2016 Toyota 4Runner — Full Specifications
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Running gear matters most — before anything else, UK: check tyre prices at TirendoUS: check wheel & tyre prices at WheelHero for this car's fitment.
The 2016 Toyota 4Runner is an SUV powered by a 4L 6-cyl regular gasoline engine. Its most fuel-efficient configuration returns around 23 mpg (UK) / 19 mpg (US EPA) combined, with 22–23 mpg (UK) across all configurations. Owners often keep a Toyota 4Runner workshop manual to hand for servicing and repairs.
Compared with the 2015 Toyota 4Runner: Fuel economy is essentially unchanged at around 23 mpg (UK) combined. The engine line-up listed by EPA is unchanged. It carries the same 4★ overall NHTSA rating.
Full Specifications
| Engine | 4L 6-cyl |
|---|---|
| Transmission | Automatic (S5) |
| Fuel Type | Regular Gasoline |
| Powertrain | Conventional |
| Drive | Rear-Wheel Drive |
| Body Style | SUV |
| Fuel Economy (UK) | 23 combined / 20 urban / 26 extra-urban mpg |
| Fuel Economy (US EPA) | 19 combined / 17 city / 22 highway mpg |
| CO₂ Emissions | 290 g/km |
| EPA Greenhouse Gas Score | 4 / 10 (10 = lowest emissions) |
| EPA Est. Annual Fuel Cost | $3,550 (15,000 mi/yr, US prices) |
Engine & Transmission Options
EPA lists 3 configurations for the 2016 Toyota 4Runner, all with the 4L 6-cyl engine. Combined fuel economy ranges from 18 to 19 mpg (US), or 22 to 23 mpg (UK), depending on engine, transmission and drive. The headline figures at the top of this page describe the most fuel-efficient configuration.
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG (UK) | MPG (US) | CO₂ g/km | Fuel cost / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4L 6-cyl | Automatic (S5) | All-Wheel Drive | 22 | 18 (17/21) | 297 | $3,700 |
| 4L 6-cyl | Automatic (S5) | Part-time 4-Wheel Drive | 22 | 18 (17/21) | 297 | $3,700 |
| 4L 6-cyl | Automatic (S5) | Rear-Wheel Drive | 23 | 19 (17/22) | 290 | $3,550 |
MPG (US) shows combined, with city/highway in brackets. Highlighted row = the configuration used for the headline figures. Source: US EPA fueleconomy.gov.
Owner Essentials for the 2016 Toyota 4Runner
Running Costs: 2016 Toyota 4Runner
Covering around 8,000 miles a year in a 2016 Toyota 4Runner at 23 mpg combined, expect roughly 1,581 litres of fuel annually — multiply by your local price per litre for a cost estimate. For US owners, the EPA estimates about $3,550 a year in fuel for the most efficient configuration (15,000 miles, national average prices). Work out exact fuel costs with the fuel cost calculator on 247Calculators.
Convert between MPG and L/100km with the unit converters on 247QuickTools. Not sure what tyre size fits? 247TyreCheck explains tyre sizing.
Planning a road trip? Grab a road trip packing list. Only need this car occasionally? See our buy vs rent comparison.
2016 Toyota 4Runner Safety Ratings (NHTSA)
Recalls & Owner Complaints (NHTSA)
NHTSA lists 8 safety recall campaigns that include the 2016 Toyota 4Runner (as of 6 October 2026). Most affected areas: Air bags (3), Structure (2), Equipment (2). A campaign often covers several model years or models, so check your own VIN to see whether your car is affected.
- Air bags — campaign 19V741000, reported 17 October 2019. Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
- Air bags — campaign 19V005000, reported 9 January 2019. Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
- Structure — campaign 17V763000, reported 29 November 2017. Risk: If the Billet Grille Overlay detaches while driving, it can become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Structure — campaign 17V425000, reported 3 July 2017. Risk: If the hood scoop detaches, it may become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
Showing the 4 most recent of 8 campaigns.
