Used 2016 Nissan Sentra for Sale near Iowa

How much does the 2016 Nissan Sentra cost?

Prices have softened 6.13% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 878 listings available, which gives you a solid pool of options to compare.

Is the 2016 Nissan Sentra a good car?

Yes — 5/5 from owners and 8/10 from our experts. The 2016 Sentra is a refreshed compact sedan with updated styling and added infotainment features, so if you want a straightforward commuter with a fresher look and more tech, that’s the core appeal.

The model scores 9/10 across Cost effectiveness and Safety.

Its value case is especially strong because the update brings a more polished feel without changing the Sentra’s practical, budget-minded mission. 26.9% of listings are priced as good or great deals, which supports the case for shopping carefully and comparing examples.

Is the 2016 Nissan Sentra reliable?

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

The Sentra’s appeal is built around affordability, compact packaging, and a roomy cabin, and the expert evaluation also points to solid everyday usability. Its 1.8-liter four-cylinder is described as doing a good job around town, and the car’s handling and braking are both praised as confidence-inspiring.

The available maintenance coverage and powertrain warranty add some ownership reassurance, and the car’s value-focused positioning helps keep the ownership experience straightforward. For used buyers, the main long-term risk is making sure the CVT-equipped examples have been cared for properly.

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

At 48.1% 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 higher-mileage commuter car. Focus on overall condition, signs of prior bodywork, and whether the car’s equipment and electronics work as expected. Because this model is often bought for value and daily use, a clean, well-kept example matters more than chasing the lowest sticker price.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The base S is the most stripped-down version, with 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, sportier exterior details, and available premium audio. The SL turns many of the SR’s options into standard equipment and adds dual-zone automatic temperature control and more upscale interior touches.
• Powertrain: Every trim uses the same 1.8-liter 4-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, and the FE+S is the efficiency-focused trim with the best fuel-economy ratings in the lineup.
• 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 on the top two trim levels.
• Infotainment: The base setup uses an AM/FM radio and CD player with 4 speakers, plus Bluetooth, USB, and an Aux jack. Higher trims add a 5-inch color monitor, a 5.8-inch touchscreen, voice recognition, NissanConnect mobile apps, hands-free text messaging, Siri Eyes Free, and available Bose audio.
• Fuel efficiency: The Sentra is rated at 29 mpg city/38 highway/34 combined, and the FE+S is called out for delivering the best fuel-efficiency ratings in the lineup.

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: cloth seats, manual front-seat adjustment, Bluetooth, cruise control, and the standard safety equipment. It makes sense if you want the lowest purchase price and don’t need much beyond simple transportation.
• FE+S: This trim is the one to target if fuel economy is your top priority. It adds aero pieces and low-rolling-resistance tires, and it’s the trim singled out for the best fuel-efficiency ratings in the lineup. If you want a commuter-focused Sentra, this is the value pick.
• SV: This is the best all-around step up if you want the biggest jump in everyday convenience. It adds a rear-view camera, NissanConnect mobile apps, hands-free text messaging, Siri Eyes Free, a 6-speaker sound system, and a nicer cabin. It’s the trim that most clearly balances price and features.
• SR: Choose this if you want the sportier look and more available equipment. It brings 17-inch alloy wheels, LED low-beam projector headlights, heated premium sport cloth seats, and a rear spoiler, with options like intelligent cruise control, leather seating, and Bose audio.
• SL: This is the most feature-rich version, turning many SR options into standard equipment and adding dual-zone automatic temperature control, an auto-dimming rear-view mirror, and more upscale interior accents. It’s the right choice if you want the most comfort and convenience in the lineup.

Forward emergency braking and blind-spot warning are available only as options on the top two trims, so if those features matter to you, focus your search there.

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

This looks like a moderate, selective buyer’s market, so you can shop with some leverage if you’re patient.

• Deal availability: 26.9% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 878 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 6.13% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 48.1% 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 $8,055 sits slightly below last year's $8,580.

That softer pricing suggests the market has become more favorable for buyers, but it also means future sellers may need to price competitively to stand out. If you buy well now, you’re starting from a lower entry point than a year ago, which can help cushion depreciation. The Sentra’s value-oriented reputation and broad commuter appeal should continue to support demand for clean, well-kept examples.

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.

Standard safety equipment includes airbags, vehicle dynamic control, front seatbelt pretensioners, and child safety locks. Forward emergency braking helped the Sentra earn extra credit in testing, and blind-spot warning is available as an option on the top two trims. The main caveat is that some of the more advanced driver-assistance features are not standard across the lineup.

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:

• 26.9% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• At 48.1% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 6.13% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 5/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• It’s a refreshed version with updated styling and new infotainment features, plus exterior changes and interior enhancements that make it feel more polished than a simple carryover.

The bottom line: The 2016 Sentra makes the most sense if you want a value-focused compact sedan with a fresher design, strong safety credentials, and good fuel economy. If you’re shopping on price, this year’s softer market and decent deal availability make it worth a close look; if you want the newest-feeling cabin and tech, the 2016 update gives you a meaningful step up over earlier versions.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from October 13, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.