Used 2020 Nissan Sentra for Sale nearChicago, IL

How much does the 2020 Nissan Sentra cost?

Prices have softened 3.31% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 1,794 listings available, which gives you a solid pool to compare prices and equipment.

If you find a listing below $14,109.35, that's toward the low end of the year-round range and worth acting on quickly.

Is the 2020 Nissan Sentra a good car?

Yes — the 2020 Nissan Sentra earns a 4.75/5 user rating and a 7.67/10 expert rating. The model scores 9/10 across Cost effectiveness and Safety.

Owners consistently praise its beautiful design, smooth ride, and excellent fuel economy. They also highlight the impressive gadgets and safety features for the price, which lines up with the Sentra’s value-focused appeal.

The main trade-off is straightforward: performance is fairly pedestrian, and some drivers want more acceleration and engine responsiveness. That makes it a better fit if you want a stylish, comfortable compact sedan with strong equipment value rather than a quick one.

The Sentra’s appeal is strongest if you want a well-equipped commuter that feels more upscale than its price suggests. It also lands in a market where 28.4% of listings are good or great deals, so you have room to shop selectively.

Is the 2020 Nissan Sentra reliable?

Owners rate it 4.75/5, a strong signal of long-term satisfaction.

Owner feedback points to a car that feels dependable, trouble-free, and easy to live with over time. The praise for its smooth ride, fuel economy, and overall satisfaction suggests you’re looking at a model that many buyers feel confident keeping.

The expert drive notes also reinforce that impression by describing the CVT as smooth and responsive, with engine noise and vibration kept mostly at bay. That kind of everyday refinement usually matters more than flash when you’re planning for long-term ownership.

For used buyers, the main risk is less about outright durability and more about finding a well-kept example that hasn’t been neglected or abused.

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

At 61.5% 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 the car is priced near the low end of the market. Focus on body condition, signs of prior repair, and whether the equipment and driver-assistance features work as expected.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The mid-level SV adds a more upscale cabin feel, larger screens, and features like dual-zone climate control, proximity entry, adaptive cruise control, and remote engine start. The SV Premium Package adds 17-inch wheels and quilted tan leather, while the SR brings 18-inch wheels, fog lights, and bright LED headlights.
• Powertrain: A 2.0-liter inline four-cylinder with 149 horsepower and 146 pound-feet of torque works with a CVT and front-wheel drive. Efficiency is strong, and the transmission is smooth, but acceleration tapers off after 30 mph.
• Safety package: Nissan’s driver-assistance suite is standard and includes forward and reverse emergency braking, pedestrian detection, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-departure warning, auto high beams, and a driver attention monitor. Rear side airbags and knee airbags are also standard.
• Infotainment: The mid-level SV brings Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, WiFi, two more USB ports including USB-C, and larger screens. Navigation, wireless charging, and ProPilot are not offered.
• Fuel efficiency: EPA-rated fuel economy is 29 mpg city, 39 highway, and 33 combined, with the SR returning 1 mpg less in the city and combined and 2 less on the highway.

Which 2020 Nissan Sentra trim should I buy?

The 2020 Nissan Sentra is offered in 3 trim levels: S, SV, SR.

Here's the short version:

• S: This is the least expensive way into the Sentra, but the available content points to the SV as the smarter buy if you want the best balance of value and equipment.
• SV: This is the best-value trim. It adds the larger screens, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, WiFi, extra USB ports, dual-zone climate control, adaptive cruise control, and remote engine start, making it the trim most buyers should target.
• SR: Choose this if you want the sportier-looking version with 18-inch wheels, fog lights, and bright LED headlights, but it is more about appearance and equipment than performance.

Nissan’s standard safety suite is a major plus across the lineup, so even the lower trims give you strong protection features.

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

The market looks selective rather than overheated, which gives you a decent chance to find a good deal if you shop carefully.

• Deal availability: 28.4% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 1,794 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 3.31% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 61.5% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $14,109.35, that's toward the low end of the year-round range and worth acting on quickly.

What is the 2020 Nissan Sentra's resale value?

The current average of $14,845 sits slightly below last year's $15,353.

That softer pricing suggests the Sentra has become more accessible for used buyers, but it also means future sellers may face a market that is still adjusting downward. If you buy well now, you may benefit from the lower entry price, but resale gains are likely to depend more on condition, mileage, and equipment than on broad market appreciation.

The current trend also suggests that well-priced examples should remain competitive with shoppers looking for value. If you keep the car in strong condition and avoid overpaying today, you improve your odds of holding onto a reasonable share of that value later.

Vehicles with strong owner satisfaction ratings, like this model year's 4.75/5, tend to retain buyer demand, which supports resale value over time.

Is the 2020 Nissan Sentra safe?

It earns a 9/10 safety score from our experts.

Nissan makes safety a major strength here by fitting rear side airbags and knee airbags for the driver and front passenger, along with a full suite of driver-assistance features on every trim. That standard equipment includes forward and reverse emergency braking, pedestrian detection, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-departure warning, auto high beams, and a driver attention monitor.

The main caveat is that neither NHTSA nor IIHS has crash-tested this model year, so you’re relying on the equipment list and expert assessment rather than published crash results. Even so, the standard safety package is unusually comprehensive for the class.

Should I buy a 2020 Nissan Sentra 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:

• 28.4% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• At 61.5% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 3.31% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 4.75/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• The 2020 model year brings a major redesign with a more upscale look, stronger technology, and improved driving dynamics.

Consider the 2021 if:

• At $15,542, the 2021 costs more than the current year's $14,845 average.
• It builds on the redesign with a more polished feel, plus competitive safety, technology, and fuel economy.

The bottom line: If you want the better value, the 2020 is the stronger buy because it delivers the redesign benefits at a lower average price. If you’re willing to pay more for a slightly more polished follow-up, the 2021 is the cleaner alternative, but price-sensitive buyers should focus on the 2020 and shop carefully for a well-kept SV.

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