the Nissan Maxima a good car?

Yes — the Nissan Maxima has a strong owner following and a clear identity as a sporty, comfort-focused sedan.

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, strong performance, comfortable ride, and upscale-feeling interior. Across the model range, it also earns repeat praise for its features and overall driving character.

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

The main trade-offs center on fuel economy, the CVT’s effect on driving feel, and rear-seat space.

27.0% of listings are priced as good or great deals.

Are Nissan Maxima models reliable?

Owners consistently describe the Maxima as comfortable, stylish, and enjoyable to drive, with strong performance and a premium-feeling cabin coming up again and again. Expert feedback also reinforces the model’s appeal as a well-equipped sedan with a distinctive personality.

• 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 best managed by choosing a well-documented example and checking service history carefully, especially on older cars.

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

Across all model years, at 56.7% 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-2023 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 these trims:

• SV: The base trim starts with the 8-inch touchscreen, Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto compatibility, and Nissan Safety Shield 360, making it the best-value choice for shoppers who want the core Maxima experience.
• SR: This trim adds a sportier setup and sits above the SV for buyers who want a more performance-minded feel.
• Platinum: This range-topping trim adds the most upscale equipment, and the 40th Anniversary Edition package builds on it with a two-tone exterior, 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 2016.

Higher-volume years tend to draw more shoppers because they give you more inventory to compare and more chances to find the right price, mileage, and condition. They also usually make it easier to shop across trims and equipment levels.

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 steepest drops are concentrated in older and mid-cycle examples, while the newest model year is nearly flat.

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

The 2023, 2016, and 2022 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 Nissan Maxima includes Nissan Safety Shield 360 as standard.

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?

Buy now if:

• Price trend: The 2022 model is at −6.2% versus a year ago, and the 2021 model is at −8.57%.
• Deal availability: The 2022 model has 33.4% good and great deals.
• Sweet-spot year: The 2017 model has the most listings at a current average price of $12,939. The Nissan Maxima offers a distinctive sporty character with a premium-feeling cabin and strong road presence.

If you're buying used today, the 2017 model year offers the best mix of value and availability.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from September 15, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.