2020 Nissan Altima Review

Name: 2020 Nissan Altima Review
Brand: Nissan

Price Range: $11,800 - $23,998

Nissan Altima 2.5 Platinum Sedan Exterior Shown

Nissan Altima VC-T SR Sedan Exterior Shown

+315

The 2020 Nissan Altima has been on the fringes of the midsize segment for the better part of a decade. This latest Altima generation is more appealing thanks to solid fuel economy and useful driver safety aids, but it fails to truly match the segment all-stars.

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Price & Payment

105 cars

$18,885 avg. price

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2020 Nissan Altima Review

by the Edmunds Experts

What's new

Full suite of driver aids now standard on SR trim and optional on S
Platinum trim offers memory function for driver-side mirror positions
Piano-black trim added to SV, SL and Platinum trim-level interiors
Part of the sixth Altima generation introduced for 2019

Cost to Drive^{Cost to drive estimates for the 2020 Nissan Altima 2.5 S 4dr Sedan (2.5L 4cyl CVT) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $4.84 per gallon for regular unleaded in California.}

Monthly estimates based on costs in California

$184/mo

$227/mo

Avg. Midsize Car

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Reliability Ratings by RepairPal

4/5Excellent

#14 out of 28 among Midsize Cars

RepairPal Reliability Ratings are based on the actual cost, frequency, and severity of unscheduled repairs and maintenance on make/model data for select 2008-2022 vehicles. The reliability of a specific vehicle may vary depending on its maintenance and driving history, model year, trim, and features.

Cost

^{The average total annual cost for unscheduled repairs and maintenance across all model years of the Nissan Altima from 2008-2022.}

$431/yr

vs. $415/yr
for Average Midsize Car

Frequency

^{The average number of times this model is brought into the shop for unscheduled repairs and maintenance in a single year. RepairPal calculates this metric by tracking millions of unique vehicles over multiple years to determine an average number of visits per year (omitting small routine visits, e.g., oil changes).}

0.83x/yr

vs. 0.87x/yr
for Average Midsize Car

Severity

^{The probability that a repair will be a major issue, meaning the repair costs 3x the average annual repair cost for all models. This threshold will be higher for vehicles that have higher labor rates and parts costs (such as a premium brand).}

12.8%

vs. 10.2%
for Average Midsize Car

powered by RepairPal ^{Based on RepairPal reliability data as of 8/23/2023. Ratings are provided by RepairPal and Edmunds is not responsible for their accuracy.}

Nissan Altima Reviews

Owner Reviews

4.0

32 reviews

5(62%)

4(9%)

3(6%)

2(14%)

1(9%)

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Most Helpful Owner Reviews

2020 Nissan Altima SV AWD

StPeteBeach4Winter55 , 02/02/2020

2020 Nissan Altima 2.5 SV 4dr Sedan AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)

This is our 3rd Altima & 6th Nissan. We never buy the 1st model year following a complete new generation. We traded our ' 14 Altima SV with 47Kmi for the new Altima. Love the updates both tech and body style. We opted for the optional wheel upgrade and the convenience pkg. The AWD was a easy decision as our other daily driver is our '19 Rogue SV AWD with the mnrf & wheel pkg. Its our 1st … Rogue so we leased it but purchased our Altima as its our 3rd in a row. Had 2 Maximas before the Altimas. I must say the new Altima w/ AWD is Nissan's best sedan option. We considered the SR AWD trim pkg but the SV AWD has the best features with the convenience pkg. Best ride, very spirited acceleration and great handling. The Altima is under-rated as its the most comfortable car we have owned and we've had Infiniti's, Saab's, Volvo's, Honda's and a Toyota Tacoma. Plus a few GM products. We leased for years but after our 1st Altima lease in 2011 we've purchased the last 2 as they're the best sedan available. AWD may be new to the Altima but Nissan's premium brand Infiniti has been selling AWD sedans for years with zero issues, so we have no concerns with the Altima's drivetrain. Once you get use to the new exterior styling that allows the Maxima, Altima, new 2020 Sentra, & Versa sedan all share similar attributes. Nissan enlarged the 2020 Sentra much like Honda did with their Civic, but Toyota didn't enlarge the new Corolla which will hurt it. The 2020 Sentra is similar in size to the 2011 Altima and especially the 1st & 2nd generation Altima. I expect now that we are both retired and spending our winters in FL, we will keep our Altima in FL, but the drive down last month allows me to also share the new Altima is a GREAT road trip car just like the last generation '13-18 Altima having the most comfortable front seats. I know your thinking why buy the AWD version if you're keeping your Altima in FL? Have you ever driven on the interstate during a FL down pour, well we have many times and it provides added piece of mind knowing that all 4 tires with stability control turned on will help keep our Altima headed safely in the correct direction when experiencing hydroplaning. Plus I ordered AWD just in case we decide to drive back to NY in mid-December for the holidays rather than flying. Go for a test drive if you're in the market for a family sedan. Other than the Subaru Legacy, the Accord, Camry, Sonata & Optima don't offer AWD. Plus both our previous '14 & new '20 Altima get better mpg than our neighbors '12 Civic & '17 Elantra including AWD. Make sure to test drive the SV trim pkg Altima as its the volume leading pkg but the 2.5S trim, now the base model is every bit as comfortable as the other trim levels. We always get the middle trim pkg on all our vehicles as we appreciate the extra features but we don't need the SL Platinum pkg besides the SV pkg provides heated seats and you can add a heated steering wheel if desired. We didn't opt for the heated steering wheel but the heated seats are a must have and standard remote start with standard climate control allows me to set the temperature at 70 year around. In the winter it warms up & summer it cools down, all standard with the SV trim. Add the convenience pkg if you want the extras w/o having to put up with leather seats in the summer. Never again. Our 2011 Altima had the SL trim as it was a dealer demo and we got it for less than the SV trim w/convenience pkg. Our Maximas each had cloth. Hoping that AWD will be an option on the Maxima as it would be nice to have another one someday, and maybe a 2.0T will replace the 6cyl as the Altima no longer has the optional 6cyl, but rather a turbo 4cyl. Enjoy your test drive and remember the only other AWD sedan that's not in the $35K+ starting MSRP is the Subaru Legacy and although its a new generation for 22020,the Altima has much more updated styling inside and out. The only complaint I have which may be age related is our Altima doesn't have a CD player but our '19 Rogue does and so does the 2020 Rogue. Check out the next generation Rogue via google. You may want to grab a leftover ' 19 or a '20. It may be like the new Altima was for me, it took about a year to grow on me and now I love the Altima. The new Honda Accord did the opposite. At 1st it was attention grabbing but after a few months I grew to really not care for it. The '93-'97 generation Accord is why we became Nissan customers buying a ' 95 Maxima our 1st Nissan.

