2021 Toyota Tundra Review

　　

2021 Toyota Tundra Review

byReese CountsVehicle Test Editor

　　Reese Counts has worked in the automotive industry since he started as an intern at zzdcar in 2015. He has written or edited thousands of car-related articles and tested and reviewed hundreds of vehicles over the course of his career. Reese is a vehicle test editor at zzdcar and has also contributed to Autoblog. Reese has also been featured on Yahoo! Finance, Engadget and AOL reviewing cars and covering automotive technology, auto shows and more. Reese learned to drive in his father's C4 Chevrolet Corvette and now owns his grandfather's 1999 Mercedes-Benz C43 AMG. A love for cars runs deep in his family.

　　Despite a handful of updates over the years, the Toyota Tundra is one of the oldest vehicles on sale in America today. When the current Tundra debuted in 2007, it was a compelling alternative to the Ford F-150, Chevrolet Silverado and Ram 1500. And while we still like some things about the Tundra — the standard V8 engine, roomy interior and decent list of driver aids — there isn't much else to separate it from the crowd. And all of its competitors have seen at least one full redesign since 2007.

　　

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2021 Toyota Tundra SR 4dr Double Cab SB (5.7L 8cyl 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

　　$257/mo  for Tundra SR

　　Tundra SR

　　1794 4dr CrewMax SB (5.7L 8cyl 6A) - $49,345 MSRP1794 4dr CrewMax 4WD SB (5.7L 8cyl 6A) - $52,395 MSRPSR 4dr Double Cab SB (5.7L 8cyl 6A) - $34,125 MSRPSR 4dr Double Cab LB (5.7L 8cyl 6A) - $34,455 MSRPSR 4dr Double Cab 4WD SB (5.7L 8cyl 6A) - $37,175 MSRPSR 4dr Double Cab 4WD LB (5.7L 8cyl 6A) - $37,505 MSRPSR5 4dr Double Cab SB (5.7L 8cyl 6A) - $35,815 MSRPSR5 4dr Double Cab LB (5.7L 8cyl 6A) - $36,145 MSRPSR5 4dr CrewMax SB (5.7L 8cyl 6A) - $38,420 MSRPSR5 4dr Double Cab 4WD SB (5.7L 8cyl 6A) - $38,865 MSRPSR5 4dr Double Cab 4WD LB (5.7L 8cyl 6A) - $39,195 MSRPSR5 4dr CrewMax 4WD SB (5.7L 8cyl 6A) (Most Popular) - $41,470 MSRPLimited 4dr Double Cab SB (5.7L 8cyl 6A) - $42,840 MSRPLimited 4dr CrewMax SB (5.7L 8cyl 6A) - $44,705 MSRPLimited 4dr Double Cab 4WD SB (5.7L 8cyl 6A) - $45,890 MSRPLimited 4dr CrewMax 4WD SB (5.7L 8cyl 6A) - $47,755 MSRPTRD PRO 4dr Double Cab 4WD SB (5.7L 8cyl 6A) - $49,225 MSRPTRD PRO 4dr CrewMax 4WD SB (5.7L 8cyl 6A) - $53,500 MSRPPlatinum 4dr CrewMax SB (5.7L 8cyl 6A) - $49,345 MSRPPlatinum 4dr CrewMax 4WD SB (5.7L 8cyl 6A) - $52,395 MSRP

　　vs

　　$233/mo

　　Avg. Large Truck

　　Toyota has made only minor changes to the Tundra for 2021, with a pair of new special edition models that focus on changes to the truck's styling rather than improvements to features. Overall, we think it's worth taking a closer look at the competition from Ford, Chevrolet, Nissan and Ram.

　　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.

　　Below Average

　　6.7

　　out of 10

　　zzdcar TESTED

　　Rated for you by America's best test team.

　　

Performance

6.5/10

　　How does the Tundra drive? The 5.7-liter V8 has plenty of thrust, but that's about the best thing we can say about the Tundra's performance. The brake pedal is numb and provides little driver confidence during emergency braking. Around corners, the steering is vague and the large steering wheel doesn't return to center well. Handling feels unsettled at times too, especially on tight roads.

　　We do like that Toyota offers the off-road-ready TRD Pro version. But for routine driving, nearly every full-size truck is more agile, maneuverable and modern.

　　

Comfort

6.0/10

　　How comfortable is the Tundra? Comfort is below average in the Tundra. The seats are stiffly padded and aren't very supportive — most drivers will have issues getting comfortable. The Tundra rides OK over small ruts, but you'll definitely feel larger bumps and potholes because of the stiff and unforgiving suspension. We imagine a significant payload would settle things down a bit, but it's hard to live with every day. Wind and road noise is present most of the time.

　　Our SR5 test vehicle didn't have many creature comforts, but the single-zone climate control is easy to master because of its logical layout and big, easy-to-grasp knobs. The small vents mean you have to crank up the A/C to cool down the cabin in a hurry.

　　

Interior

7.0/10

　　How’s the interior? The Tundra's interior is functional but dated. The controls are large and well labeled, and the redundant buttons next to the touchscreen are useful. It's spacious inside too, with enough room for adults in all the major seating positions.

　　Forward visibility is good. However, there's a huge blind spot over both shoulders, and the blind-spot monitoring system doesn't always detect what's back there. The lack of visibility also makes maneuvering into a parking spot a challenge.

　　

Technology

6.5/10

　　How’s the tech? Technology is a weak point for the Tundra. The base stereo is an underpowered six-speaker unit that doesn't get very loud. And when you turn it up, it distorts easily. At least Bluetooth and USB audio connect relatively quickly on a consistent basis.

