2016 SR5 4x4 4 banger for light off road and occasional towing?

Hello!

I am looking for honest feedback about purchasing a 2016 Tacoma SR5 4 Cylinder 4x4. Most of the time it will be my personal day to day truck and I want to purchase a truck that is durable, reliable and I won't have to replace in the next 10-15 years. I plan to use it a few weeks a year in a light to medium off-road capacity (think remote BLM and National Forrest areas). I also want to use it occasionally for towing a small camper or trailer.

Thanks so much!

 

Welcome to TW

 

Welcome Stacy.

I have a 2019 SR5 4x4 and I love mine so far. I too use it for mild off-roading. It's my daily driver but use it off-road on the weekends when I go shoot at the desert.

I would say whenever buying a used car, make sure to get a Carfax and check that vehicle's record before purchasing.

If its had a lot of mods done to it by the previous owner, I personally wouldn't purchase it.

Also, really think about what you plan on towing now before you buy, because that 4 cyl may not be enough. Think max towing on that is 3,500 pounds.

 

Welcome to TW


I think you'll be very happy with your purchase

 

Welcome! I have been super happy with my 2019 SR5 with the 6 cylinder. A buddy of mine at work has a 4 cylinder 2017 and has been completely happy with it as well.

 

Welcome! It is certainly capable of everything you have described.

 

The 3rd Gens have a pretty good TRAC system. There are a lot of details in this sticky:
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/3rd-gen-traction-control-modes-explained.530695/

You should do just fine.

If you are going to be out there solo, be sure to pack some recovery gear.

 

This is not scientific by any means & this applies all automakers, but I stay away from the 1st year of a model redesign for any car I buy. Especially if you're looking for long-term reliability. They tend to have the most issues that need to by worked out by the manufacturers.

 

My 4 cylinder 4Runner had 324K miles on it when I sold it. Now granted it was an older model, but everything still worked. These trucks last a very long time. Good luck OP.

 

Auto or manual?

 

My feedback is do it.

What is your hang up?

Although I’m not big on the 4 cyl part. I’d go full 6.

 

Test drive a 4 cylinder and a 6 cylinder. My 6 cylinder auto can feel underpowered sometimes, but I haven't driven a 4 cylinder auto to compare.

 

The only opinion I have for this is based on the year. It seems 2016s in general had alot of issues that had to get ironed out over time, not sure if it was isolated to just 6 cylinders or not. I had a 17' that seemed to fair better than most 16's and now I have an 18' with absolutely no issues at all.

 

^ True, though one would hope they'd be worked out by now. And the 4 cylinder is old tech, shouldn't be too much to be afraid of.
If you want to be scared, peruse the 3rd gen section!
My 2019 has all the common problems but I still like it

 

My 2016 4-cly has been flawless @ 50k+ miles, loving it!
Bottom line is there's not too many unhappy 4-cylinder Tacoma owners out there, regardless of tacoma generation.

Keep in mind the towing capacity is 3,500lbs, GVWR 5,600lbs.

 

Hello
I have a 2014 tacoma with 4 cyl auto.
46000 miles no problems at all and I regularly tow a 20 foot pontoon boat,
No trouble launching or removing from lakes..weighs 3000 lbs. Hope this helps.and I drive all around north maine woods.

 

above the towing capacity, that is.

 

I had a 2012 4 banger SR5 4X4 AT and I would not tow with it or recommend it, it had a hard enough time getting over the mountain passes from California to Oregon by its self I cant imagine what it would be like towing something, that's probably why it didn't come with a tow hitch from the dealer, unless your only towing a lawn mower trailer in town would work.

 

Well of course you’re gonna feel it! It’s a midsize truck with 159hp! But to say it can’t do it, is not really factual.

Are there better tow rigs? Absolutely

Doesn’t mean it’s incapable, especially if you’re ok with going up hills slowly - like semi trucks

 

Exactly.

The 4cyl will tow it's rating, 3500lbs, beautifully. I really don't get the people who think you need a 1ton diesel to tow 5k lbs.