2021 Toyota Tacoma

The volume SR5 Double Cab 4x4 runs the 3.5L direct-injection Atkinson-cycle V6, carried over unchanged through the third-generation (2016–2023) Tacoma; competitive for the mid-size class in 2021 but well short of the full-size trucks the band also spans.

Torque is modest and arrives high in the rev range, trailing the turbocharged Ranger (310 lb-ft) and the Colorado's V6/diesel options of the same era.

Instrumented V6 automatic Tacomas of this generation run 0–60 in the high-6 to high-7 second range depending on configuration and tire package; the volume 4x4 Double Cab sits toward the slower end.

The Atkinson-cycle V6 is smooth at speed but soft below about 4,000 rpm, so it has to be revved hard to make progress, especially when loaded; the base 2.7L four is notably underpowered. Reviewers consistently cite weak low-end response compared with turbocharged rivals.

The 6-speed automatic is tuned for economy and is widely criticized for hunting between gears and being slow to kick down on grades and when towing; a 6-speed manual stays available on V6 4x4 TRD trims, a rarity enthusiasts value.

6,800 lbs is the class-typical maximum for a V6 mid-size truck of this era, below the Ranger's 7,500 lbs and the Colorado diesel's 7,700 lbs.

A 1,685-lb maximum payload is competitive within the mid-size segment but low against the full truck band; TRD off-road trims carry noticeably less.

The V6 Tow Package adds a Class IV hitch, transmission and oil coolers, a 4/7-pin connector and trailer-brake-controller pre-wiring, and Trailer-Sway Control and a backup camera are standard. There is no integrated brake controller, trailer backup assist or trailer camera system.

4WDemand part-time 4WD with a two-speed transfer case (low range) is available on every trim and standard on the TRD Off-Road and Pro, which add an electronic locking rear differential, Multi-Terrain Select and Crawl Control. There is no full-time or automatic 4WD mode.

One of the segment's off-road benchmarks: the TRD Off-Road has a locker, Crawl Control and Bilstein shocks, and the TRD Pro adds 2.5-in. FOX internal-bypass shocks with rear remote reservoirs, a skid plate and a front lift.

Two gas engines (2.7L I4, 3.5L V6) with a 6-speed automatic or 6-speed manual and RWD or 4WD. There was no turbo, diesel or electrified option in 2021; the hybrid arrived only with the 2024 fourth generation.

The volume SR5 V6 4x4 automatic is EPA-rated at 20 MPG combined, middling for a gas mid-size pickup of its era.

City economy of 18 MPG reflects the heavy body-on-frame 4x4 and a V6 that needs revs to move it.

A boxy profile and part-time 4WD hardware hold highway economy to 22 MPG on the volume 4x4.

Derived from the 21.1-gallon tank and the EPA combined rating; adequate but unremarkable against the truck band.

EPA's current annual fuel-cost estimate at 15,000 mi on regular gasoline; typical for a 20 MPG pickup.

Both the 2.7L four and the 3.5L V6 are designed for 87-octane regular unleaded; no trim requires premium.

All four 2021 Tacoma configurations NHTSA rated earn 4 stars overall, held back by 4-star frontal and 4-star rollover results; side crash is 5 stars.

No IIHS award for 2021. Under the tests in force for the 2021 model year the Double Cab is Good in driver small overlap, moderate overlap, original side, roof and head restraints, but only Acceptable in passenger small overlap; IIHS's later updated side test (run on a 2022, applied back to 2016) rates it Marginal.

Toyota Safety Sense P is standard on every 2021 trim (pre-collision with pedestrian detection, lane departure alert with sway warning, auto high beams, high-speed dynamic radar cruise), but there is no steering-assist lane keeping and blind-spot monitor/RCTA is not on the base SR.

The standard Pre-Collision System earned IIHS's top Superior vehicle-to-vehicle rating and a good daytime pedestrian result, but the older TSS-P has no nighttime pedestrian rating.

