The 2020 Nissan Sentra lasts around 200,000 miles with some minor brake sensor and rearview camera system issues reported. At $17,990 to $20,998, it’s cheaper than other compact cars, making it a good value for shoppers on a budget.
Is the 2020 Nissan Sentra a Good Used Car?
- Overall Rating 8/10 – 2020 is a good year for the Nissan Sentra since it’s more reliable than earlier years with a ton of new safety technology. Owner reviews praise the comfortable cabin, responsive steering, along with the smooth suspension.
- Interior, Comfort & Cargo 8/10 – Interior materials are very nice for a compact car, the seats are more comfortable than the competition, cargo space is also great for its size.
- Reliability 8/10 – There are no major problems reported with the 2020 Nissan Sentra. Avoid models from 2011–2016 since they have transmission problems. Sentra models from 2017–2021 are all much more reliable.
- Performance 7/10 – The 2020 Nissan Sentra is not very fast, although the engine is focused more on efficiency rather than performance.
- Safety 9/10 – The 2020 Sentra is very safe, earning a perfect 5-star overall safety rating in government crash tests. Standard safety features include automatic emergency braking, along with a rearview camera. Optional upgrades include adaptive cruise control.
- Gas Mileage 8/10 – Fuel economy is good at up to 33 MPG, giving 409 miles of range from the 12.4 gallon tank. Gas costs are $54 cheaper than average at $132 per month.
- Value 8/10 – The 2020 Nissan Sentra is cheaper than other compact cars while still offering low ownership costs as it ages.
Positive Owner Reviews
Negative Owner Reviews
What Do Critics Say About the Nissan Sentra?
- Consumer Reports says the new Sentra stands out as one of the best compact sedans, with good owner satisfaction scores.
- Edmunds rates the Sentra at 3.5/5, praising the comfortable cabin, but doesn’t like the weak brake feel.
- Kelley Blue Book users give the 2020 Sentra a 4.2/5, enjoying the advanced safety technology, but owners don’t like the slower performance than other small cars.
What Common Problems Does the 2020 Nissan Sentra Have?
Common problems found on the 2020 Nissan Sentra include the braking system activating without warning, the rearview camera not turning on, along with the headlights failing. Overall, these problems are relatively similar to other compact cars on the market, leading to average repair bills as they age. The Sentra also has improvements from the previous generation.
The braking system activating without warning is the most common complaint from 2020 Nissan Sentra owners at around 15,000 miles. Usually the problem is caused by a damaged automatic braking sensor, which costs around $350 to replace. There’s also a chance that the problem is caused by a software issue, which Nissan dealers will usually update for free since it’s safety related.
The rearview camera not turning on is another issue reported by Sentra owners in the first 1,000 miles. The problem is caused by a software glitch which prevents the camera from displaying an image on the central screen. There are software updates available for the system which most dealerships will install for free, while some charge around $50.
The headlights failing has also been reported on some 2020 Sentra models at roughly 5,000 miles. Worn-out fuses are the most common source of the problem, which cost around $5 to change. There are also some burnt-out bulbs, which cost around $35 each to replace.
There are two recalls on the 2020 Nissan Sentra, which is similar to many other compact cars on the market from the same year. The most serious recall is for bent tie rods, which Nissan will replace on affected models for free. The second recall is for headlights being improperly aimed, which Nissan dealerships will also fix for free.
How Long Will the 2020 Nissan Sentra Last?
A well-maintained 2020 Nissan Sentra can last around 200,000 miles, which is roughly 100,000 miles less than the long-lasting Toyota Corolla. Regular annual maintenance costs are similar to other small sedans at $400 per year, according to data provided by Repair Pal.
As a used 2020 Nissan Sentra reaches 100,000 miles and depending on the vehicle history owners should be prepared to replace the neutral safety switch for $120, A/C pressure sensor costing $225, along with the brake master cylinder which is roughly $400.
How Is the Technology?
Entertainment technology is great in the 2020 Nissan Sentra compared to other compact cars with a standard 7-inch touchscreen. There’s an optional larger 8-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity.
