hamburger icon

2021 Toyota Tacoma

Toyota Tacoma OEM Exterior Primary Photo
OEM Interior Primary
OEM Exterior
OEM Exterior
Interior Profile
Photos Colors
Used Car Price Range
$24,988 - $43,789
$24,988 $43,789
Select a Trim
Select a Trim
2021 SR 4x2 Access Cab 6 ft. box 127.4 in. WB
most popular
Price:   -  From $26,400
2021 SR 4x2 Double Cab 5 ft. box 127.4 in. WB Price:   -  From $27,230
2021 SR5 4x2 Access Cab 6 ft. box 127.4 in. WB Price:   -  From $28,190
2021 SR V6 4x2 Access Cab 6 ft. box 127.4 in. WB Price:   -  From $28,660
2021 SR5 4x2 Double Cab 5 ft. box 127.4 in. WB Price:   -  From $29,080
2021 SR 4x4 Access Cab 6 ft. box 127.4 in. WB Price:   -  From $29,475
2021 SR5 4x4 Access Cab 6 ft. box 127.4 in. WB Price:   -  From $31,265
2021 SR5 V6 4x2 Access Cab 6 ft. box 127.4 in. WB Price:   -  From $31,335
2021 SR V6 4x4 Access Cab 6 ft. box 127.4 in. WB Price:   -  From $32,125
2021 SR5 V6 4x2 Double Cab 5 ft. box 127.4 in. WB Price:   -  From $32,480
2021 SR V6 4x4 Double Cab 5 ft. box 127.4 in. WB Price:   -  From $32,665
2021 SR5 V6 4x2 Double Cab 6 ft. box 140.6 in. WB Price:   -  From $32,980
2021 TRD Sport V6 4x2 Access Cab 6 ft. box 127.4 in. WB Price:   -  From $33,310
2021 TRD Off Road V6 4x2 Double Cab 5 ft. box 127.4 in. WB Price:   -  From $34,565
2021 TRD Sport V6 4x2 Double Cab 5 ft. box 127.4 in. WB Price:   -  From $34,565
2021 SR5 V6 4x4 Access Cab 6 ft. box 127.4 in. WB Price:   -  From $34,675
2021 TRD Sport V6 4x2 Double Cab 6 ft. box 140.6 in. WB Price:   -  From $35,065
2021 TRD Sport V6 4x4 Access Cab 6 ft. box 127.4 in. WB Price:   -  From $35,085
2021 SR5 V6 4x4 Double Cab 5 ft. box 127.4 in. WB Price:   -  From $35,555
2021 TRD Off Road V6 4x4 Double Cab 5 ft. box 127.4 in. WB Price:   -  From $35,700
2021 TRD Sport V6 4x4 Double Cab 5 ft. box 127.4 in. WB Price:   -  From $35,700
2021 SR5 V6 4x4 Double Cab 6 ft. box 140.6 in. WB Price:   -  From $36,055
2021 TRD Off Road V6 4x4 Access Cab 6 ft. box 127.4 in. WB Price:   -  From $36,595
2021 TRD Sport V6 4x4 Access Cab 6 ft. box 127.4 in. WB Price:   -  From $36,595
2021 TRD Off Road V6 4x4 Double Cab 5 ft. box 127.4 in. WB Price:   -  From $37,530
2021 TRD Sport V6 4x4 Double Cab 5 ft. box 127.4 in. WB Price:   -  From $37,530
2021 TRD Off Road V6 4x4 Double Cab 6 ft. box 140.6 in. WB Price:   -  From $38,140
2021 TRD Sport V6 4x4 Double Cab 6 ft. box 140.6 in. WB Price:   -  From $38,140
2021 Limited V6 4x2 Double Cab 5 ft. box 127.4 in. WB Price:   -  From $39,155
2021 Limited V6 4x4 Double Cab 5 ft. box 127.4 in. WB Price:   -  From $42,230
2021 Limited V6 4x4 Double Cab 6 ft. box 140.6 in. WB Price:   -  From $42,730
2021 TRD Pro V6 4x4 Double Cab 5 ft. box 127.4 in. WB Price:   -  From $44,325
2021 TRD Pro V6 4x4 Double Cab 5 ft. box 127.4 in. WB Price:   -  From $47,030
Expert Rating
2.5 (Fair)

Our expert ratings are based on seven comprehensive criteria: quality, safety, comfort, performance, fuel economy, reliability history and value.

