Used 2020 Nissan Sentra for SaleNationwide

How much does the 2020 Nissan Sentra cost?

Prices have softened 3.89% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 1,949 listings available, which suggests you have a solid amount of inventory to compare.

Is the 2020 Nissan Sentra a good car?

Yes — the 2020 Nissan Sentra earns a 4.8/5 from owners and a 7.7/10 from experts. The model scores 9/10 across Cost effectiveness and Safety.

Owners consistently praise its beautiful design, smooth ride, excellent fuel economy, and useful gadgets. The expert review also highlights its upscale styling and strong value proposition, which fits a compact sedan that feels more polished than its price suggests.

The main trade-off is that performance is fairly pedestrian, with modest acceleration and limited excitement. That makes it a better fit if you want a stylish, efficient, and well-equipped commuter rather than a sporty sedan.

The market also shows 28.7% of listings as good or great deals, which supports the case for value-focused shoppers.

Is the 2020 Nissan Sentra reliable?

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

Owner feedback points to a dependable, trouble-free ownership experience, with praise for the car’s durability, fuel economy, and everyday usefulness. The expert review also emphasizes smooth, responsive operation and a drivetrain that stays composed in normal driving.

The Sentra’s standard maintenance-friendly value proposition adds to its appeal for used buyers, especially if you want a low-stress compact sedan. Long-term ownership risk looks manageable, but you should still verify condition carefully because individual cars can vary.

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 and confirm whether any prior damage was repaired properly. A pre-purchase inspection matters here, especially if you’re comparing multiple listings with similar prices. Focus on overall condition, signs of bodywork, and whether the car’s features and electronics work as expected.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The mid-level SV adds a more upscale feel with larger screens, dual-zone climate control, proximity entry, adaptive cruise control, remote engine start, and standard smartphone integration; the SR adds 18-inch wheels and fog lights, while the SV Premium Package brings brighter lighting and richer interior materials.
• Powertrain: A 2.0-liter inline 4-cylinder with 149 horsepower and a CVT powers the front wheels, and the setup is tuned for smoothness and efficiency rather than quick acceleration.
• Safety package: A full suite of driver-assist features is standard, including forward and reverse emergency braking, pedestrian detection, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-departure warning, auto high beams, rear side airbags, knee airbags, and a driver attention monitor.
• Infotainment: The mid-level SV includes Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, WiFi, two extra USB ports including USB-C, and larger screens; wireless charging and navigation 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, and it gives you the Sentra’s core value and standard safety equipment at the lowest price. It makes sense if you want the cheapest path into the model and don’t need the extra comfort and tech features found higher up.
• SV: This is the best-value trim for most shoppers because it adds the features that make the Sentra feel meaningfully more upscale, including smartphone integration, WiFi, dual-zone climate control, adaptive cruise control, remote start, and larger screens. It’s the trim CarGurus recommends, especially if you want the strongest balance of price and equipment.
• SR: This trim adds a more distinctive look with 18-inch wheels and fog lights, so it suits you if style matters most and you want the sportier appearance package.

Safety equipment is standard across the lineup, so you don’t need to move up a trim just to get the core driver-assistance features.

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

This looks like a moderate, selective buyer’s market, so you can shop patiently but should move quickly on standout listings.

• Deal availability: 28.7% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 1,949 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 3.89% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 62.3% 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 $14,523 sits slightly below last year's $15,110.

That decline suggests the Sentra has become a more buyer-friendly used car, which can help you if you’re shopping now. For a future seller, it also means pricing discipline matters: condition, mileage, and equipment will likely have a bigger impact on what buyers are willing to pay.

Because the market has softened, a well-kept example may stand out more than a rough one. Strong presentation and a clean history should help support resale value when it’s your turn to sell.

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 Sentra has not been crash-tested by either NHTSA or IIHS.

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

Nissan makes safety a major strength here by including 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 on every trim. That means you get a broad standard safety package without needing to step up to a higher trim.

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:

• 28.7% 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 3.89% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 4.8/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• It brings a major redesign with stronger style, technology, and driving dynamics.

Consider the 2021 if:

• At $15,131, the 2021 costs more than the current year's $14,523 average.
• It refines the redesign with a more polished feel and strong everyday appeal.

The bottom line: If you want the better value today, the 2020 is the smarter buy because it combines a lower average price with strong owner satisfaction and a broad standard safety package. If you’re willing to pay more for a slightly newer example, the 2021 is the better path for shoppers who want the next model year’s refinement.

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 Civic gets the higher expert score and offers more variety in body styles and powertrains. The Sentra counters with standard advanced safety features and a more stylish design, but its performance is the weaker side of the comparison.

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

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