Used 2021 Nissan Altima for Sale near Maryland

How much does the 2021 Nissan Altima cost?

Prices have softened 8.55% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 2,776 listings available, which suggests solid inventory for comparison shopping.

Is the 2021 Nissan Altima a good car?

Yes — the 2021 Nissan Altima earns a 4.88/5 user rating, and our experts rate it 7.17/10. The standout strength is Safety at 9/10.

Owners consistently praise its quality, comfort, stylish features, excellent gas mileage, smooth ride, and advanced safety features. That lines up well with the Altima’s role as a practical midsize sedan with broad appeal and modern features, especially if you want a car that feels easy to live with every day.

The main trade-offs are a lacking stereo and the fact that all-wheel drive is not available with the turbo engine. Even so, the Altima’s mix of comfort, quality, and available capability keeps it appealing for shoppers who want a well-rounded sedan.

With 30.8% of listings marked as good or great deals, there’s meaningful room to find a competitive price.

Is the 2021 Nissan Altima reliable?

Owners rate it 4.88/5, a strong signal of long-term satisfaction.

The owner feedback points to a car that feels reliable, comfortable, and trouble-free to live with, with many drivers highlighting its quality and smooth ride. That kind of language matters because it suggests the Altima is the sort of sedan you can count on for everyday use rather than one that demands constant attention.

The expert evaluation also emphasizes the Altima’s practical, well-rounded nature and its strong efficiency in regular driving. On the ownership side, the included maintenance coverage for the first scheduled visit helps reduce early service friction.

For used buyers, the main long-term risk is less about a known durability flaw and more about choosing a well-kept example with a clean service history.

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

At 67.1% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.

You should run a vehicle history report before you get too far into the process, then prioritize a pre-purchase inspection if the car has any prior damage or inconsistent service records. Focus on condition, repair quality, and whether the equipment you want is actually present on the trim you’re considering.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The base S feels a little stripped-down, while higher trims add better materials, more stitching, and a more polished cabin. The base trim also misses some of the richer equipment you’ll find as you move up the lineup.
• Powertrain: Most models use a 2.5-liter four-cylinder with 182 horsepower and 178 pound-feet of torque, while the SR VC-Turbo uses a 2.0-liter turbo four-cylinder with 248 hp and 273 lb-ft. The turbo model is the livelier choice, but it is only offered with front-wheel drive.
• Safety package: Nissan Safety Shield 360 includes automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, rear automatic braking, rear cross-traffic alert, blind-spot warning, lane-departure warning, and high-beam assist. It is standard on every Altima SV and above, so base-trim shoppers should verify equipment carefully.
• Infotainment: The base model gets a 7-inch touchscreen, while other trims use an 8-inch NissanConnect touchscreen. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard on all but S models, and upper trims can add more connected features.
• Fuel efficiency: The 2.5-liter engine is rated at 28 mpg city/39 mpg highway/32 mpg combined with front-wheel drive and 25 mpg city/35 mpg highway/29 mpg combined with all-wheel drive. The VC-Turbo is rated at 25 mpg city/34 mpg highway/29 mpg combined.

Which 2021 Nissan Altima trim should I buy?

The 2021 Nissan Altima is offered in 6 trim levels: S, SV, SR, SR VC-Turbo, SL, Platinum.

Here's the short version:

• S: This is the least expensive way into the Altima, but it’s also the most stripped-down. You get the basics, yet you give up some of the nicer tech and safety content that makes the higher trims more appealing.
• SV: This is the best-value trim for many shoppers because it adds Nissan Safety Shield 360 and a more complete feature set without jumping too far in price.
• SR: This is the better pick if you want a sportier feel and more visual presence, plus stronger equipment than the lower trims.
• SR VC-Turbo: This is the choice for you if you want the most engaging powertrain. It adds the turbo engine and a more energetic driving character, but it is not the best value for everyone.
• SL: This is the sweet spot if you want a more upscale ownership experience, with features like Bose Premium Audio, NissanConnect Services, and ProPilot Assist.
• Platinum: This is the most fully equipped Altima, with the richest feature content and the most premium presentation.

Safety Shield 360 is standard on every Altima SV and above, so that trim line is the key cutoff to watch.

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

This is a moderate market for selective buyers, with enough inventory and pricing movement to reward careful shopping.

• Deal availability: 30.8% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 2,776 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 8.55% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 67.1% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $16,263, that's toward the low end of the year-round range and worth acting on quickly.

What is the 2021 Nissan Altima's resale value?

The current average of $16,337 sits slightly below last year's $17,863.

That softer pricing suggests the market has moved in buyers’ favor, which can make the Altima easier to purchase now but may also temper future resale gains if the trend continues. If you buy at the right price and keep the car in strong condition, you’ll be better positioned to limit depreciation later.

Vehicles with strong owner satisfaction ratings, like this model year's 4.88/5, tend to retain buyer demand, which supports resale value over time.

Is the 2021 Nissan Altima safe?

The 2021 Nissan Altima earns a five-star overall safety rating from NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ rating from IIHS.

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

Nissan Safety Shield 360 is the standard driver-assistance suite on every Altima SV and above, and it includes automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, rear automatic braking, rear cross-traffic alert, blind-spot warning, lane-departure warning, and high-beam assist. ProPilot Assist is available for highway driving support, and it adds intelligent forward collision warning, intelligent lane intervention, traffic sign recognition, intelligent driver alertness, and adaptive cruise control.

The main safety caveat is that the most complete safety package is not standard on every trim, so base-model shoppers should verify equipment carefully before buying.

Should I buy a 2021 Nissan Altima 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:

• 30.8% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• At 67.1% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.
• Prices have softened 8.55% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 4.88/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• It blends available all-wheel drive, multiple powertrains, and wireless smartphone integration into a practical midsize-sedan package.

Consider the 2020 if:

• At $14,364, the 2020 costs less than the current year's $16,337 average.
• It broadened availability of Safety Shield 360.

Consider the 2022 if:

• At $17,725, the 2022 costs more than the current year's $16,337 average.
• It expands Midnight Edition availability on the SR trim.

The bottom line: If you want the best balance of price, features, and market availability, the 2021 is the primary year to target. If your budget is tighter, the 2020 is the better price-first alternative, while the 2022 makes sense only if you specifically want the later packaging changes and are comfortable paying more.

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