How much does the 2020 Nissan Altima cost?

Prices have softened 9.90% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 2,659 listings available, which suggests you should have a reasonable amount of inventory to compare.

If you find a listing below $14,474.36, 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 easy-to-use features, and many also like the value it offers for the price. The review summary also points to a smooth ride and a well-equipped base model, which helps the car feel broadly appealing. On the trade-off side, the expert notes poor value for money and says advanced safety features are not standard across the lineup. For you, that means the Altima makes the most sense if you want a traditional midsize sedan with broad everyday appeal rather than a class-leading bargain.

The market shows 26.4% good or great deals, which gives you 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 emphasizes comfort, fuel efficiency, and a feature-rich experience, and it also points to a car that feels dependable in daily use. Reviewers describe it as a model they appreciate for value and smoothness, which supports the idea that it can be a trouble-free long-term companion when maintained properly. The expert notes that the Altima’s VC-Turbo engine is the result of a long development effort and that the car’s ride and handling are impressively composed, which reinforces its everyday dependability. For used buyers, the main long-term risk is making sure the specific car you choose has been cared for well, especially if you want one of the more complex higher-output powertrain setups.

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

At 62.2% 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 are considering a higher-trim car with more equipment. Focus on condition, prior repairs, and whether the safety and convenience features work as intended. If you want the best value, compare the equipment carefully so you know whether the car you are looking at has the features you actually want.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The base S trim is the most stripped-down version, while higher trims add more equipment and the SR brings a sportier setup.
• Powertrain: Most models use a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder with up to 188 horsepower, while SR and Platinum can get the VC-Turbo engine with 248 horsepower on premium fuel and 236 horsepower on regular gas.
• Safety package: Nissan Safety Shield 360 includes forward collision warning and automatic emergency braking on the base S, 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 Bluetooth, a text-messaging assistant, Siri Eyes Free, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto; connected services and navigation are available.
• Fuel efficiency: The VC-Turbo is rated at 29 mpg combined, and the expert test loop returned 26.2 mpg.

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:

• Base trim: The S trim leaves out some of the more advanced safety features, which are optional rather than standard.
• Sweet-spot trim: The SR is the best value if you want more safety tech because it makes Nissan Safety Shield 360 standard and adds the sport suspension.
• Premium/top trim: The Platinum is the most upscale choice, with the available VC-Turbo engine and the most premium-feeling presentation.
• Off-road trim: Not applicable here.

The safety package note is simple: Nissan Safety Shield 360 is optional on the S trim and standard on SR and higher.

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

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

• Deal availability: 26.4% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 2,659 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 9.90% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 62.2% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $14,474.36, 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 $14,470 sits slightly below last year's $16,060.

That price movement suggests the market has already adjusted downward, which can help you as a buyer but may temper future resale upside. If you plan to sell later, the softer pricing means your best protection is buying well and choosing a clean, well-equipped example. Cars with broad owner appeal and strong satisfaction tend to hold demand better, especially when they offer the comfort and technology shoppers want.

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?

It 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 key safety suite here, 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. The base S trim gets only part of that package, while the rest of the lineup gets the full set. ProPilot Assist adds adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability and lane-centering assistance, but the expert found it hard to trust in real-world 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:

• 26.4% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• At 62.2% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 9.90% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 4.8/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• Nissan Safety Shield 360 is more widely available, with standard availability on SR and higher.

Consider the 2019 if:

• At $13,769, the 2019 costs less than the current year's $14,470 average.
• It was all-new and feels more polished than the previous Altima.

Consider the 2021 if:

• At $16,585, the 2021 costs more than the current year's $14,470 average.
• It adds wireless smartphone integration and available all-wheel drive.

The bottom line: If you want the best balance of price, features, and current-market value, the 2020 is the smart middle ground. If your priority is spending less, the 2019 is the cheaper path; if you want newer convenience tech and can pay more, the 2021 is the upgrade to compare.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from August 21, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.