How much does the 2020 Nissan Sentra cost?

Prices have softened 2.37% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 1,808 listings available, which gives you a solid amount of inventory to compare.

If you find a listing below $14,107.50, 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. The main trade-off is that some drivers want more power, especially stronger acceleration and quicker engine response.

That fits the Sentra’s role as a value-focused compact sedan for you if you want comfort, style, and equipment more than sporty performance. With 27.0% of listings marked as good or great deals, the market still gives you room to shop selectively.

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 car that feels dependable, with many drivers describing it as a purchase they’re very happy with over time. The same feedback also emphasizes its smooth ride and strong fuel economy, which usually matter a lot when you’re counting on a car day after day.

The expert evaluation also describes the Sentra as smooth and responsive in normal driving, with engine noise and vibration kept mostly at bay. Nissan’s value-oriented approach helps here too, since the car is positioned to deliver a lot of equipment for the money.

For used buyers, the main long-term ownership risk is less about outright durability and more about whether the car’s modest power and occasional minor annoyances will suit your expectations.

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

At 61.6% 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 listing price looks unusually attractive. Focus on body condition, signs of prior repair, and whether the car’s safety and convenience features all work as expected. Because this model is often bought for value, you’ll want to make sure the condition matches the asking price.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The mid-level SV stands out for adding a larger touchscreen, expanded instrument display, dual-zone climate control, proximity entry, adaptive cruise control, remote engine start, and a fuller tech setup than the base car. The base trim is more basic inside and lacks those upgrades.
• Powertrain: A 2.0-liter four-cylinder with 149 horsepower and 146 pound-feet of torque is paired with a CVT. It is smooth and responsive, 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: 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 ratings are 29 mpg city, 39 highway, and 33 combined. The SR returns 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:

• Base trim: The S is the most stripped-down choice, so you give up the richer cabin materials, larger screens, and several convenience features that make the Sentra feel more upscale.
• Sweet-spot trim: The SV is the best value because it adds the larger screens, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, WiFi, dual-zone climate control, adaptive cruise control, remote start, and more USB connectivity.
• Premium/top trim: The SR adds the sportier appearance and equipment, including 18-inch wheels and fog lights, but it does not change the Sentra’s basic performance character.

Every trim includes the same standard safety suite, so you do not need to move up the lineup just to get the core driver-assistance features.

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 enough deal activity to make comparison worthwhile.

• Deal availability: 27.0% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 1,808 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 2.37% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 61.6% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $14,107.50, 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 $14,906 sits slightly below last year's $15,267.

That price movement suggests the Sentra has softened enough to help you buy more selectively today. If you plan to sell later, the current market gives you a reasonable entry point, but future resale will still depend heavily on condition, mileage, and feature content.

Because the model has strong owner satisfaction and broad appeal as a value-oriented compact sedan, it should continue to attract shoppers looking for an affordable, well-equipped car. That kind of demand helps support resale value over time.

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 strong standard safety package on every Sentra trim, with 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 adds meaningful protection.

The main caveat is that neither NHTSA nor IIHS has crash-tested this model year, so you do not get official crash-test results to compare against rivals. Even so, the standard equipment list 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:

• 27.0% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• At 61.6% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 2.37% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 4.75/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• It brings a major redesign with stronger style, better tech, and improved driving dynamics.

Consider the 2021 if:

• At $15,622, the 2021 costs more than the current year's $14,906 average.
• It adds a more polished feel with attractive exterior and interior design.

The bottom line: If you want the better value today, the 2020 is the smarter buy because it combines lower pricing with strong equipment and broad appeal. If you can spend more and want a slightly more polished version of the same formula, the 2021 is the cleaner upgrade path.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from August 21, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.