How much does the 2016 RAM 1500 cost?

Prices have softened 5.92% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 5,969 listings available, which suggests solid inventory availability. If you find a listing below $17,875.02, that's toward the low end of the year-round range and worth acting on quickly.

Is the 2016 RAM 1500 a good car?

Yes — the 2016 RAM 1500 earns a 4.88/5 user rating, and our experts give it an 8.33/10 rating. The model scores 9/10 across Form and function, Technology, and Safety.

Owners consistently praise its stylish design, spacious interiors, and strong performance, especially with the diesel option. The overview also points to a truck that blends luxury and utility, with the Limited trim pushing it toward a more upscale, daily-driver-friendly feel. That combination makes it a strong fit if you want a capable pickup that still feels comfortable and well equipped. It also sits in a market where 30.5% of listings are priced as good or great deals.

Is the 2016 RAM 1500 reliable?

Owners rate it 4.88/5, a strong signal of long-term satisfaction. Reviewers describe it as practical, with a reputation for strong performance and power, and many highlight the diesel option as a standout. The expert drive notes also emphasize the EcoDiesel’s smoothness and the truck’s car-like road manners, which support the case for dependable everyday use. Ram also includes Bluetooth hands-free connectivity standard on all trims, which adds useful convenience without much complexity. For used buyers, the main long-term ownership risk is making sure any truck you consider has been maintained properly and doesn’t have unresolved tech or wear-related issues.

What should I look for when buying a used 2016 RAM 1500?

At 65.8% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.

You should start with a vehicle history report and then prioritize a pre-purchase inspection, especially on trucks that may have been used for towing or heavy work. Pay close attention to condition, equipment operation, and signs of wear in the cabin and around the body. Because some owners mention tech concerns and missing features like a backup camera, it’s worth confirming that every feature works as expected before you buy.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The base Tradesman is light on luxury, while higher trims add features like heated leather seats, a larger touchscreen, ParkSense, and a backup camera. The Limited stands out with a unique grille, leather upholstery, heated/cooled seats, a heated steering wheel, and navigation.
• Powertrain: You can find a 3.0-liter EcoDiesel V6 with 240 horsepower and 420 pound-feet of torque, a 3.6-liter V6 with 305 horsepower and 269 pound-feet of torque, or a 5.7-liter Hemi V8 with 395 horsepower and 410 pound-feet of torque. The EcoDiesel is the efficiency-focused choice, while the V8 is the strongest tow-rated option.
• Safety package: ParkSense front and rear parking sensors and a backup camera are especially useful on this large truck. The truck also includes a full complement of front and side-impact airbags, but lane-departure warning and blind-spot monitoring are not included.
• Infotainment: The Limited includes navigation, satellite radio, an Alpine stereo with 9 speakers including a subwoofer, and a large customizable digital screen in the center of the dash. Bluetooth hands-free connectivity is standard on all trims.
• Fuel efficiency: The EcoDiesel returns 20 mpg city/28 highway in rear-wheel drive and 19/27 in 4-wheel drive. The base gas V6 is rated at 18 mpg city/25 highway, while the 5.7-liter Hemi V8 is rated at 15 mpg city/22 highway.

Which 2016 RAM 1500 trim should I buy?

The 2016 RAM 1500 is offered in 4 trim levels: Tradesman, Express, Sport, Laramie.

Here's the short version:

• Base trim: The Tradesman is the value play, but it stays basic compared with the higher trims. You get Bluetooth hands-free connectivity, but not the upscale features found farther up the range.
• Sweet-spot trim: The Laramie is the best balanced choice if you want comfort and useful equipment without jumping all the way to luxury-truck pricing. It adds heated leather seats, 20-inch wheels, and the ParkSense system with backup camera.
• Premium/top trim: The Limited is the most luxurious version, with a unique grille, full leather seating, heated/cooled seats, a heated steering wheel, navigation, and a large digital display. It is the trim that most clearly delivers the upscale personality this truck is known for.

The safety package note to keep in mind is that ParkSense with backup camera is a meaningful upgrade on higher trims, especially for a truck this large.

Is now a good time to buy a used 2016 RAM 1500?

This is a moderate, selective buyer’s market, so you have room to shop carefully and compare listings.

• Deal availability: 30.5% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 5,969 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 5.92% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 65.8% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $17,875.02, that's toward the low end of the year-round range and worth acting on quickly.

What is the 2016 RAM 1500's resale value?

The current average of $17,880 sits slightly below last year's $19,006.

That price movement suggests the truck has become more accessible for buyers, which can help demand in the near term. For you as a future seller, that means resale value may depend heavily on condition, mileage, and equipment rather than just model-year appeal. Well-kept trucks with desirable features should hold up better than average, especially if they present cleanly and have strong service history.

Vehicles with strong owner satisfaction ratings, like this model year's 4.88/5, tend to retain buyer demand, which supports resale value over time.

Is the 2016 RAM 1500 safe?

It earns a 9/10 safety score from our experts.

The truck comes with a full complement of front and side-impact airbags, plus a standard backup camera and ParkSense front and rear parking sensors, which are especially helpful on a large pickup. It does not include lane-departure warning or blind-spot monitoring, so you should not assume the most advanced driver-assistance coverage on every trim. For used buyers, that makes it worth confirming which convenience and safety features are actually installed on the truck you’re considering.

Should I buy a 2016 RAM 1500 or consider a different year?

If you're weighing the 2016 against nearby model years, here's how to think about it:

Choose the 2016 if:

• 30.5% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• At 65.8% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 5.92% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 4.88/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• The 2016 stands out for its luxury-truck appeal, especially the Limited trim and EcoDiesel powertrain.

Consider the 2015 if:

• At $16,190, the 2015 costs less than the current year's $17,880 average.
• It offers comfort, versatility, and two strong powertrain choices.

The bottom line: If you want the more upscale, better-equipped version of this truck and you’re comfortable paying a bit more, the 2016 is the stronger pick. If your priority is saving money up front, the 2015 is the better value path, especially if you find one in clean condition with the right equipment.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from August 14, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.