Used 2021 Toyota Tacoma for Sale nearChicago, IL

How much does the 2021 Toyota Tacoma cost?

Prices have softened 1.96% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 4,545 listings available, which gives you a solid amount of inventory to compare.

Is the 2021 Toyota Tacoma a good car?

Yes — with a 4.88/5 user rating and a 6.5/10 expert rating, the 2021 Toyota Tacoma lands as a strong pick for shoppers who value capability over polish. The standout strength is Look and feel at 8/10.

Owners consistently praise its value, reliability, and resale potential, and many also like its durability and feature set. The truck’s off-road focus and broad range of configurations are recurring positives, especially if you want a midsize pickup that can handle work, recreation, and rougher terrain.

The trade-offs are clear: performance is sluggish, handling is poor, and the base engine is underwhelming. That makes it a better fit if you care more about toughness and versatility than refinement or quick acceleration.

With a setup that suits buyers who want a smaller alternative to a full-size pickup, it remains appealing for commuting, hauling, and weekend adventures. Good and great deals account for 30.8% of listings, so there is still some room to shop selectively.

Is the 2021 Toyota Tacoma reliable?

Owners rate it 4.88/5, a strong signal of long-term satisfaction.

User feedback points to reliability, durability, and dependable ownership as major strengths, with many drivers saying they trust the Tacoma over the long term. The expert evaluation also reinforces that theme by describing the Tacoma as a truck built around capability and toughness, with Toyota’s reputation for reliability standing out in the cost-effectiveness discussion.

ToyotaCare adds two years or 25,000 miles of free factory-scheduled maintenance and two years of roadside assistance, which helps reduce early ownership costs. For used buyers, the main long-term risk is that a truck with this much capability may have been worked hard, so condition and maintenance history matter.

What should I look for when buying a used 2021 Toyota Tacoma?

At 73.3% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.

You should start with a vehicle history report and then prioritize a pre-purchase inspection, especially if the truck has been used for towing, off-roading, or heavy commuting. Focus on wear items, signs of hard use, and whether the truck’s condition matches its mileage and price.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The SR trim gets a 7-inch touchscreen, while other trims get an 8-inch screen; higher trims also add more upscale styling and equipment, and the TRD Pro stands out for its off-road-focused hardware.
• Powertrain: You can choose a 2.7-liter four-cylinder or a 3.5-liter V6, and the V6 is also available with a six-speed manual transmission.
• Safety package: Standard driver assistance includes forward-collision warning with pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, automatic high beams, and adaptive cruise control.
• Infotainment: Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, Bluetooth, and SiriusXM are standard, and the system is described as easy to use.
• Fuel efficiency: The base four-cylinder returns 21 mpg combined with RWD and 20 mpg combined with 4WD; the V6 returns 21 mpg combined with RWD and 20 mpg combined with 4WD, while the manual V6 drops to 18 mpg combined.

Which 2021 Toyota Tacoma trim should I buy?

The 2021 Toyota Tacoma is offered in 6 trim levels: SR, SR5, TRD Off Road, TRD Sport, Limited, and TRD Pro.

Here's the short version:

• SR: This is the entry point, and it makes the most sense if you want the Tacoma’s core toughness and standard tech without paying for extras. It’s the trim to consider if you’re shopping on a tighter budget.
• SR5: This is the best-value trim for many shoppers because it adds more everyday usability while staying below the more specialized off-road and luxury-oriented versions.
• TRD Off Road: This is the right choice if you want the Tacoma’s off-road hardware and capability to be a bigger part of the package.
• TRD Sport: This trim is for shoppers who want a more road-oriented flavor without moving all the way up the lineup.
• Limited: This is the comfort-oriented choice if you want a more upscale Tacoma experience.
• TRD Pro: This is the most off-road-focused version, with standard 4WD and the most serious trail hardware in the lineup.

The safety package includes forward-collision warning with pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, automatic high beams, and adaptive cruise control.

Is now a good time to buy a used 2021 Toyota Tacoma?

This looks like a moderate, selective buyer’s market, so you can shop carefully without expecting deep discounts everywhere.

• Deal availability: 30.8% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 4,545 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 1.96% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 73.3% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $30,987, that's toward the low end of the year-round range and worth acting on quickly.

What is the 2021 Toyota Tacoma's resale value?

The current average of $32,329 sits slightly below last year's $32,976.

That modest decline suggests the Tacoma is holding value reasonably well, even if the market has eased a bit. For a future seller, that means you may not see rapid appreciation, but you also are not looking at a steep drop in demand.

The Tacoma’s strong reputation for reliability and owner satisfaction should help support buyer interest over time. Trucks with this kind of following tend to stay easier to move than less established rivals.

Vehicles with strong owner satisfaction ratings, like this model year's 4.88/5, tend to retain buyer demand, which supports resale value over time.

Is the 2021 Toyota Tacoma safe?

The 2021 Toyota Tacoma earns Good IIHS crash-test results in most tests, with an Acceptable score in the passenger-side small overlap front test, and it earns four-star ratings in frontal and rollover crash testing, and five-star ratings in all other NHTSA tests.

It earns a 7/10 safety score from our experts.

Standard driver-assistance features include forward-collision warning with pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, automatic high beams, and adaptive cruise control. That is a solid safety suite for a midsize truck.

One caveat is that headlight performance varies by trim, with a mix of Good and Marginal ratings. If safety is a priority, pay close attention to the specific trim and equipment on the truck you’re considering.

Should I buy a 2021 Toyota Tacoma or consider a different year?

If you're weighing the 2021 against nearby model years, here's how to think about it:

Choose the 2021 if:

• 30.8% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• At 73.3% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 1.96% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 4.88/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• The 2021 adds two special editions and standard dual-zone automatic climate control on all V6 models.

Consider the 2020 if:

• At $30,949, the 2020 costs less than the current year's $32,329 average.
• It remains the best-selling midsize truck in the US.

Consider the 2022 if:

• At $33,408, the 2022 costs more than the current year's $32,329 average.
• It remains a strong choice for commuting and weekend adventures.

The bottom line: If you want the current-year Tacoma with a broad set of listings and a slight price dip, the 2021 is the sensible default. If your priority is saving money, the 2020 is the better value play. If you want to stay with the Tacoma formula but are willing to pay more, the 2022 is the next step up.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from September 15, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.