Year
Model Type
Sedan 32 Combined MPG
(29 city / 38 hwy)
EPA estimated
32 Combined MPG
(29 city / 38 hwy)
EPA estimated
Quick Summary
After a full redesign in 2013, the 2016 Nissan Sentra gets a midlife refresh that gives it a revised look, an improved ride and more features. It's also quieter and better-riding than the car it replaces, and offers an optional active safety package that includes one of the best adaptive cruise control systems we've sampled. It's now a more competitive car, but unfortunately, the rest of the segment has gotten so much stronger that the "B"-rated Sentra finds itself far down the compact sedan bench.
What Is It?
The 2016 Nissan Sentra is a four-door compact sedan available in five trims: S, FE+S, SV, SR and SL. In base S configuration with a manual transmission, the Sentra starts at $17,605. Opt for the automatic (like 98 percent of Sentra buyers) and you'll pay $18,445. Jumping all the way to the top-of-the-tier list, the Sentra SL costs $23,005.
For the 2016 model year, the Sentra receives a host of upgrades inside and out. The exterior now mimics Nissan's larger Altima and Maxima sedans, while the interior features a new steering wheel, center console and audio display. New active safety features are also part of the updates for 2016.
What's the Interior Like?
Nissan likes to point to the new 370Z-inspired steering wheel and shift lever as the highlights of the 2016 Sentra's updated interior. It also wants you to focus on the Apple Siri Eyes-Free integration (on SV, SR and SL trim levels) or maybe on the new interior materials. These are all tangible, touchable things that are easy to identify as improvements to an already user-friendly cabin (the touchscreen interface in particular is easier to decipher than Honda or Mazda's).
Yet, what we noticed more than anything is how quiet the cabin is when you're on the road. Nissan added thicker sound-damping materials and a new "acoustic windshield" that blocks a noticeable amount of noise. The result is a compact car with interior sound levels on par with many mid-to-full-size sedans.
During a long highway stint on a road surface we know to be particularly loud, we managed to have a conversation with rear-seat passengers without anyone raising their voice. Just make sure to go easy on the throttle: The underpowered engine and continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) can conspire to create a ruckus akin to an amplified Ninja blender.
As for those rear-seat passengers, there's so much legroom that Delta would charge extra for it. Besides an ample wheelbase, there are two reasons for that. First, the bench is mounted high, which may cause your hair to brush the roof a tick despite the Sentra's bubble-like roof. And second, the driver seat doesn't slide far enough rearward.
Both front seats are also mounted curiously high (the non-adjustable passenger seat more so), which limits headroom and comfort. A 6-foot passenger's head was grazing the roof, while several editors found it difficult to find a comfortable driving position. The leather-lined seats in our SL test car also lacked the superior long-distance comfort of those found in pricier Nissans.
In total, the Sentra's cabin space is generous, but really no better than the all-new and generally more appealing Honda Civic. The same could be said of its otherwise huge-for-a-compact-car 15.1-cubic-foot trunk.
Are There Any Interesting New Features?
SR and SL level Sentras are available with Nissan's new Technology package. This $1,230 option includes automatic emergency braking and one of the smartest adaptive cruise controls we've ever used. At any price.
Unlike some other adaptive cruise control setups, the Sentra's system seems to understand how traffic actually works. The gas is applied smartly and smoothly, keeping your speed even on sharp grades. The system also uses the brakes efficiently and will bring the car to a complete stop more smoothly than most human drivers. (We did not test the automatic emergency braking for obvious reasons.)
Nissan also offers a subscription smartphone app/telematics service, NissanConnect Services, with plans starting at $11 per month. For this you get collision notification, emergency calling, stolen-vehicle locator, maintenance alerts, dealer service scheduling and more. Remote door lock and unlock, boundary/speed/curfew alert (think: a way to keep your teen driver within a virtual fence) and point of interest search cost extra.
What's New Under the Hood?
Nothing. Unfortunately. The 2016 Nissan Sentra is powered by the same lethargic 1.8-liter, four-cylinder engine that powered the 2015 Sentra. It's rated to deliver 130 horsepower but it feels like even less. In Edmunds testing, it propelled the Sentra from zero to 60 mph in 10 seconds. That's not only the slowest time in the segment (tied with the Scion iM), but it's nearly 2 seconds slower than the segment average. Those gaps are very significant, and represent differences you'd be able to identify when pulling away from a traffic light or merging onto a freeway.
