Used 2020 Nissan Altima for Sale near California

How much does the 2020 Nissan Altima cost?

Prices have softened 10.27% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 2,635 listings available, which suggests solid inventory for comparison shopping.

If you find a listing below $14,417.65, 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 strong feature content, and many also like the smooth ride and easy-to-use tech. The Altima also gets credit for multiple powertrain options and great handling, which helps it feel well-rounded for everyday driving.

The trade-offs are worth noting: experts call out poor value for money, and advanced safety features are not standard across the lineup. That means you get a lot of appeal, but you should be selective about trim and equipment.

For you, that makes the Altima a practical pick if you want a traditional midsize sedan with broad everyday usefulness rather than a class-leading bargain. It also fits shoppers who value comfort and tech more than outright performance or maximum value.

28.9% of listings are priced as good or great deals, so there are still opportunities if you shop carefully.

Is the 2020 Nissan Altima reliable?

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

Reviewers repeatedly describe it as comfortable, fuel-efficient, and well-equipped, and they also point to a smooth ride that makes it easy to live with over time. That kind of feedback suggests you can count on it as a dependable daily driver if you choose a well-kept example.

The expert notes also support that impression, describing the Altima as agreeable in almost every way and highlighting the turbocharged engine as especially satisfying. Nissan does not include free scheduled maintenance, though, so long-term ownership costs still depend on how well the previous owner maintained the car.

For used buyers, the main long-term risk is less about the basic driving experience and more about finding one that has been cared for properly.

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

At 60.3% 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 had any prior damage or if the seller cannot clearly document maintenance. Focus on overall condition, feature operation, and whether the equipment you want is actually present on the trim you’re considering.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The lineup includes base S and sporty SR variants, plus SV, SL, and Platinum. The base trim is the one most likely to leave you wanting more because advanced safety features are not standard there.
• Powertrain: Most models use a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder with up to 188 horsepower, while SR and Platinum can get the VC-Turbo 2.0-liter engine with 248 horsepower on premium fuel. AWD is available with the 2.5-liter engine, but not with the turbo.
• 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. ProPilot Assist adds adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability and lane-centering assistance.
• 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 9-speaker Bose audio system, and Nissan Connect Services.
• Fuel efficiency: The VC-Turbo is rated at 29 mpg in combined driving.

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 gives you the core Altima experience with the standard 2.5-liter engine and easy-to-use tech. It makes sense if you want the lowest starting point, but you should pay close attention to safety equipment because the advanced driver-assistance package is not fully standard here.
• SR: This is the best-value trim if you want more of the Altima’s personality without jumping too far up the range. It adds the sportier character and is the first trim to make Nissan Safety Shield 360 standard, which makes it the smart middle-ground choice.
• SV: This trim sits in the middle of the lineup and is a good fit if you want a more balanced equipment mix without chasing the top-end extras. It should appeal if you want comfort and convenience without paying for the most expensive versions.
• SL: This is the more upscale comfort-oriented choice for shoppers who want a richer feature set and a more premium feel. It suits you if you care more about daily refinement than sporty tuning.
• Platinum: This is the most fully equipped Altima and the one to choose if you want the most features and the available VC-Turbo engine. It’s the right pick if you want the broadest equipment list and don’t mind paying more for it.

Safety-wise, the base S trim is the one with the biggest feature gap, while SR and higher make the full safety package standard.

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

This is a moderate market for selective buyers, so you can shop with some leverage if you compare listings carefully.

• Deal availability: 28.9% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 2,635 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 10.27% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 60.3% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $14,417.65, 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 $14,416 sits slightly below last year's $16,065.

That softer pricing suggests the Altima has already absorbed a meaningful amount of depreciation, which can help future sellers if they buy at the right price. If you purchase near the lower end of the range and keep the car in strong condition, you may have a better chance of limiting your loss later.

The flip side is that the model is not described as a resale value champion, so you should not expect standout retention versus the strongest rivals. Still, the current market gives you a more favorable entry point than it did a year ago.

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 five-star ratings from NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick rating from IIHS, with the automatic high-beam LED headlights that are standard in every version except the base trim level.

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

Nissan Safety Shield 360 is the main driver-assistance suite, and it includes forward collision warning and automatic emergency braking on the base S trim. Other versions add pedestrian detection, blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic warning, lane departure warning, rear automatic braking, and automatic high-beam assistance. ProPilot Assist adds adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability and lane-centering assistance.

The caveat is that the base trim does not get the full safety package standard, so you need to check equipment carefully if safety tech matters most to you. The expert test drive also notes that ProPilot Assist can be irritating and 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:

• 28.9% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• At 60.3% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 10.27% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 4.8/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• Nissan Safety Shield 360 is more widely available, with the full suite standard on SR and higher.

Consider the 2019 if:

• At $13,781, the 2019 costs less than the current year's $14,416 average.
• It was all-new and brought major redesign improvements.

Consider the 2021 if:

• At $16,424, the 2021 costs more than the current year's $14,416 average.
• It adds available all-wheel drive and wireless smartphone integration.

The bottom line: If you want the best balance of price, features, and availability, the 2020 is the primary year to target. If you’re especially price-sensitive, the 2019 can save you money, while the 2021 makes sense if you want the newer feature set and are willing to pay more.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from September 4, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.