2016 / 2017 /2018 What year should I buy? Best year?

Hi everyone,

New to Tundra community and shopping for a new truck.
From what I have read, I believe the 2018 model changed from the 2016/2017 models?

Can someone help me understand what is different and better yet, what is the best year to buy?

I don't want to buy brand new, 1 to 3 years old is kind of what I am after in a platinum trim Crewmax. Thank you!

 

I think a lot of people have issues with the sensors on the 18+ models. As long as you get a white truck, you can’t go wrong

 

I went with a CPO 2016 Platinum Tundra. White of course.. I didn't want to mess about with TSS.

 

Minor changes across those years except for the addition of Toyota Safety Sense.

While my previous Toyota (car) was being rebuilt after it got badly t-boned, I wound up in a rental Corolla that had the TSS. I fell in love with the adaptive cruise. I waited for the ‘18’s to come out so I could get the TSS. Mine has been trouble free. So, my vote would be for the 18.

If you’re not interested in the TSS, you can’t go wrong with the ‘16 or ‘17. They are all excellent.

Consumer reports puts the 16 at “above average” reliability and the ‘17 at “far above average” reliability. The ‘18 is “above average”.

No matter what year, the MGMs are faster, carry heavier loads, rust less, stay clean without washing, and can be used for space flight. MGMs cause pedestrians to flash pearly white smiles and give the ‘thumbs-up’ 100% of the time. Police will not give tickets to an MGM Tundra.

You can fact-check me on all of this. Just ask #ARamirez73.

 

I like the adaptive cruise and LED headlights/ running lights on the 2018.

 

I have an 18 (came from an 08 I had for 10 years before that) and generally like the new features. That being said, all of my stuff has been problem free, so that is probably a big part of that.

 

16 and 17 going to be the same. 18 is when they began with the TSS crap. My personal experience I wish I would have went with the 16 or 17 model year.

 

Pretty sure they changed the ECU between 16 and 17 in preparation for the TSS stuff. (according to HP Tuners when they first released tundra support)

 

LED headlights rock. Best stock headlights I've ever had on any vehicle. I use the adaptive cruise on occasion, I don't like how it responds to normal traffic conditions at times and it gets fooled by slower traffic in the next lane during long sweeping turns and panics.

Dan

 

+infinity on the headlights. I’ve yet to have any problems with my ‘18... including getting dirty. White has better mpg’s!

 

My 18 has been flawless. I love the TSS and the LED headlights are fantastic. Adaptive cruise control is awesome on highway trips.

 

Biggest bang for buck would be 2016, note the bench seat only has a 26 gallon tank, not 38, but most are center console Tundras anyway. If you want some luxury, get Limited, Platinum or 1794. The basic SR5 has no sun roof, everything else you can pretty much modify/add. As above, if you want TSS, 2018+.

The body hasn't changed since 2014, 38 gallon tank was intro'd in 2016. If you transplanted LED headlights and grille into an older 3rd gen Tundra, it would look 2019.

 

MGM pulls more ace too

somethin to think about

 

Lol, forgot the color wars began right away in post 2. Ya, don't get black like me unless you want to wash it every day, but boy oh boy is it reflective and shiny when done. It does show swirls and scratches the most. MGM or white if you want less detail maintenance. Red, blue or something else if you want to stand out.

 

Thanks everyone for the replies. Good to know that I can swap out headlights/grille to modernize the front end.
I think 2016/2017 is what I will try and hunt down. Thanks again for the advice and JoshuaA I have owned a new black pickup before so know exactly what you are going through

I'm looking to get an MGM color!

 

MGM for.....the......win!

 

2016

 

White is the easiest to make look good on a budget. A simple dark window tint and it practically changes the whole look.

 

2021. Get the latest and greatest maybe, hopefully. wishfully it might be the best

 

I came from a 2005 into a 2016 and it’s been great

 

I wouldn't say a lot, I have an '18 and have had no "issues". Agree with the rest of your statement.

'18 has the Lane Departure (which gets turned off immediately) and the adaptive cruise which is nice on long trips. Not sure if the earlier years has this.

What I found when I was shopping was the used 2-3 year old ones were as much as the brand new ones so I figure go new with full warranty.

 

love my 2017 MGM in the lengthy process of dechroming... only the front end left... then i need to save up for some bigger tires!!

 

I have a 16 and it has been flawless. Hope this helps

 

2017. 2017. 2017. 2017

This is the last year before all the electrical changes in the 2018 + models

Plus my 2017 came with the Tundra spray in liner and with @ihackers harness you can install the 2018 LED headlights.

 

Yep, hover tundras in 20 and 21

 

Your right, I should edit that. Definitely not saying the 18+ are duds. I just remember people running into issues with the sensors after lifting. But I could be wrong. I actually don’t read the threads LOL

 

My 2018 has had no issues with sensors either. Only 9k miles so far but I love it and adaptive cruise control is very nice under certain conditions.

 

I got a 2017 to avoid the big price increase on the 2018s. I rarely use cruise but BSM would have been nice. The 2 things that sway me to a 2018 are the headlights and the always backlit dash. I fixed the headlights with some retros. Have not found a fix for the hard to read gauges. The problem with used is you will not get the financing deals you can get on a new vehicle. If paying cash then NP. Like said in a previous post I tried to buy a used Tacoma once and price was better on new.

 

It’s a known fact that the 2017 in black is the peak of Tundra development.