You can interpret our ratings in the following way:

: Outstanding vehicle. Only the most exceptional vehicles achieve this rating.

: Very Good vehicle. Very good and close to being the best vehicle in its class.

: Good vehicle. Decent, but not quite the best. Often affordable, but lacking key features found in vehicles of the same class.

: Below average vehicle. Not recommended, and lacking attributes a car buyer would come to expect for the price.

: Poor vehicle. Simply does not deserve to be on the road.

See All Used Listings

Overview

What's New

What's new with the 2021 Toyota Tacoma? Nothing, not that it really needed any freshening up. Despite being one of the most dated options in the midsize truck market, it remains the best-selling midsize truck year in and year out.

Why?

Credit Toyota's sterling reputation for dependability as well as the Taco's masculine looks and adventurous aura. For many buyers, those factors alone outweigh the more compelling spec sheets of competing trucks.

Choosing Your Toyota Tacoma

The Tacoma is available in six trim levels: SR, SR5, TRD Sport, TRD Off-Road, Limited, and TRD Pro. Pricing starts at $27,245 including destination for the base SR model and climbs to $45,170 for the TRD Pro.

Engine Choices

Motivating the SR and SR5 is a 2.7-liter four-cylinder engine. A 3.5-liter V6 is found in all other models, and it's optional on the two lower trims a well. The V6 much better suited to moving the Tacoma, especially a loaded-up example.

Engine TypeHorsepowerTorqueMax TowingFuel Economy (Combined)
2.7L 4-Cylinder159 hp180 lb-ft3,500 pounds21 mpg
3.5L V6278 hp265 lb-ft6,800 pounds21 mpg

The four-cylinder mates up to a six-speed automatic transmission that drives the rear wheels. Four-wheel drive is available as well. A six-speed automatic remains the most common transmission with the V6, but Toyota continues to offer a six-speed manual on the three TRD trims.

Maximum towing capacity of 6,800 pounds trails the competition by at least a few hundred pounds

If the depressing power numbers didn't deter you from the four-cylinder already, the gas mileage should be enough to do so. As noted in the chart above, the tepid four gets the same combined fuel economy as the much more powerful V6. It also can't haul or tow nearly as much. Leave the base engine for fleet buyers and cheapskates and step up to a V6 model.

Passenger and Cargo Capacity

Two cab styles and bed lengths are offered. Access Cabs get two partial rear clamshell doors and a compromised rear seating area, while Double Cabs offer four full-size doors and a more car-like back seat. All but the top two trims are offered with both cabs.

The most popular Tacoma is the four-door Double Cab, which can seat five. However, the three rear passengers must make do with just 32 inches of leg room, which falls well short of what's offered by the four-door Chevrolet Colorado and Ford Ranger. Access Cabs cut that down to a mere 24 inches of leg room, equivalent to the tightest third-row seats of crossovers and SUVs.

A 5-foot bed is mandatory with the Access Cab, but Double Cabs offer both the 5-foot and a 6-foot bed. The 5- and 6-foot beds are sized the same as the competition.

Toyota Tacoma

Safety Features

Toyota's Safety Sense suite of safety features is standard equipment on all the company's products, including the Tacoma. The suite of features comprises automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, automatic high beams, and adaptive cruise control.

Additional safety kit like blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and a surround-view camera come standard on Limited and TRD Pro trims.

To keep safe on the trails, a multi-terrain monitor is available on the TRD Off-Road and is standard on the TRD Pro.

Connectivity

Base Tacoma trucks make do with a 7-inch touchscreen display that comes standard with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. All other trims get an 8-inch screen, and navigation is included on Limited and TRD Pro trims. All trucks get Bluetooth, three USB ports, and wi-fi hotspot capability.

Toyota Tacoma

SR - From $27,245

The base Tacoma SR is sparsely equipped by any definition. Its short list of amenities includes cloth upholstery, 16-inch wheels, power windows and locks, and heated mirrors.

Remote keyless entry is $240, and an $840 SX Package blacks out the trim. The Utility Package lopes off $1,780 from the MSRP by eliminating the back seat and rear wiper and swapping out the body-color bumpers and trim for unpainted plastic pieces.

SR5 - From $29,035

Compared to the SR, the SR5 tacks on a 4.2-inch driver information display, chrome bumpers, fog lights, keyless entry, and the 8-inch touchscreen.

The only options are a $650 tonneau cover and a $685 Appearance Package that includes dark gray 16-inch wheels and color-keyed overfenders.

