Used 2016 Nissan Sentra for Sale nearKnoxville, TN

How much does the 2016 Nissan Sentra cost?

Prices have softened 2.07% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 879 listings available, which gives you a solid pool of used Sentra options 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, and straightforward compact-sedan mission. It is positioned as a practical, value-minded commuter with a roomy back seat and a modernized feel without losing its simple everyday focus.

30.0% of listings are priced as good or great deals, so you still have room to shop carefully and compare examples.

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 value-focused design, standard safety equipment, and efficient 1.8-liter four-cylinder setup. It is built to be an easy commuter, and the combination of a conventional layout and strong fuel economy supports that mission.

Nissan also includes a 36-month/36,000-mile limited warranty and a 5-year/60,000-mile limited powertrain warranty, which adds some reassurance for used buyers. For long-term ownership, the main risk is that you should verify maintenance history and overall condition carefully, especially on higher-mileage examples.

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

At 49.7% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.

You should start with a vehicle history report and make sure the car’s accident record, title status, and service history all line up. After that, prioritize a pre-purchase inspection so you can check for wear, repair quality, and any signs that the car has been used hard. Focus on overall condition, because the best examples will stand out quickly in a market where not every listing is clean.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The base S is the most stripped-down version, with halogen headlights, dual power mirrors, Bluetooth hands-free calling, cruise control, cloth seats, and manually adjustable front seats. As you move up, the SV adds a nicer cabin, a rear-view camera, NissanConnect mobile apps, hands-free text messaging, and Siri Eyes Free, while the SL turns many upper-trim features into standard equipment.
• Powertrain: Every trim uses the same 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine with 130 hp and 128 lb-ft of torque. The base model gets a 6-speed manual, while the rest of the lineup uses an Xtronic CVT, and front-wheel drive is standard across the board.
• 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, but only as options and only on the top two trim levels.
• Infotainment: Base models use 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, SiriusXM, and available Bose audio.
• 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. You get the basic comfort and connectivity features, but little in the way of extras, so it makes the most sense if your priority is keeping purchase price down.
• FE+S: This trim is the best-value pick if fuel economy matters most. It adds aero-focused touches and low-rolling-resistance tires, and it is rated at 30 mpg city/40 highway, which makes it especially appealing for commuting.
• SV: This is the trim where the Sentra starts to feel more modern and better equipped. You get a rear-view camera, NissanConnect mobile apps, hands-free text messaging, Siri Eyes Free, a 6-speaker audio system, and a nicer cabin, so it’s the sweet spot for many shoppers.
• SR: Choose this if you want the sportiest-looking Sentra. It adds 17-inch alloy wheels, LED low-beam projector headlights, heated premium sport cloth seats, a rear spoiler, and available upgrades like leather seating, Bose audio, and forward emergency braking.
• SL: This is the most fully equipped version, with most SR options made standard plus dual-zone automatic climate control, an auto-dimming rear-view mirror, and piano black interior accents. It suits you best if you want the most features and are willing to pay more for them.

Forward emergency braking and blind-spot warning are available only on the top two trim levels.

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 compare listings carefully.

• Deal availability: 30.0% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 879 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 2.07% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 49.7% 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 $8,100 sits slightly below last year's $8,272.

That tells you the Sentra has softened a bit in the used market, which can help you as a buyer but may limit upside if you plan to resell soon. For a future seller, the key is to buy well and keep the car in strong condition so you can stay closer to the upper end of the market range. A clean history and good maintenance records should matter more when it comes time to trade or sell.

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 comes with airbags, vehicle dynamic control, front seatbelt pretensioners, and child safety locks as standard equipment. Forward emergency braking helped boost its safety standing, and blind-spot warning is also available, though both are limited to the top two trim levels.

One caveat is that the strongest driver-assistance features are not standard across the lineup, so you need to shop carefully if those systems matter to you.

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:

• 30.0% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• At 49.7% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 2.07% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 5/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• It’s a refreshed year with updated styling and new infotainment features, plus interior enhancements that make it feel more polished.

The bottom line: If you want a value-focused compact sedan with updated styling, strong safety credentials, and a low average price, the 2016 Sentra is the right year to target. If you are especially price-sensitive, you can still find attractive examples, but you should prioritize clean history and condition over chasing the cheapest listing.

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, which makes it the stronger value play if your budget is tight. The Civic counters with more power, better fuel economy, and a larger pool of listings, so it may suit you better if you want a more refined all-around compact sedan. If you care most about purchase price and safety value, the Sentra is compelling; if you want stronger performance and efficiency, the Civic has the edge.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from November 3, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.