2016 Toyota Tacoma — Used Buying Guide
10 years old · used value range $7,800 – $9,923 · max towing 6,800 lb · max payload 1,620 lb
The 2016 Tacoma at a glance
The 2016 Toyota Tacoma is a 10-year-old used pickup that originally listed at approximately $38,000 for a base configuration. After 10 years of ownership-cycle depreciation, fair market value for typical-mileage examples lands between $7,800 and $9,923, with low-mileage clean-title trucks pushing toward the upper bound and higher-mileage or salvage-history trucks anchoring the lower bound.
The Tacoma at this model year was built on the Toyota light-duty platform and offered in regular, extended, and crew cab body styles. Maximum trailer towing capability for this year is 6,800 lb when properly equipped (typically requires the optional max tow package and the right axle ratio); maximum payload is 1,620 lb in the lightest cab/bed/drivetrain combination.
Available engines for 2016
| Powertrain | 2.7L I4 (159 hp) |
| Powertrain | 3.5L V6 (278 hp / 265 lb-ft) |
Configuration options
| Cab options | Crew Cab · Extended Cab · Regular Cab |
| Bed options | 5'7" Short · 6'5" Standard · 8'0" Long |
| Available trims | SR, SR5, TRD Sport, TRD Off-Road, Limited, TRD Pro, Trailhunter |
| Max towing capacity | 6,800 lb (properly equipped) |
| Max payload capacity | 1,620 lb |
EPA fuel economy ranges for this model year
| Powertrain class | City mpg | Highway mpg |
|---|---|---|
| Gasoline V6 | 15 | 24 |
| Gasoline V8 | 14 | 20 |
| Diesel | 25 | 24 |
Common issues for the 2016 Tacoma
- 3.5L V6 with Direct + Port Injection requires premium fuel for full power; lower-octane reduces output
- Manual transmission rare and seal leaks on high-mile trucks
- Lower control arm bushings at 100k+ miles
- Frame rust recall on first-gen and early second-gen — verify never-affected status on older Tacomas
Service history matters more on this model year than mileage alone. A 2016 Tacoma with documented oil changes, transmission services performed at the recommended interval, and any open recalls completed is worth meaningfully more than an undocumented truck of the same mileage. Ask the seller for the maintenance binder; if it does not exist, ask the local Toyota dealership to pull the VIN history before you commit to a price.
2016 Tacoma listings on TruckLot
| Trim & Body | Miles | Price | State |
|---|---|---|---|
| TRD Off-Road Crew Cab |
160,691 mi | $7,800 | Bridgeport, Connecticut |
| SR Crew Cab |
113,304 mi | $8,073 | Atlanta, Georgia |
| TRD Sport Regular Cab |
148,121 mi | $7,800 | Springfield, Missouri |
Should you buy a 2016 Tacoma right now?
The honest answer depends on three variables: how the truck was used, what powertrain it has, and what comparable competitors are listed for in your state. A 2016 Tacoma with a clean service history, the volume powertrain (avoid first-year-of-production engines unless you have done your homework), and a price near the middle of the $7,800–$9,923 range is usually a sound buy.
If you are cross-shopping the same model year against competitors, our comparison guides work through the trade-offs with real numbers. Diesel premium, towing differences, payload differences, and depreciation curves are all spelled out so you can decide whether the $3,000–$8,000 difference between similar trucks is justified for your use case.