How much does the 2020 Nissan Altima cost?

Prices have softened 9.71% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 2,677 listings available, which suggests solid inventory for comparison shopping.

If you find a listing below $14,534.33, that's toward the low end of the year-round range and worth acting on quickly.

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 the strong feature set, 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 the lack of a memory seat feature and loose steering feel.

That lines up with the Altima’s use case as a comfortable, efficient midsize sedan with a lot of equipment for the money. The trade-off is that value and safety-feature availability are not as strong as the car’s comfort and tech story.

With 27.7% of listings marked as good or great deals, you have room to shop selectively.

Is the 2020 Nissan Altima reliable?

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

Owner feedback points to a car people feel good about living with over time, especially because of its comfort, fuel efficiency, and value. The same feedback also suggests you can count on it as a smooth, agreeable daily driver.

The expert evaluation reinforces that dependable, easygoing character, especially in the way the car drives and in how its powertrains are tuned for everyday use. Nissan also does not include free scheduled maintenance, so long-term ownership costs still deserve a close look.

For used buyers, the main risk is less about outright durability and more about whether the specific car was maintained well and equipped the way you want.

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

At 62.9% 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 the car has any prior damage or a long feature list. Focus on condition, repair quality, and whether the safety and tech systems work as intended. If you want the base trim, pay extra attention to which driver-assistance features are included.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The base S trim has a simpler equipment list, while higher trims add more convenience and appearance features. The base trim also misses some safety equipment that comes standard elsewhere.
• 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. The VC-Turbo 2.0-liter is limited to SR and Platinum, delivers 248 horsepower on premium fuel, and is front-wheel drive only.
• Safety package: Nissan Safety Shield 360 is the main driver-assistance suite. Base S gets forward collision warning and automatic emergency braking, while other versions add pedestrian detection, blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic warning, lane departure warning, rear automatic braking, and automatic high-beam assistance.
• Infotainment: The system uses an 8-inch display and includes wireless-free basics like Bluetooth, a text-messaging assistant, Siri Eyes Free, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. Connected services and navigation are available, but voice recognition is not fully natural.
• Fuel efficiency: The VC-Turbo is rated at 29 mpg combined, and the expert test loop returned 26.2 mpg. The standard 2.5-liter engine is positioned as the efficiency-focused choice, with AWD available on that setup.

Which 2020 Nissan Altima trim should I buy?

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

Here's the short version:

• Base trim: The S is the value play, but it lacks the fuller Safety Shield 360 package that higher trims get, and some safety features remain optional.
• Sweet-spot trim: The SV is the most balanced choice if you want a stronger mix of comfort, equipment, and everyday value without jumping to the top end.
• Premium/top trim: The Platinum is the most upscale choice, with the richest feature set and the available VC-Turbo engine.
• Off-road trim: None of the trims are aimed at off-road use, so there is no special daily-driver caution here.

Safety Shield 360 is standard on SR and higher, while the base S gets only part of the suite unless you add more equipment.

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

This is a moderate, selective-buyer market, so you can shop carefully and still find worthwhile listings.

• Deal availability: 27.7% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 2,677 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 9.71% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 62.9% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $14,534.33, 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 $14,560 sits slightly below last year's $16,125.

That price movement suggests the Altima has already absorbed a meaningful amount of depreciation, which can help future sellers if they buy at the right price. It also means your resale outcome will depend heavily on condition, mileage, and equipment, since the market is already pricing in some softness. A well-kept example with desirable features should be easier to move than a rough one bought near the top of the range.

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

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

Nissan Safety Shield 360 is the core safety suite, and it includes forward collision warning and automatic emergency braking on the base S trim. Higher trims add pedestrian detection, blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic warning, lane departure warning, rear automatic braking, and automatic high-beam assistance. Additional systems include driver monitoring, road-sign recognition, a surround-view camera, and ProPilot Assist with adaptive cruise control and lane-centering assistance.

The main caveat is that the base trim does not get the full safety package standard, and the expert evaluation found ProPilot Assist hard to trust in regular use.

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:

• 27.7% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• At 62.9% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 9.71% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 4.8/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• Nissan Safety Shield 360 is more widely available this year, including standard availability on SR and higher.

Consider the 2019 if:

• At $13,741, the 2019 costs less than the current year's $14,560 average.
• The redesign brought a more appealing look and modern tech.

Consider the 2021 if:

• At $16,627, the 2021 costs more than the current year's $14,560 average.
• It adds a sleeker design and keeps the same broad comfort-and-tech appeal.

The bottom line: If you want the best mix of price, features, and shopping flexibility, the 2020 is the sensible target. If you are especially price-sensitive, the 2019 can save you money, while the 2021 makes sense if you want to spend more for a newer-feeling package.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from August 14, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.