Owners have filed 79 complaints with NHTSA about the 2016 Toyota 4Runner. The most-reported areas are Electrical system (18), Unspecified (16), Air bags (10). Complaints include 6 reported crashes, 1 reported fire, 6 reported injuries. That is close to the median of 60 complaints across the 16 Toyota 4Runner model years in our data.
Used-buyer checklist for the 2016 Toyota 4Runner
Based on where NHTSA recalls and owner complaints cluster for this model year, these are the areas worth checking before you buy:
- Air bags (3 recall campaigns · 10 owner complaints) — Confirm any air bag inflator or module recalls were completed — enter the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
- Electrical system (18 owner complaints) — Test every switch, window, light and warning lamp on a test drive, and ask about battery or alternator replacements.
- Body structure (2 recall campaigns) — Inspect for corrosion and for subframe or body-panel damage, especially underneath.
- Suspension (9 owner complaints) — Listen for knocks over bumps and check tyre wear for signs of alignment problems.
Source: US NHTSA recall and consumer-complaint databases, retrieved 6 October 2026. Complaints are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defects. Check any vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls, and see our guide to checking a used car for recalls.
How It Compares
How does the Toyota 4Runner compare to similar SUVs? For context, SUVs in our database average around 27 mpg (UK) combined — this model's 23 mpg figure is 4 mpg below that average. Its 290 g/km CO₂ figure is 37 g/km higher than the 253 g/km average for SUVs on this site. This comparison is based on 1824 SUVs in our dataset.
Toyota models in our database average about 34 mpg (UK) combined on their most efficient configuration; the 2016 Toyota 4Runner's 23 mpg is 11 mpg below that make average. Its 290 g/km CO₂ figure is 74 g/km higher than the 216 g/km Toyota average.
Of the 17 Toyota 4Runner model years we cover, the 2016 ranks 4th for combined fuel economy on its best configuration (23 mpg UK combined, against a high of 26 mpg). See every Toyota 4Runner year side by side.
Last updated: · Data: US EPA (fueleconomy.gov) and NHTSA safety ratings 18 July 2026; NHTSA recalls and complaints 6 October 2026; Wikidata & curated EU catalogue 18 July 2026; European generation and engine data from Wikipedia 7 October 2026
Vehicle data sourced from manufacturer specifications. Always verify with your vehicle handbook or a qualified mechanic. This is a reference tool, not professional advice.
Recommended Accessories for the 2016 Toyota 4Runner
Frequently Asked Questions
What engine does the 2016 Toyota 4Runner have?
It's fitted with a 4L 6-cyl regular gasoline engine, paired with a automatic (s5) transmission.
What is the fuel economy of the 2016 Toyota 4Runner?
The most efficient configuration returns around 23 mpg (UK) combined, or 19 mpg on the US EPA cycle. Across all configurations the UK combined figure runs from 22 to 23 mpg.
How much does the 2016 Toyota 4Runner cost to fuel per year?
The US EPA estimates about $3,550 a year in fuel for the most efficient configuration, based on 15,000 miles of mixed driving and national average fuel prices. Your own cost will depend on mileage and local prices.
Does the 2016 Toyota 4Runner have a good safety rating?
It holds an overall NHTSA rating of 4 stars, with 4 stars for frontal crash protection.
Does the 2016 Toyota 4Runner have any recalls?
NHTSA lists 8 safety recall campaigns that include the 2016 Toyota 4Runner (as of 6 October 2026). Most affected areas: Air bags (3), Structure (2), Equipment (2). A campaign often covers several model years or models, so check your own VIN to see whether your car is affected.
What are the most common problems reported for the 2016 Toyota 4Runner?
Among the 79 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported areas are Electrical system (18 complaints), Unspecified (16 complaints), Air bags (10 complaints). Complaints are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defects, and raw counts rise with how many cars were sold.
Is the Toyota 4Runner's fuel economy good for an SUV?
It returns around 23 mpg (UK) combined, against a same-body-style average of roughly 27 mpg among the SUVs we track.