How much does the 2016 RAM 1500 cost?

Prices have softened 6.33% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 5,837 listings available, which suggests solid inventory for comparison shopping.

If you find a listing below $17,841.95, 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 — it earns a 4.88/5 from owners and an 8.33/10 expert rating. The model scores 9/10 across Form and function, Technology, and Safety.

Owners consistently praise its stylish design, spacious interior, and strong performance, especially with the diesel option. The overview also points to a truck that works well as both a capable utility vehicle and a more polished daily driver, which fits your needs if you want pickup practicality without giving up comfort. With 30.6% of listings marked as good or great deals, there is still room to shop selectively.

Is the 2016 RAM 1500 reliable?

Owners rate it 4.88/5, a strong signal of long-term satisfaction.

The owner summary points to a truck that feels practical, stylish, and strong in everyday use, with many drivers highlighting its performance and power. The expert notes also emphasize the EcoDiesel V6 and the truck’s broad utility, which supports the sense that it is built to handle long-term ownership well. Ram also includes Bluetooth hands-free connectivity on all trims, which adds everyday convenience without much complexity.

For used buyers, the main long-term risk is that a truck with this much equipment and capability can hide costly wear if maintenance history is incomplete.

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

At 65.3% 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 have been used for towing, commuting, or city parking. Focus on condition, equipment operation, and signs of wear that could affect ownership costs. Because this model can be configured as a luxury-leaning truck, make sure the features you expect are actually present and working.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The base Tradesman is light on luxury features, while higher trims add heated leather seats, larger wheels, and parking aids. The Limited stands apart with navigation, heated/cooled seats, a heated steering wheel, full leather seating, leather door inserts, and a unique grille and exterior treatment.
• Powertrain: The EcoDiesel V6 delivers 240 horsepower and 420 pound-feet of torque, with 20 mpg city/28 highway in rear-wheel-drive form and 19/27 in 4-wheel-drive form. The base 3.6-liter V6 returns 18 mpg city/25 highway, while the 5.7-liter Hemi V8 is rated at 15 mpg city/22 highway.
• Safety package: ParkSense front and rear parking sensors and a backup camera are especially valuable 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 present.
• Infotainment: The Limited includes navigation, satellite radio, an Alpine stereo with 9 speakers including a subwoofer, and a large customizable digital screen. Lower trims get Bluetooth hands-free connectivity, and the Express adds a Uconnect 5-inch touchscreen.
• Fuel efficiency: The EcoDiesel returns 20 mpg city/28 highway in rear-wheel-drive form and 19/27 in 4-wheel-drive form. The base gas V6 returns 18 mpg city/25 highway, and the V8 is rated at 15 mpg city/22 highway.

Which 2016 RAM 1500 trim should I buy?

The 2016 RAM 1500 is offered in 5 trim levels: Tradesman, Express, Sport, Laramie, Limited.

Here's the short version:

• Base trim: The Tradesman is the value play, but it lacks the upscale touches and parking aids found higher up the range.
• Sweet-spot trim: The Laramie is the best balance if you want heated leather seats, 20-inch wheels, and ParkSense with backup camera without jumping to luxury-truck pricing.
• Premium/top trim: The Limited is the standout if you want the most luxurious version, with navigation, heated/cooled seats, a heated steering wheel, full leather, and the most distinctive exterior treatment.

The safety-package trim note is simple: ParkSense and the backup camera are most clearly tied to the higher-end trims, so verify those features before you buy.

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

This is a moderate market for selective buyers, so you can shop carefully and still find worthwhile listings.

• Deal availability: 30.6% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 5,837 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 6.33% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 65.3% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $17,841.95, 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 $17,839 sits slightly below last year's $19,045.

That softer pricing can help you buy in at a more favorable point, but it also means future resale gains may be more limited if the market stays soft. If you plan to sell later, condition and equipment will matter a lot, especially on a truck with a wide spread between work-focused and luxury-oriented trims. Well-kept examples with desirable features should hold buyer interest better than stripped or heavily worn trucks.

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 Top Safety Pick rating from IIHS and five-star ratings from NHTSA.

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

The truck comes with a standard backup camera, ParkSense front and rear parking sensors, and a full complement of front and side-impact airbags. Those features are especially useful on a large pickup with a long wheelbase and limited maneuverability. It does not include lane-departure warning or blind-spot monitoring, so you should not assume the truck has the full set of modern driver aids.

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:

• 30.6% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• At 65.3% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 6.33% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 4.88/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• The 2016 stands out for its luxury-truck positioning, EcoDiesel V6, and available air suspension.

Consider the 2015 if:

• At $16,147, the 2015 costs less than the current year's $17,839 average.
• It combines handsome looks with a fantastic chassis.

The bottom line: If you want the more distinctive luxury-truck angle, the 2016 is the better target. If your priority is saving money first, the 2015 is the smarter value play and still delivers much of the Ram 1500’s core appeal.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from August 21, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.