2016 Toyota Tundra review
Toyota Tundra highlights
Customer rating
Pros
- TRD Pro trim is a highly capable off-road model
- Double-cab and crew-cab styles offer lots of passenger space
Cons
- V8s are powerful, but they trail rivals in EPA-estimated fuel economy
- Stiff, hard-riding suspension
Mileage (EPA estimate)
13 city, 17 highway, 15 combined
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2016 Toyota Tundra is a capable, rugged light-duty truck
The 2016 Toyota Tundra is a pickup truck that delivers on rugged capability. It hauls convincingly, and the TRD Pro gives buyers a Tundra with off-road tires, a raised suspension, and skid plates for real off-road duty. It's a traditional take on the pickup truck. And though a design refresh shows in the 2016 Tundra's looks inside and out, the Tundra essentially remains the same underneath as it has for a decade. That's a problem for the big Toyota because it trails key rivals from Chevy, Ford, and Ram with its busy ride quality and relatively poor EPA-estimated fuel economy. Overall, the Tundra feels more cumbersome to drive than newer, more sophisticated rivals.
It's not all bad news for buyers, though, particularly if you're looking for a spacious working vehicle. The double and crew cabs—the latter called CrewMax—offer tons of passenger space. And with three bed lengths, two wheelbases, rear- or four-wheel drive, a pair of powerful if not particularly fuel-efficient V8s, several trim levels, and an array of optional packages, you can build your Tundra to suit your needs. If you want a capable work truck, there's a down-and-dirty, bare-bones regular cab with plastic bumpers. At the other end of the range, a lavishly equipped Platinum trim in CrewMax form brings limo-like space and equipment, if not limo ride quality. In short, there's a Tundra for every need as long as you can accept a few compromises. Don't rule it out, but be sure to try its rivals before you commit.
All Toyota Tundra years
Not sure what year to select? Learn about each Toyota Tundra generation from 2012 to 2026
What is new for the 2016 Toyota Tundra?
- Tundra trims have been upgraded with Blind Spot Monitor, Leather & Suede Seats, DVD Video System, and 1530 as standard equipment this year.
- The TRD Pro trim now comes with Leather Seats and Parking Sensors as standard equipment.
- The Limited trim now comes with Parking Sensors as standard equipment.
2016 Toyota Tundra trims
Curious how Toyota Tundra trims differ? Use our side-by-side vehicle comparison to see the differences and similaritiesSR: Includes 18-inch steel wheels, cruise control, 40/20/40 split fold-down front bench seat, Bluetooth connectivity, 6.1-inch touchscreen, and more.
SR5: Adds chrome grille and bumper endcaps, fog lights, variable intermittent windshield wipers, HD Radio™ and Sirius XM capability, upgrades touchscreen to seven inches, and more.
Limited: Swaps in 20-inch wheels and adds chrome heated outdoor mirrors, a deck rail system, heated front seats, power rear window, integrated trailer brake controller, and more.
Platinum: Adds front and rear parking sonar, premium JBL® audio system, brushed metal-style trim, color-keyed bumpers and grille surround, memory system for power seats, and more.
1794 Edition: Adds a Western-themed interior with premium brown leather-trimmed seats and wood trim, blind-spot monitor, rear cross-traffic alert, and more.
TRD Pro: Adds aluminum skid plate, matte black front bumper, dual exhaust, Bilstein shocks, TRD badging, and more. Also, the front grille spells out “Toyota," which is unique to this trim.
5 reasons to buy the 2016 Toyota Tundra
1. Powerful engines
The 2016 Toyota Tundra is equipped with a 310-hp 4.6L V8 as standard, which is plenty to propel this pickup just about anywhere you need to go. For those looking for more power, you might prefer the even burlier 5.7L V8, which pumps out 381 hp alongside 401 lb-ft of torque. Whether you're towing, running errands, or picking up the kids from school, you'll be confident the 2016 has enough zoom to pass or enter highway on-ramps without any trouble at all.
2. Towing prowess
With an estimated towing capacity of 10,500 pounds when properly equipped and with the 5.7L V8 drivetrain, the 2016 Toyota Tundra can handily tow a boat, camper, or trailer. Also, all 2016 Tundras equipped with the 5.7L V8 come standard with an integrated trailer brake controller, which helps a compatible trailer apply its brakes when you apply the brakes inside the Tundra. That means you get not just the power to tow, but the tools you need to do so are available at your fingertips.
