Used 2020 Nissan Altima for SaleNationwide

How much does the 2020 Nissan Altima cost?

Prices have softened 10.32% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 2,643 listings available, which suggests you should have a workable amount of inventory to compare.

Is the 2020 Nissan Altima a good car?

Yes — the 2020 Nissan Altima earns a 4.8/5 user rating and a 7.33/10 expert rating. The standout strength is Technology at 9/10.

Owners consistently praise its comfort, fuel efficiency, and feature-rich cabin, especially in the base model. They also highlight the value it offers for the price and its smooth ride. On the downside, some owners mention loose steering and a lack of a memory seat feature.

That lines up with the broader use case: you’re looking at a midsize family sedan that emphasizes everyday comfort, easy-to-use tech, and a well-rounded driving experience rather than a single standout gimmick. The trade-off is that it’s described as poor value for money, and advanced safety features are not standard across the lineup.

Good and great deals account for 29.4% of listings, so there is some room to shop selectively.

Is the 2020 Nissan Altima reliable?

Owners rate it 4.8/5, a strong signal of long-term satisfaction.

The owner feedback points to a car you can count on for comfort, fuel efficiency, and a generally agreeable ownership experience. Reviewers also describe it as a strong value with a smooth ride, which supports the idea that it can be a dependable daily driver.

The expert evaluation reinforces that impression by describing the Altima as agreeable in almost every way, with especially strong appeal when equipped with the turbocharged engine. Nissan does not include free scheduled maintenance or a long warranty, so your long-term ownership risk is more about normal running costs and feature availability than major red flags.

What should I look for when buying a used 2020 Nissan Altima?

At 60.7% 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 pre-purchase inspection, especially if you’re considering a higher-trim car with more equipment. Focus on condition, maintenance records, and whether the safety and convenience features work as intended.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The lineup includes base S, sporty SR, SV, SL, and Platinum. The base trim misses some safety equipment that becomes standard on higher versions, so you should compare feature content carefully if you want the best value.
• Powertrain: Most models use a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder with up to 188 horsepower and a CVT, and AWD is available with that engine. SR and Platinum can also get the VC-Turbo 2.0-liter engine, which delivers stronger output but is not available with AWD.
• Safety package: Nissan Safety Shield 360 includes forward collision warning and automatic emergency braking on the base S, while higher trims add pedestrian detection, blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic warning, lane departure warning, rear automatic braking, and automatic high-beam assistance. Those added features are optional on the S.
• Infotainment: The system uses an 8-inch display and includes Bluetooth, a text-messaging assistant, Siri Eyes Free, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. Available upgrades include satellite radio, navigation, a Bose audio system, and NissanConnect Services.
• Fuel efficiency: The VC-Turbo is rated at 29 mpg in combined driving, and the standard 2.5-liter engine is tuned for efficiency as well.

Which 2020 Nissan Altima trim should I buy?

The 2020 Nissan Altima is offered in 5 trim levels: S, SR, SV, SL, Platinum.

Here's the short version:

• S: This is the entry point, and it makes the Altima’s easy-to-use tech and comfortable everyday character accessible at the lowest level. It’s the trim to consider if you want the basics and plan to shop carefully for value, but remember that some safety equipment is not standard here.
• SR: This is the best-value trim if you want a more complete package, because it adds the stronger safety setup and the sport suspension tuning. It also opens the door to the VC-Turbo engine, making it the most compelling choice for shoppers who want a little more personality without jumping all the way to luxury-oriented trims.
• SV: This is the sensible middle ground if you want a more polished Altima without chasing the highest-priced versions. It should suit you if you want a balanced mix of comfort, tech, and everyday usability.
• SL: This trim is for you if you want a more upscale feel and more equipment while staying within the mainstream sedan formula. It makes sense if comfort and convenience matter more than chasing the lowest price.
• Platinum: This is the most feature-rich version, and it’s the one to choose if you want the fullest Altima experience. It suits you best if you value premium touches and are willing to pay for them.

The safety package is more complete on SR and higher, while the base S leaves some features optional.

Is now a good time to buy a used 2020 Nissan Altima?

This is a moderate buyer’s market, so you can shop selectively without expecting every listing to be a bargain.

• Deal availability: 29.4% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 2,643 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 10.32% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 60.7% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $14,382, that's toward the low end of the year-round range and worth acting on quickly.

What is the 2020 Nissan Altima's resale value?

The current average of $14,406 sits slightly below last year's $16,063.

That price movement suggests the Altima has already absorbed a meaningful amount of depreciation, which can help limit how much value you lose if you buy at the right price. For a future seller, that also means your upside depends more on buying well and keeping the car in strong condition than on expecting the market to rebound quickly.

Because the model is already trading below its year-ago average, a clean, well-equipped example should be easier to position than a neglected one. Strong condition, desirable equipment, and a good service history matter more when you want to protect resale.

Vehicles with strong owner satisfaction ratings, like this model year's 4.8/5, tend to retain buyer demand, which supports resale value over time.

Is the 2020 Nissan Altima safe?

The 2020 Nissan Altima earns a Top Safety Pick rating from IIHS and a five-star overall rating from NHTSA.

It earns an 8/10 safety score from our experts.

Nissan Safety Shield 360 is the core driver-assistance suite, and it includes forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic warning, lane departure warning, rear automatic braking, and automatic high-beam assistance. On the base S trim, only forward collision warning and automatic emergency braking are standard, while the rest of the package is optional.

The Altima also includes a driver monitoring system, road-sign recognition, a surround-view camera, and ProPilot Assist with adaptive cruise control and lane-centering assistance. The caveat is that ProPilot Assist proved hard to trust in testing, with irritating alerts and lane-centering behavior that required frequent second-guessing.

Should I buy a 2020 Nissan Altima or consider a different year?

If you're weighing the 2020 against nearby model years, here's how to think about it:

Choose the 2020 if:

• 29.4% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• At 60.7% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 10.32% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 4.8/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• Nissan made Safety Shield 360 more widely available, improving the safety story for this year.

Consider the 2019 if:

• At $13,698, the 2019 costs less than the current year's $14,406 average.
• It was all-new and brought a more upscale feel to the Altima.

Consider the 2021 if:

• At $16,262, the 2021 costs more than the current year's $14,406 average.
• It adds wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto and broader modern appeal.

The bottom line: The 2020 is the right pick if you want a well-rounded Altima with improved safety availability and a softer used-car price. If you’re especially price-sensitive, the 2019 can save you money, while the 2021 is worth considering if you want newer convenience features and can stretch your budget.

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