TRD Sport - From $34,155

Along with its upsized V6 engine, the TRD Sport gets dual-zone climate control, a 120-volt outlet in the bed, and wireless charging. Heated seats are also standard on Double Cabs only.

Optional is the $1,280 Technology Package, which includes LED headlights and fog lights, audible parking sensors, and blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert. The same package with a tonneau cover is also offered for $1,935.

TRD Off-Road - From $35,410

The next tier of TRD is the TRD Off-Road. Its standard content includes a 10-way power driver's seat, electronically-locking rear differential, and machined 16-inch alloy wheels. Four-wheel drive models also come standard with a multi-terrain drive mode selector.

Limited - From $40,000

The Limited is as luxurious as the Tacoma gets. More chrome slathers the exterior, and larger 18-inch wheels fill the fenders. Full LED lighting, a power moonroof, premium audio, navigation, a surround-view camera, and leather upholstery are all standard.

The only option is a $1,000 Nightshade package that blacks out the exterior.

TRD Pro - From $45,170

The priciest Tacoma mixes in the luxuries of the Limited with a slew of hardware that showcases the best of Toyota's TRD team. It gets Fox internal-bypass shocks, the multi-terrain drive mode selector, skid plates, a cat-back exhaust, a multi-terrain monitor, and 16-inch black alloy wheels.

Compare Tacoma Trims Side-By-Side

CarsDirect Tip

Normally, we'd say shy away from the pricier 2021 Toyota Tacoma trims, especially given how dated it is versus the competition. But depreciation hardly affects these trucks, so it's easier to justify buying one of the more expensive models. Regardless, our favorite option is the TRD Off-Road, which is a fine balance of daily driver and trail rig.

author image
Automotive Editor
Read Less

Expert Review

Pros
  • Modern touchscreen
  • Well-aging design
  • Off-road-ready TRD models
Cons
  • Cramped rear seat
  • Weak base engine
  • Underwhelming on-road performance
Expert Rating
2.5 (Fair)

Our expert ratings are based on seven comprehensive criteria: quality, safety, comfort, performance, fuel economy, reliability history and value.

You can interpret our ratings in the following way:

: Outstanding vehicle. Only the most exceptional vehicles achieve this rating.

: Very Good vehicle. Very good and close to being the best vehicle in its class.

: Good vehicle. Decent, but not quite the best. Often affordable, but lacking key features found in vehicles of the same class.

: Below average vehicle. Not recommended, and lacking attributes a car buyer would come to expect for the price.

: Poor vehicle. Simply does not deserve to be on the road.

author image
Automotive Editor

Elder statesman still has a few tricks up its sleeve. The Toyota Tacoma saw its last meaningful redesign in 2016. Granted, that’s not too long ago, but it was far from revolutionary. Despite being on the older side, the 2021 Toyota Tacoma still has a few tricks, including impressive off-road capabilities and a look that traditionalists love.

Rugged but approachable exterior, cave-like interior. Toyota is 1-for-2 in pickup truck design, as the Toyota Tundra is a whiff, but the Tacoma is a relative hit. The Tacoma is getting up in age, but it boasts strong body lines, bold wheel arches, an upright grille, and all the yesteryear things that made trucks, well … truck-y.

It’s this no-nonsense design that makes it so appealing to buyers in the world truck design that either screaming in your face or about as rugged as microwaved butter. The Tacoma found that balance in 2016 and is milking it.

Inside, the cabin delivers a quick hat tip to modern times with a standard 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system that boasts Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa. Optionally, buyers can add an 8-inch screen with the same smartphone integration.

Outside of these touches of modern, the rest of the cabin is simple and shows its age. The dash is upright with an all-business look, loads of buttons and knobs to tinker with, and plastics as far as the eye can see. Plus, the low roof line creates a cave-like feeling inside.

These touchscreen options match most of its competitors, except the Ford Ranger. Despite being a few years younger than the Tacoma, its standard 4.2-inch non-touchscreen is a throwback.

Looking for a softer-styled pickup cabin? The Honda Ridgeline is mostly a Honda Pilot on the inside, and you can’t get much softer than that.


Toyota Tacoma

Off-road skills, but its big V6 disappoints. The Tacoma’s optional 3.5-liter V6 engine pumps out 278 horsepower and 265 pound-feet of torque. The power feeds through either a six-speed manual – yup, a real-life DIY gearbox – or an optional six-speed automatic. With its big-boy pants on, the Tacoma can pull a 6,800-pound trailer, beating the Ridgeline by 1,800 pounds.

