Used 2021 Toyota Tacoma for Sale nearChicago, IL

How much does the 2021 Toyota Tacoma cost?

Prices have softened 2.45% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 4,654 listings available, which gives you a solid pool to compare trims and conditions.

If you find a listing below $31,002.51, that's toward the low end of the year-round range and worth acting on quickly.

Is the 2021 Toyota Tacoma a good car?

Yes — the 2021 Toyota Tacoma earns a 4.88/5 user rating, and our experts give it 6.5/10.

The standout strength is Look and feel at 8/10.

Drivers consistently praise its value, reliability, and resale potential, and many also like its durability and feature set. The truck’s breadth of choice is another recurring plus, especially for shoppers who want different cab styles, engines, and off-road-oriented versions.

The trade-offs are clear: it can feel underpowered, and the ride and handling are not as polished as some rivals. That fits the Tacoma’s use case as a rugged midsize pickup for towing, hauling, and off-road use rather than a comfort-first daily driver.

With 31.7% of listings marked as good or great deals, you have room to shop selectively.

Is the 2021 Toyota Tacoma reliable?

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

Drivers describe it as reliable, durable, and a truck they can count on, with strong praise for its trouble-free ownership and long-term value. The expert notes also reinforce that reputation by calling out Toyota’s excellent reliability standing and the Tacoma’s dependable off-road character.

ToyotaCare adds two years or 25,000 miles of free factory-scheduled maintenance and two years of roadside assistance, which helps lower early ownership hassle.

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 a lot.

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

At 73.9% 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 thorough inspection of the frame, suspension, tires, and underbody wear. Because this truck is often bought for towing and off-road use, condition matters as much as mileage. Pay close attention to signs of hard use, uneven wear, and any evidence of repairs.

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 distinctive styling and equipment, with the TRD Pro standing out for its off-road-focused hardware.
• Powertrain: You can choose a 2.7-liter four-cylinder with 159 horsepower and 180 pound-feet of torque, or a 3.5-liter V6 with 278 hp and 265 lb-ft of torque; the V6 is also available with a six-speed manual.
• Safety package: Standard driver aids include 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, with a 7-inch screen on SR and an 8-inch screen on other trims.
• Fuel efficiency: The base four-cylinder returns 21 mpg combined with RWD and 20 mpg combined with 4WD; the V6 automatic returns 21 mpg combined with RWD and 20 mpg combined with 4WD, while the V6 manual 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 sense if you want the Tacoma’s core toughness at the lowest price, but you give up the larger 8-inch touchscreen found on the other trims.
• SR5: This is the best-value trim for most shoppers because it adds the broader standard equipment set and the 8-inch infotainment screen without jumping into the pricier off-road or luxury-focused models.
• TRD Off Road: Choose this if you want the strongest off-road hardware for the money, including the locking rear differential, upgraded suspension, Multi-Terrain Select, and Crawl Control.
• TRD Sport: This is the better pick if you want a more road-oriented feel than the off-road trims while still moving up from the base models.
• Limited: This is the comfort-leaning choice, and it suits you if you want a more upscale Tacoma without going all the way to the most specialized model.
• TRD Pro: This is the top off-road choice, with Fox internal-bypass shocks, a front skid plate, a 1-inch front lift, and wider wheels.

The safety package is standard across the lineup, but the Tacoma’s headlight ratings vary by trim level.

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

This is a moderate market, so you can shop selectively without expecting deep discounts everywhere.

• Deal availability: 31.7% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 4,654 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 2.45% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 73.9% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $31,002.51, 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 $32,385 sits slightly below last year's $33,199.

That price movement suggests the Tacoma has softened a bit, which can help you buy with less risk of overpaying today. If you plan to sell later, the current market still shows healthy demand, but the truck’s age and competition from newer rivals may keep appreciation in check. Strong condition, clean history, and desirable trims should matter a lot when it comes time to resell.

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 Insurance Institute for Highway Safety gave the Tacoma Double Cab top “Good” scores in all crash tests except the passenger-side small overlap front test, where it received an “Acceptable” score. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration gave both cab configurations four-star overall ratings, with four-star ratings in frontal crash and rollover, and five-star ratings in side crash 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’s a solid safety suite for a midsize truck.

One caveat is that headlight performance varies by trim level, and the passenger-side small overlap result is weaker than the rest of the crash-test record.

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:

• 31.7% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• At 73.9% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 2.45% 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 V6 models.

Consider the 2020 if:

• At $31,100, the 2020 costs less than the current year's $32,385 average.
• It keeps the Tacoma’s rugged formula while adding useful updates and standard advanced safety features.

Consider the 2022 if:

• At $33,438, the 2022 costs more than the current year's $32,385 average.
• It keeps the Tacoma’s off-road appeal while adding practical strengths for active-lifestyle buyers.

The bottom line: You should buy the 2021 if you want the best balance of current pricing, broad trim choice, and proven Tacoma appeal. If you’re especially price-sensitive, the 2020 is the smarter value play, while the 2022 makes sense if you want to spend more for a newer model-year alternative.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from September 4, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.