How much does the 2016 Nissan Sentra cost?

Prices have softened 6.91% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 902 listings available, which gives you a meaningful amount of inventory to compare before you buy.

If you find a listing below $8,056.45, that's toward the low end of the year-round range and worth acting on quickly.

Is the 2016 Nissan Sentra a good car?

Yes — the 2016 Nissan Sentra earns a 5/5 user rating and an 8/10 expert rating. The model is positioned as an affordable, spacious sedan with commendable fuel efficiency, and the refresh gives it a more cohesive family look while keeping the cabin practical for commuters and families. The model scores 9/10 across Cost effectiveness and Safety.

The market also shows 26.1% good or great deals, which suggests there are still some attractive opportunities if you shop carefully.

Is the 2016 Nissan Sentra reliable?

Owners rate it 5/5, a strong signal of long-term satisfaction.

The Sentra’s value case is reinforced by its practical design, strong fuel economy, and straightforward mechanical setup. Its 1.8-liter 4-cylinder and CVT are tuned more for efficiency than excitement, and the car’s overall mission is clearly commuter-friendly rather than performance-focused. Nissan also includes a 36-month/36,000-mile limited warranty and 5-year/60,000-mile limited powertrain warranty with available Security+Plus offering extended warranty coverage.

For used buyers, the main long-term ownership risk is making sure the CVT and overall maintenance history have been kept up, since that’s where a budget-minded sedan can become more expensive than expected.

What should I look for when buying a used 2016 Nissan Sentra?

At 54% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.

You should start with a vehicle history report and then prioritize a pre-purchase inspection, especially if the car is priced near the low end of the market. Focus on body condition, panel alignment, tire wear, and signs of prior repair work, since those clues can tell you a lot about how the car was treated. It also helps to confirm that the features you want are actually present, because equipment changes noticeably by trim.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The base S trim includes halogen headlights, dual power outside mirrors, Bluetooth hands-free phone service, cruise control, cloth seating, manually adjustable front seats, and 60/40 split rear seats, but it doesn’t have extras that show up as you move up the lineup.
• Powertrain: Every Sentra uses a 1.8-liter 4-cylinder with 130 hp and 128 lb-ft of torque; the base model gets a 6-speed manual, while the rest use an Xtronic CVT. Front-wheel drive is standard, and the engine is adequate for city driving but less confident for highway merging.
• Safety package: The Sentra earned an IIHS Top Safety Pick+ rating and a top score of Good in every category. Airbags, vehicle dynamic control, front seatbelt pretensioners, and child safety locks are standard on every Sentra, while forward emergency braking and blind-spot warning are available only as options and only on the top two trim levels.
• Infotainment: Base models use an AM/FM radio and CD player with 4 speakers, plus a USB port, Aux jack, MP3/WMA CD playback, and Bluetooth hands-free phone service. Higher trims add a 5-inch color monitor, a 5.8-inch color touchscreen, voice recognition, NissanConnect mobile apps, hands-free text messaging, Siri Eyes Free, and available Bose audio.
• Fuel efficiency: The Sentra is rated at 29 mpg city/38 highway/34 combined, and the FE+S is rated at 30 mpg city/40 highway.

Which 2016 Nissan Sentra trim should I buy?

The 2016 Nissan Sentra is offered in 5 trim levels: S, FE+S, SV, SR, SL.

Here's the short version:

• Base trim: The S is the most stripped-down choice, and it lacks the nicer infotainment and convenience upgrades that appear higher in the range.
• Sweet-spot trim: The SV is the best value for many shoppers because it adds a rear-view camera, NissanConnect with mobile apps, hands-free text messaging, Siri Eyes Free, a 6-speaker sound system, SiriusXM satellite radio, and a nicer cabin feel.
• Premium/top trim: The SL is the most complete version, turning many SR options into standard equipment and adding dual-zone automatic temperature control, an auto-dimming rear-view mirror, and piano black interior accents.
• Off-road trim: The SR is the sportier choice, but its larger wheels and firmer appearance-focused upgrades make it less compelling if you just want the easiest daily driver.

Forward emergency braking and blind-spot warning are available only as options and only on the top two trim levels.

Is now a good time to buy a used 2016 Nissan Sentra?

This is a moderate market for selective buyers, so you can shop with some leverage if you compare listings carefully.

• Deal availability: 26.1% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 902 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 6.91% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 54.0% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $8,056.45, that's toward the low end of the year-round range and worth acting on quickly.

What is the 2016 Nissan Sentra's resale value?

The current average of $8,041 sits slightly below last year's $8,638.

That softer pricing suggests the market has already adjusted downward, which can help you buy at a better entry point today. For a future seller, that also means resale value will depend heavily on condition, mileage, and how well the car has been maintained. A clean history and strong equipment level should help you stand out when it’s time to list.

Vehicles with strong owner satisfaction ratings, like this model year's 5/5, tend to retain buyer demand, which supports resale value over time.

Is the 2016 Nissan Sentra safe?

The 2016 Nissan Sentra is an IIHS Top Safety Pick+ and earned a top score of Good in every category. It also earned an overall four-star rating from NHTSA, with five-star ratings in side crash tests and four-star ratings in frontal and rollover tests.

It earns a 9/10 safety score from our experts.

Airbags, vehicle dynamic control, front seatbelt pretensioners, and child safety locks are standard on every Sentra. Forward emergency braking and blind-spot warning are available, but only as options and only for the top two trim levels.

Should I buy a 2016 Nissan Sentra or consider a different year?

If you're weighing the 2016 against nearby model years, here's how to think about it:

Choose the 2016 if:

• 26.1% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• At 54% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 6.91% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 5/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• It was refreshed this year with updated exterior styling and interior enhancements, while still keeping the Sentra’s affordability, roomy cabin, and strong fuel economy.

The bottom line: If you want the best mix of price, efficiency, and safety, the 2016 Sentra is the year to target. If you’re especially price-sensitive, shop aggressively for the cleanest example you can find and prioritize history and condition over the lowest sticker price.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from July 22, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.