Used 2016 Nissan Sentra for Sale nearRaleigh, NC

How much does the 2016 Nissan Sentra cost?

Prices have softened 5.50% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 866 listings available, which gives you a solid pool of options to compare on price and condition.

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 refresh gives you updated styling and interior enhancements, so the car feels more current than the outgoing version without changing its basic mission. That mission is straightforward: a compact sedan that emphasizes value, efficiency, and everyday usability over excitement.

The market also shows 24.8% good or great deals, which suggests there are still worthwhile 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 reliability case is helped by its value-focused design, strong fuel economy, and straightforward 1.8-liter four-cylinder setup. The expert review also describes it as a car that gets the job done, with solid everyday usability and a well-rounded ownership proposition.

Its dependability story is reinforced by the combination of standard safety equipment and a conventional powertrain layout, which can make it easier to live with than more complex alternatives. For used buyers, the main long-term risk is less about outright complexity and more about finding a well-kept example with a clean history and consistent maintenance.

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

At 49% 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 example or one with visible cosmetic wear. Focus on overall condition, signs of prior repair quality, and whether the car’s equipment matches the trim level you expect.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The base S is the most stripped-down version, with halogen headlights, dual power outside mirrors, Bluetooth, cruise control, cloth seating, and manually adjustable front seats. As you move up, the SV adds a nicer cabin and more tech, while the SR brings larger wheels, LED low-beam projector headlights, heated premium sport cloth seats, fog lights, and a sportier appearance. The SL turns many of the SR’s optional features into standard equipment and adds dual-zone automatic temperature control, an auto-dimming rear-view mirror, and piano black interior accents.
• 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 of the lineup uses an Xtronic CVT. Front-wheel drive is standard across the board, and there’s no all-wheel-drive option.
• 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: The base setup is an AM/FM radio and CD player with 4 speakers, a USB port, an Aux jack, and Bluetooth hands-free phone service. 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 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 value entry point, and it gives you the essentials without much extra content. It’s the right pick if you want the lowest-cost way into the Sentra, but it’s also the most basic version, so you should expect a sparse feature set.
• FE+S: This trim is the best-value choice if fuel economy matters most. It adds aero-focused touches and low-rolling-resistance tires, and it’s the version highlighted for the best fuel-efficiency ratings in the lineup.
• SV: This is the smart middle-ground trim if you want the biggest step up in everyday comfort and tech. It adds a nicer cabin, a rear-view camera, NissanConnect mobile apps, hands-free text messaging, Siri Eyes Free, and a better audio setup.
• SR: Choose this if you want the sportiest look and more available equipment. It adds 17-inch wheels, LED low-beam projector headlights, heated premium sport cloth seats, and a rear spoiler, with more upscale and performance-oriented options available.
• SL: This is the top trim and the one to consider if you want the most complete Sentra experience. It turns many SR options into standard equipment and adds dual-zone automatic climate control and other comfort upgrades.

Forward emergency braking and blind-spot warning are available only as options 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’re patient.

• Deal availability: 24.8% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 866 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 5.50% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 49.0% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $7,868, 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 $8,052 sits slightly below last year's $8,521.

That softer pricing suggests the Sentra has become a more accessible used-car buy, but it also means future sellers may need to price competitively to stand out. If you own one, condition and mileage will matter a lot when it comes time to resell, especially because shoppers in this segment are often comparing value closely.

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 a Top Safety Pick+ from IIHS and earns 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.

The Sentra includes airbags, vehicle dynamic control, front seatbelt pretensioners, and child safety locks on every trim. Forward emergency braking helped boost its safety performance, and blind-spot warning is available as an option on the top two trim levels.

One caveat is that some of the most useful driver-assistance features are not standard across the lineup, so you’ll want to confirm exactly which safety equipment is fitted on the used example you’re considering.

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:

• 24.8% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• At 49% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 5.50% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 5/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• It’s a refreshed Sentra with updated styling and interior enhancements that make it feel more current than the previous year.

The bottom line: If you want the best mix of value, updated styling, and strong safety credentials, the 2016 Sentra is the year to target. If your priority is simply the lowest possible purchase price, a nearby model year may be worth comparing, but you should expect to trade away some of the refresh-related improvements and market availability advantages that make this one appealing.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from September 22, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.