Used 2020 Nissan Altima for Sale nearDes Moines, IA

How much does the 2020 Nissan Altima cost?

Prices have softened 10.68% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 2,618 listings available, which suggests you have a solid 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 its smooth ride and the value it offers for the price.

On the trade-off side, the expert review points to poor value for money and notes that advanced safety features are not standard across the lineup.

For you, that means the Altima makes the most sense if you want a comfortable, easy-to-live-with midsize sedan with broad everyday appeal rather than a standout performance or luxury play. It also shows 29.5% good or great deals, which supports the case for shopping carefully.

Is the 2020 Nissan Altima reliable?

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

The owner feedback emphasizes dependable everyday use, with repeated praise for comfort, fuel efficiency, and a trouble-free-feeling ownership experience. Reviewers also describe it as a car they can count on for daily driving, especially when they value a smooth ride and a well-equipped cabin.

The expert review reinforces that sense of durability by describing the Altima as agreeable and well-suited to regular use, with a powertrain lineup designed to balance performance and efficiency. It also notes that Nissan does not include free scheduled maintenance, so long-term ownership costs may depend more on how you maintain the car yourself.

For used buyers, the main reliability risk is less about a single glaring flaw and more about choosing a well-kept example with a clean service history.

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

At 60.5% 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-mileage or lower-priced example. Pay close attention to body condition, panel alignment, tire wear, and signs that safety equipment or driver-assistance features may not be functioning as intended.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The lineup includes base S, sporty SR, SV, SL, and Platinum trims. The base trim misses some safety equipment that becomes standard on higher versions, so you should compare feature content carefully before assuming all trims are similarly equipped.
• Powertrain: Most versions use a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine with up to 188 horsepower and a CVT, while SR and Platinum can be had with the VC-Turbo 2.0-liter engine. AWD is available with the 2.5-liter setup, but not with the turbo engine.
• 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 Altima 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 engine 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 value-focused starting point, and it makes the Altima’s easy-to-use tech and comfortable everyday character accessible at the lowest level. It is the trim to consider if you want the basics done well and plan to shop carefully for a good deal.
• SR: This trim adds the sportier character in the lineup and is the first step where the more advanced safety package becomes standard. It is the best-value trim if you want a stronger mix of equipment and safety without moving all the way upmarket.
• SV: This is the sensible middle choice if you want a more balanced feature set than the S without paying for the top trims. It suits you if comfort and convenience matter more than appearance upgrades.
• SL: This trim moves the Altima closer to a more premium-feeling daily driver, with more comfort and convenience content. It makes sense if you want a nicer cabin and are willing to pay for it.
• Platinum: This is the most upscale version and is the right pick if you want the fullest feature set and the most polished presentation. It also pairs with the available turbocharged engine for shoppers who want the strongest performance option.

Safety-package note: the full Nissan Safety Shield 360 suite is standard on SR and higher, while the base S gets only part of it unless you add the optional equipment.

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

This looks like a moderate, selective buyer’s market, so you should shop with a clear target and move quickly on strong listings.

• Deal availability: 29.5% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 2,618 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 10.68% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 60.5% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $14,383, 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 $14,383 sits slightly below last year's $16,102.

That price decline suggests the market has already adjusted downward, which can help you as a buyer but may limit upside if you plan to resell soon. If you buy now, your future resale value will depend heavily on condition, mileage, and whether the car has a clean history.

Because the Altima is not described as a resale value leader, you should expect it to behave more like a practical mainstream sedan than a standout investment. A well-kept example with desirable equipment and a strong service record should still be easier to move later than one with accident history or visible wear.

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

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

Nissan Safety Shield 360 is the key driver-assistance 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. On the base S trim, only part of that package is standard, while the rest is optional.

The main caveat is that the advanced safety equipment is not standard on every trim, so you should verify exactly what is installed on any used example you are considering. The expert review also notes that ProPilot Assist can be irritating and hard to trust in some situations, so it is best viewed as a convenience feature rather than a reason to buy.

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:

• 29.5% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• At 60.5% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 10.68% 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 $13,822, the 2019 costs less than the current year's $14,383 average.
• It was all-new and brought major improvements to the midsize-sedan formula.

Consider the 2021 if:

• At $16,392, the 2021 costs more than the current year's $14,383 average.
• It adds wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto and broader convenience appeal.

The bottom line: If you want the best balance of price, features, and market availability, the 2020 is the smart default. If your budget is tighter, the 2019 can save you money, while the 2021 is worth considering if you want to pay more for added convenience and a newer-feeling setup.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from September 11, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.