2020 Nissan Altima vs 2020 Nissan Sentra | Nissan of Albany
In-Depth Comparison: 2020 Nissan Altima vs 2020 Nissan Sentra
The 2020 Nissan Altima and the 2020 Nissan Sentra are strong competitors when it comes to everyday drivers. With both sedans having impressive fuel economy and similar performance on their base models, much of the decision comes down to cost and size.
Performance and Engine Power
Both the 2020 Nissan Sentra and 2020 Nissan Altima have impressive fuel economy, getting 39 mpg on the highway, with the lighter, smaller Sentra getting one 1 mpg better in the city at 29 mpg. The Altima has a powertrain upgrade available, which swaps the standard 2.5L Direct Injection Gasoline (DIG) DOHC 4-cylinder engine for a punchier 2.0L Variable Compression Turbo (VC-Turbo) engine, which yields a whopping 36% increase in horsepower, bringing the Altima’s new estimate up to 248. Both Nissans feature continuously variable transmissions, technology that contributes to both car’s incredible fuel economy. Something to consider is that only the Altima is available with AWD, so if you’re thinking of upgrades for the sake of handling, the Altima has a bit of an edge.
Interior Features
The all-new 2020 Nissan Sentra is hard to beat when it comes to interior styling for the value. The SV features tan, quilted leather seats, and the SR features premium cloth with orange accents and high-contrast stitching. With only $2,380 dollars between the Nissan S and Nissan SR, it’s hard to find premium features for the same value. The Altima has variants that share the same upgrades, but with a higher ceiling when it comes to interior options. Like the 2020 Sentra SR, the Altima has access to features like a Bose Premium Audio System, USB and USB-C ports, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto, but it also has the options for a Driver’s Memory Seat, Interior Accent Lighting, Rear Passenger Air Conditioning Vents, and a Remote Engine Start System with Intelligent Climate Control.
Exterior Style
Both of these cars sport Nissan’s signature style, with racing-inspired body lines and the unmistakable U-shaped chrome grille. The Sentra’s new remodel is working in its favor here, with the remodel lending the car a hood that looks longer, allowing the compact to better invoke a sense of power. The 2020 Altima’s integrated rear spoiler and options for dual-exhaust finishers make this midsize sedan stand out from the crowd as well. When it comes to aesthetics, it’s hard to choose between these Nissans.
Safety
Both Nissan sedans come with Nissan Safety Shield 360 standard, which makes the base model Nissans a much greater value than other manufacturers selling at the same price point. Nissan Safety Shield 360 offers six safety features that help you avoid collisions in your sedan, no matter what side the danger is coming from. These features include Rear Automatic Braking, Automatic Braking with Pedestrian Detection, Lane Departure Warnings, and more. The 2020 Nissan Altima should retain its safety score from 2019 when it was an IIHS Top Safety Pick. The 2020 Nissan Sentra is yet to be tested, but it’s expected that its new chassis and design will score as well or better than its predecessor, which received the highest scores possible for frontal crash ratings.
How to Choose Your Nissan Sedan
The 2020 Nissan Altima and the 2020 Nissan Sentra are both four-door sedans with excellent fuel economy. Size is one major factor when comparing the Nissan Sentra to the Altima. The Sentra is the compact sedan in Nissan’s lineup, with an overall exterior length that’s 10-inches shorter than the Altima. The Altima, which is classified as a mid-size sedan, has 100.8 cubic feet of available passenger volume, only 4 more than the smaller Nissan Sentra. Price is another point of difference for these sedans, with the Altima starting at around $5,000 more than the Sentra. If you’re looking for a little extra power, space and don’t mind spending a little more to get it, the 2020 Altima might be the way to go.
Why Choose Five Star Nissan of Albany?
We’ve been serving the cities of Albany, Cordele, and Tifton for years, with customer service that makes buying a car stress-free. Whenever you buy a Nissan from us, we offer a free lifetime powertrain warranty that extends beyond the 60 month/60,000 mile standard. We want to earn your business, so if you contact us, we’ll get in touch with you within 20 minutes or less. If you’re near Albany, GA, come test drive a Nissan sedan with us!
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MSRP excludes destination, taxes, title, and registration fees. Starting at MSRP refers to the base model, optional equipment not included. Pricing and offers may change at any time without notification. To get full pricing details, see your dealer.
All figures are EPA estimates. Actual mileage may vary.