How much does the 2020 Nissan Sentra cost?

Prices have softened 2.18% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 1,802 listings available, which gives you a solid amount of inventory to compare. 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 stylish design, smooth ride, and strong fuel economy, and they also like the car’s technology and safety features for the price. The main trade-off is performance: some drivers want more power and quicker acceleration, and the expert review notes that the car is fairly pedestrian in that area. For you, that makes the Sentra a strong fit if you want a comfortable, well-equipped compact sedan rather than a sporty one. With 27.5% of listings marked as good or great deals, the market still offers some attractive opportunities.

Is the 2020 Nissan Sentra reliable?

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

The owner feedback points to a dependable, trouble-free ownership experience overall, with many drivers saying they’re very satisfied with the car’s long-term value. The expert review also emphasizes smooth operation, with the CVT described as very good at mimicking gear changes and the engine noise and vibration kept mostly at bay. Nissan’s standard maintenance coverage also helps reduce early ownership costs. For used buyers, the main long-term risk is making sure a prior owner didn’t let small issues or neglected maintenance build up over time.

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

At 62.3% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.

You should start with a vehicle history report so you can separate clean examples from cars with prior damage. After that, prioritize a pre-purchase inspection that focuses on bodywork quality, panel alignment, and signs of inconsistent repairs. You should also pay close attention to how the car drives, since the Sentra’s appeal depends heavily on smoothness, comfort, and predictable response.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The mid-level SV adds a more upscale feel than the base trim, while the SR brings larger wheels and fog lights. The base setup is simpler, with halogen headlights and fewer premium touches.
• Powertrain: A 2.0-liter inline 4-cylinder with 149 horsepower and 146 pound-feet of torque is paired with a CVT. It’s smooth and efficient, but acceleration tapers off after 30 mph.
• Safety package: Nissan’s standard driver-assistance suite 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 extra USB ports including USB-C, and larger screens. Navigation and wireless charging are not offered.
• Fuel efficiency: EPA ratings are 29 mpg city, 39 mpg highway, and 33 mpg combined. The SR returns 1 mpg less in the city and combined and 2 mpg 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:

• Base trim: The S gives you the essentials, but it misses the more upscale look and feel of the higher trims, along with the larger screens and added convenience features.
• Sweet-spot trim: The SV is the best value because it adds Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, WiFi, dual-zone climate, proximity entry, adaptive cruise control, and remote engine start.
• Premium/top trim: The SR adds larger wheels, fog lights, and a sportier appearance, but it’s less compelling if you want the best everyday value.
• Off-road trim: Not applicable here.

The standard safety package is a strong selling point across the lineup, so even the lower trims give you a lot of protection.

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

This is a moderate market for selective buyers, with enough inventory to shop carefully and still find value.

• Deal availability: 27.5% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 1,802 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 2.18% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 62.3% 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 $14,922 sits slightly below last year's $15,255.

That softer pricing suggests the Sentra is in a buyer-friendly phase right now, which can help you if you’re shopping used. For a future seller, it also means you should expect resale value to depend heavily on condition, mileage, and trim. Well-kept examples with desirable equipment should hold up better than neglected ones, especially while demand remains supported by the model’s strong value reputation.

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 includes a full suite of standard driver-assistance features on every Sentra trim: 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 for the driver and front passenger are also standard, which is a strong feature set for this class. The main caveat is that neither NHTSA nor IIHS has crash-tested this model year, so you’re relying on equipment and expert evaluation rather than published crash results.

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:

• 27.5% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• At 62.3% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 2.18% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 4.75/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• The 2020 redesign brings major gains in style, technology, and driving dynamics.

Consider the 2021 if:

• At $15,687, the 2021 costs more than the current year's $14,922 average.
• It adds stronger safety recognition and a more polished overall package.

The bottom line: If you want the better value, the 2020 is the smarter buy because it delivers the redesign benefits at a lower average price. If you’re willing to spend more for a newer example, the 2021 is the cleaner upgrade path for shoppers who want the latest version and can stretch their budget.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from August 7, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.