2020 Nissan Altima — should you buy one?

Why people love the 2020 Nissan Altima

The 2020 Altima's 2.5-liter four-cylinder with CVT transmission delivers 182 horsepower and feels smooth during highway merging without the jerky feel earlier CVTs had. Owners praise the spacious back seat—rear legroom rivals some midsize sedans—and the comfortable all-day driving position on long trips. The infotainment system got a redesign that year with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto standard, which kept the cabin feeling current instead of dated. Picture yourself on a five-hour drive: good lumbar support, easy reach to climate controls, music working instantly through your phone.

Common complaints and known issues

The CVT transmission can shudder or hesitate on acceleration, especially between 40k and 80k miles, sometimes requiring fluid replacement or software updates that Nissan doesn't always advertise upfront. Paint issues show up early—silver and black finishes peel or fade around the hood and roof by 60k–90k miles, with some owners reporting Nissan denied warranty claims. The infotainment touchscreen can lag or freeze when switching between CarPlay/Android, and some owners report it goes dark temporarily while driving. At 100k-plus miles, water leaks around the trunk seal have surfaced, leading to interior mildew.

Typical asking price

Under 80k miles: $16,500–$19,500. 80k–140k miles: $13,500–$16,000. Over 140k miles: $10,000–$13,000. CVT health, accident history, and region matter most—a flood-title Altima can drop $2,000–$3,000, while a clean single-owner example in the Midwest holds value better than one from a rust belt or coastal city.

Ranges are typical 2026 asking prices, not appraisals. The actual fair offer depends on this specific car's title history, accident record, and open recalls — which is what EstimateProof tells you.