How much does the 2016 Nissan Sentra cost?

Prices have softened 5.98% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

With 895 listings available, you have a meaningful amount of inventory to compare across trims and conditions. If you find a listing below $8,059.12, 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 scores 9/10 across Cost effectiveness and Safety.

It stands out as a budget-friendly compact sedan with a starting price of $16,780, a spacious interior, and strong commuter-friendly fuel economy. The refresh adds more appealing styling and useful technology, including available NissanConnect with mobile apps and a touchscreen interface. Its roomy backseat and trunk make it practical if you want everyday usability without moving up to a larger car.

24.7% of listings are priced as good or great deals, so there are still 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 proposition is reinforced by its efficient 1.8-liter 4-cylinder engine, straightforward front-wheel-drive layout, and a cabin that’s built to handle daily use without much fuss. The expert review also points to solid fuel economy and a well-rounded package of affordability, safety, and technology, which supports confidence for used-car shoppers.

It’s still wise to pay close attention to maintenance records and overall condition, since long-term ownership risk is best managed by verifying how the car was cared for.

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

At 53% 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 you’re considering a lower-priced example. Focus on body condition, signs of prior repair, and whether the car’s equipment and safety features are functioning as expected. A clean-looking listing can still hide issues, so it pays to verify the details before you commit.

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. As the base trim, it doesn't have any extras, so you’ll want to check whether the features you care about are present before you buy.
• Powertrain: Every trim uses a 1.8-liter 4-cylinder engine with 130 hp and 128 lb-ft of torque. The base model pairs it with a 6-speed manual, while the rest of the lineup uses an Xtronic continuously variable transmission. Fuel economy is rated at 29 mpg city/38 highway/34 combined, and the FE+S is tuned for even better efficiency.
• 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, but only as options and only for the top two trim levels.
• Infotainment: Base models get an AM/FM radio and CD player with 4 speakers, a USB port, an Aux jack, MP3/WMA CD playback capability, and Bluetooth hands-free phone service. Higher trims add a 5-inch color monitor, a 5.8-inch color touchscreen, NissanConnect mobile apps, voice recognition, hands-free text messaging, and SiriusXM satellite radio.
• Fuel efficiency: The Sentra is rated at 29 mpg city/38 highway/34 combined, and the FE+S trim 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, with halogen headlights, cloth seats, manually adjustable front seats, and no extras beyond the essentials. If you want the lowest entry price, it gets the job done, but you’ll give up a lot of convenience and tech.
• 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, and SiriusXM satellite radio. It also brings a nicer cabin feel without jumping all the way to the sportier or top-end trims.
• Premium/top trim: The SL is the most fully equipped 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. If you want the most comfort and tech in the lineup, this is the one to target.
• Off-road trim: The Sentra lineup does not include an off-road-focused trim.

Forward emergency braking and blind-spot warning are available only as options on the top two trim levels, so check carefully if those features matter to you.

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

This looks like a moderate market for selective buyers, with enough inventory to shop around but still room to find a good deal.

• Deal availability: 24.7% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 895 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 5.98% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 53.0% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $8,059.12, 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 $8,121 sits slightly below last year's $8,638.

That softer pricing suggests the market has become more favorable for buyers, which can make resale a little more competitive for future sellers. If you buy now, you may benefit from the lower entry cost, but you should also expect resale value to depend heavily on condition, mileage, and trim. Well-kept examples with desirable equipment should hold up better 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 a four-star overall 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.

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. The expert review also notes that the car feels substantial, handles well, brakes solidly, and offers good visibility, all of which help you feel secure behind the wheel.

Is the 2016 Nissan Sentra reliable?

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

The Sentra’s reliability story is supported by its straightforward 1.8-liter 4-cylinder engine, efficient drivetrain, and value-focused design. The expert review describes it as a practical sedan that gets the job done, and the cost-effectiveness section highlights its strong fuel economy and affordable pricing. Nissan also includes a 36-month/36,000-mile limited warranty and a 5-year/60,000-mile limited powertrain warranty, which adds some peace of mind for used buyers.

Long-term ownership risk is best managed by checking service history and making sure the CVT-equipped cars have been maintained properly.

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:

• 24.7% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• At 53% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 5.98% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 5/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• It got a refresh with updated styling and interior enhancements, and the expert review highlights its affordability, spacious packaging, and strong commuter-friendly fuel economy.

The bottom line: The 2016 Sentra makes the most sense if you want a budget-friendly compact sedan with strong fuel economy, a roomy cabin, and a lower current asking price. If you’re especially price-sensitive, this year looks appealing because values have softened and there are still plenty of listings to compare. If you want the best mix of features and value, focus on well-equipped trims with a clean history and solid maintenance records.

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