Used 2020 Nissan Sentra for Sale nearChicago, IL

How much does the 2020 Nissan Sentra cost?

Prices have softened 3.70% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 1,851 listings available, which suggests you should have a reasonable amount of inventory to compare.

Is the 2020 Nissan Sentra a good car?

Yes — the 2020 Nissan Sentra earns a 4.8/5 user rating and a 7.7/10 expert rating. The model scores 9/10 across Cost effectiveness and Safety.

Owners consistently praise its beautiful design, smooth ride, and excellent fuel economy, along with the impressive gadgets and safety features for the price. The main trade-off is that power and acceleration could be better, and some drivers note less responsive engine behavior. For you, that means the Sentra makes the most sense if you want a stylish, well-equipped compact sedan that feels more upscale than basic transportation. It also fits buyers who value everyday comfort and value over sporty performance.

32.4% of listings are priced as good or great deals, which gives you some room to shop selectively.

Is the 2020 Nissan Sentra reliable?

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

Owners describe the Sentra as dependable in everyday use, with praise for its smooth ride, excellent fuel economy, and trouble-free ownership experience. The expert test-drive notes also emphasize that the CVT is smooth and responsive, with engine noise and vibration kept mostly at bay. The cost-effectiveness notes add that the Sentra delivers strong value for the money, which supports confidence in long-term ownership.

For used buyers, the main long-term risk is that some examples may show the same powertrain and responsiveness complaints owners mention, so a careful test drive matters.

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

At 59.2% 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 been in a prior accident. Focus on body condition, panel alignment, and signs of uneven wear or repair quality. It also makes sense to test the car’s electronics and driver-assistance features carefully, since the Sentra leans heavily on standard tech and safety equipment.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The SV stands out as the best-value choice because it adds the larger screens, dual-zone climate, proximity-entry key, adaptive cruise control, remote engine start, and standard smartphone integration. The SR adds brighter LED headlights, 18-inch wheels, and fog lights, while the base S is more basic inside.
• Powertrain: A 2.0-liter inline 4-cylinder makes 149 horsepower and 146 pound-feet of torque, paired with a CVT and front-wheel drive. The CVT is smooth and responsive, but acceleration tapers off after 30 mph.
• Safety package: A full suite of driver-assist features comes standard, including 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: Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, and WiFi come standard on the mid-level SV, along with two more USB ports including USB-C and larger screens. Navigation and wireless charging are not offered.
• Fuel efficiency: EPA-rated fuel economy is 29 mpg city, 39 highway, and 33 combined.

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 entry point, but it is the most basic version of the Sentra and leaves out the extra comfort and tech that make the car feel more upscale.
• SV: This is the best-value trim. It adds the larger screens, smartphone integration, WiFi, dual-zone climate, proximity entry, adaptive cruise control, and remote start, making it the sweet spot for most shoppers.
• 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.

A full suite of driver-assistance features comes standard on every trim.

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

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

• Deal availability: 32.4% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 1,851 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 3.70% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 59.2% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $14,097, 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 $14,513 sits slightly below last year's $15,071.

That softer pricing suggests the Sentra has become more affordable for used buyers, which can also mean future sellers may need to stay competitive on price. If you buy well now, you may benefit from a lower entry point than shoppers had a year ago. The model’s strong value proposition and broad appeal should help support demand, but resale will still depend on condition, mileage, and equipment.

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 Sentra safe?

The 2020 Nissan Sentra has not been crash-tested by NHTSA or IIHS, but CarGurus expects top ratings in all categories.

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

Nissan makes safety a major selling point here. Standard equipment includes rear side airbags, knee airbags for the driver and front passenger, 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. That means even lower trims get a strong safety package.

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:

• 32.4% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• At 59.2% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 3.70% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 4.8/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• The 2020 model brings a major redesign with more upscale styling, stronger tech, and improved driving dynamics.

Consider the 2021 if:

• At $14,946, the 2021 costs more than the current year's $14,513 average.
• It builds on the 2020 redesign with a more polished feel and a quieter cabin.

The bottom line: If you want the better value, the 2020 is the smarter buy because it delivers the redesigned Sentra experience at a lower average price. If you can stretch for the 2021, you may get a slightly more refined version, but the 2020 already captures the core strengths that make this generation appealing.

How does the 2020 Nissan Sentra compare to the 2020 Honda Civic?

Expert Pros & Cons (per CarGurus review team)

2020 Nissan Sentra:

• Pros: Excellent value for money, Standard advanced safety features, Stylish design.
• Cons: Fairly pedestrian performance.

2020 Honda Civic:

• Pros: Excellent value for money, Multiple body styles, Multiple powertrain options.
• Cons: Outdated technology.

Our experts score the 2020 Nissan Sentra 7.7/10 and the 2020 Honda Civic 8.2/10. The Sentra is the better pick if you want standard safety features and a more stylish design at a lower average used price. The Civic has the edge if you want more body-style and powertrain variety, but it costs more on the used market.

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

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from November 3, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.