carivo.co
Independent review & score by Carivo
| Seating Capacity | 5 passengers |
|---|---|
| Body Style | Truck |
| Base Price | $31,122–$38,080 |
Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov & manufacturer data. Figures reflect base trim; actual specs vary by trim level.
Our scoring places the 2016 Toyota Tacoma SL at 7.6/10 overall, which translates to a Recommended rating for this truck. Its strongest dimension is Reliability at 8.6/10, while Technology at 7.0/10 is where it trails the competition most noticeably. It's a solid all-rounder that delivers across most dimensions without obvious deal-breakers.
Reliability and safety are the two dimensions that matter most for long-term ownership costs. At 8.6/10, reliability is one of this truck's best cards — few vehicles in our database score higher on this dimension. The safety score of 7.5/10 is solid mid-pack territory. If advanced driver aids matter to you, compare standard equipment carefully and verify ratings at nhtsa.gov.
Performance scores 7.2/10 — competent for everyday use. Acceleration and handling are adequate for commuting and highway driving, though enthusiasts will want to look at higher-rated alternatives. Tech rates a reasonable 7.0/10: the essentials are covered and well executed, but rivals at the same price often include more as standard.
Priced from $31,122–$38,080, 15 MPG, seating 5, the Toyota Tacoma SL sits in the mid-market bracket of the truck segment. The 7.1/10 value score says the pricing is fair rather than generous; cross-shop the segment before signing anything. At 10 years old, resale value, parts availability, and whether a successor model has improved on its weak points are all worth investigating before committing.
Our take: The 2016 Toyota Tacoma SL is a solid, well-rounded truck that covers the essentials without obvious deal-breakers. For most buyers in this segment, it's a safe, dependable choice.
Carivo scores are our own editorial assessment, informed by NHTSA safety and recall records, EPA fuel-economy figures, and manufacturer-published specifications. Scores are reviewed periodically and updated when new data becomes available. See our full methodology →
The 2016 Toyota Tacoma SL ranks #127 of 515 trucks in the Carivo database — better than 76% of the segment. Its 7.6/10 overall score is 0.2 points above the segment average of 7.4/10. Its $31,122 starting price undercuts the segment's median of $35,138 by about 11%.
Rankings are recalculated as new vehicles and scores are added. See the full Truck ranking → · Best Trucks under $35k →
Across the Tacoma SL model years we've scored, the 2016 holds its position — we didn't find an older year that delivers similar scores for meaningfully less money.
| Year | Score | Starting price (MSRP when new) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 7.9/10 | $42,178 | Read review → |
| 2024 | 7.9/10 | $40,950 | Read review → |
| 2023 | 7.9/10 | $39,721 | Read review → |
| 2022 | 7.8/10 | $38,493 | Read review → |
| 2021 | 7.7/10 | $37,264 | Read review → |
| 2020 | 7.7/10 | $36,036 | Read review → |
| 2019 | 7.6/10 | $34,807 | Read review → |
| 2018 | 7.6/10 | $33,579 | Read review → |
| 2017 | 7.5/10 | $32,350 | Read review → |
| 2016 (this review) | 7.6/10 | $31,122 | |
| 2015 | 7.5/10 | $29,893 | Read review → |
We rate the 2016 Toyota Tacoma SL's reliability 8.6/10 — one of the stronger records in its class.
It scores 7.6/10 overall, ranking #127 of 515 trucks in our database (better than 76% of the segment). A solid choice for most buyers — compare it against the segment leaders before deciding.
The 2016 Toyota Tacoma SL starts at $31,122 and ranges up to $38,080 across trims (MSRP when new). At 15 MPG, expect roughly $3,500/year in fuel at 15,000 miles/year.
Explore the full lineup of Toyota models scored by Carivo — ranked by overall score across reliability, safety, value, performance, and technology.