3. Infotainment system
Equipped standard with Toyota's Entune™ system, Bluetooth® phone and audio connectivity, a six-speaker sound setup, and a 6.1-inch touchscreen, the 2016 Toyota Tundra SR will keep you entertained. Upgrading to the SR5 brings Entune Audio Plus along with a seven-inch touchscreen, HD Radio, and a Sirius XM connection. Stepping up to the Limited trim unlocks Entune Premium along with the App Suite and integrated navigation. When you're ready to rock, the 2016 Tundra is up for it.
4. Off-Roading chops
At the top of the line, the TRD Pro Tundra is loaded with front and rear Bilstein® shocks to take on rough terrain. It also includes an aluminum skid plate, halogen headlamps, and a deck rail system to tie down gear. However, even the base SR 2016 Tundra is tough enough to handle uneven dirt and rocky roads with sturdy steel wheels, front and rear mudguards, and a well-built chassis.
5. Rugged, modern design
One look at the 2016 Toyota Tundra evokes the feeling that this pickup can take on the world. The large grille greets you upfront and connects to generous headlamps. And inside, an intuitive layout blends an up-to-date touchscreen with textured knobs you can turn even with your work gloves on.
Similar vehicles
If you're interested in the 2016 Toyota Tundra, you should also check out these similar vehicles from Previous generation years.
GM's capable pickup is available with two-wheel drive or four-wheel drive and elegant styling. Available with a broad variety of cab sizes, bed sizes, and engine options, the GMC Sierra for model years 2017-2021 is ready to work with features like this and more:
Power locks and windows
17-inch steel wheels
Cruise control
Rugged and versatile, the RAM 1500 is an all-around terrific full-size pickup truck. The RAM 1500 aims to please, whether you're seeking a vehicle to hold your crew or your family. For model years 2017–2019, the RAM 1500 is offered in two different cab configurations: the quad cab and crew cab. This truck is also available in two bed sizes: a standard six-foot-four-inch bed and a shorter, optional five-foot-seven-inch bed. A 3.6L V6 engine at 305 hp is standard across all trim levels, and a larger and more powerful 5.7L V8 is also optional. For model year 2019, these features are standard on the RAM 1500:
Five-inch touchscreen interface
Vinyl flooring and upholstery
Front and rear stabilizer bars
Folding rear bench seat
Redesigned for model year 2017, Nissan's full-size truck is generously equipped from the outset. Looking for more driver-assistance features? The 2020 model includes several of them as standard. All Titans between 2017 and 2021 include these features and then some:
Lockable damped tailgate
Bluetooth connectivity
40/20/40-split folding front bench seat
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Ratings & reliability
RepairPal gave the Toyota Tundra an overall reliability rating of 3.5 out of 5 stars, which RepairPal describes as Above Average. This rating ranks Toyota Tundra 6th out of 19 among Fullsize Trucks.
View RepairPal's full rating of the Toyota TundraToyota Tundra features and specs
Curious how Toyota Tundra trims differ? Use our side-by-side vehicle comparison to see the differences and similarities
SR 2WD 2D Regular Cab
Standard Features
- ABS Brakes
- Air Conditioning
- AM/FM Stereo
- Automatic Transmission
- Auxiliary Audio Input
- CD Audio
- Cloth Seats
- Cruise Control
- Entune
- Heated Mirrors
- Long Bed
- Overhead Airbags
- Power Locks
- Power Mirrors
- Power Windows
- Rear View Camera
- Side Airbags
- Tow Hitch
- Traction Control
- 20 Inch Plus Wheels
- Alloy Wheels
- Bed Cover
- Bed Liner
- Bluetooth Technology
- Flex Fuel Vehicle
- Heated Mirrors
- Power Locks
- Power Mirrors
- Power Windows
- Remote Start
- Running Boards
- Vinyl Seats
Drive Wheels
Rear Wheel Drive (2WD)
Engine size
5.7L
Horsepower
381
Torque (ft-lbs)
401
Engine type
Gas
Fuel capacity
26.4
Wheelbase
145.7"
Overall length
228.9"
Width
79.9"
Height
75.8"
Leg room
F 42.5"
Head room
F 39.7"
Front tires
P255/70TR18
Rear tires
P255/70TR18
Seating capacity
3
Max towing capacity
1050/10500 lbs.