Now, acceleration is far from being a top priority for many car shoppers. Instead, fuel economy is usually of much greater concern, and the Sentra doesn't disappoint. With the FE+S model, the EPA estimates 34 mpg combined (30 city/40 highway) with the CVT. All other CVT-equipped models achieve an estimated 32 mpg (29/38). In our own testing, a Sentra SL managed an impressive 37.7 mpg on our 116-mile evaluation route.
However thrifty it may be, though, it is matched or even bettered by competitors like the Honda Civic (both available engines), Mazda 3i and Toyota Corolla that also offer better acceleration.
How Does It Drive?
It only took us a few minutes on a local highway to tell that the upgrades to the Sentra were more than just marketing gimmicks. Previous Sentras could get flinty at highway speeds, and while they weren't loud, they never seemed particularly quiet, either. This new one fixes both problems.
Nissan retuned the suspension with higher spring rates and stiffer rear bushings, which translates to a car that doesn't bob or bounce as much. The carmaker also managed to retain all of the impact-isolating characteristics that we liked in the previous car.
Then again, and forgive us if this is getting repetitive, such improvements relative to last year's model aren't enough to give it a significant leg up (if any) on many competitors. The Honda Civic and Volkswagen Golf manage to be comfortable and quiet, while simultaneously delivering a sharper and more refined driving experience. The Mazda 3 isn't quite as cushy, but it's not what we'd call uncomfortable, and is capable of putting a smile on your face.
The Sentra's brakes also leave much to be desired. The 124-foot stopping distance from 60 mph is average for the segment, but it's overshadowed by substantial nosedive, some lateral shimmying and ample ABS pedal feedback.
What Competing Cars Should You Also Consider?
The Honda Civic is a game-changer in the compact car segment. It does just about everything very well. It has raised the bar for all competitors.
The Mazda 3 isn't quite as dominant as the Civic, but is nevertheless well-rounded and one of our top-recommend "A"-rated compact cars. It is also available in sedan and hatchback body styles.
The Kia Forte likely slots just below those two, as it lacks some general, overall polish. It's high on value, though, and like the Sentra offers more user-friendly electronics.
Why Should You Consider This Car?
You want compact car pricing, fuel economy and dimensions, but big car quietness, space, tech features and cargo space.
Why Should You Think Twice About This Car?
The 2016 Sentra is slow, and steep terrain will exacerbate this trait. More than this, though, it is simply outdone by most competitors.
Used 2016 Nissan Sentra listings and inventory:
Shop Edmunds' used car, SUV, and truck listings of over 6 million pre-owned vehicles to find a cheap used and certified pre-owned (CPO) 2016 Nissan Sentras for sale near Ashburn VA. There are currently 1,149 used and CPO 2016 Sentras listed for sale in your area, with list prices as low as 9,599 and mileage as low as 0. Simply research the type of used car, SUV, or truck you're interested in and then select a vehicle from our massive database to find cheap pre-owned vehicles for sale near you. Once you have identified a used vehicle you're interested in, check the Carfax and Autocheck vehicle history reports, read dealer reviews, and find out what other owners paid for the used 2016 Nissan Sentra. Then select Edmunds' special offers, perks, deals, and incentives to contact the dealer of your choice and save up to 332 on a used or CPO 2016 Sentra available from one of 2,633 dealerships in your area.
What's a good price on a used 2016 Nissan Sentra ?
Save up to $331.8 on one of 164 used 2016 Nissan Sentras for sale at dealerships within 25 miles of Ashburn, Virginia with prices as low as $9599 as of Apr 20, 2018, based on data from 18 dealers and 104 consumer-driven dealer ratings ranging from 1 to 5 out of 5 stars.
Price comparisons for used 2016 Nissan Sentra trim styles:
The used 2016 Nissan Sentra SV is priced around $12916 with average odometer reading of 29150 miles.
The used 2016 Nissan Sentra S is priced around $10514 with average odometer reading of 45683 miles.
The used 2016 Nissan Sentra FE+ S is priced around $12530 with average odometer reading of 42643 miles.
The used 2016 Nissan Sentra SR is priced around $13975 with average odometer reading of 19276 miles.