　　The factory voice controls for music and phone calls work well but only under a very specific menu structure — the system doesn't respond well to casual language. On the plus side, the Tundra comes standard with features such as adaptive cruise control, automated emergency braking and lane departure monitoring. On the minus side, some of these systems are overly sensitive to neighboring vehicles.

　　

Towing and Storage

7.0/10

　　How are the towing and storage? The max payload rating for the Tundra is competitive, but the bed's load-in height is high. You can't get a fancy tailgate like you can on some of the newer trucks either. Thankfully, the 5.7-liter V8 and standard 4.30 axle ratio give most Tundras a tow rating around 10,000 pounds. Plus, the Tundra comes standard with an integrated electronic trailer brake controller.

　　The back seat is massive, so you can fit most child seats without a problem. But it's poorly laid out for hauling large cargo items because of a sizable hump in the center of the floor. Small-item storage is lacking because many of the spaces are small by segment standards.

　　

Fuel Economy

6.5/10

　　How’s the fuel economy? The Tundra's EPA ratings are well below average. The six-speed automatic holds it back, as does the standard high axle ratio. Other truckmakers hide the negative effects of towing axle ratios by making them optional, but at least with them, you get the choice. As a silver lining, we've found the EPA estimates to be achievable in real-world testing.

　　

Value

7.0/10

　　Is the Tundra a good value? For a bare-bones work truck, the Tundra has some appeal. But when you start adding options, the pricing becomes less competitive. Almost every rival packs better bang for the buck. The cabin materials feel cheap and dated, even if the tolerances are tight.

　　The standard three-year/36,000-mile warranty and five years/60,000 miles for powertrain coverage are about average for the segment. Scheduled maintenance and roadside assistance for two years/25,000 miles are on the house, which is nice.

　　

Wildcard

7.0/10

　　What the Tundra lacks in objective performance metrics, it makes up for with a bit of personality. The 5.7-liter V8 gives you a great soundtrack, and any of the off-road packages will make you feel like a hero in the dirt. Plus, no matter where you go or what you do, this big Toyota won't let you forget that you're driving a brute-force pickup, not some compromised daily driver.

　　

Which Tundra does zzdcar recommend?

The midlevel SR5 trim is the way to go. It has a handful of upgrades over the base model and is available with a number of options including the off-road-focused TRD Sport package.

　　

2021 Toyota Tundra models

The Toyota Tundra is available in six trim levels: SR, SR5, Limited, Platinum, 1794 Edition and TRD Pro. The new Nightshade Special Edition and Trail Edition packages are optional on certain trims. The Tundra is available in double-cab, crew-cab and the larger CrewMax configurations with three available bed lengths. All Tundras are powered by a 5.7-liter V8 (381 hp, 401 lb-ft) paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. Rear-wheel drive is standard, and four-wheel drive is optional.

　　SR

　　The base SR model comes equipped with:

　　Integrated trailer brake controller 7-inch touchscreen Apple CarPlay and Android Auto Six-speaker audio system 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) Automatic high beams Adaptive cruise control (maintains a driver-set distance between the Tundra and the car in front)SR5

　　Stepping up to the SR5 gets you everything included on the SR, adding:

　　8-inch touchscreen infotainment system Tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel FoglightsOptions on the SR5 include:

　　SR5 Upgrade package Larger 38-gallon fuel tank Front bucket seats Power-adjustable driver's seat with power lumbar Premium Audio with Navigation Seven-speaker (Double Cab) or nine-speaker (CrewMax) audio system USB media port and fwo USB charging ports Navigation Convenience package Front and rear parking sensors 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) TRD Sport package 20-inch wheels Bilstein shock absorbers TRD front and rear sway bars LED headlights and foglights Keyless entry with push-button start TRD floor mats, shift knob and decals Color changes to grille, bumpers and mirror caps Trail Edition Unique 18-inch wheels All-terrain tires Lockable bed storage box Grille from the 1794 trim Spray-in bedliner Black seats with tan stitching Limited

　　The Limited trim builds off the SR5 with features including:

　　20-inch wheels Silver grille with a chrome surround Standard LED lighting Standard 38-gallon fuel tank Dual-zone automatic climate control Leather-trimmed seats Heated front seats Power-sliding rear windowOptions include:

　　TRD Off-Road package TRD Sport features 18-inch wheels Skid plates Tow hooks Nightshade Special Edition Black 20-inch wheels Dark chrome grille Black mirror caps, exhaust tip, door handles and badging Black leather-trimmed seats MoonroofPlatinum

　　The Platinum only available in CrewMax/short-bed configuration and is loaded with more creature comforts, including:

　　Full leather seating Leather-wrapped steering wheel Heated and ventilated front seats Upgraded navigation and JBL audio system Black honeycomb-style grille Heated exterior mirrors1794

　　The 1794 Edition is equipped the same as the Platinum model, replacing most of the exterior trim with chrome accents.

　　TRD Pro

　　This rough-and-tumble model is meant for off-road enthusiasts. Features include:

　　Toyota-branded grille Rigid Industries foglights TRD front skid plate Fox shocks with remote reservoirs Revised suspension with a 2-inch lift Black leather seating 18-inch BBS forged aluminum wheels TRD Pro decals and badges

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2021 Tundra Highlights

Type: CrewMaxDouble CabCrewMax

　　Trim: SR5LimitedPlatinum1794TRD PROSR5

　　

Base MSRP	$38,420
Engine Type	Gas
Combined MPG	15 MPG
Cost to Drive	$257/month
Seating	6 seats
Drivetrain	rear wheel drive
Max Towing Capacity	10,100 lbs.
Warranty	3 years / 36,000 miles