2021 Toyota Tacoma Review

　　

2021 Toyota Tacoma Review

byCameron RogersManager, News

　　Cameron Rogers has worked in the automotive industry since 2013. He has tested and reviewed hundreds of vehicles over the course of his career. Today, he leads the news team in developing cutting-edge news articles, opinion pieces and sneak peeks at upcoming vehicles. Favorite cars that he's driven during his tenure at zzdcar include the 991-era Porsche 911 Turbo S, Rolls-Royce Ghost and several generations of Honda Odyssey (really).

　　Not everybody needs the size and capabilities of a full-size pickup. That's where midsize trucks come in, and the 2021 Toyota Tacoma is one of the better choices in the class. It trails behind the more city-friendly Honda Ridgeline and all-terrain Jeep Gladiator in our rankings, but we think the Tacoma is a sensible middle ground between the two. It also feels a little more refined than rivals from Chevrolet, Ford and GMC.

　　

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2021 Toyota Tacoma SR 4dr Access Cab 6.1 ft. SB (2.7L 4cyl 6A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.04 per gallon for regular unleaded in North Dakota.

Monthly estimates based on costs in North Dakota

　　$178/mo  for Tacoma SR

　　Tacoma SR

　　SR 4dr Access Cab 6.1 ft. SB (2.7L 4cyl 6A) - $26,400 MSRPSR 4dr Double Cab 5.0 ft. SB (2.7L 4cyl 6A) - $27,230 MSRPSR 4dr Access Cab 6.1 ft. SB (3.5L 6cyl 6A) - $28,660 MSRPSR 4dr Access Cab 4WD 6.1 ft. SB (2.7L 4cyl 6A) - $29,475 MSRPSR 4dr Access Cab 4WD 6.1 ft. SB (3.5L 6cyl 6A) - $32,125 MSRPSR 4dr Double Cab 4WD 5.0 ft. SB (3.5L 6cyl 6A) - $32,665 MSRPSR5 4dr Access Cab 6.1 ft. SB (2.7L 4cyl 6A) - $28,190 MSRPSR5 4dr Double Cab 5.0 ft. SB (2.7L 4cyl 6A) - $29,080 MSRPSR5 4dr Access Cab 4WD 6.1 ft. SB (2.7L 4cyl 6A) - $31,265 MSRPSR5 4dr Access Cab 6.1 ft. SB (3.5L 6cyl 6A) - $31,335 MSRPSR5 4dr Double Cab 5.0 ft. SB (3.5L 6cyl 6A) - $32,480 MSRPSR5 4dr Double Cab 6.1 ft. SB (3.5L 6cyl 6A) - $32,980 MSRPSR5 4dr Access Cab 4WD 6.1 ft. SB (3.5L 6cyl 6A) - $34,675 MSRPSR5 4dr Double Cab 4WD 5.0 ft. SB (3.5L 6cyl 6A) - $35,555 MSRPSR5 4dr Double Cab 4WD 6.1 ft. SB (3.5L 6cyl 6A) - $36,055 MSRPTRD Sport 4dr Access Cab 6.1 ft. SB (3.5L 6cyl 6A) - $33,310 MSRPTRD Sport 4dr Double Cab 5.0 ft. SB (3.5L 6cyl 6A) - $34,565 MSRPTRD Sport 4dr Double Cab 6.1 ft. SB (3.5L 6cyl 6A) - $35,065 MSRPTRD Sport 4dr Access Cab 4WD 6.1 ft. SB (3.5L 6cyl 6M) - $35,085 MSRPTRD Sport 4dr Double Cab 4WD 5.0 ft. SB (3.5L 6cyl 6M) - $35,700 MSRPTRD Sport 4dr Access Cab 4WD 6.1 ft. SB (3.5L 6cyl 6A) - $36,595 MSRPTRD Sport 4dr Double Cab 4WD 5.0 ft. SB (3.5L 6cyl 6A) - $37,530 MSRPTRD Sport 4dr Double Cab 4WD 6.1 ft. SB (3.5L 6cyl 6A) - $38,140 MSRPTRD Off Road 4dr Double Cab 5.0 ft. SB (3.5L 6cyl 6A) - $34,565 MSRPTRD Off Road 4dr Double Cab 4WD 5.0 ft. SB (3.5L 6cyl 6M) - $35,700 MSRPTRD Off Road 4dr Access Cab 4WD 6.1 ft. SB (3.5L 6cyl 6A) - $36,595 MSRPTRD Off Road 4dr Double Cab 4WD 5.0 ft. SB (3.5L 6cyl 6A) (Most Popular) - $37,530 MSRPTRD Off Road 4dr Double Cab 4WD 6.1 ft. SB (3.5L 6cyl 6A) - $38,140 MSRPLimited 4dr Double Cab 5.0 ft. SB (3.5L 6cyl 6A) - $39,155 MSRPLimited 4dr Double Cab 4WD 5.0 ft. SB (3.5L 6cyl 6A) - $42,230 MSRPLimited 4dr Double Cab 4WD 6.1 ft. SB (3.5L 6cyl 6A) - $42,730 MSRPTRD PRO 4dr Double Cab 4WD 5.0 ft. SB (3.5L 6cyl 6M) - $44,325 MSRPTRD PRO 4dr Double Cab 4WD 5.0 ft. SB (3.5L 6cyl 6A) - $47,030 MSRP