Underrated car

Michael, 10/16/2019

2020 Nissan Altima 2.5 SL 4dr Sedan (2.5L 4cyl CVT)

Our 2020 Altima SL is simply a fantastic car. Most comfortable seats I've experienced ever. Built well, with no squeaks and rattles. Quiet and composed ride over smooth and rough surfaces. Amazing tech (especially the semi-auto on the highway) with big screen and super easy to use interface. And a smooth, refined engine even when accelerating spiritedly that is getting me 35mpg on my …

My 2020 Altima

Mrs Thomas, 12/08/2019

2020 Nissan Altima 2.5 S 4dr Sedan (2.5L 4cyl CVT)

I recently purchased my 2020 Nissan Altima, November 22, 2019. I have to say i am in love with my car. I love how push button start is a standard feature. The CVT transmission gives me great fuel economy & i gives me an exceptional smoothing ride. I literally do not feel the gears shift because it’s continuously variable. Also, i love the redesign V shape grille starting in 2019. That is …

Altima SR terrific car!

Mike , 03/21/2020

2020 Nissan Altima 2.5 SR 4dr Sedan (2.5L 4cyl CVT)

As a lifetime buyer if used cars I decided to look for a new car and I read and looked at many in this same category of cars. I’ve owned 2 BMW 7 series, a Jag XJ6 and several Cadi’s, all great cars but costly to maintain in the long run. I then bought a primo condition Low mileage Maxima, loved it for the 10 years and 130000+ miles I drove it. So deciding to go with a more ‘traditional’ …

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2020 Altima Highlights

Trim:

2.5 S

Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee	$24,300
Engine Type	Gas
Combined MPG	32 MPG
Cost to Drive	$184/month
Seating	5 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	15.4 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	front wheel drive
Warranty	3 years / 36,000 miles

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Safety

Our experts like the Altima models:

Around-View Monitor: Overcomes blind spots with a bird's-eye view of the car and its surroundings.
Forward Emergency Braking: Helps to ensure that a momentary lapse of driver attention won't result in a collision.
ProPilot Assist: This combination of driver aids works together to offer semi-automated, nearly self-driving operation.

NHTSA Overall Rating

The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration offers independent analysis.

Frontal Barrier Crash Rating
Overall4 / 5
Driver5 / 5
Passenger4 / 5
Side Crash Rating
Overall5 / 5
Side Barrier Rating
Overall5 / 5
Driver4 / 5
Passenger5 / 5
Combined Side Barrier & Pole Ratings
Front Seat4 / 5
Back Seat5 / 5
Rollover
Rollover5 / 5
Dynamic Test ResultNo Tip
Risk Of Rollover9.2%

IIHS Rating

The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety uses extensive crash tests to determine car safety.

Small Overlap Front Driver-Side Test
Good
Small Overlap Front Passenger-Side Test
Good
Moderate Overlap Front Test – Original
Good
Moderate Overlap Front Test – Updated
Not Tested
Side Impact Test – Original
Good
Side Impact Test – Updated
Not Tested
Roof Strength Test
Good
Rear Crash Protection / Head Restraint
Good

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2020 Nissan Altima Review

Price & Payment

2020 Nissan Altima Review

What's new

Cost to Drive^{Cost to drive estimates for the 2020 Nissan Altima 2.5 S 4dr Sedan (2.5L 4cyl CVT) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $4.84 per gallon for regular unleaded in California.}

Reliability Ratings by RepairPal

Cost

Frequency

Severity

Nissan Altima Reviews

Owner Reviews

Most Helpful Owner Reviews

Trending topics

2020 Nissan Altima SV AWD

Underrated car

My 2020 Altima

Altima SR terrific car!

2020 Altima Highlights

Safety

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2020 Nissan Altima Review

Price & Payment

2020 Nissan Altima Review

What's new

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2020 Nissan Altima 2.5 S 4dr Sedan (2.5L 4cyl CVT) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $4.84 per gallon for regular unleaded in California.

Reliability Ratings by RepairPal

Cost

Frequency

Severity

Nissan Altima Reviews

Owner Reviews

Most Helpful Owner Reviews

2020 Nissan Altima SV AWD

Underrated car

My 2020 Altima

Altima SR terrific car!

2020 Altima Highlights

Safety

People who viewed this also viewed

Related Used 2020 Nissan Altima info

Vehicle reviews of used models

Shop similar models

Shop used vehicles in your area

Popular new car reviews and ratings

Research other models of Nissan

Research similar vehicles

Other models

Join Edmunds

Cost to Drive^{Cost to drive estimates for the 2020 Nissan Altima 2.5 S 4dr Sedan (2.5L 4cyl CVT) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $4.84 per gallon for regular unleaded in California.}