Standard safety technology is excellent, offering more standard advanced driver assistance features than other compact cars with:
- Forward collision warning
- Automatic emergency braking
- Rear cross traffic alert
- Driver drowsiness monitoring
- Rear-seat reminder
- Pedestrian detection
- Blind spot monitoring
- Lane departure warning
- Rearview camera
Optional upgrades include adaptive cruise control, along with a surround-view parking camera system.
Is the 2020 Nissan Sentra a Good Value?
Yes, the 2020 Nissan Sentra is a good value since it’s cheaper than a lot of other compact cars while offering improved reliability ratings from earlier years. The blue book fair purchase price ranges from $17,990 to $20,998, making it less than a Honda Civic or Mazda3. When new, the price range was $19,310 to $21,650. Depreciation is similar to other small cars, losing about 10% of its current value per year.
What are the Different Models of the Nissan Sentra?
There are three versions of the 2020 Nissan Sentra available from the base S model, all the way up to the more well-equipped SR model. The Sentra only comes with front-wheel drive.
S is the entry-level model with:
- 16-Inch Steel Wheels
- Push-Button Ignition
- Cloth Seats
- 7-Inch Touchscreen
- Four Speaker Sound System
SV is a step up, adding:
- Alloy Wheels
- Keyless Entry
- Dual-Zone Climate Control
- Leather-Wrapped Steering Wheel
- 8-Inch Touchscreen
- Six-Speaker Audio System
- Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
SR is the flagship model which includes:
- 18-inch Alloy Wheels
- LED Headlights
- Sport Exterior Design Package
- Heated Steering Wheel
- Simulated Leather Upholstery
- Eight-Speaker Bose Audio System
What Engines Come In the Nissan Sentra?
The engine found in the 2020 Nissan Sentra is an average 2.0L 4-cylinder which makes 149 horsepower while getting up to 33 MPG. The engine comes with a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). Performance is relatively slow, taking 9.2 seconds to go from 0-60 MPH.
What Colors Does the Nissan Sentra Come In?
How Comfortable Is the Nissan Sentra?
The 2020 Nissan Sentra is a comfortable compact car, with spacious and well-cushioned seats. The front seats provide good support and are comfortable even on long trips. The rear seats are also spacious and comfortable, offering plenty of head and legroom for adult passengers.
The cabin is well-insulated to reduce road noise, and the car rides smooth on rough roads. The interior is also designed with quality materials, adding to the overall comfort of the car.
How Much Storage Space Does the Nissan Sentra Have?
The 2020 Nissan Sentra has a trunk space of 14.3 cubic feet, which is a decent amount of storage space for a compact car. The trunk is large enough to store a few pieces of luggage, grocery bags, and other items. The trunk also has a wide opening, making it easy to load and unload items. The 60/40 split-folding rear seat folds down to increase the cargo space, providing even more room for larger items.
What Are the Differences Between Years?
The eighth generation of the Nissan Sentra was introduced for the 2020 model year.
2015: USB and Bluetooth standard on all models.
2016: Minor exterior styling changes to the bumpers, new driver information display.
2017: New SR Turbo model introduced, larger center console added.
2018: Standard emergency automatic braking on all models.
2019: Standard Nissan Connect infotainment system on SR, SL and Nismo models.
2020: Fully redesigned for the eighth generation with new engines, safety tech, and styling.
2021: Wi-Fi hotspot added, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto on all models.
How Does the Nissan Sentra Compare to the Competition?
The 2020 Nissan Sentra is a decent compact car, the predicted reliability is a bit worse than some other small cars on the market, but it’s a worthwhile choice to look at for shoppers on a budget.
The Nissan Altima is a larger sedan from Nissan which is about $2,500 more. Passenger room is better in the Nissan Altima, while the Nissan Sentra comes standard with more advanced safety technology. We recommend the Nissan Altima since the extra money for the added practicality is worth it.
The Toyota Corolla is another compact car which costs around $4,000 more. Reliability ratings are better in the Toyota Corolla, while the Nissan Sentra offers more responsive steering. We recommend the Toyota Corolla since it’s one of the longest-lasting compact cars on the market.