　　vs

　　$218/mo

　　Avg. Compact Truck

　　After last year's significant refresh, there are no changes to the core Tacoma offerings. There are, however, a pair of new limited-edition trims for buyers looking for something a little different. The Trail Special Edition is based on the near entry-level SR5 trim with the double-cab body style. Limited to 7,000 units, it comes with all-terrain tires and lockable bed storage bins. The driver's side bin is even insulated so it can function as a built-in cooler. There's also a Nightshade Special Edition based on the more expensive Limited trim, but changes are only aesthetic, with blacked-out badging and trim throughout. Just 5,000 are planned for production.

　　Is the Tacoma the right midsize truck for you? Check out our Expert Rating to get our in-depth take on the 2021Tacoma.

　　

What's it like to live with?

When the Tacoma was redesigned in 2016, we wanted to know what it was like to live with, so we bought one. Specifically, we purchased the 2016 Toyota Tacoma TRD Off-Road and lived with it in our long-term fleet for nearly two years, putting over 40,000 miles on the odometer. The Tacoma has received some updates since its redesign in 2016, but it's the same generation truck so most of our observations apply. To learn about everything from seat comfort to reliability, check out all the details in our long-term Tacoma test.

　　zzdcar Expert Rating

　　Our VerdictThe zzdcar Vehicle Testing Team evaluates a fresh batch of vehicles every week, pairing objective assessments at our test track with real-world driving on city streets, freeways and winding roads. The data we gather results in our Expert Ratings. They’re based on 30-plus scores that cover every aspect of the automotive experience.

　　Good

　　7.7

　　out of 10

　　zzdcar TESTED

　　Rated for you by America's best test team.

　　

Performance

7.5/10

　　How does the Tacoma drive? The Tacoma steers and handles smoothly and is generally easy to drive. The main exception is the brakes, which feel grabby and can induce nosedive in hard stops. We do wish the 3.5-liter V6 felt a bit more willing, but there is enough power for daily use. The transmission shifts predictably and is able to get the most out of the engine.

　　Off-road is where the Tacoma truly shines and stands above all others except the Gladiator. The Tacoma has the clearance, gearing and traction to tackle serious terrain, and the brakes and throttle prove brilliantly precise and controllable in low-range crawling situations.

　　

Comfort

7.5/10

　　How comfortable is the Tacoma? The Tacoma was never a disagreeable truck to ride in, but changes introduced in 2020 made it a little bit more pleasant. A fully adjustable 10-way driver's seat comes standard in V6 trucks, and this seat promotes long-range comfort for drivers of almost all shapes and sizes.

　　The thicker side-window glass cuts down the wind noise compared to prior years, though the Colorado and the Ridgeline still have an edge here. The same is true for ride quality since the Tacoma is still truckier than its smoothest-riding competitors. As for the climate system, it has effective heating and cooling and is easy to adjust.

　　

Interior

7.5/10

　　How’s the interior? The Tacoma's main drawback is its tallish step-in height. Get past that and everything else is solid once you're inside. The controls are logical and straightforward, including the large infotainment screen and the recently redesigned knobs and physical shortcut buttons.

　　The 10-way power seat provides a greater range of adjustability than in pre-2020 models, but we wish the telescoping steering wheel pulled out more. The front-seat roominess benefits from the seat's added downward adjustability, but other dimensions remain the same as before. Visibility is very good thanks to the profile of the hood, ample side windows, and a forward- and side-looking camera system.