The used 2016 Nissan Sentra SL is priced around $15989 with average odometer reading of 2014 miles.
Shop with Edmunds for perks and special offers on used cars, trucks, and SUVs near Ashburn, Virginia. Doing so could save you hundreds or thousands of dollars. Edmunds also provides consumer-driven dealership sales and service reviews to help you make informed decisions about what cars to buy and where to buy them.
What options are available on the 2016 Nissan Sentra?
Available Nissan Sentra 2016 Submodel Types: Sedan, NISMO, SE-R Spec V, SE-R
Available Nissan Sentra 2016 Trims: SV, 2.0 S, S, 2.0 SR, SR TURBO, SR, 1.8 S, 2.0, NISMO, 2.0 SL, GXE, 1.8, FE+ S, SL, FE+ SV, SE-R, SE-R Spec V, FE+ 2.0, FE+ 2.0 S, SE, FE+ 2.0 SR, XE
Exterior Colors: Magnetic Gray, Amethyst Gray, Red Brick, Scarlet Ember, Super Black, Brilliant Silver, Gun Metallic, Brilliant Silver Metallic, Fresh Powder, Deep Blue Pearl, Metallic Blue, Magnetic Gray Metallic, Red Alert, Blackout, Titanium, Aspen White, Blue Onyx Metallic, Graphite Blue, Blue Onyx, Cayenne Red, Radium Metallic, Brilliant Aluminum Metallic, Cloud White, Code Red, Aspen White Pearl, Inferno, Metallic Blue Metallic, Polished Granite, Sandstone, Vibrant Blue, Bronze Shimmer, Espresso Black, Molten Silver, Out Of The Blue, Radium, Red Alert Metallic, Sonoma Sunset, Anodized Orange Metallic, Arctic Blue Metallic, Avalanche, Granite, Jaded, Lava Red, Polished Granite Metallic, Sapphire Blue Metallic
Interior Colors: Charcoal premium cloth, Charcoal cloth, NISMO Charcoal alcantara/cloth, Marble Gray premium cloth, Charcoal/Steel cloth, Beige cloth, Sage, Charcoal leather, Stone, Charcoal, Marble Gray cloth, Marble Gray leather, SE-R Charcoal premium cloth, Taupe, Midnight , Sage cloth, Beige leather, Black, Saddle leather, Sand
Popular Features: Audio and cruise controls on steering wheel, Aux Audio Inputs, Bluetooth, Fold Flat Rear Seats, Rear Bench Seats, Stability Control, Tire Pressure Warning, Trip Computer, USB Inputs, Adaptive Cruise Control, Alarm, Back-up camera, Keyless Entry/Start, Heated seats, Upgraded Headlights, Blind Spot Monitoring, Navigation, Sunroof/Moonroof, Leather Seats, Auto Climate Control, Multi-Zone Climate Control, Power Driver Seat, Upgraded Stereo, Automatic Emergency Braking, Post-collision safety system, Pre-collision safety system, Upgraded Engine
Engine/Mechanics: 4 cylinders
Transmission: AUTOMATIC, MANUAL
Fuel Types: regular unleaded, premium unleaded (recommended)
Drivetrains: front wheel drive
Used 2016 Nissan Sentra Overview
The used 2016 Nissan Sentra is offered in the following submodels: Sedan. Available styles include SV 4dr Sedan (1.8L 4cyl CVT), S 4dr Sedan (1.8L 4cyl CVT), and SR 4dr Sedan (1.8L 4cyl CVT). Pre-owned Sentra models are available with a 0-liter gas engine, with output up to 0 hp, depending on engine type. The used 2016 Sentra comes with front wheel drive. Available transmissions include: continuously variable-speed automatic.
EPA Est. MPG | 32 |
Transmission | Automatic |
Drive Train | Front Wheel Drive |
Displacement | 1.8 L |
Passenger Volume | 111 cu ft |
Wheelbase | 106 in |
Length | 182 in |
Width | 69 in |
Height | 58 in |
Curb Weight | 2877 lbs |
The Edmunds TCO® estimated monthly insurance payment for a Used 2016 Nissan Sentra in VA is:
The Edmunds TCO® estimated monthly insurance payment for a Used 2016 Nissan Sentra in VA is:
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