Inside a bubble, the Tacoma’s V6 sounds powerful, but it falls short of the Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon twins’ 308-hp V6, the Jeep Gladiator’s 285-hp V6, and the Ridgeline’s 280-hp V6. Plus, that 6,800-pound towing capacity is 800 to 1,000 pounds less than most competitors.

Let’s not even talk about the standard 159-hp 2.7-liter four-cylinder engine Toyota drops in some Tacoma models.

Despite its relative lack of power in the class, it’s nearly unmatched in off-road capability, especially in the TRD Off-Road and TRD Pro models. The TRD Of-Road makes the great use of the Tacoma’s 9.6 inches of ground clearance with the Multi-Terrain Select system, which allows the driver to choose terrain settings, like loose rocks, sand, or mud, for enhanced traction.

The TRD Pro takes this off-road capability a step further with 2.5-inch FOX off-road shocks, TRD-tuned front springs with a 1-inch lift, TRD-tuned progressive-rate rear leaf springs, a TRD Pro skid plate, and more.

Some Tacoma competitors have their own off-road-ready variants, but none are as capable as the TRD Pro.

Comfortable front seats, but skip the rears. The Tacoma has decent front seats that offer good positioning and plenty of leg support for longer drives. It lacks customization with only 10 adjustments for the driver and four for the passenger as standard.

The rear seats are forgettable, though. In the Access Cab model, you get just 24.6 inches of leg room, which will force even children to contort their bodies. In the Double Cab model, things get a little better at 32.6 inches, but these upright, thin-padded seats are for temporary use only.

The Gladiator’s rear seats are no beacons of comfort, but with 38.3 inches of leg room, adults can at least stretch out a bit. The pinnacle of five-passenger comfort in the midsize pickup segment comes in the Ridgeline, which features 36.7 inches of rear leg room and plenty of padding and support in the rear seats.

The Tacoma is a rarity with its standard automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, and automatic high beams. This safety gear is offset a bit by its iffy four-star NHTSA safety rating. The IIHS hasn’t tested the Tacoma yet.

Every Tacoma competitor not bearing a Honda badge lacks standard safety tech, giving it a distinct advantage. The Ridgeline, however, puts the Tacoma in its place with standard automatic emergency braking, lane keeping assist, adaptive cruise control, and blind-spot monitoring.

Final thoughts. The 2021 Toyota Tacoma is getting a bit grey, but it still has loads to offer as a midsize truck. Sure, it may not tow like the Colorado or Gladiator, but it’s competent at tugging a trailer and makes up for its shortcomings with off-road chops and rugged design that’s aged well.

Buyers who need more people-hauling abilities can look to the Pilot-based Ridgeline and its crossover-like cabin. Want better straight-line performance? The 306-hp Colorado offers that. If you have serious towing to do, the Colorado and Canyon offer a 2.8-liter turbodiesel engine that ups its towing capacity to 7,700 pounds.

Check prices for the 2021 Toyota Tacoma »