Transmission
Automatic
2016 Toyota Tundra FAQ
Yes, a 6.1-inch touchscreen is standard as part of Toyota's Entune system. If you want something bigger, the 2016 Tundra SR5 trim offers a slightly larger 7-inch touchscreen along with a whole host of other infotainment features to enhance your drive.
Apple CarPlay is not available in the 2016 Toyota Tundra. This wasn't added as a standard tech feature until the 2020 models, which are also equipped with Android Auto™ integration.
The 2016 Toyota Tundra has standard rear-wheel drive, but a four-wheel drive version is available. If you regularly go off-roading or want to drive in snow, consider the rugged TRD Pro model for maximum ability across all terrain. This trim features an aluminum skid plate and Bilstein shocks to weather rough terrain.
More about the 2016 Toyota Tundra
Color options
Exterior colors:
Barcelona Red Metallic (SR5 and above)
Black (SR and SR5 only)
Blazing Blue Pearl (SR5 and above)
Inferno (Not available on Platinum and 1794 Edition)
Magnetic Gray Metallic (SR5 and above)
Midnight Black Metallic (Limited and above)
Quicksand (TRD Pro only)
Radiant Red (Not available on Platinum and 1794 Edition)
Silver Sky Metallic (SR5 and above)
Sunset Bronze Mica (SR5 and above)
Super White
Interior colors:
1794 Brown leather
Black fabric
Black leather
Graphite fabric
Sand Beige fabric
Sand Beige leather
Interior details
With the Regular Cab configuration, the 2016 Toyota Tundra provides seating for three passengers, while Double Cab and CrewMax models seat up to six passengers. Cloth upholstery comes standard on the base SR trim, and vinyl is available with the Work Truck package. Leather-trimmed seating is available on the Limited and TRD Pro trims, while luxurious full leather seats come with Platinum and 1794 Edition models. The 1794 Edition model offers the most upscale interior of all the variants, with suede seat inserts and wood-style trim throughout.
For extra storage, the Double Cab option includes a rear under-seat storage tray to stash your gear or valuables when you're not in the truck. Offering 42.5 inches of front-seat legroom, the 2016 Tundra is accommodating for a wide range of heights. In the CrewMax size, back-seat passengers will get 42.3 inches of legroom or 34.7 inches in the Double Cab version.
Child seat details
The 2016 Toyota Tundra crew cab models can fit up to three car seats in the rear row. This includes LATCH car seats, infant car seats, rear-facing convertible car seats, forward-facing convertible car seats, and booster car seats. Rear-facing convertible and infant seats are easy to install and provide plenty of room in the second row without moving the front seat forward.
Performance
The 2016 Toyota Tundra comes with one of two brawny engine options on the SR and SR5 trims: a 4.6L V8 making 310 hp and 327 lb-ft of torque or the 5.7L V8, which generates 381 hp and 401 lb-ft of torque. On all other trims, the larger 5.7 V8 is standard. All models are equipped with a six-speed electronically controlled automatic transmission with rear-wheel drive or 4WDemand part-time 4WD.
The 4.6L engine delivers the highest gas mileage with an EPA-estimated 17 mpg combined. As for pulling power, the 2016 Toyota Tundra can tow an estimated 10,500 pounds with the 5.7L V8 when properly equipped.
The top speed is 107 mph, and the 2016 Tundra can go from zero to 60 in 6.4 seconds with the 5.7L engine (according to the manufacturer, when new).
Year comparisons
2007–2021 Toyota Tundra (Second Generation)
The second-generation Toyota Tundra was offered with three cab sizes (Regular, Double, and CrewMax) and three bed-length options. Engine options included a 276-hp 4.6L V8, a 381-hp 5.7L V8, or a 236-hp 4.0L V6 with 2WD or 4WD, all with a six-speed transmission. As of 2018, the Tundra was available only with the Double Cab and CrewMax sizes. For model year 2020, Toyota dropped the 4.6L V8, leaving only the 5.7L powertrain remaining; in that same year, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were included as standard.
2022-Present Toyota Tundra (Third Generation)
The third-generation Toyota Tundra debuted in September of 2021 redesigned inside and out for model year 2022. The Regular Cab option was dropped, leaving the Double Cab and CrewMax options. Toyota retired the V8 for this model year, swapping in a turbocharged 3.5L V6 making 389 horsepower and 479 lb-ft of torque or hybrid powertrain with a combined 437 hp and 583 lb-ft of torque with that same V6.
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