Description

2016 Ford F-150 Review

Cheap Ford F-150 Raptor

The 2016 Ford F-150 has excellent towing capabilities, outstanding handling, powerful engines, and top-notch available safety features. Although some rivals have more inviting cabins, the F-150 is one of the best used pickup Truck you can buy.

Pros & Cons

Outstanding towing and hauling abilities
Select ownership costs are lower than rivals
Agile handling
Spacious and comfortable seats
Rival cabins are more upscale
SYNC 3 infotainment system made available
Pro Trailer Backup Assist made available

Rankings & Awards

The 2016 Ford F-150’s #3 ranking is based on its score within the 2016 Full Size Pickup Trucks category. It is a finalist for our 2016 Best Full Size Truck for the Money award. Currently the Ford F-150 has a score of 8.6 out of 10, which is based on our evaluation of 27 pieces of research and data elements using various sources.

Is the 2016 Ford F-150 a Good Used Truck?

The Ford F-150 is an excellent used pickup truck. This workhorse outdoes rivals in almost every way, thanks in part to a wide range of options and nearly unlimited body and powertrain combinations.

Why You Can Trust Us

Our Ford F-150 review includes far more than just one person’s opinion. We collected professional evaluations from more than two dozen sources and combined them with concrete data like fuel economy estimates, safety features, and performance specs to help you make an informed buying decision.

With more than 75 years of combined automotive experience, our editors, writers, and analysts rank a wide variety of new and used cars and issue three annual awards: Best Cars for the Money, Best Cars for Families, and Best Vehicle Brands. To keep our recommendations unbiased, we decline expensive gifts from carmakers, and a third party handles our advertising.

How Much Is the 2016 Ford F-150?

The average price of a 2016 F-150 (based on more than 4,900 listings for the truck on our used car site) is $34,500. That’s typical for a half-ton pickup. Prices range from $24,700 to $46,800, in part because the F-150 offers such a varied selection of options, body styles, and trim levels. Vehicle condition, mileage, and regional demand can also impact the price of a used truck.

 

How Much Does the 2016 Ford F-150 Cost to Own?

If you want to save money each month, you should choose the F-150 over one of its competitors. Over five years, you can expect to spend around $25,000 to insure, fuel, maintain, and repair the F-150. That’s at least $1,300 less than what you’d spend on the Chevrolet Silverado, GMC Sierra 1500, or Ram 1500.

 

How Much Does It Cost to Insure a Ford F-150?

The cost of insuring a Ford F-150 will depend on a variety of factors, including your deductible, the level of coverage that you want, and the type of insurance that you choose. Your age, gender, location, credit score, and driving record can also have an impact on your insurance rates. Check out our car insurance guide to find the best policy for you.

 

Is It Better to Buy a Used or New F-150?

Shoppers in search of the latest technology, design, and capabilities will want to set their sights on the 2018 Ford F-150. Various enhancements have been made to the multitude of available powertrains, and all engines now come standard with a fuel-saving stop-start system. These improvements have also led to an increase in towing ability; a properly equipped 2018 F-150 has a class-leading towing capacity of 13,200 pounds. For 2018, available cutting-edge technology includes adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go functionality, a Wi-Fi hot spot that can support up to 10 devices, and pre-collision assist with pedestrian detection. Exterior changes (including a new grille and tailgate) and interior styling updates are also part of the midcycle refresh.

 

More details

The downside to buying a 2018 model over a 2016 F-150 is price. Because so many configurations and trim levels are available in this pickup truck, it’s a little difficult to compare the cost difference. That said, the MSRP of a 2018 F-150 ranges from $27,705 to $60,850. In comparison, a 2016 model typically costs between $24,700 and $46,800. If the updates for 2018 don’t interest you, stick with the fairly similar 2016 model to save a significant chunk of money.

How Reliable Is the 2016 Ford F-150?

The 2016 F-150 has a reliability rating of 3.5 out of five from J.D. Power. That’s slightly above average for a used vehicle, though it’s worth noting that the GMC Sierra 1500 and Ram 1500 are expected to be a bit more dependable.

2016 Ford F-150 Recalls

A sweeping recall has been issued on the F-150 to address an issue with the doors: they may accidentally open while you are driving. As of this writing, five additional recalls have been issued for the 2016 model year, though none are as broad. The other recalls fix loose seat hardware, improperly mounted seat belts, flawed chrome door handles, insufficient welds holding the driver’s seat, and issues with the front passenger air bag system.

Which Model Year of the Ford F-150 Is Best?

The 2016 F-150 is part of a generation that began with the 2015 model and includes the 2018 F-150. For 2016, the truck received an upgraded available infotainment system with SYNC 3, replacing MyFord Touch. The 2017 model received a new base engine and an optional 10-speed automatic transmission, and the hardcore off-road Raptor returned to the lineup for the first time since the truck’s redesign. If those updates aren’t important to you, you may want to consider the 2015 F-150 (which has otherwise similar features and scores) to save money.

 

Which Used Ford F-150 Model Is Right for Me?

The 2016 F-150 is available in numerous configurations. Three different cab choices (Regular, SuperCab, or SuperCrew) seat either three or six, and bed sizes range from 5 feet 6 inches to 8 feet. Trim levels include XL, XLT, Lariat, King Ranch, Platinum, and the top-of-the-line Limited. There are also multiple engines available. We recommend one of the two twin-turbo EcoBoost engines in either the Ford F-150 XLT or Ford F-150 Lariat trim. The SYNC 3 infotainment system is standard in the Lariat (and available in the XLT), along with leather seats. If you regularly carry back-seat passengers, the SuperCrew is the best cab choice, as it offers traditional doors and ample space. The Super Cab also can accommodate back-seat riders, but its space isn’t as commodious.

