The Best Year For The Toyota Tundra

in Year Model Comparison
Toyota Tundra on a street

Toyota Tundra by M 93 CC BY-SA 3.0 DE

We chose the 2016 model as the best year for the Toyota Tundra for a couple of very good reasons. One of the reasons is the reliability of these trucks is outstanding, and although you may not get a whole lot of bells and whistles with the truck as you would if you were to buy a new one, you’re still not missing out on too much.

One of the reasons why these trucks are known for their reliability is the fact that through the years, Toyota has not made very many changes and has kept it pretty simple. And that engineering thought process relates to an old saying that auto enthusiasts like to hear, “if it’s not broke, then don’t fix it”.

How Much Will I Save Buying a Used Tundra

With enough looking around, you can find a 2016 model as the best year for the Toyota Tundra at a really good price. As mentioned above, you might be missing out on a few newer technology features, but a lot of the time some of those features can be kind of gimmicky, and you probably wouldn’t miss them anyway.

What you will get for around $21,000-$32,000 is a very reliable truck with a dependable powertrain, an updated user-friendly Entune infotainment center, and real-world off-road capabilities.


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Powertrain/Gas Mileage/Towing

One thing the Tundra does lack when it comes to its competition is powertrain options. The Tundra has always offered and still does offer just V8 options that are quite the gas guzzlers. We start with the standard 4.6-liter V8 that puts out 310 horsepower and 327 lb.-ft. of torque. Moving up in trim models there is an available 5.7-liter V8 that puts out 381 horsepower and 410 lb.-ft. of torque. Both engines are mated to a six-speed automatic transmission, and both setups can be optioned with four-wheel-drive.

As mentioned above, gas mileage is not one of Tundra’s bright spots. The 4.6-liter V8 gets an EPA-Estimated 15 city / 19 hwy mpg, and the 5.7-liter comes in at 13 city / 18 hwy mpg. If you opted for the four-wheel-drive setup your gas mileage will drop a little bit, but not much.

The towing capacity will vary as well. Depending on your engine, drivetrain option, and cab configuration, you could get anywhere between 6,400 to 10,500 pounds towing capacity.

2016 Toyota Tundra Trims and Standard Features

There will be six different trim options out there to choose from: the SR, SR5, Limited, Platinum, 1974 Edition, and the Tundra TRD Pro. Each trim model offers you a little bit more amenities.

SR trim comes with Entune infotainment center with a 6.1-inch touchscreen, a review camera, Bluetooth connectivity. You also get 18-inch alloy wheels, 40/20/40 split-folding rear bench seats, and cloth upholstery. 

Stepping up to the SR5, you get a larger 7.0 touchscreen with your infotainment Entune system that adds navigation. Rear under-seat storage is added thanks to the 6040 rear fold-up seat cushions, and for outside styling, a Matte Black lower bumper adds some visual character.

The mid-level model is the Limited and maybe the sweet spot for the best year for the Toyota Tundra. It adds 20-inch alloy wheels, auto on/off headlight with manual level control, chrome heated power side mirrors, dual climate control, leather upholstery, a leather-wrapped title/telescoping steering wheel, auto-dimming rearview mirror, power-rear horizontal window with privacy glass, and Entune mobile phone suits. 

As you move on to the Platinum and the 1974 Edition, things get a little more luxurious with heated and ventilated seats, perforated leather upholstery, a 12-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, a premium JBL auto system, and Blind Spot Monitoring.

Tundra’s off-road performance model is the TRD Pro and comes standard with the 5.7-liter V8 and four-wheel-drive. Also coming standard is performance features like 18-inch TRD off-road alloy wheels, TRD front and rear Bilstein shocks, TRD exhaust, TRD skid plates, and an oil pan drain access panel to give you easy access when it’s time to drain the oil.


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2016 Toyota Tundra Safety

The Toyota Tundra does have standard and available Blind-Spot Monitoring on some models, but that’s about all of their most advanced safety features. As you go up in year models, including other brands, the safety features are much more technology-driven, but so are the prices.

This 2016 best year for the Toyota Tundra has a lot to offer when it comes to what National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Insurance Insitute Highway Safety (IIHS) have to say about it. 

In almost all crash tests from the IIHS, the Tundra receive a score of Good which is the highest rating the IIHS gives out. Also, reported from many sources, Tundra airbags do their job very well, and the structure of the truck is nothing less than tough and sturdy. 

2016 Toyota Recalls

Recall Number: 16V420000             Recall Date: 06/09/2016

Component

Equipment Labels: The Load Carrying Capacity Modification Labels may not reflect the correct numbers resulting in a possible overload of the vehicle.

Recall Number: 17V416000             Recall Date: 06/29/2017

Component

Airbags: Knee Bolster - wrong screws and brackets - airbags could be ineffective or even dangerous.

Recall Number: 17V311000                ** Recall Date:** 05/11/2017

Component

Wheels Lug Nuts: Certain 20-inch wheels were installed with lug nuts that could crack or break.

Recall Number: 17V051000                 Recall Date: 01/24/2017

Component

Structure Resin Rear Step Bumper: The bumper can break away from the resin bracket when someone steps on it or the bumper absorbs some type of impact.

What to Expect for Insurance Prices

You should find insurance primaries to be pretty reasonable especially if you go with one of the lower-priced trim models with the 4.6-liter V8. Of course, your age, where you live, the company you are insured by, the deductible you choose, and how much coverage you plan on putting on your Tundra will all have a factor in insurance cost.

But this isn’t a truck that stands out in its class as too pricey, too fast, or dangerous, it should fall right into the just normal category for insurance companies. 


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Should You Buy a Toyota Tundra for its Reliability?

Absolutely! These trucks are designed to offer you plenty of hard-driving miles. Whether you’re into towing and hauling, off-roading, or comfortable regular truck driving activities, there are six trim models to choose from that you should be able to find that will fit your lifestyle.

Our 2016 pick for the best year for the Toyota Tundra has two V8 powerplants that are known to last, generous cabin space for front and rear passengers, a dedicated frame and body structure for safety, and three different cab configurations to choose from.

Get a Curated List of the Best Used Cars Near You

With the right amount of shopping and wheeling and dealing techniques, you can get a reliable truck for a great price. The CoPilot car shopping app is the easiest way to buy a car. Tell us what you’re looking for and we’ll search the inventories of every dealership in your area to make you a personalized list of the best car listings in your area.

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