How much does the 2016 Nissan Sentra cost?

Prices have softened 6.74% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 911 listings available, which gives you a solid amount of inventory to compare before you buy.

If you find a listing below $8,054.74, 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.

The Sentra is positioned as an affordable, spacious compact sedan with a refreshed exterior and a practical cabin. It’s aimed at daily commuting, and the overview emphasizes comfort, fuel efficiency, and a user-friendly setup rather than outright performance.

24.8% of listings are priced as good or great deals, so you still have 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 overview points to a value-focused sedan with a roomy interior and strong fuel economy, while the expert drive notes that it delivers exactly the economy-car experience it’s meant to. Its 1.8-liter engine and CVT setup are described as adequate for city driving, and the car’s handling and braking help it feel controlled and predictable.

Nissan also includes a 36-month/36,000-mile limited warranty and a 5-year/60,000-mile limited powertrain warranty, which adds some ownership reassurance. For used buyers, the main long-term risk is making sure the CVT and overall maintenance history have been kept in good shape.

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

At 52.3% 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 had prior bodywork or shows uneven panel gaps, tire wear, or paint mismatch. Focus on overall condition rather than just mileage, since this model’s value proposition depends heavily on whether it has been maintained cleanly and consistently.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The base S trim is the most stripped-down version, with halogen headlights, dual power outside mirrors, Bluetooth hands-free phone service, cruise control, cloth seating, and manually adjustable front seats. Higher trims add more comfort and convenience, so you should pay close attention to what’s missing if you’re comparing a lower-priced example.
• Powertrain: Every trim uses the same 1.8-liter 4-cylinder engine with 130 hp and 128 lb-ft of torque. The base model uses a 6-speed manual, while the rest of the lineup uses a CVT, and front-wheel drive is standard across the board. Fuel economy is rated at 29 mpg city/38 highway/34 combined.
• 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 only as options and only on the top two trim levels.
• Infotainment: The base system includes an AM/FM radio and CD player with 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 touchscreen, navigation, voice recognition, NissanConnect mobile apps, and SiriusXM features, while the screen is described as small.
• 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. The expert drive also notes an average of 33 mpg in mixed driving.

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 basic choice, and it lacks the extra comfort and convenience features you’ll find higher up the range. It does include the essentials, but the cabin is plainly equipped and the safety tech is limited to standard equipment rather than advanced driver assistance.
• Sweet-spot trim: The SV is the best value pick if you want a more complete daily driver. It adds a rear-view camera, NissanConnect with mobile apps, hands-free text messaging, Siri Eyes Free, a 6-speaker sound system, and available heated cloth seats, while still staying below the top trims.
• Premium/top trim: The SL is the most fully equipped version, turning many SR options into standard features and adding dual-zone automatic temperature control, an auto-dimming rear-view mirror, and piano black interior accents.
• Off-road trim: The Sentra does not have an off-road-focused trim.

The safety package is strongest on the top two trims, where forward emergency braking and blind-spot warning are available as options.

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 value if you move on the right car.

• Deal availability: 24.8% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 911 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 6.74% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 52.3% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $8,054.74, 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 $8,096 sits slightly below last year's $8,682.

That softer pricing suggests the Sentra is in a buyer-friendly phase right now, which can matter if you plan to sell later. A lower current market average can make it easier to attract shoppers, but it also means you should expect some depreciation pressure if you buy at the wrong price. The best resale outcomes usually come from examples with strong equipment, clean history, and careful maintenance.

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 four-star ratings in frontal crash and rollover, and five-star ratings in side crash tests.

It earns a 9/10 safety score from our experts.

The Sentra’s safety package includes airbags, vehicle dynamic control, front seatbelt pretensioners, and child safety locks as standard equipment. Forward emergency braking helped boost its safety performance, and blind-spot warning is available, though only as an option and only on 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:

• 24.8% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• At 52.3% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 6.74% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 5/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• It was refreshed this year with updated exterior styling and interior improvements, while still keeping the same value-focused formula.

The bottom line: If you want the strongest mix of price, efficiency, and safety in this generation, the 2016 is a sensible place to shop. If you’re especially price-sensitive, you can still find good value here, but you should compare condition and history carefully because accident-free examples are not the majority.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from August 7, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.