 

What Does Ford’s Certified Pre-Owned Warranty Cover?

Ford offers a certified pre-owned program for vehicles six years old or less and with fewer than 80,000 miles. Eligibility is determined by the vehicle’s initial sale date. For its certified pre-owned vehicles, Ford extends the original new-car powertrain warranty to seven years from the original sale date or 100,000 miles. These vehicles also get a one-year/12,000-mile limited warranty after the original three-year/36,000-mile new-car warranty expires. Each Ford CPO vehicle must pass a 172-point inspection. Additional benefits like vehicle history reports, towing, and roadside assistance may be available, so read the Ford warranty page carefully.

 

How Safe Is the F-150?

The 2016 F-150 has very high safety scores. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration gave the F-150 a perfect five-star overall rating, with four stars in the rollover test. The F-150 also earned the highest rating of Good in all five Insurance Institute for Highway Safety tests, and it was named a 2016 IIHS Top Safety Pick.

There are no standard advanced safety features in the 2016 F-150, but several are available. Available safety features include front and rear parking sensors, a 360-degree camera, lane keep assist, blind spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control, and forward collision warning.

 

2016 Ford F-150 Versus the Competition

Which Is Better: 2016 Ford F-150 or 2016 Chevrolet Silverado?
Between the Ford F-150 and the 2016 Chevrolet Silverado, the Ford tends to be the better pick for muscle, while the Chevy is preferred for comfort and amenities. The Silverado has a more luxurious interior compared to the F-150, especially in lower trims. Though both trucks have an appealing selection of powertrains, pick the Ford if you do a lot of hauling. It has best-in-class towing and payload capacities.

Which Is Better: 2016 Ford F-150 or 2016 Ram 1500?

With its high-class cabin and comfortable seating, the 2016 Ram 1500 is a smart choice if you use your pickup primarily for commuting, not hauling. Though the Ram 1500 has one of the lowest towing capacities in the class, an available turbodiesel engine gives it excellent fuel economy. The Ram has a soft and cushioned ride, but it isn’t as athletic as the F-150. For its combination of quality and value, the Ram 1500 was named our 2016 Best Full Size Truck for the Money.

Which Is Better: 2016 Ford F-150 or 2016 Toyota Tundra?

The Ford F-150 is a better truck than the 2016 Toyota Tundra in almost every way. The Tundra’s limited engine options and harsh ride quality result in unappealing performance, and the cabin is awash in hard plastic materials. The Tundra gets lower safety scores than the F-150, and its base engine gets meager fuel economy estimates. Although it can tow above 10,000 pounds, it can’t match the F-150. However, the Tundra does have some of the best off-road chops among 2016 full-size trucks (the Ford Raptor for this generation didn’t debut until the 2017 model year).

2016 F-150 Performance

How Does the 2016 Ford F-150 Drive?
The 2016 F-150 has a wide lineup of powerful engines, ranging from the base 282-horsepower V6 to a 385-horsepower V8. Its standout powertrains are two twin-turbocharged EcoBoost V6 engines that make 325 and 365 horsepower. The 3.5-liter EcoBoost engine gives you the highest towing capacity in the class, at 12,200 pounds. Though it’s a big truck, the F-150 is agile, with precise steering that makes it easy to maneuver.

Does the 2016 Ford F-150 Get Good Gas Mileage?

Depending on the engine, the F-150 gets an estimated 15-19 mpg in the city and 21-26 mpg on the highway.

2016 Ford F-150 Towing Capacity

The F-150 is an excellent pickup truck if you want to pull a heavy boat or trailer. Models equipped with the 3.5-liter EcoBoost engine and the maximum trailer tow package offer a best-in-class 12,200-pound towing capacity. Cheap Ford F-150 Raptor

2016 F-150 Interior

How Many People Does the 2016 F-150 Seat?
The Ford F-150 can seat three or six depending on which body style you choose. SuperCab models provide adequate back-seat room for shorter trips, while SuperCrew trucks are as spacious as some large sedans and SUVs. The front seats are comfortable, but the F-150’s interior isn’t as upscale as some rivals’ cabins overall. This is especially true of lower trim levels, but even the higher trims don’t match the ambiance of competitors like the Ram 1500. Cheap Ford F-150 Raptor

How Many Car Seats Fit in the 2016 Ford F-150?

In F-150s with a second row, there are two complete sets of LATCH car-seat connectors on the outboard seats and a tether anchor on the middle seat. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety gave the system a Marginal rating (the second lowest) for ease of use. Cheap Ford F-150 Raptor

The 2016 Ford F-150 Features

The base F-150 is slim on standard features. That said, many used F-150s come with more than just the standard AM/FM stereo. The available voice-activated SYNC infotainment system includes Bluetooth and smartphone app integration. Available features include the touch-screen SYNC 3 system (which is generally easy to use), a moonroof, satellite radio, and navigation. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard with the upgraded SYNC 3 system, but some earlier 2016 models may require an over-the-air or service update to add them.

2016 Ford F-150 Dimensions

Cheap Ford F-150 Raptor Cargo Space
Three bed sizes are available for the F-150: a 5.5-foot box, a 6.5-foot box, and an 8-foot box. Note that not every bed size was paired with every cab style. When properly equipped, the F-150 has a maximum payload capacity of 3,270 pounds, which is the highest in the class.

Ford F-150 Length and Weight

The length of an F-150 depends on its body style. The truck stretches anywhere from 17.4 feet (Regular Cab and 6.5-foot box) to 20.9 feet (SuperCab and 8-foot box). Cheap Ford F-150 Raptor