How much does the 2016 Nissan Sentra cost?

Prices have softened 9.24% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 855 listings available, which suggests you have a reasonable amount of inventory to compare.

If you find a listing below $7,946.99, 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.

For you, that means this is a practical compact sedan with refreshed styling, interior updates, and a value-focused setup rather than a major mechanical overhaul. The overview points to a car that is appealing if you want a more current look and feel, while the expert notes reinforce that it was updated to better match Nissan’s broader design direction.

The market also shows 20.6% of listings as good or great deals, which gives you some room to shop selectively.

Is the 2016 Nissan Sentra reliable?

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

The Sentra’s appeal here is tied to its straightforward 1.8-liter four-cylinder setup, front-wheel-drive layout, and commuter-friendly fuel economy. The expert notes also describe it as a value-minded sedan with a strong warranty package, which supports the case for predictable ownership.

Its efficiency and simple mechanical formula should help keep day-to-day ownership manageable, but used buyers should still pay close attention to maintenance history and transmission behavior before committing.

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

At 49.8% 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 been in a collision or shows uneven panel gaps, paint mismatch, or tire wear. Focus on overall condition, because the Sentra’s value proposition depends heavily on whether it has been kept clean, maintained, and free of hidden damage.

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. Higher trims add features such as a rear spoiler, aero deflectors, heated cloth seats, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, piano black accents, LED low-beam projector headlights, fog lights, leather seating, dual-zone automatic temperature control, and an auto-dimming rear-view mirror.
• Powertrain: Every trim uses a 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 of the lineup uses an Xtronic CVT. Fuel economy is rated at 29 mpg city/38 highway/34 combined, and the FE+S is noted as the most efficient trim at 30 mpg city/40 highway.
• Safety package: The Sentra earned an IIHS Top Safety Pick+ rating and a four-star overall rating from NHTSA, with five-star side ratings and four-star frontal and rollover ratings. Standard safety equipment includes airbags, vehicle dynamic control, front seatbelt pretensioners, and child safety locks. Forward emergency braking and blind-spot warning are available only as options and only on the top two trim levels.
• Infotainment: The base system includes AM/FM radio, a CD player, 4 speakers, a USB port, an Aux jack, MP3/WMA CD playback, and Bluetooth hands-free phone service. Higher trims add a 5-inch color monitor, a 5.8-inch color touchscreen, voice recognition, NissanConnect mobile apps, hands-free text messaging, Siri Eyes Free, SiriusXM satellite radio, and available Bose audio with 8 speakers and 2 subwoofers.
• 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 base audio setup, Bluetooth, cruise control, and the manual transmission option, so it makes sense if you want the cheapest way into the Sentra lineup and can live without extra comfort or tech features.
• FE+S: This is the best-value trim if your priority is fuel economy. It adds aero-focused details and low-rolling-resistance tires, and it is rated at 30 mpg city/40 highway, which makes it the most commuter-friendly choice in the lineup.
• SV: This is the trim where the Sentra starts to feel more modern. You get the 5-inch color monitor, 6-speaker audio, NissanConnect mobile apps, hands-free text messaging, Siri Eyes Free, and available upgrades like the 5.8-inch touchscreen and navigation, so it suits you if you want the best balance of price and features.
• SR: This is the style-and-features step up, with 17-inch alloy wheels, LED low-beam projector headlights, heated premium sport cloth seats, and a rear spoiler. It also opens the door to more upscale options like leather seating, a power driver’s seat, Bose audio, and forward emergency braking, so it fits you if you want a more premium feel.
• SL: This is the top trim, and it turns most of the SR’s optional equipment into standard gear while adding dual-zone automatic temperature control, an auto-dimming rear-view mirror, and piano black interior accents. Choose it if you want the most complete Sentra without piecing together options.

Safety equipment is standard across the lineup, but forward emergency braking and blind-spot warning are only available as options on the top two trims.

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 carefully and still find worthwhile listings.

• Deal availability: 20.6% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 855 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 9.24% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 49.8% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $7,946.99, 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 $8,002 sits slightly below last year's $8,817.

That price movement suggests the market has eased, which can be good for you as a buyer but less favorable if you plan to sell soon. If you own one now, the softer pricing means you may need to price competitively to move it quickly.

The upside is that the Sentra’s value-focused reputation, strong fuel economy, and broad appeal as a commuter sedan can still support demand. Well-kept examples should remain easier to sell than neglected ones, especially if they have clean history and desirable equipment.

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 Nissan Sentra is an Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) Top Safety Pick+ this year, and it earned a four-star overall rating from NHTSA, with five-star ratings in side crash tests and four-star ratings in frontal crash and rollover 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 and blind-spot warning are available, but only as options and only for the top two trim levels.

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:

• 20.6% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• At 49.8% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 9.24% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 5/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• It was refreshed with updated exterior styling and interior enhancements that make it feel more current.

The bottom line: If you want the strongest mix of updated styling, value, and safety in this model year, the 2016 Sentra is the one to focus on. If you’re mainly chasing the lowest possible price, you may still find a better bargain by comparing nearby years and prioritizing the cleanest, best-maintained example rather than the newest badge.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from August 28, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.