Used 2016 Nissan Sentra for Sale nearChicago, IL

How much does the 2016 Nissan Sentra cost?

Prices have softened 3.19% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 860 listings available, which gives you a solid pool of used Sentras to compare.

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 Sentra’s appeal comes from its refreshed styling, updated cabin touches, and straightforward compact-sedan mission. It’s positioned as a practical commuter with a roomy back seat, good fuel economy, and a value-focused price point.

There are 29.5% good or great deals in the market, which suggests you can still find attractive pricing 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 reliability case is helped by its simple, mainstream mechanical setup and its focus on everyday usability. The expert evaluation also points to a car that feels substantial, with good handling, solid braking, and a cabin that stays composed in normal driving.

Nissan includes a 36-month/36,000-mile limited warranty and a 5-year/60,000-mile limited powertrain warranty, which adds some ownership reassurance. For used buyers, the main long-term risk is making sure the CVT-equipped cars have been maintained properly and haven’t been driven hard or neglected.

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

At 48.6% 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 higher mileage or incomplete service records. Focus on overall condition, signs of prior bodywork, and whether the car’s equipment and electronics work as expected.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The base S is the most stripped-down version, with halogen headlights, dual power outside mirrors, Bluetooth hands-free phone service, cruise control, cloth seating, and manually adjustable front seats. Higher trims add more comfort and convenience, so the lower trims are the ones where feature gaps are most obvious.
• Powertrain: Every trim uses the same 1.8-liter 4-cylinder engine with 130 hp and 128 lb-ft of torque. The base model gets a 6-speed manual, while the rest use an Xtronic CVT, and the car is front-wheel drive only.
• Safety package: The Sentra includes airbags, vehicle dynamic control, front seatbelt pretensioners, and child safety locks as standard equipment. Forward emergency braking and blind-spot warning are available only as options and only on the top two trims.
• Infotainment: The base setup is an AM/FM radio and CD player with 4 speakers, a USB port, an Aux jack, and Bluetooth. Higher trims add a 5-inch color monitor, a 5.8-inch touchscreen, voice recognition, NissanConnect mobile apps, and SiriusXM features.
• 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 entry point, and it gives you the essentials at the lowest price. It makes sense if you want the cheapest way into the Sentra, but it’s also the most basic version, so you give up a lot of convenience and tech.
• FE+S: This trim adds aero-focused touches and low-rolling-resistance tires, and it delivers the best fuel-efficiency ratings in the lineup. It’s the best-value choice if your priority is commuting and keeping running costs down.
• SV: This is where the Sentra starts to feel more modern, with NissanConnect, a larger color display, a rear-view camera, hands-free text messaging, SiriusXM, and a nicer cabin. It’s the sweet spot for shoppers who want a better-equipped daily driver without moving all the way to the top.
• SR: This trim adds a more distinctive look with 17-inch wheels, LED lighting, sport cloth seats, and a rear spoiler. It’s the right pick if you want the most style and the most available equipment before the luxury-leaning top trim.
• SL: This is the most upscale Sentra, with most of the SR’s optional features made standard, plus dual-zone automatic temperature control, an auto-dimming rear-view mirror, and piano black interior accents. Choose it if you want the most comfort and convenience.

Safety equipment is standard across the lineup, while forward emergency braking and blind-spot warning remain optional and limited to the top two trims.

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

This is a moderate market for selective buyers, so it’s a reasonable time to shop if you’re comparing listings carefully.

• Deal availability: 29.5% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 860 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 3.19% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 48.6% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $7,871, 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 $8,017 sits slightly below last year's $8,281.

That softer pricing suggests the Sentra is still accessible on the used market, which can help keep it attractive to budget-minded buyers. For you as a future seller, that means resale value will likely depend more on condition, mileage, and equipment than on broad market momentum.

Because the model is positioned as a value-focused commuter, well-kept examples should remain easier to move than neglected ones. 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 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’s safety package includes airbags, vehicle dynamic control, front seatbelt pretensioners, and child safety locks as standard equipment. Forward emergency braking helped boost its safety performance, and blind-spot warning is available, though only as an option and only on the top two 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:

• 29.5% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• At 48.6% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 3.19% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 5/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• Expert or safety highlight specific to this year from the refresh includes updated exterior styling, interior enhancements, and strong safety performance.

The bottom line: The 2016 Sentra is a good pick if you want a refreshed, value-oriented compact sedan with strong safety credentials and a low used-car price. If you’re especially price-sensitive, this year’s softened pricing makes it worth a close look; if you want a newer-feeling cabin and solid equipment without stretching your budget, the 2016 is the better path.

How does the 2016 Nissan Sentra compare to the 2016 Honda Civic?

Our experts score the 2016 Nissan Sentra 8/10 and the 2016 Honda Civic 8/10.

The Sentra is the cheaper buy by a wide margin, and it also has more listings available, which can make shopping easier. The Civic counters with stronger performance figures and better fuel economy, so it may suit you better if you want more power and efficiency. If your priority is value and lower purchase price, the Sentra has the edge; if you want a more powerful compact sedan, the Civic is the stronger choice.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from November 10, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.