Used 2016 Nissan Frontier for Sale near Illinois

How much does the 2016 Nissan Frontier cost?

Prices have held steady compared to this time last year, signaling a stable and predictable market for this model year.

There are 769 listings available, which gives you a solid pool of used Frontier trucks to compare.

Is the 2016 Nissan Frontier a good car?

Generally — the 2016 Nissan Frontier earns a 4.3/5 user rating and a 6.7/10 expert rating. The model scores 8/10 across Cost effectiveness and Safety.

Owners consistently praise its reliability, powerful V6 engine, and comfortable interior, and many also like the practical touches such as the rear camera and Bluetooth. In use-case terms, that lines up with the Frontier’s straightforward, no-nonsense pickup mission: it’s aimed at buyers who want everyday usability and durability more than the latest redesign or tech. Even so, the market still shows 30.8% of listings as good or great deals, which suggests there are still value opportunities if you shop carefully.

Is the 2016 Nissan Frontier reliable?

Owners rate it 4.3/5, a solid signal of long-term satisfaction.

User feedback points to reliability, durability, and a truck that owners feel good about keeping over time. The expert evaluation also describes the Frontier as a competent truck for less money, which reinforces the idea that it can be a dependable choice if you want proven basics rather than a more complicated setup. The cost-effectiveness commentary also notes that the Frontier gives you a lot of standard equipment for the money, which can help reduce ownership friction. For used buyers, the main long-term risk is age-related wear and the possibility that a truck with this much time on the market may have seen harder use than newer rivals.

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

At 62.5% 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 focus your inspection on signs of prior damage, uneven wear, and any evidence that the truck has been used hard. Pay extra attention to the condition of the bed, cab, and suspension, since this is a truck that may have been asked to do real work. If possible, prioritize examples with cleaner records and a maintenance history that supports the truck’s age.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: Base S trims are very sparse, while SV adds a full power package, a touchscreen with smartphone integration, satellite radio, and keyless entry. Higher trims add more comfort and convenience, and the Pro-4X brings the most capability-focused equipment, while the SL shifts toward appearance and road comfort rather than off-road hardware.
• Powertrain: The 2.5-liter four-cylinder makes 152 hp and 171 lb-ft of torque, while the 4.0-liter V6 makes 261 hp and 281 lb-ft of torque. The V6 is the better choice if you want stronger acceleration and towing, and the 4WD automatic setup carries a bigger fuel-economy penalty than the rear-drive manual versions.
• Safety package: The Frontier comes standard with 4-wheel antilock discs, dual front airbags, front-side airbags, full-length curtain-side airbags, and stability control. Rear parking sensors and a rear-view camera are available, and some trims package those features together.
• Infotainment: Lower trims can be very basic, while higher trims add a 5-inch touchscreen with smartphone integration, and the Pro-4X gets a 5.8-inch touchscreen plus a 10-speaker Rockford Fosgate stereo. The system feels dated compared with newer rivals.
• Fuel efficiency: The 2.5-liter engine can return as good as 19 mpg city and 23 highway with the 5-speed manual, while the V6 with rear-wheel drive and the 6-speed manual drops only slightly to 17 city and 22 highway. With 4WD and the automatic, mileage falls to 15 city and 21 highway.

Which 2016 Nissan Frontier trim should I buy?

The 2016 Nissan Frontier is offered in 5 trim levels: S, SV, Desert Runner, Pro-4X, and SL.

Here's the short version:

• S: This is the cheapest way into the Frontier, but it is very bare-bones with cloth upholstery, steel wheels, and limited standard equipment. It makes sense only if you want the lowest entry price and can live without much comfort or convenience.
• SV: This is the best-value trim for most shoppers because it adds a full power package, a touchscreen with smartphone integration, satellite radio, and keyless entry. If you want a usable daily driver without jumping too far up the price ladder, this is the trim to focus on.
• Desert Runner: This trim adds styling changes plus an off-road suspension and tires, but it is rear-wheel drive only. It suits buyers who want a more rugged look and feel without moving all the way to the Pro-4X.
• Pro-4X: This is the most capability-focused trim, with 4WD, a locking rear differential, skid plates, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, a 10-speaker Rockford Fosgate stereo, and a larger touchscreen. It is the right pick if you want the most equipment and the strongest off-road-oriented setup in the lineup.
• SL: This is the top-tier trim, but it gives up the Pro-4X’s off-road hardware and instead leans into comfort and convenience with 18-inch alloys and side steps. It fits you best if you want a more upscale Frontier rather than the most rugged one.

The safety content notes standard airbags, antilock brakes, and stability control, with rear parking sensors and a rear-view camera available on some trims.

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

The market looks moderate and selective, so you have room to shop, but the best examples can still move quickly.

• Deal availability: 30.8% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 769 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have held steady compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 62.5% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $14,522, that's toward the low end of the year-round range and worth acting on quickly.

What is the 2016 Nissan Frontier's resale value?

The current average of $15,223 sits slightly above last year's $15,145.

That kind of stability suggests the Frontier has held its value reasonably well for a used truck in this segment. For a future seller, steady pricing can be a positive sign because it points to consistent buyer interest rather than sharp depreciation. The truck’s value proposition also helps support resale, since shoppers looking for a lower-cost pickup may continue to see it as a practical alternative.

Vehicles with solid owner satisfaction ratings, like this model year's 4.3/5, tend to retain buyer demand, which supports resale value over time.

Is the 2016 Nissan Frontier safe?

The Frontier earns top IIHS marks in most tests, with an Acceptable rating for seat/head restraint performance, and it earns a four-star rating for rollover resistance from NHTSA.

It earns an 8/10 safety score from our experts.

The Frontier comes standard with 4-wheel antilock discs, dual front airbags, front-side airbags, full-length curtain-side airbags, and stability control. Rear parking sensors and a rear-view camera are available, which can help with low-speed maneuvering and parking. One caveat is the IIHS seat/head restraint result, which is lower than the truck’s other crash-test results.

Should I buy a 2016 Nissan Frontier 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:

• 30.8% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• At 62.5% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.
• Price trend: Prices have held steady compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 4.3/5 — a solid satisfaction signal.
• The 2016 model year adds new colors and makes a sunroof standard on the SV trim, while still keeping the Frontier’s familiar, value-focused formula.

The bottom line: If you want a simple, proven pickup with stable pricing and a decent number of value opportunities, the 2016 Frontier is a reasonable buy. If you’re shopping strictly for the newest features or a more modern-feeling truck, you may want to look at a newer model year instead. For price-sensitive buyers, the 2016 still makes sense when you find a clean example with the right equipment.

How does the 2016 Nissan Frontier compare to the 2016 Toyota Tacoma?

Our experts score the 2016 Nissan Frontier 6.7/10 and the 2016 Toyota Tacoma 7.7/10.

The Frontier is the cheaper used buy, with a lower average price and more listings to choose from, while the Tacoma carries a higher market price but a stronger expert score. The Frontier also offers better value if you want a straightforward truck with solid cost effectiveness, but the Tacoma’s stronger overall rating suggests it is the more compelling choice if you are willing to spend more. Both trucks have the same city and highway MPG figures in the comparison table, so the decision comes down more to price, availability, and overall appeal than fuel economy.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from October 21, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.