　　

Technology

8.0/10

　　How’s the tech? The latest Tacoma is pretty well stocked with tech features. Toyota introduced a new screen in 2020 that featured a larger size, crisper map graphics and quicker responses than in previous models. You also get Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and even Amazon Alexa. Built-in navigation is an inexpensive upgrade option, and it's probably worth getting if you're planning on venturing out of cellphone range a lot.

　　Toyota's approach to standard active safety tech is admirable. Adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane departure warning, automatic high-beam control, and even a driver drowsiness warning system are all standard on all grades.

　　

Towing and Storage

7.5/10

　　How are the towing and storage? The Tacoma's truck bed is ideal. It's made of a composite material that needs no bedliner, and it has an enviable combination of fixed and movable tie-downs. Loading is easy because the tailgate opens low and its bedsides aren't comically tall. With a 6,800-pound maximum tow rating, the Tacoma does lag behind some others, but the deficit isn't large.

　　Interior storage for small items is adequate. Folding the rear seats down into their cargo-carrying position is a little fussy, but as a result it offers better storage space than all but the Ridgeline and the Gladiator. Installing child safety seats is easy, but larger rear-facing and infant seats might eat into front passenger room.

　　

Fuel Economy

7.5/10

　　How’s the fuel economy? The 3.5-liter V6 engine and six-speed automatic combo earns 20 mpg combined (18 city/22 highway) in 4WD trim and 21 mpg combined in rear-wheel-drive models. Our testing leads us to believe that these ratings are achievable and accurate.

　　We tested a 2016 TRD 4WD Off-Road for more than a year and averaged 18.6 mpg over 40,000 miles of use. We were able to exceed the highway rating on several road trips, and there are good reasons why our truck may have come up just over 1 mpg short. Our home-base location skews the mix toward city driving, and the TRD Off-Road has knobbier tires and lacks the front airdam that comes on most Tacomas.

　　

Value

7.5/10

　　Is the Tacoma a good value? You get a lot of well-built truck and a bed with many standard cargo-handling and safety features for your money. The value equation is particularly good on the TRD models. Build quality is solid, and Toyota trucks are known for their mechanical durability. Although warranty coverage isn't generous, you do get two years of free scheduled maintenance.

　　

Wildcard

8.5/10

　　Toyota's Tacoma manages to deliver fun in a right-size pickup package. Its TRD off-road packages are the real deal, not sticker packages inflated by marketing hype. The buying public has responded with fierce loyalty, and this truck has also attracted the attention of the aftermarket, which supports it with many products that enable all sorts of customization. The Tacoma is great for those who want the look and feel of an off-roader even if they'll never get it dirty because it's also an easy-driving and dependable pickup truck.

　　

Which Tacoma does zzdcar recommend?

The midtier TRD Sport and Off-Road are quite appealing. They both add plenty of features and offer a diverse options list. Of the two, the TRD Off-Road is our pick. It enhances the truck's off-road ability while keeping the cost reasonable. While the deletion of the airdam comes with a slight fuel economy penalty, we think it's offset by the more comfortable ride provided by the smaller wheels and Bilstein shocks.

　　

2021 Toyota Tacoma models

The Toyota Tacoma is a midsize pickup truck offered in six trim levels: SR, SR5, TRD Sport, TRD Off-Road, Limited and TRD Pro.The SR and SR5 come standard with a 2.7-liter four-cylinder engine producing 159 horsepower and 180 lb-ft of torque. Optional for those trims — and standard on all others — is a 3.5-liter V6 with 278 hp and 265 lb-ft on tap. A six-speed automatic is common across the lineup, though some trims offer a six-speed manual transmission in conjunction with the V6.

　　Other choices include an extended cab (Access Cab) configuration with a 6.1-foot bed or a crew cab (Double Cab) with a 5- or 6.1-foot bed. Rear-wheel drive is standard on most trims, with part-time four-wheel drive (with a low-range transfer case) an option.

