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Independent review & score by Carivo
| Engine | 3.5L 6-Cylinder |
|---|---|
| Transmission | Automatic (AV-S7) |
| Drivetrain | Front-Wheel Drive |
| Fuel Type | Premium |
| City / Hwy MPG | 20 / 30 MPG |
| Combined MPG | 24 MPG |
| Est. Annual Fuel Cost | $3,400 |
| CO₂ Emissions | 370 g/mi |
| Seating Capacity | 5 passengers |
| Body Style | Sedan |
| Base Price | $34,980–$46,752 |
Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov & manufacturer data. Figures reflect base trim; actual specs vary by trim level.
The 2021 Nissan Maxima is a sedan that earns a Carivo score of 7.3/10 — rated Good. Its strongest dimension is Safety at 7.7/10. It's a capable but unexceptional sedan — stronger alternatives exist if you're willing to shop the segment carefully.
Reliability and safety are the two dimensions that matter most for long-term ownership costs. The reliability picture is solid rather than spectacular: 7.0/10, which puts it comfortably above the class median. Safety lands at 7.7/10 — solid, though some rivals offer more advanced driver-assist features as standard. Confirm official results for your trim at nhtsa.gov/ratings.
With 7.5/10 for performance, this is a car tuned for daily driving rather than excitement — perfectly capable on the commute, unremarkable on a back road. At 7.4/10 for technology, the infotainment and driver-assist package does its job without setting benchmarks — check which features cost extra on lower trims.
Priced from $34,980–$46,752, 23 MPG, seating 5, the Nissan Maxima sits in the mid-market bracket of the sedan segment. At 7.2/10 for value, it delivers fair pricing for what's on offer, though the best alternatives in this price range score slightly higher. At 5 years old, it's worth checking whether a newer generation or refresh has addressed any weaker dimensions — compare it to the current model year before buying.
Verdict: The 2021 Nissan Maxima sits in the middle of the field. Worth a look if it fits a specific need; otherwise use our compare tool against the segment leaders first.
Carivo scores are our own editorial assessment, informed by NHTSA safety and recall records, EPA fuel-economy figures, and manufacturer-published specifications. Scores are reviewed periodically and updated when new data becomes available. See our full methodology →
The 2021 Nissan Maxima ranks #802 of 1310 sedans in the Carivo database — better than 39% of the segment. Its 7.3/10 overall score is 0.2 points below the segment average of 7.5/10. Its $34,980 starting price is about 26% above the segment's median of $27,664.
Rankings are recalculated as new vehicles and scores are added. See the full Sedan ranking → · Best Sedans under $35k →
Smart-money pick: the 2018 Nissan Maxima scores 7.3/10 — within striking distance of the 2021's 7.3 — and starts roughly $3,500 lower. If you don't need the newest model year, that's money better spent on a higher trim or kept in your pocket.
| Year | Score | Starting price (MSRP when new) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 7.7/10 | $38,390 | Read review → |
| 2023 | 7.5/10 | $37,286 | Read review → |
| 2022 | 7.4/10 | $36,133 | Read review → |
| 2021 (this review) | 7.3/10 | $34,980 | |
| 2020 | 7.3/10 | $33,827 | Read review → |
| 2019 | 7.2/10 | $32,674 | Read review → |
| 2018 | 7.3/10 | $31,520 | Read review → |
| 2017 | 7.1/10 | $30,367 | Read review → |
| 2016 | 7.2/10 | $29,214 | Read review → |
| 2015 | 7.1/10 | $28,061 | Read review → |
We rate the 2021 Nissan Maxima's reliability 7.0/10 — above the middle of the pack for this class.
It scores 7.3/10 overall, ranking #802 of 1310 sedans in our database (better than 39% of the segment). Stronger-scoring alternatives exist at similar prices — use our compare tool before committing.
The 2021 Nissan Maxima starts at $34,980 and ranges up to $46,752 across trims (MSRP when new). At 23 MPG, expect roughly $2,283/year in fuel at 15,000 miles/year.
Other sedans at a similar price point, ranked by Carivo score.
Explore the full lineup of Nissan models scored by Carivo — ranked by overall score across reliability, safety, value, performance, and technology.
