Used 2016 Nissan Sentra for Sale near California

How much does the 2016 Nissan Sentra cost?

Prices have softened 5.44% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 915 listings available, which gives you a meaningful pool to compare prices and equipment.

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 scores 9/10 across Cost effectiveness and Safety.

The 2016 Sentra’s appeal is in its refresh: you get updated styling, added infotainment features, and interior changes that make it feel more polished than a simple carryover. It’s a straightforward compact sedan that leans into value, roominess, and commuter-friendly practicality.

That combination helps explain why it fits shoppers who want an affordable sedan with a fresher look and useful tech rather than a sporty personality. 29.4% of listings are priced as good or great deals, which suggests there are still some attractive buys in the market.

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 setup: a 1.8-liter four-cylinder, front-wheel drive, and fuel economy that makes it a strong commuter choice. The expert review also describes it as a value-minded sedan with attractive pricing, modern safety features, and useful technology.

Its warranty coverage adds another layer of reassurance for used buyers, and the car’s straightforward mechanical layout should help keep ownership predictable. For used shoppers, the main long-term risk is making sure the CVT-equipped cars have been maintained properly and haven’t been driven hard.

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

At 48.9% 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 has had bodywork or shows uneven panel gaps, tire wear, or paint mismatch. Focus on overall condition, since this model’s value depends heavily on finding one that has been cared for rather than just one with a low price.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The base S is the most stripped-down version, with halogen headlights, cloth seating, manually adjustable front seats, and no extras beyond the essentials. As you move up, the SV adds a nicer cabin, a rear-view camera, and more tech, while the SR brings larger wheels, LED lighting, sport cloth seats, and a more aggressive appearance. The SL turns many of the SR’s optional features into standard equipment, making it the most complete choice.
• Powertrain: Every trim uses the same 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine with 130 hp and 128 lb-ft of torque. The base model can be had with a 6-speed manual, while the rest of the lineup uses an Xtronic CVT. Fuel economy is rated at 29 mpg city/38 highway/34 combined.
• Safety package: The Sentra includes airbags, vehicle dynamic control, front seatbelt pretensioners, and child safety locks on every trim. Forward emergency braking and blind-spot warning are available only as options, and only on the top two trim levels.
• Infotainment: The base system uses an AM/FM radio and CD player with 4 speakers, plus USB and Aux inputs and Bluetooth hands-free calling. Higher trims add a 5-inch color monitor, a 5.8-inch touchscreen, voice recognition, NissanConnect mobile apps, SiriusXM, and, on the top trim, navigation and SiriusXM Traffic and Travel Link.
• 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:

• S: This is the least expensive way into the Sentra, and it gives you the basics: manual or CVT availability, Bluetooth, cruise control, and a simple but functional cabin. It makes sense if you want the lowest purchase price and don’t need extra convenience features.
• FE+S: This trim is the best-value pick if fuel economy matters most, since it adds low-rolling-resistance tires and is rated for the best mileage in the lineup. It also gets a rear spoiler, aero deflectors, and a few styling upgrades, so it’s the trim to target if you want efficiency without moving too far upmarket.
• SV: This is the smart step-up if you want the Sentra to feel more modern. It adds a rear-view camera, NissanConnect mobile apps, hands-free text messaging, SiriusXM, a better interior finish, and available heated cloth seats, making it a strong middle-ground choice.
• SR: Choose this if you want the most distinctive look and more available comfort and audio upgrades. It adds 17-inch wheels, LED low-beam projector headlights, heated sport cloth seats, and more aggressive exterior styling, with optional features like leather seating, a Bose audio system, and forward emergency braking.
• SL: This is the most fully equipped Sentra, with many of the SR’s optional features made standard, plus dual-zone automatic climate control and an auto-dimming rear-view mirror. If you want the most complete version and don’t mind paying more, this is the one to buy.

Safety-wise, forward emergency braking and blind-spot warning are only available on the top two trims, so if those features matter to you, shop SV and above carefully.

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

This is a moderate market for selective buyers, with enough inventory to compare options and enough deal activity to reward patience.

• Deal availability: 29.4% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 915 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 5.44% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 48.9% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $7,873, 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 $8,087 sits slightly below last year's $8,553.

That downward move suggests the market has become a bit more buyer-friendly, which can work against future resale if you overpay today. If you buy well now, you may have a better chance of limiting depreciation later, especially because the Sentra already sits in a value-focused segment.

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 a Top Safety Pick+ from IIHS and earns four-star ratings in frontal crash and rollover, and five-star ratings in all other NHTSA tests.

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

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

One caveat is that the strongest driver-assistance features are not standard across the lineup, so if safety tech matters to you, you’ll want to focus on higher trims.

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:

• 29.4% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• At 48.9% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 5.44% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 5/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• It’s the refreshed version, with updated styling, added infotainment features, and interior enhancements that make it feel more polished than the earlier model year.

The bottom line: If you want the freshest version of this generation with strong value, the 2016 is the one to target. If your priority is simply the lowest possible price, you may also want to compare nearby years and focus on the cleanest, best-maintained example rather than the newest badge.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from October 6, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.