　　SR

　　The SR is the work truck of the bunch and kicks things off with:

　　16-inch steel wheels Sliding rear window Power-adjustable and heated side mirrors Tough composite bed that needs no bedliner Movable bed cleats Locking/unlocking vehicle remote (V6 only; can be added to four-cylinder models via Convenience package) Dual-zone automatic climate control (V6 only) 7-inch touchscreen Six-speaker audio system Apple CarPlay and Android Auto Satellite radio Three USB ports Wi-Fi hotspotThe base Tacoma also comes with a suite of driving aids. These include:

　　Forward collision mitigation (warns you of an impending collision and applies the brakes in certain scenarios) Lane departure warning (alerts you if the vehicle begins to drift out of its lane) Adaptive cruise control (maintains a driver-set distance between the Toyota and the car in front)SR5

　　The SR5 will be a little more palatable for most non-commercial buyers. Among its upgrades are:

　　Alloy wheels (V6 only) Chrome exterior trim Locking/unlocking vehicle remote Power-sliding rear window (V6 Double Cab only) Power-adjustable driver's seat (V6 only) Auto-dimming mirror (V6 only) Leather-wrapped steering wheel 8-inch touchscreenThe Tacoma SR5 is available with a number of option packages, including:

　　Dynamic Navigation package (V6 only) Navigation system Rear parking sensors (alert you to obstacles that may not be visible behind the vehicle when parking) Technology package (V6 only) Blind-spot monitor with rear cross-traffic alert (warns you if a vehicle is in your blind spot during a lane change or while reversing) Trail Special Edition (V6 Double Cab only) All-terrain tires Unique seat trim All-weather floor mats 120-volt outlet in bed Locking storage bins in bed TRD Sport

　　The TRD Sport is the mildest of the off-road Tacomas. Because it's powered by the V6, all non-optional features listed above designated "V6 only" are standard here. On top of the SR5 features, it adds:

　　17-inch wheels Sport-tuned suspension Hood scoop Heated mirrors Body-colored fender flares and rear bumper 120-volt outlet in bed Keyless entry and ignition (automatic transmission only) Power-sliding rear window (Double Cab only) Wireless charging padA number of packages and stand-alone options are available for the TRD Sport, and many can be mixed and matched with one another. In a nutshell, these include:

　　Technology package Blind-spot monitor with rear cross-traffic alert Rear parking sensors Premium Audio and Dynamic Navigation package Navigation system JBL premium audio system Premium Sport package Sunroof Heated front seats Leather upholstery Advanced Technology package 360-degree camera system (gives you a top-down view of the Tacoma and its surroundings for tight parking situations) LED headlightsTRD Off-Road

　　The TRD Off-Road is equipped similarly to the TRD Sport but adds genuine off-road performance bits. Upgrades include:

　　16-inch wheels Removes the Sport's hood scoop Chrome rear bumper Textured black fender flares Removes front airdam Lockable rear differential Bilstein shock absorbers Advanced off-road traction control system with multiple terrain settings and rock crawl (4WD only)The TRD Off-Road's option packages are generally the same as those for the TRD Sport. The available Multi-Terrain monitor adds front- and side-view cameras for fine-tuning the Tacoma's position off-road.

　　Limited

　　The Tacoma Limited primarily adds luxury features. It includes most of the TRD Sport's equipment, minus the sport suspension and hood scoop. Also added are:

　　18-inch alloy wheels LED headlights Silver grille Sunroof Leather upholstery JBL audio system Navigation system Blind-spot monitor with rear cross-traffic alert Rear parking sensors 360-degree camera systemThe only notable package here is the Nightshade Special Edition package. It adds:

　　Black-painted wheels Black exterior styling elements, including mirror caps and door handles TRD Pro

　　The TRD Pro is the range-topping Tacoma and gains serious off-road hardware. On top of TRD Off-Road equipment, the TRD Pro adds:

　　16-inch black-painted TRD wheels with all-terrain tires LED headlights Black grille Hood scoop Thicker front skid plate Fox internal bypass shock absorbers Upgraded exhaust Multi-Terrain Monitor (an off-road camera system) Sunroof Unique leather upholstery JBL audio system Navigation system Blind-spot monitor with rear cross-traffic alert Rear parking sensors

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2021 Tacoma Highlights

Type: Access CabDouble CabDouble Cab

　　Trim: SRSR5TRD Off RoadTRD SportLimitedTRD PROSR

　　

Base MSRP	$27,230
Engine Type	Gas
Combined MPG	21 MPG
Cost to Drive	$178/month
Seating	5 seats
Drivetrain	rear wheel drive
Max Towing Capacity	3,500 lbs.
Warranty	3 years / 36,000 miles