In 2016, automakers were pushing harder than ever to drive value for shoppers and update their product portfolios with the latest designs, technologies, and engineering feats. From headline‑grabbers like the Ford F‑150 to segment staples undergoing major reinvention, the result was a strong crop of newsmakers that represented major turning points for the models in question.
Each of the models we're covering below also earned significant industry recognition in 2016, arriving at a critical moment and undergoing plenty of reinvention that helped redefine shopper expectations across the scene. Taken as a whole, the list of machinery to follow represents some of the most influential and well‑executed vehicles of their day, and they form a useful starting point for shoppers active in the used market a decade later.
2016 Honda Civic
A Ground-Up Reboot
| 2016 Honda Civic Specifications | ||
|---|---|---|
| Engine | 2.0-liter I4 (K20C2) | 1.5-liter Turbo I4 (L15B7) |
| Power | 158 hp @ 6,500 rpm | 174 hp @ 6,000 rpm |
| Torque | 138 lb-ft @ 4,200 rpm | 162 lb-ft @ 1,700 rpm |
| Transmission | 6-speed manual / CVT | CVT |
| 0-60 (approx) | 8.2 seconds | 6.8 seconds |
When Honda launched the 10th-generation Civic in 2016, it was one of the most comprehensive and ambitious new-model developments the automaker had ever undertaken. A new turbocharged engine and Honda Sensing technology, along with coupe, sedan, or hatchback body styles, gave shoppers more options than ever.
Before long, the latest Civic had earned the coveted title of North American Car of The Year, a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (when equipped with Honda Sensing Technology), and U.S. News & World Report’s "2016 Best Compact Car for the Money" award, which recognized the vehicle's combination of value, efficiency, and long‑term ownership costs.
On the used market today, the lowest-mileage examples of a 2016 Civic would cost around $20,000, with the highest-mileage units costing around $10,000. Other key reasons to consider a 2016 Civic include generous interior volume and cargo capacity, handling and ride quality, and a cabin that raised the bar in the compact segment.
2016 Honda Accord
A Segment Standout
| 2016 Honda Accord Specifications | ||
|---|---|---|
| Engine | 2.4-liter I4 (K24W) | 3.5-liter V6 (J35Y) |
| Power | 185 hp @ 6,400 rpm | 278 hp @ 6,200 rpm |
| Torque | 181 lb-ft @ 3,900 rpm | 252 lb-ft @ 4,900 rpm |
| Transmission | 6-speed manual / CVT | 6-speed automatic |
| 0-60 (approx) | 7.6 seconds | 5.7 seconds |
The 2016 Honda Accord arrived three years into the model's ninth generation, which launched for the 2013 model year. Few cars on the market are more award-winning than the Accord, and the 2016 model year saw a further advancement of the platform, complete with a visual upgrade, stiffened body, and upgraded chassis, the rollout of Honda Sensing technology, and the first combined application of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto in a Honda product.
Sedan models got a new aluminum hood for 2016, helping reduce weight. Consider the top-line Touring model to take advantage of new hydraulic subframe bushings and amplitude-reactive dampers that help take the ride upscale. Wheel and brake upgrades, along with retuned power steering, helped dial in the package.
A key sign of the Accord's value in the market comes from its long history of being named to the Car and Driver 10 Best Cars in America list, with the 2016 Accord earning a spot on the list for the 30th time in the award's 32-year history. It also earned a "Best Family Car" rating from KBB.com that year.
Today, you'd pay between $7,000 and $8,000 for the highest-mileage examples on the market, often with well over 200,000 miles of previous use. The priciest 2016 Accord models on the used market are priced around $20,000, with mileage ranging from 40,000 to 80,000 miles, depending on the trim grade.
2016 Mazda CX-5
The Affordable Driver's SUV Gets A Final First-Generation Update
| 2016 Mazda CX-5 Specifications | |
|---|---|
| Engine | 2.5-liter I4 (SkyActiv-G) |
| Power | 184 hp @ 5,700 rpm |
| Torque | 185 lb-ft @ 3,250 rpm |
| Transmission | 6-speed automatic |
| 0-60 (approx) | 7.5 seconds |
When the 2016 Mazda CX-5 arrived, it was a freshly updated take on the brand's first Skyactiv-era crossover SUV. Launched in 2012 with the intention of being a driver-oriented crossover, the 2016 model year update amounted to a single-year refresh to improve the power and equipment levels before the new, next-generation CX-5 arrived for 2017.
The 2016 model year units represent a particularly good pick in the second-hand market, as they tend to be cheaper than the new-for-2017 model that followed, while offering a raft of upgrades for the fourth and final year of the first-generation machine. These included styling updates, trim revisions, a new control interface for the central infotainment system, a retuned suspension, upgraded seats, and added sound insulation. The AWD system was even revised to help improve real-world fuel economy.
In this era, foundations were being laid for the next 10 years of CX-5 relevance, with the model being improved across time, but never totally reinvented. It's got one of the most solid powertrain lineups on your page, and a strong reputation for an upscale interior and a driving experience that keeps owners coming back. On the used market today, this highly recognized SUV will run you about $7,000 on the low side for a unit with 180,000 miles or more, and about $22,000 on the high side for a unit with 25,000 to 40,000 miles.
Sources: Honda, Mazda, Ram, Chevrolet, GMAuthority
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This article originally appeared on CarBuzz and is republished here with permission.