Blind Spot Monitor with Rear Cross-Traffic Alert is fitted on SR5 and above (the volume trims) but is alert-only, with no rear cross-traffic braking or trailer-aware coverage, and is missing on the base SR.

Only Lane Departure Alert with sway warning, which warns but does not steer; no lane keeping assist or lane centering on any 2021 trim.

High-speed Dynamic Radar Cruise Control is standard, but it does not work to a stop (no stop-and-go) and there is no paired lane centering, so there is no real highway assist.

No hands-free highway driving system is offered on any 2021 Tacoma.

IIHS rates the LED headlights (Limited, TRD Pro, and LED-DRL-package trims) Good, but the halogen projectors on the volume SR/SR5 trims rate Marginal; auto high beams are standard.

Upright cab gives a decent forward view, but the high hood, high beltline and low seating create front and rear blind zones; a backup camera is standard, and the 2020 refresh added a Panoramic View Monitor on upper trims only.

IIHS rates LATCH ease of use Marginal, and the Double Cab's cramped, upright rear bench makes fitting multiple car seats difficult; Access Cab rear jump seats are worse.

The volume Double Cab seats five; the Access Cab's rear jump seats make it a nominal four-seater.

Adequate but below the class leaders; the low-mounted seat rather than a low roof is what reviewers complain about.

Mid-pack front legroom for a mid-size truck.

Rear headroom is acceptable for average adults but at the bottom of the truck band.

The Double Cab's rear seat is among the tightest in the segment, with an upright backrest and knees-up cushion; adults fit only for short trips.

The volume Double Cab short-bed configuration carries a 5-ft bed; a 6-ft bed is available on Access Cab and Double Cab long-bed.

Short-bed volume is small even by mid-size standards; Toyota does not prominently publish a cu-ft figure, so this is a secondhand spec-database value.

Composite bed with integrated deck rail and adjustable cleats, lockable in-bed storage boxes on the bedside, and a 400W/120V bed outlet on TRD/Limited trims help, but the cabin has small console storage and limited under-seat bins.

The floor-mounted, low front seat forces a legs-out posture that reviewers widely criticize; the 2020 refresh added a power driver seat on SR5 and up but not a height fix, and the rear bench is upright and cramped.

Leaf-sprung body-on-frame ride is busy and jittery unladen, especially on TRD Off-Road; the softer SR5/TRD Sport tunes are tolerable but trail the Ridgeline and Colorado.

Wind and tire noise are prominent at highway speeds and the V6 is loud when it revs, which it often does given the high torque peak.

Dual-zone automatic climate and heated front seats arrive only with TRD Sport/Off-Road Premium packages or the Limited; no ventilated seats or heated wheel, and no rear vents beyond the basics.

The 2021 SR Access Cab with the 2.7L four opens the range at a price in line with the Colorado, Frontier and Ranger entry trims, and well below any full-size truck.

Most Tacomas sold were V6 Double Cab 4x4s in SR5, TRD Sport or TRD Off-Road trim. A typically equipped SR5 V6 4x4 stickered in the mid-to-high $30,000s.

The 2GR V6 and simple body-on-frame hardware are inexpensive to service and parts are widely available, so the 5-year running cost is low for the class. Known issues such as rear-axle seal leaks and transmission hunting are mostly warranty or nuisance items.

The Tacoma won KBB's 2021 Best Resale Value award for mid-size pickups. The projected 5-year percentage sits mid-band for trucks, and real-world retention ran higher after the 2021–22 used-truck price spike.

This is industry-floor basic coverage, matched by the Ford, GM and Nissan mid-size rivals.

This is bottom-of-band powertrain coverage, the same as the Colorado, Ranger and Frontier offered in 2021.

ToyotaCare includes two years of no-cost scheduled maintenance and 24-hour roadside assistance, a real included-service plan that GM and Nissan did not match on their 2021 mid-size trucks. It falls short of the top band because it runs only 2 yr / 25,000 mi.

$37,000 volume-trim price minus its estimated resale value after 5 years (56% retained, or about $20,720) leaves about $16,280 in depreciation. Add the projected $4,600 in 5-year maintenance and repairs, and owning this vehicle for 5 years costs about $20,880 in total.

