carivo.co
Independent review & score by Carivo
| Engine | 2.5L 4-Cylinder |
|---|---|
| Transmission | Automatic (variable gear ratios) |
| Drivetrain | Front-Wheel Drive |
| Fuel Type | Regular |
| City / Hwy MPG | 28 / 39 MPG |
| Combined MPG | 32 MPG |
| Est. Annual Fuel Cost | $2,100 |
| CO₂ Emissions | 278 g/mi |
| Seating Capacity | 5 passengers |
| Body Style | Sedan |
| Base Price | $25,027–$31,703 |
Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov & manufacturer data. Figures reflect base trim; actual specs vary by trim level.
The 2020 Nissan Altima is a sedan that earns a Carivo score of 7.1/10 — rated Good. Its strongest dimension is Safety at 8.2/10, while Performance at 6.5/10 is where it trails the competition most noticeably. It's a capable but unexceptional sedan — stronger alternatives exist if you're willing to shop the segment carefully.
Reliability and safety are the two dimensions that matter most for long-term ownership costs. At 6.8/10 for reliability, this sedan trails its segment. That doesn't rule it out, but go in with eyes open on running costs. Safety lands at 8.2/10 — solid, though some rivals offer more advanced driver-assist features as standard. Confirm official results for your trim at nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Performance at 6.5/10 is a genuine liability and a score that should factor heavily into any buying decision. The powertrain and chassis dynamics trail class rivals by a meaningful margin — don't overlook it. Technology scores 6.6/10 — the infotainment and driver-assist features feel dated against current-generation rivals. This is worth weighing if you prioritize connected features or modern safety tech.
Priced from $25,027–$31,703, 28 MPG, seating 5, the Nissan Altima sits in the mid-market bracket of the sedan segment. At 7.4/10 for value, it delivers fair pricing for what's on offer, though the best alternatives in this price range score slightly higher. At 6 years old, resale value, parts availability, and whether a successor model has improved on its weak points are all worth investigating before committing.
Verdict: The 2020 Nissan Altima sits in the middle of the field. Until its reliability and technology and performance scores improve, stronger options exist at this price. Worth a look if it fits a specific need; otherwise use our compare tool against the segment leaders first.
Carivo scores are our own editorial assessment, informed by NHTSA safety and recall records, EPA fuel-economy figures, and manufacturer-published specifications. Scores are reviewed periodically and updated when new data becomes available. See our full methodology →
The 2020 Nissan Altima ranks #982 of 1310 sedans in the Carivo database — better than 25% of the segment. Its 7.1/10 overall score is 0.4 points below the segment average of 7.5/10. Its $25,027 starting price undercuts the segment's median of $27,664 by about 10%.
Rankings are recalculated as new vehicles and scores are added. See the full Sedan ranking →
Smart-money pick: the 2017 Nissan Altima scores 6.9/10 — within striking distance of the 2020's 7.1 — and starts roughly $2,500 lower. If you don't need the newest model year, that's money better spent on a higher trim or kept in your pocket.
| Year | Score | Starting price (MSRP when new) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 7.4/10 | $29,293 | Read review → |
| 2025 | 7.4/10 | $29,293 | Read review → |
| 2024 | 7.3/10 | $28,440 | Read review → |
| 2023 | 7.3/10 | $27,586 | Read review → |
| 2022 | 7.3/10 | $26,733 | Read review → |
| 2021 | 7.1/10 | $25,880 | Read review → |
| 2020 (this review) | 7.1/10 | $25,027 | |
| 2019 | 7.0/10 | $24,174 | Read review → |
| 2018 | 7.0/10 | $23,320 | Read review → |
| 2017 | 6.9/10 | $22,467 | Read review → |
| 2016 | 7.0/10 | $21,614 | Read review → |
| 2015 | 6.8/10 | $20,761 | Read review → |
The following recall campaigns have been filed with NHTSA for this model and year. Recall repairs are performed free of charge by franchised dealers; check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
| Steering / Linkages / Tie rod assembly 04/03/2021 · 21V138000 | Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Nissan Altima vehicles. The tie rod ball joint fastener was not tightened properly, which could result in the tie rod ball joint detaching from the steering knuckle. |
|---|---|
| Tires 11/03/2021 · 21V169000 | Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Altima and 2018-2021 Titan vehicles equipped with Continental tires. On the affected vehicles, it is possible that one or more tires were cured for too long during tire production. |
| Visibility / Glass, side/rear 22/09/2020 · 20V570000 | Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2020 Altima, Maxima and Leaf vehicles. The rear window glass may not remain properly secured to the vehicle. |
| Tires 05/11/2020 · 20V685000 | Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2020 Altima S grade vehicles equipped with Continental ProContact TX tires, size 215/60 R16 H, with TIN date code 3320 and Mold ID S-419149. The tires may have been over cured. |
| Back over prevention / sensing system / camera 08/09/2023 · 23V628000 | Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2019-2021 Altima and 2020-2021 Sentra vehicles. Damage to the camera harness can cause distortion or loss of the rearview camera display image. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the… |
Showing 5 of 6 campaigns — see the full list on NHTSA's site.
Explore the full lineup of Nissan models scored by Carivo — ranked by overall score across reliability, safety, value, performance, and technology.