Read Less

Specs & Features

Highlights
Overall Crash Safety Rating
Engine - Cylinders/Horsepower/Torque
2.7L I-4 / 159 HP / 180 ft.lbs.
Transmission
6-spd auto w/OD
Drive Type
Rear-wheel
Fuel Economy - City/Highway/Combined
20 / 23 / 21 Mpg
Passenger Capacity
4 / 2
Bumper to Bumper Warranty
36 Months / 36,000 Miles
Mechanical Specs
Engine - Cylinders/Horsepower/Torque
2.7L I-4 / 159 HP / 180 ft.lbs.
Drive Type
Rear-wheel
Fuel Economy - City/Hwy/Combined
20 / 23 / 21 Mpg
Brakes
Front Disc/rear Drum
Front Suspension
Double Wishbone
Rear Suspension
Rigid Axle Leaf
Spare Tire And Wheel
Full-size Steel
Fuel Tank
21.1 Gal.
Recommended Fuel Type
Regular Unleaded
Average Cost To Fill Tank
$81
Dimensions & Capabilities
Maximum Cargo Volume
Passenger Volume
Exterior Length
212.3 "
Exterior Width
74.4 "
Exterior Height
70.6 "
Front Headroom
39.7 "
Rear Headroom
34.9 "
Front Legroom
42.9 "
Rear Legroom
24.6 "
Front Shoulder Room
58.3 "
Rear Shoulder Room
56.5 "
Front Hip Room
Rear Hip Room
Curb Weight
3,915 Lbs.
Wheel Base
127 "
Turning Radius
20.3 '
Exterior Features
Door Count
4 Doors
Wheels
16.0 " Silver Styled Steel / 16.0 " Black Trd Aluminum / 16.0 " Silver Aluminum
Paint
Clearcoat Monotone
Exterior Mirrors
Dual Power Remote
Bumpers
Body-colored With 1 Front Tow Hook(s)
Grille Moldings
Black
Rear Spoiler
Exhaust
Stainless Steel / Stainless Steel With Chrome Tailpipe Finish / Stainless Steel With Dark Chrome Tailpipe Finish / Stainless Steel With Black Tailpipe Finish
Interior Features
Seating
Passenger Capacity
4 / 2
Seat Trim
Cloth
Front Seat Type
Bucket
Heated Front Seats
Front Driver Seat Direction Controls
4-way
Front Passenger Seat Direction Controls
4-way
Front Armrests
4-way
Rear Armrests
Rear Seats
Jump
Radio & Infotainment
Radio
Siriusxm Am/fm/satellite, Clock, Seek-scan / Siriusxm Am/fm/satellite, Seek-scan
Speakers
6 / 4
Radio Steering Wheel Controls
Apple Car Play
Android Auto
Bluetooth w/ Hands-Free Connectivity
Convenience Features
Steering Wheel Type
Telescopic Tilt
Climate Control
Cruise Control
With Steering Wheel Controls
Sun Roof
Rearview Mirror
Day-night
One Touch Open Window
Driver
Tinted Windows
Deep
Vanity Mirrors
Remote Keyless Entry
Keyfob (front Doors)
Power Outlets
2
Safety Features
Overall Crash Safety Rating
Overall Front Crash Safety Rating
Overall Side Crash Safety Rating
Rollover Crash Safety Rating
Front Impact Airbags
Driver And Passenger W/passenger Front-impact Cancellable
Driver Side Impact Airbags
Seat Mounted
Knee Airbag
Driver And Passenger
Passenger Side Impact Airbag
Seat Mounted
Rear Side Airbag
Seatbelt Pretensioners
Front
Anti-Lock Brakes
4-wheel Anti-lock Brakes (abs)
Forward Collision Warning
Toyota Safety Sense P (tss-p) Forward Collision Mitigation
Blind Spot Sensor
Lane Departure Warning
Lane Departure Alert (lda) Lane Departure
Autonomous Cruise Control
Pedestrian Detection
Front Pedestrian Detection Prevention
Driver Attention Alert
Vehicle Sway Warning Driver Attention
Daytime Running Lights
Auto High Beams
Automatic High Beams (ahb) Auto High-beam
Adaptive Headlights
Parking Sensors
Security Systems
Security System
Panic Alarm
Ignition Disable
Immobilizer
Warranty
Bumper To Bumper Months Miles
36 Months / 36,000 Miles
Major Components Months
60 Months / 60,000 Miles
Included Maintenance Months
24 Months / 25,000 Miles
Roadside Assistance Months
24 Months / Unlimited Miles
Corrosion Perforation
60 Months / Unlimited Miles
Accessories Months
36 Months / 36,000 Miles

Used 2021 Toyota Tacoma for Sale

83 vehicles found within 50 miles of your area
Toyota
SR
Color: White
Price

$24,988

Mileage

70,516 mi

Map location icon

Claremont Toyota (42 mi)

Phone: (909) 788-2428
Toyota
SR5
Color: Black
Price

$25,999

Mileage

85,568 mi

Map location icon

Cerritos Dodge Chrysler Jeep RAM (20 mi)

Phone: (562) 402-5335
Toyota
SR5
Color: Magnetic Gray Metallic
Price

$28,800

Mileage

59,522 mi

Map location icon

Mazda of Orange (34 mi)

Phone: (714) 633-6731
Toyota
SR5
Color: Black
Price

$28,994

Mileage

57,320 mi

Map location icon

STG Auto Group of Montclair (42 mi)

Phone: (909) 552-7433
See All Used Car Listings

Insider Information

We have information you must know before you buy the Tacoma. We want to send it to you, along with other pricing insights.

Sign Me Up

I agree to receive emails from CarsDirect. I understand that I can unsubscribe at any time. We will not spam you, and will never sell your email. Privacy Policy.

Thank you. You are now subscribed to our Pricing Insider updates.