The 2021 Tacoma is a late year of the third generation (2016–2023), after the 2020 facelift, and it inherits the matured platform. Its J.D. Power Quality & Reliability score is in the 'Great' band, and aggregators give it average-to-good reliability with few complaints.

Toyota has placed in or near the top tier of Consumer Reports brand reliability rankings and J.D. Power VDS for years. In the early 2020s it was consistently among the top few mass-market brands.

NHTSA lists no safety recall for MY2021. Earlier third-generation years had a Denso fuel-pump campaign (2017–2020) and 2017 differential/engine campaigns, so 2021 is the cleanest year of the generation. TSB activity is limited to known drivability items such as 6AT shift-logic updates.

The volume powertrain is the 3.5L 2GR-FKS V6 with the 6-speed automatic. The engine family has a long high-mileage record. The main reported weakness is the transmission's 'shift hunting' and drivability complaints rather than failures, and an occasional rear-differential leak on early third-generation trucks.

Reviewers consistently criticize the third-generation Tacoma cabin for dated design, abundant hard plastics and a low-mounted seat cushion, even after the 2020 tech update. It trails newer rivals such as the Ranger and Gladiator on perceived quality.

Assembly is generally solid, and late third-generation trucks draw few build-quality complaints. There are scattered owner reports of interior rattles and wind noise, typical of body-on-frame pickups.

Toyota has one of the densest US dealer networks (~1,200+ dealers), including in rural truck markets, and solid service satisfaction.

As one of America's best-selling midsize trucks, the Tacoma has abundant OEM and aftermarket parts and one of the largest off-road aftermarkets. Routine repair costs are below the segment average.

The volume SR5/TRD trims get the 8-in Entune 3.0 screen introduced with the 2020 refresh; that is the bottom of the truck band.

Entune 3.0 keeps physical volume/tune knobs and menu buttons, but the native software is dated, slow to boot and graphically crude; most owners bypass it with phone projection.

Wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto became standard with the 2020 refresh; wireless projection is not offered on any 2021 trim.

Embedded navigation is available on upper trims and Amazon Alexa integration is offered, but Toyota's native voice recognition is command-based and clunky.

A JBL premium system with subwoofer is available on Limited, TRD Pro and TRD Premium packages; the base six-speaker system is merely adequate.

Analog gauges flank a small 4.2-in color multi-information display on SR5 and up; no fully digital cluster is offered.

Entune 3.0 supports at most map/app content updates via Dynamic Navigation; there are no vehicle software OTA updates.

Toyota Remote Connect offers remote start, lock/unlock and vehicle status, but only as a trial-then-subscription service on equipped trims, with no digital key.

A few USB ports up front, optional Qi wireless charging (owners report weak/overheating performance) and a 400W bed outlet on upper trims; rear-seat ports are scarce.

Smart Key proximity entry with push-button start is limited to Limited and Premium-packaged TRD trims; the volume SR5 uses a conventional key, and remote start requires the connected-services subscription.

A backup camera is standard and front/rear parking sensors and a Panoramic View Monitor (added for 2020) are available on Limited and TRD packages; camera resolution is low.

No head-up display is offered on any 2021 Tacoma trim.

The Double Cab's 32.6-in rear legroom and upright bench make rear-facing seats a squeeze, LATCH is rated only Marginal for ease of use, and the tall step-in hampers loading kids.

Toyota Safety Sense P (AEB with pedestrian detection, adaptive cruise, lane departure alert) is standard on all trims, but NHTSA rates it only 4 stars overall, it has no IIHS award, and blind-spot monitoring requires SR5 or higher.

Cramped upright rear seat, noisy cabin and a busy ride make multi-hour trips with four aboard tiring; luggage rides in an open 5-ft bed unless covered.

The six-speed automatic hunts and is slow to downshift, the V6 needs revs for real thrust, and the legs-out seating adds fatigue in traffic.

