Used 2016 Nissan Sentra SL for sale 

The base S trim is available with two transmission options, a 6-speed manual, and a CVT. All other trim gets only the CVT paired with the 1.8-liter inline-4 motor. The base trim does not get many features and most of the modern features like the leather steering wheel, better audio system, Bluetooth connectivity, and tire pressure monitoring system are available from SV and above.  Here is a list of the key features that are available with the trims of the 2016 Nissan Sentra.

We Recommend

The SV trim adds a considerable amount of features and technology that the base S trim lacks while keeping the price in check and hence is the most value for money and go to trim for most buyers. The base S trim is available on sale at a price of $18,625.

The 2016 Nissan Sentra continues to make use of the tried and tested 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine that generates just 130 horsepower and 128 lb-ft of torque. The engine is mated with a 6-speed manual transmission and delivers the power to the front wheel as standard. This engine setup can take the Sentra to a top speed of 121 mph which is quite decent for this power output. 

The lack of grunt from the engine is evident in the acceleration tests as it takes its own time of 10.7 seconds to accelerate from 0-60 mph on the speedometer. The quarter-mile on the other hand is covered in a lethargic 17.9 seconds. If outright performance is what you seek, the Sentra is not the car for you at all.

Despite the lack of numbers, Sentra is the cheapest in the segment, although others in the competition aren’t too expensive either and also perform much better. The Volkswagen Jetta 1.4T is not only the most expensive car here but also has considerably higher engine output than the Nissan. It is also the quickest of our tests. The Hyundai Elantra is marginally slower than the Jetta while the Toyota Corolla is placed third in the acceleration tests.

Fuel efficiency is the strongest point of the Nissan Sentra along with the low maintenance and high resale value. The EPA rates the Nissan Sentra for 27 mpg in the city and 36 mpg on the highways, while the overall combined efficiency is rated at 30 mpg. With a 13.2-gallon gas tank tucked under the rear seat, the Sentra manages to be driven for over 350 miles even when driven in city traffic conditions. Thus it does not need frequent refueling and saves time when using it as a daily driver.

The Volkswagen Jetta is the most fuel-efficient car in this comparison, owing to the turbocharging technology. Add to that the larger fuel tank and it also provides the longest driving range on a single tank of gas. The Toyota Corolla and the Hyundai Elantra have a similar combined fuel economy of 31 mpg, while the Sentra is the least efficient of the lot. Although it isn’t a gas guzzler in any which way, just the competitors are more frugal.

The 2016 Nissan Sentra’s interior is a spacious one both at the front and at the rear and taller passengers would be very comfortable inside the car even on longer outstation trips. The interior layout and design are nothing too flashy or stylish, but everything is well put together and the build quality is one of the best in the segment.

It also offers generous space for luggage for all the passengers and can carry enough luggage for a family on a weekend getaway in its rather large 15.1 cu-ft of cargo space.  The Nissan Sentra can carry a total of 5 passengers inside its cabin.

At the front, the Hyundai Elantra interior offers the most space while the Toyota Corolla is the king in rear-seat comfort. The Volkswagen Jetta also has a reasonable amount of interior space and boasts of the largest cargo capacity of 15.7 cu.-ft. amongst the cars present here. Overall, the Toyota Corolla feels the most spacious inside its cabin but compromises on trunk capacity to a certain extent. 

• 6-way power-adjustable driver's seat w/2-way power lumbar
• Heated Front Bucket Seats
• 60-40 Folding Rear Seat
• Leather Steering Wheel
• Leatherette Door Trim Insert
• Dual-Zone Automatic Air Conditioning
• HomeLink Garage Door Transmitter

How is the 2016 Nissan Sentra’s infotainment system?

The infotainment department is upheld by a 5.8-inch NissanConnect infotainment system that also features smartphone app integration that also allows users to search content on Google through the touchscreen system. Higher variants offer Siri Eyes Free voice recognition, Internet radio, and built-in navigation.

Apple iPhone users can access Siri through a button available on the steering wheel. The Nissan Sentra gets a 6-speaker audio system as standard while there is an option to opt for the 8-speaker Bose audio system. Here is a list of the infotainment features available with the 2016 Nissan Sentra:

• 5.8-inch NissanConnect touchscreen
• Smartphone App Integration
• 6-speaker audio system
• Siri Eyes Free voice recognition
• SiriusXM Satellite Radio 
• Real-Time Traffic Display and Navigation
• Bluetooth audio streaming
• NissanConnect Selective Service Internet Access

The revised exterior design of the 2016 Nissan Sentra brings it in alignment with the newer design language of Nissan, previously seen on the larger Nissan Altima and Nissan Maxima sedans. The design is unmistakably Nissan with the thick chrome bar on the grille and the angular air dams and headlamps.

The rear features a lip spoiler to add a bit of flair to the otherwise mundane looking and performing car. The 6.4-inch of ground clearance assures that the car would glide over most road undulation with ease. The Nissan Sentra is not the heaviest with a curb weight of 2,848 pounds.

In spite of being the shortest car here, the Hyundai Elantra offers an identical wheelbase as that of the Nissan Sentra and Toyota Corolla. It is also the lightest car in this comparison while the Volkswagen Jetta is the heaviest, thanks to the larger dimensions and stronger architecture. The Sentra offers the best ground clearance while the Jetta is the closest to the ground amongst the cars here.

Nissan has never compromised on safety and Sentra is no different either. The NHTSA has rated the new Nissan Sentra with 4-stars out of a possible 5-stars, while the IIHS has awarded the Nissan Sentra with its prestigious ‘Top Safety Pick+’ award for the 2016 model year. It offers all the basic bells and whistles in terms of safety and then adds some more, to provide a safe haven for you and your loved ones inside the car. The list of safety and driver assistance features is pretty and a highlight of it is listed below.

• Electronic Stability Control (ESC)
• Driveline Traction Control
• Blind Spot Warning system
• Rear Collision Warning
• Low Tire Pressure Warning
• Dual-stage airbags all around the cabin
• Back-Up Camera

The 2016 Nissan Sentra may not be a standout performer in any single aspect but it is a dependable and reliable performer overall. It offers a comfortable and spacious cabin with lots of technology on offer along with a frugal engine. Add to that the high-reliability quotient and a stellar safety record with the latest safety features, the affordable compact sedan segment just got a bit more interesting.