Used 2020 Nissan Altima for Sale nearWashington, DC

How much does the 2020 Nissan Altima cost?

Prices have softened 11.40% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 2,607 listings available, which suggests you have a healthy 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 7.3/10 expert rating. The standout strength is Technology at 9/10.

Owners consistently praise its comfort, fuel efficiency, and smooth ride, and they also like the feature-rich base model. The Altima is framed as a practical, well-rounded midsize sedan that is easy to live with, especially if you want a traditional four-door with useful everyday tech.

The main trade-offs are poor value for money and the fact that advanced safety features are not standard. Even so, the Altima fits well if you want a straightforward family sedan with multiple powertrain options and strong handling, and 32.3% of listings are priced as good or great deals.

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 feel in daily use, with comfort and fuel efficiency coming through as recurring strengths. Reviewers also describe it as a car you can count on for a smooth, easy ownership experience.

The expert notes reinforce that impression by describing the Altima as agreeable and practical, with a well-rounded character rather than a high-strung personality. Nissan does not include free scheduled maintenance, so long-term ownership costs still deserve a close look.

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

At 57.3% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.

You should run a vehicle history report before you commit, then prioritize a pre-purchase inspection if the car has any accident history. Focus on bodywork quality, panel alignment, tire wear, and whether the advanced driver-assistance features operate as expected.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The lineup includes base S and sporty SR variants, plus SV, SL, and Platinum. The base trim leaves some safety equipment optional, while higher trims get more standard content.
• Powertrain: Most versions use a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder with up to 188 horsepower and a CVT, and AWD is available with that engine. A turbocharged 2.0-liter VC-Turbo is offered on SR and Platinum, with stronger output and front-wheel drive only.
• Safety package: Nissan Safety Shield 360 is standard in part on the base S and more complete on higher trims. Standard items on the S include 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 cabin uses an 8-inch display with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, and a text-messaging assistant. Wireless smartphone integration and OTA capability are not mentioned.
• 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 paired with a CVT and can be had with AWD.

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 makes the Altima’s easy-to-use tech and core safety hardware accessible at the lowest level. It is the trim to consider if you want the lowest buy-in and are comfortable with some advanced safety features remaining optional.
• SR: This is the best-value trim if you want the strongest mix of equipment and availability of advanced safety tech. It adds the more complete Nissan Safety Shield 360 setup as standard and is also one of the trims that can get the turbocharged engine.
• SV: This is the sensible middle choice if you want a more complete Altima without jumping to the top of the range. It builds on the base car’s well-rounded character and keeps the sedan’s practical, easy-to-live-with appeal.
• SL: This trim suits you if you want a more upscale-feeling Altima while staying within the mainstream sedan formula. It sits above the volume trims and is part of the group that gets the broader safety package.
• Platinum: This is the most feature-rich version and the one to choose if you want the Altima at its most polished. It can be paired with the turbocharged engine and adds the most premium presentation.

The safety-package note to keep in mind is that the base S trim does not get the full suite as standard, while SR and higher do.

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

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

• Deal availability: 32.3% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 2,607 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 11.40% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 57.3% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $13,969, 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 $13,972 sits slightly below last year's $15,770.

That softer pricing suggests the Altima has already absorbed some depreciation, which can help future sellers if they buy at the right price. If you purchase near the lower end of the current range, you may have less downside left than a buyer who paid closer to the original market peak.

The model’s broad appeal as a comfortable, tech-friendly sedan should help keep demand steady among used shoppers. 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 Top Safety Pick rating from IIHS and a five-star overall rating from NHTSA.

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 fuller setup is standard on SR and higher.

The expert notes also call out ProPilot Assist, which adds adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability and lane-centering assistance. The caveat is that the system can be irritating and hard to trust in real-world use, so it is not a feature you should assume will feel seamless.

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:

• 32.3% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• At 57.3% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 11.40% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 4.8/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• Nissan Safety Shield 360 is more widely available, with SR and higher getting the fuller package standard.

Consider the 2019 if:

• At $13,294, the 2019 costs less than the current year's $13,972 average.
• It introduced the redesigned Altima and brought major improvements.

Consider the 2021 if:

• At $16,018, the 2021 costs more than the current year's $13,972 average.
• It adds wireless smartphone convenience and broader appeal for drivers wanting more modern tech.

The bottom line: The 2020 is the right pick if you want the best balance of price, tech, and availability in the current market. If you are especially price-sensitive, the 2019 can save you money, while the 2021 makes sense if you want to pay more for newer convenience features.

How does the 2020 Nissan Altima compare to the 2020 Toyota Camry?

Expert Pros & Cons (per CarGurus review team)

2020 Nissan Altima:

• Pros: Easy-to-use technology, Multiple powertrain options, Great handling.
• Cons: Poor value for money, Advanced safety features are not standard.

2020 Toyota Camry:

• Pros: Great safety ratings, Premium interior materials, Standard advanced safety features.
• Cons: Cramped back seat, Not much cargo space.

Our experts score the 2020 Nissan Altima 7.3/10 and the 2020 Toyota Camry 7.5/10. The Camry edges ahead on overall score, safety, and standard advanced safety equipment, while the Altima counters with easier tech and more powertrain variety. The Altima also offers a much lower average used price, which may matter more if you want value over prestige.

Read our full side-by-side expert comparison here.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from November 10, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.