About 20 mpg combined in V6 4WD form on regular fuel is typical-to-weak for mid-size trucks and costly per commuting mile versus cars or the Ridgeline.

A roughly 40.6-ft turning circle (short bed) is good for a truck, but the high cowl and long body need camera help; parking sensors and 360-degree view are reserved for upper trims.

Up to 6,800 lb towing with the V6 Tow Package and up to 1,685 lb payload cover light-to-moderate duty, though the short bed and peaky V6 limit it under heavy load.

The Tacoma's reputation for toughness and longevity is the benchmark of the segment, with a fully boxed ladder frame and a proven 3.5L V6.

Dent-resistant composite bed, deck rail with adjustable cleats, 400W bed outlet on upper trims and a vast aftermarket/rack ecosystem, but no factory trailer brake controller.

~420-mile range and standard adaptive cruise help, but the noisy cabin, busy ride and seating position limit highway endurance, and adaptive cruise lacks stop-and-go.

TRD Off-Road and TRD Pro bring a locking rear differential, Crawl Control, Multi-Terrain Select and Bilstein/FOX suspension, backed by a huge overlanding aftermarket.

An open bed with deck rails and a standard-capable hitch swallows bulky gear like bikes and coolers, but the 5-ft short bed is small and the rear seat folds only to a modest load floor.

Body-on-frame with leaf springs: secure but with noticeable body roll and a jittery rear axle over mid-corner bumps; the Colorado and Ranger feel tidier on pavement.

Hydraulic-assist steering is slow and somewhat vague on center, requiring corrections on the highway.

Front disc/rear drum brakes stop adequately but with a soft pedal and longer-than-average 70-0 distances for the class.

The Atkinson-cycle 3.5L V6 makes its torque at 4,600 rpm and the six-speed automatic is tuned for economy, hunting between gears and hesitating on kickdown.

The V6 is smooth but gets loud and strained when revved hard, which the gearing makes frequent.

A tight turning circle for a crew-cab pickup in the short-bed configuration.

The floor-mounted, non-height-adjustable seat (on most trims) creates a legs-out posture with a high cowl; the wheel tilts and telescopes, and controls are simple and physical.

Clumsy on pavement but genuinely enjoyable off-road, with a rare available six-speed manual and an enthusiast following that keeps it a favorite.

Every 2021 Tacoma includes Toyota Safety Sense P (automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane departure alert, adaptive cruise and auto high beams), plus Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and a 7-in. touchscreen. That safety content beat the Colorado and Frontier at the time. The base 159-hp four-cylinder, manual seats and no blind-spot monitor below SR5 keep it from being loaded.

Prices are competitive and backed by class-leading resale, but the volume V6 4x4 trims ask Ranger and Colorado money for less torque, a dated cabin and a cramped driving position. Buyers pay for durability and resale rather than performance or features per dollar.

This is one of the broadest lineups in the class. There are six core grades (SR, SR5, TRD Sport, TRD Off-Road, Limited, TRD Pro) plus the 2021 Trail Edition and Nightshade specials. Buyers choose between Access and Double Cab, 5-ft and 6-ft beds, I4 or V6, RWD or 4WD, and an automatic or a 6-speed manual.

The Tacoma was the long-running US mid-size pickup sales leader and outsold the Colorado, Ranger and Frontier by a wide margin in 2021.

The Tacoma has a cult following built on durability and off-road credibility, and Toyota was named KBB's Best Resale Value Brand for 2021.

Strong demand and the 2021 chip-shortage inventory crunch left almost no Tacoma incentives, and many dealers added markups over MSRP, especially on TRD Off-Road and TRD Pro.

In 2021 the third generation was in its sixth model year, with only the 2020 facelift for updates. Its platform traces back to the 2005 truck, and the 2022 Frontier and 2024 Tacoma redesigns were already on the horizon.

Reviewers praise its off-road ability, reliability and resale but consistently mark it down for its ride, cramped seating position, transmission hunting and dated interior. It rarely wins comparison tests against the Ranger or Colorado on road manners, so its awards are value and resale awards rather than driving honors.