Used 2020 Nissan Altima for Sale nearWashington, DC

How much does the 2020 Nissan Altima cost?

Prices have softened 10.81% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 2,594 listings available, which suggests solid inventory for comparison shopping.

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. Reviewers also highlight its smooth ride and the value it offers for the price. On the other hand, the expert notes point to poor value for money and the fact that advanced safety features are not standard across the lineup.

That makes the Altima a strong fit if you want a comfortable midsize sedan with easy-to-use tech and broad everyday appeal. It is especially relevant if you care more about a well-rounded commuter than a standout performance car.

Listings with good or great deals account for 30.2% of the market, 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 points to a dependable, trouble-free ownership experience, with praise for comfort, fuel efficiency, and the kind of feature set that makes the car easy to live with over time. The expert notes also reinforce that it is agreeable in everyday use and built around practical, confidence-inspiring driving manners.

Nissan’s performance notes emphasize a smooth, composed driving experience, with the Altima’s ride and handling described as impressive and satisfying in daily use. The car’s standard torque management and brake-based control systems also support a settled, predictable feel on the road.

For used buyers, the main long-term risk is that satisfaction with the car’s day-to-day livability does not eliminate the need to verify maintenance history and condition carefully.

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

At 60.1% 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 to verify. Focus on body condition, signs of prior repair, and whether the car’s safety and convenience features work as advertised. If you are shopping the base trim, pay close attention to which driver-assistance features are included and which are not.

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 most stripped-down version, while the higher trims add more equipment and a more upscale presentation.
• 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 4-cylinder, which delivers stronger output and is paired with front-wheel drive only.
• Safety package: Nissan Safety Shield 360 is standard on SR and higher, while the base S gets only forward collision warning and automatic emergency braking as standard. The rest of the suite is optional on S and includes pedestrian detection, blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic warning, lane departure warning, rear automatic braking, and automatic high-beam assistance.
• 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 is rated at 29 mpg in combined driving, and the expert notes that 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, and 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 is the trim to consider if you want the core Altima experience and plan to shop carefully for the right safety equipment.
• SR: This is the best-value trim if you want the strongest mix of equipment and safety, because Safety Shield 360 is standard here and the trim also gets the sport suspension tuning. It suits you if you want a more engaging setup without jumping all the way to the top of the range.
• SV: This is the sensible middle choice if you want a more polished Altima without going as far as the luxury-leaning trims. It should appeal if you want a balanced daily driver with broader equipment coverage.
• SL: This trim moves the Altima further upmarket and is a good fit if you want a more premium-feeling sedan with more comfort and convenience content.
• Platinum: This is the most upscale Altima, and it is the right pick if you want the fullest feature set and the most polished presentation. It can also be paired with the available VC-Turbo engine.

Safety Shield 360 is standard on SR and higher, while it is optional on the base S.

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

This is a moderate, selective buyer’s market, so you can shop with some leverage if you stay disciplined.

• Deal availability: 30.2% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 2,594 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 10.81% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 60.1% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $14,351, 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 $14,353 sits slightly below last year's $16,092.

That decline suggests the Altima has already absorbed a meaningful amount of depreciation, which can help future sellers if they buy at the right price today. A lower entry cost can make it easier to hold value relative to what you paid, especially if you choose a well-kept example with desirable equipment.

The market also appears to reward the Altima’s broad appeal and strong owner satisfaction, which can help support demand when it is time to sell. Condition, mileage, and trim choice will matter a lot, but the current pricing trend gives you a more favorable starting point than 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?

The 2020 Altima earns a five-star overall rating from NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick from IIHS, though the IIHS result depends on the automatic high-beam LED headlights that are standard on every version except the base trim level.

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

Nissan Safety Shield 360 is the main 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 suite is optional.

The Altima also offers a driver monitoring system, road-sign recognition, a surround-view camera, and ProPilot Assist with adaptive cruise control and lane-centering assistance. The expert notes, however, 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:

• 30.2% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• At 60.1% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 10.81% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 4.8/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• Nissan made Safety Shield 360 more widely available, with the suite optional on base S and standard on SR and higher.

Consider the 2019 if:

• At $13,807, the 2019 costs less than the current year's $14,353 average.
• It was all-new and brought major improvements to the midsize-sedan formula.

Consider the 2021 if:

• At $16,287, the 2021 costs more than the current year's $14,353 average.
• It adds wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto and broader convenience appeal.

The bottom line: The 2020 Altima makes the most sense if you want a well-rounded sedan with improved safety availability and a softer used-car price than last year. If your priority is saving money, the 2019 is the value play; if you want newer convenience features and can spend more, the 2021 is the upgrade path.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from September 22, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.