Used 2021 Nissan Altima for SaleNationwide

How much does the 2021 Nissan Altima cost?

Prices have softened 8.73% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 2,799 listings available, which gives you a solid pool to compare prices and equipment.

Is the 2021 Nissan Altima a good car?

Yes — the 2021 Nissan Altima earns a 4.88/5 user rating and a 7.17/10 expert rating. 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 practical, broad-appeal mission, especially if you want a sedan that feels modern without being overly complicated.

The trade-offs are more modest: the stereo is lacking, and some owners wish for features like a sunroof. Even so, the Altima’s mix of comfort, quality, and available all-wheel drive makes it a sensible fit if you want a mainstream sedan with a little extra flexibility.

Only 29.8% of listings are priced as good or great deals, so the best examples may move quickly.

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 dependable, trouble-free ownership experience, with repeated praise for quality, comfort, and the kind of long-term confidence that matters when you’re buying used. The expert evaluation also emphasizes the Altima’s practical, well-rounded nature and its steady evolution, which supports the impression of a car built to be counted on.

The ownership picture is helped by the Altima’s mainstream mechanical setup and broad parts-and-service familiarity, and the cost-effectiveness notes suggest a straightforward ownership experience rather than a complicated one. For used buyers, the main long-term risk is less about the model’s basic durability and more about finding a well-kept example with the right equipment and maintenance history.

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

At 67.5% 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. Focus on condition first, because the spread in listing quality means two seemingly similar Altimas can feel very different once you look closely.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The base S feels a little stripped-down, while higher trims add better interior materials, stitching, and more upscale presentation.
• 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.
• Safety package: Nissan Safety Shield 360 is standard 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 on upper trims.
• Infotainment: The standard touchscreen is 8 inches on most trims, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard on all but S, and the system includes over-the-air-connected services on higher trims through NissanConnect Services.
• Fuel efficiency: The 2.5-liter engine is rated at 28 mpg city/39 mpg highway/32 mpg combined with FWD and 25 mpg city/35 mpg highway/29 mpg combined with AWD. 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, SL, Platinum, and SR VC-Turbo.

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 a lot of the convenience 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 everyday feature set without pushing the price too high.
• SR: This is the better pick if you want a sportier feel and more visual presence, plus stronger equipment than the base model.
• SL: This is the sweet spot if you want a more premium ownership experience, with ProPilot Assist, Bose Premium Audio, and NissanConnect Services.
• Platinum: This is the most upscale choice, with the richest equipment list and the most luxury-oriented presentation.
• SR VC-Turbo: This is the enthusiast-leaning choice, with the more powerful turbo engine and the most engaging performance in the lineup.

Safety Shield 360 is standard on every Altima SV and above, so that’s the trim threshold to keep in mind if safety equipment matters most to you.

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

This looks like a moderate, selective buyer’s market, so you have room to shop carefully without expecting every listing to be a bargain.

• Deal availability: 29.8% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 2,799 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 8.73% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 67.5% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $16,257, 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 $16,262 sits slightly below last year's $17,818.

That decline suggests the Altima has become more affordable for used buyers, but it also means a future seller may face a softer pricing environment than owners saw a year ago. If you buy well now, you may benefit from the lower entry cost, but resale gains are likely to depend more on condition, mileage, and equipment than on market momentum alone.

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 core driver-assistance suite, 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 on upper trims and adds intelligent forward collision warning, intelligent lane intervention, traffic sign recognition, intelligent driver alertness, and adaptive cruise control.

The main safety caveat is that Safety Shield 360 is standard on every Altima SV and above, so the base S trim misses out on some of the most important active-safety equipment.

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:

• 29.8% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• At 67.5% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 8.73% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 4.88/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• The 2021 stands out for available all-wheel drive, multiple powertrains, and wireless smartphone integration.

Consider the 2020 if:

• At $14,406, the 2020 costs less than the current year's $16,262 average.
• It broadened availability of Safety Shield 360 and improved the safety story.

Consider the 2022 if:

• At $17,560, the 2022 costs more than the current year's $16,262 average.
• It expands the sporty Midnight Edition package to more configurations.

The bottom line: The 2021 is the right pick if you want the strongest balance of price, features, and broad appeal in this generation. If you’re especially price-sensitive, the 2020 is the value play; if you want to spend more for a newer-feeling package, the 2022 is the alternative to compare.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from September 29, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.