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Independent review & score by Carivo
| Seating Capacity | 5 passengers |
|---|---|
| Body Style | Truck |
| Base Price | $39,484–$45,566 |
Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov & manufacturer data. Figures reflect base trim; actual specs vary by trim level.
With an overall Carivo score of 7.5/10, the 2016 Toyota Tundra SL earns a Recommended rating among the trucks we've scored. Its strongest dimension is Reliability at 7.9/10, while Value at 6.5/10 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. Reliability comes in at 7.9/10 in our assessment — above the middle of the pack for this class, though not flawless. On safety it earns 7.8/10: respectable, if not class-leading — several competitors bundle more driver-assist tech as standard. Check your trim's official ratings at nhtsa.gov.
Performance lands mid-pack at 7.7/10: enough power and composure for everyday needs, without the dynamics that distinguish the segment's driver-focused options. Technology comes in at 7.5/10 — functional and modern, with wireless connectivity and core ADAS features, though some competitors pack more standard tech at this price point.
Priced from $39,484–$45,566, 12 MPG, seating 5, the Toyota Tundra SL sits in the mid-market bracket of the truck segment. The value score of 6.5/10 is a red flag — comparable alternatives offer meaningfully more for the same outlay. Shop the segment before deciding. 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.
Bottom line: Think of the 2016 Toyota Tundra SL as the dependable pick rather than the exciting one. Its softer scores in value are the only real asterisks. Shoppers who value predictability over headlines will be well served.
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 Tundra SL ranks #186 of 515 trucks in the Carivo database — better than 64% of the segment. Its 7.5/10 overall score is 0.1 points above the segment average of 7.4/10. Its $39,484 starting price is about 12% above the segment's median of $35,138.
Rankings are recalculated as new vehicles and scores are added. See the full Truck ranking → · Best Trucks under $50k →
Across the Tundra 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 | $53,511 | Read review → |
| 2024 | 7.8/10 | $51,954 | Read review → |
| 2023 | 7.8/10 | $50,395 | Read review → |
| 2022 | 7.8/10 | $48,837 | Read review → |
| 2021 | 7.8/10 | $47,278 | Read review → |
| 2020 | 7.8/10 | $45,719 | Read review → |
| 2019 | 7.6/10 | $44,161 | Read review → |
| 2018 | 7.5/10 | $42,602 | Read review → |
| 2017 | 7.5/10 | $41,043 | Read review → |
| 2016 (this review) | 7.5/10 | $39,484 | |
| 2015 | 7.4/10 | $37,926 | Read review → |
We rate the 2016 Toyota Tundra SL's reliability 7.9/10 — above the middle of the pack for this class.
It scores 7.5/10 overall, ranking #186 of 515 trucks in our database (better than 64% of the segment). A solid choice for most buyers — compare it against the segment leaders before deciding.
The 2016 Toyota Tundra SL starts at $39,484 and ranges up to $45,566 across trims (MSRP when new). At 12 MPG, expect roughly $4,375/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.