How much does the 2016 Nissan Altima cost?

Prices have softened 2.94% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 1,877 listings available, which suggests a healthy amount of inventory to compare.

If you find a listing below $9,422.81, that's toward the low end of the year-round range and worth acting on quickly.

Is the 2016 Nissan Altima a good car?

Generally — 4.47/5 from owners and 8/10 from our experts point to a strong all-around used-car choice.

The standout strength is Safety at 10/10.

Drivers consistently praise the Altima for its great gas mileage, sleek design, and comfort. They also like its modern features and overall value for the price. In practical terms, that lines up well with a midsize sedan that aims to give you space, comfort, and efficiency for commuting or family use.

The model’s use-case fit is straightforward: if you want a roomy, efficient sedan that balances everyday comfort with a polished look, this year’s Altima fits that brief well. The main caution is that owner feedback also points to transmission concerns, so you’ll want to shop carefully.

A 25.2% share of listings are rated as good or great deals, which gives you some room to find value if you compare carefully.

Is the 2016 Nissan Altima reliable?

Owners rate it 4.47/5, a solid signal of long-term satisfaction.

Owner feedback also points to the Altima as reliable, comfortable, and a car many drivers feel good about for the long term. The expert evaluation reinforces that impression by describing the engine lineup as proven and the CVT automatic as well-sorted, with no nasty surprises expected for long-term maintenance. The cost-effectiveness assessment also notes that the proven engine lineup and CVT aren’t harboring any nasty surprises for long-term maintenance.

If you buy used, the biggest ownership risk is making sure the transmission has been cared for properly and that the car’s condition supports the mileage and price you’re paying.

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

At 47.7% 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 thorough pre-purchase inspection. Focus on signs of prior body damage, uneven panel gaps, tire wear, and any evidence that the car has been repaired after a collision. Because this model has a known transmission concern in owner feedback, it’s smart to pay close attention to how the car drives and shifts during a test drive.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The base 2.5 trim starts the lineup, and the higher trims add features such as LED low-beam headlamps, LED daytime running lights, and a more upscale overall presentation. The base setup is more basic, so you’ll want to compare equipment carefully if you care about convenience and appearance.
• Powertrain: The 2.5-liter 4-cylinder makes 182 hp and 180 lb-ft of torque, and it’s paired with a CVT automatic. It returns 27 mpg city and 39 mpg highway, with a combined 31 mpg in mixed driving. The 3.5-liter V6 brings 270 hp and returns 22/32 mpg.
• Safety package: Available driver aids include dynamic cruise control, blind-spot warning, and predictive forward collision alert with emergency braking. The system is described as a suite of driver aids that was once reserved for pricier cars.
• Infotainment: The standard system uses a 5-inch color display that also serves as the rear-view camera screen. A 7-inch display is paired with NissanConnect Navigation with Mobile Apps, and the system can include navigation, voice command, terrestrial and satellite radio, and Bluetooth.
• Fuel efficiency: The 2.5-liter engine is rated at 27 mpg city and 39 mpg highway, while the V6 is rated at 22 mpg city and 32 mpg highway.

Which 2016 Nissan Altima trim should I buy?

The 2016 Nissan Altima is offered in 6 trim levels: 2.5, 2.5 S, 2.5 SR, 2.5 SV, 2.5 SL, 3.5 SR, and 3.5 SL.

Here's the short version:

• Base trim: The 2.5 starts the lineup, but it’s the most basic version and doesn’t bring the richer feature set you’ll find higher up the range.
• Sweet-spot trim: The 2.5 SV is the best value pick if you want a stronger mix of comfort and equipment without jumping all the way to the top.
• Premium/top trim: The 2.5 SL is the most appealing upscale choice because it layers in the more advanced tech and safety features, including the available driver-assistance suite.
• Off-road trim: None of the trims are aimed at off-road use, so there isn’t a special daily-driver caution to weigh here.

The safety-package trim note is simple: the more advanced active safety technology appears on higher trims, so check equipment closely if those features matter to you.

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

This is a moderate buyer’s market, so you have some leverage if you shop carefully.

• Deal availability: 25.2% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 1,877 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 2.94% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 47.7% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $9,422.81, that's toward the low end of the year-round range and worth acting on quickly.

What is the 2016 Nissan Altima's resale value?

The current average of $9,641 sits slightly below last year's $9,933.

That price movement suggests the market has softened, which can work against you if you plan to sell soon. If you buy at the right price, though, the lower entry point can help cushion future depreciation. The Altima’s broad appeal as a comfortable, efficient midsize sedan should still support steady demand, especially if you keep it in clean condition.

Vehicles with solid owner satisfaction ratings, like this model year's 4.47/5, tend to retain buyer demand, which supports resale value over time.

Is the 2016 Nissan Altima safe?

The IIHS has given the 2016 Altima its top rating of Good across all categories, including the tough new small-overlap frontal crash test.

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

The available driver-assistance suite includes dynamic cruise control, blind-spot warning, and predictive forward collision alert with emergency braking. The car also includes 6 standard airbags. The main caveat is that the NHTSA rating is not listed here, so the strongest confirmed crash-test result in this data is the IIHS performance.

Should I buy a 2016 Nissan Altima 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:

• 25.2% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• At 47.7% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 2.94% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 4.47/5 — a solid satisfaction signal.
• It combines a refreshed design, strong fuel economy, and available advanced safety tech.

Consider the 2015 if:

• At $8,363, the 2015 costs less than the current year's $9,641 average.
• It emphasizes handling, fuel economy, technology, and comfort.

The bottom line: If you want the refreshed styling, strong efficiency, and a well-rounded feature set, the 2016 is the better all-around pick. If your priority is spending less up front, the 2015 is the more budget-friendly alternative and still delivers many of the same core strengths.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from July 31, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.